Re: Harvard Profile Evaluation - Tools for B-School Profile Evaluation
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26 Aug 2018, 19:40
Would really appreciate an objective review of my profile. I realize I don't have a strong showing of quantitative experience based on my undergraduate majors and work experience, but am hoping that with a 700+ GMAT score, I can be competitive at some of the top schools.
I'm actively applying to Harvard Business School, Yale SOM, MIT Sloan, UW Foster, Georgetown McDonough, and potentially Wharton. Looking to whittle down my list based on what's possible and potentially add a safety school (or 2). I'm applying in the second round because I still need to take the GMAT. Essays are 95% completed. I'm also receiving recommendations from my direct supervisor (Head of Communications) and either one of my company's co-founders (depending on the school). They both work with me daily, have seen me in action, and attended HBS.
Background and nationality: 27 years old, Caucasian American
Gender: Female
Undergrad Information: Political Science & Communications double major at UC Berkeley; 3.32 GPA; studied for a semester in Prague and received a 3.53 GPA (not calculated as part of total GPA)
GMAT: Planning to take in November. I know I need above a 730 to make up for low GPA
Work experience and leadership: I have about 5.5 years of post-college work experience. Directly out of college, I started working at a major Public Relations firm, working with top technology and consumer brands including Microsoft, GameStop, and Siemens. In three years, I was promoted three times and regularly received company awards as a result of my performance. For the past 2.5 years, I have worked for a unicorn startup in Silicon Valley as part of a two-person team managing global Public Relations. I report directly to the Head of Communications and work directly with the COO and CEO (both co-founders) and now manage a new member of our team. This year, my boss and I were awarded the most prestigious Public Relations award for "Best In-House Team". Outside of work, I am on the board of a local women's voting group and serve as a public affairs delegate for a statewide women's organization, working directly with state legislators in support of legislation that helps women and children.
Community and others: I spend a lot of time giving back to the community, both within and outside of the women's organizations in which I'm a participant. As part of a program to help students from underprivileged areas in San Francisco, I tutor a 7th grade student in all subject areas. I've been working with her weekly for two years and previously worked with another student for two years, ultimately helping her get into her top choice high school.
Post MBA goals: Post-MBA, I'd like to assume a management role at a startup, ideally in operations. In my current role, I work with all members of our management and executive teams and have seen first-hand what goes into operations and management. I'd like to learn more of those skills while getting my MBA and apply them directly to a role at a rapidly growing company. Long-term, I'd like to start my own company, likely in the consumer space.
Personal brand: I'm a driven and focused female manager at a unicorn startup and am looking to grow my management skills via an MBA.
Personal narrative: I've been integral in the success of my company, raising brand awareness significantly and helping to mitigate risks via crisis communications efforts. My peers would describe me as very calm under pressure and I'm known at my company for being someone who can always get the job done efficiently and effectively. I'm a storyteller by day and an active participant in women's groups by night, working hard to ensure that women leaders are represented in business, the community, and in politics. I'm eager to pursue an MBA in order to build the management and operations skills that I have not yet mastered, with the ultimate goal of one day starting my own company.
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