Harvard Profile Evaluation - Tools for B-School Profile Evaluation

You have a competitive profile for HBS, and I encourage you to apply. Given the competition, I also encourage you to apply to other top MBA programs. Given your goals, look into Stanford, Haas, MIT Sloan, Chicago Booth, and Kellogg.

You may want to look into the following resources:

1. MBA Admissions consulting and Editing.
2. Get Accepted to Harvard Business School.
3. Harvard Essay Tips.
4. HBS Sample Essay

Best,
Linda

Hi Hanmanjeney,

You have some very impressive work and extracurricular accomplishments, especially at your age, which will appeal to HBS. The challenge is that you're coming from a very competitive demographic, being an Indian national with an engineering background. If you're male, it would be even more competitive. What it's going to come down to would be how well you can differentiate yourself. For the basics, there are some things you can't change at this point, which is the prestige of the university you attended and your GPA. If you went to a top school and received top marks, that would help in not putting you behind other applicants from India. A high GMAT or GRE score is also important, since other applicants with your background will have high scores.

At this point, focus on what you can control, which is taking on more leadership opportunities both at work and outside of work, and achieve results that ideally can be quantified. Recommendations are also key, so make sure that the people that you want writing your recommendations are not only aware of your stellar performance, but also who you are. The adcoms will want to hear from the recommenders as to what kind of person you are and if you're someone that others like to be around and work with. Last but not least, make sure you have a long term goal that you're passionate about, that is ambitious but achievable for you with the benefit of an MBA. The last point is important since if you don't need the MBA to achieve your goals, then the adcom would prefer to give it to someone else who does.

Hope this helps!

Best,
Cindy

Hi everyone! I am planning to apply Round 1 for 2021 admit. Please evaluate my profile and let me know what I can do in the next 9 months to maximise my chances. Thanks!

Nationality: American & British dual
Gender: Female
Age: 27 when I apply / 28 when starting my MBA
Undergraduate Degree: Top 10 state school / Finance major and accounting minor / 3.9 GPA
GMAT: 740 (Q48/V44)
Work experience: 6.5 years when I apply; 2.5 years at a top investment bank and 3-4 years at small private equity firm
About me: I am originally American but moved to the UK post graduation and have been living in London ever since. I work for an investment fund which has an emerging markets focus and have spent a lot of time investing in Africa.
Why MBA? I am interested in impact investing for the purpose of economic development in emerging markets. I hope to use an MBA to build on my leadership skills and business acumen to eventually start my own impact fund in Africa which would focus on education and healthcare investing
Other / Volunteering:
- I have been tutoring disadvantaged students in math once a week for 3 years.
- I am on the board of a local school for students with learning difficulties and I help the school with strategy / budgeting / etc.
- I am a part of an organisation that provides pro bono consulting services to charities (governance reviews, budget reviews, strategic insight, etc)
- On a personal level, I enjoy running, pilates, and photography

You have a competitive profile for HBS and other top MBA programs. Your academics are excellent. They'll love the Africa part of your story. Your work experience and community service are highly competitive.

Advice for the next 9 months:

1. Visit Harvard if possible. Take advantage of any programs HBS has for prospective students. Meet with current students and see if you can meet with some who have related goals. The information you glean may help you in either the written portions of the application or your interview.
2. Figure out how the HBS experience will help you achieve your goals. Again, HBS doesn't ask this question in the application, but they might during the interview. Don't wait until you get the invitation to figure that out.
3. Don't apply exclusively to HBS. There are many competitive applicants who are rejected. Apply to other top programs that support your goals. Consider Stanford, CBS, Yale, MIT Sloan, and Wharton.
4. Keep on doing what you're doing!

For more on applying successful to HBS, please see:

1. MBA Admissions consulting and Editing.
2. Get Accepted to Harvard Business School, a recorded webinar.
3. Harvard Essay Tips.
4. HBS Sample Essay

Best,
Linda

Hello Experts. I am applying for the R2. Please kindly help me on some questions:
1) I plan to write the essay and Post-MBA goal separately, means they don't really relate to each other. Do you think it is okay? My plan is:
- In the essay: I will try to show Adcom who I am; how I overcame difficulties and how such experience affect to what I am today; and how the experience affect how I lead (I am from an ethnic minority group in a developing country, had to work all the time during my college to earn money for my tuition & living fee but finally landed a government scholarship from a developed country so I could support myself. I earned my post-high school degrees from that country)
- In the post MBA goals: I plan to tell them about a technological project that I have planed for a long time with my friend who is a scientist. In this project, I will take part on the business strategy side. We have earned agreement to join us from 30+ scientists around the world and from some influential people such as a very well known astronaut. We also gained some significant funding from Europe to train our scientists in England as well. This project is to help providing the advanced technologies to my own country to improve people's lives. The project is still on planning stage and still needs lot of skills/expertise to make it happen so I thought I need an MBA for this purpose.
So as you see, the essay and my goal are not really related so I wonder if it will be a question mark to the adcom. I am thinking about showing the adcom different aspects of myself but please advise if I should make them connected.

2) I know 4 langues and English is my 4th. My TOEFL is okay (108/120) but my GMAT is much lower than the HBS's average (only 650; Q was 49 so maybe not terrible?). My question is can my academic performance cover this weak point ? (I graduated as valedictorian from Undergrad program which is Economics; 2/3 of my courses were in math related such as Econometrics/ Calculus/ Statistics/Business game/ Finance etc and all were A or B grades)

3) I am already 34 years old. Will it be a problem ?

4) I have a Master in Finance already and have 9 years experience in this field working as Financial Analyst for Asia Pacific HQ of an US firm in Healthcare field. My role is collaborating with the finance managers of the local countries in the region to maintain the accuracy of their finance data. Will it be a pause to adcome such as: maybe he doesn't need an MBA ...?

5) Other activities: (not a question, just FYI to advise on my candidacy)
+ Co-founder of a small food business in the aforementioned developed country (I am currently living here)
+ volunteer for 2 year in 2 different groups of the developed country mentioned above that support children in my countries ; now I privately financially support ethnic minorities children in my countries from time to time when I can
+ member of an local sport group for 2 years
+ invited by the charity group that I volunteered to deliver speech to 150+ people about my country some years ago

I am sorry if my questions sound like I am bragging out about my app but I just want to get as more specific advice as possible. I've finished almost everything for the writing now and in the re-reading/revise process so still have time to correct where I need to. Thank you a million and good luck to everyone!

Hello Everyone,

I'm from India.
Gender: Female
Age:25
Profession: Teacher
GMAT score: 760
GPA: 3.9 from Allahabad University

I am from a small town in Uttar Pradesh. We do not have a lot of big firms here in the city, so, I don't have any industry based experience. Would that be a problem if my employer gives me a stellar leadership recommendation? But, I do a lot of community work in various NGOs. And I intend to start an educational NGO of my own someday.

Hello everyone,

Applying in R2 and will appreciate your thoughts and advice.

Demographics: 27 years old, Female, Eastern European

Education:
• Undergrad: bachelor in Economics from a top university in my country. GPA 97/100 (highest GPA among 50+ students). Full government scholarship
• Master: MA in Economics from a public university in the North East (ranked among 50-100 best schools in the US). GPA: 3.97/4.00. Full tuition waiver.

GMAT: 720 (Q49, V40) – yeap, not great, but no time to retake

Work Experience
• 3 years in a corporate finance role at Big4 company in my home country; got annual promotions from Junior to Senior Consultant. Worked with largest companies in the region
• 1.5 years in an Investment Analyst role at an international financial institutions (think IFC): had independent deals experience and was recommended for a fast track promotion to an Associate Role

Leadership and Extracurricular Activities:
• Co-founder of an educational non-profit for talented youth in my country
• Active member of the local CFA Society (speaker at events, mentor to finance students etc)
• Multiple activities aimed at promotion of gender equality both at my current job and outside of it

Other:
• CFA Charterholder (all exams cleared at first attempt)
• Fulbright grantee (received full scholarship to pursue Master studies in the USA)
• Did lots of international summer schools (Europe and Caucasus) as an undergrad
• Plenty of international exposure at my current job

Post MBA goal: upon graduation – join an asset management firm to get first-hand experience with developed financial markets; long-term – return to my country and take a top position in public finance sector

Essay: will focus on how life-changing my Fulbright experience was and how my studies in the US shaped my goals and aspirations for years to come bringing me to the current point in my life and career

Other schools: Stanford, Wharton, Sloan, Columbia, Harvard Kennedy School (want to pursue a double MPA/MBA degree given my long-term objective to become a public servant)

Points of concern:
• GMAT score – hopefully high GPA and CFA will compensate for it
• Financial background – will really strive to differentiate myself from other finance guys emphasizing my work experience in development finance acquired at a multinational institution

Many thanks!

Background

Work experience: 3 year no name local firm audit, ~2 year fund accounting at second tier PE (think TPG), 1 year FP&A as senior analyst at large SaaS company (Fortune 600-700)

Extra curriculars: Army reserve (rank E4 specialist, not an officer or sergeant) if it counts.

Undergrad school/major: large state university, accounting undergraduate (GPA 3.9) and graduate (GPA 3.8)

Other education/coursework: CPA, CFA L1

Race/nationality: Chinese, but will be naturalized as citizen in a few months

Sex: M 30

Stats

GMAT Score (include breakdown!): have not taken yet. Goal is 730-750

Undergrad GPA: 3.9

MBA Info

Goal of MBA: break into high finance (IB) or consulting for more money and better potential. I really would like to have a project-based job rather doing the same thing over and over again.

Target schools: T15 and maybe lower end of M7 if all possible. I specifically love Tuck for some reason.

I would love any tips on how to strengthen my profile. Or am I just too old to get a decent chance of getting into T15 as I will be 32 by matriculation...

I probably will go to air assault school next year sometime so hopefully it will add some color to my story. Most likely I can get a recommendation letter from a colonel.

Thank you for reading and appreciate any comment.

Labmalo,

Thank you for your questions. Here are my responses:

1. Please note that the max allowe for he post-MBA goal is 500 characters. That's roughly 100 words. I can't really opine on your essay or goals statement without seeing them. I can tell you that there is not a problem if the essay and goals statement don't connect closely. They can't conflict.
2. A 650 is low at HBS and an obstacle to admissions. It is possible, but unlikely that your grades will carry the day. If you come from a country that is very under-represented at business schools, that is more likely.
3. The typical student at HBS as 3-8 years of full-time work experience. They do have some students in their 30's, but they don't show a break-down of acceptance rates by age or level of experience. My sense is that people in their mid-30's are less likely to get accepted than younger applicants, but it does happen.
4. It could be a problem. Please see my answer to #3, but again if you have a good reason for wanting an MBA now and aren't reliant on the career services center for your next job, it could work. Please see "Applying to Regular MBA Programs as an Older Applicant"

You might also be interested in the Harvard MBA Essay Tips.

Best,
Linda

So much more goes into an MBA application than you have provided above. I can say that your GMAT is highly competitive as is your grad percentage. Teaching is not the typical experience of successful HBS applicants. However, if you can demonstrate outstanding leadership and impact and your goal is one that requires an MBA, you will be given consideration.

However, don't apply only to HBS. consdier other programs that support your goals. Look into Stanford, Haas, CBS, Ross, and Duke.

Best,
Linda

You are a highly competitive applicant at HBS and at your other target programs. Keep doing what you're doing and don't worry about your GMAT score. It's fine. If you execute well, I anticipate you will have multiple acceptances.

Here are a few resources for you:

MBA Essay tips for top MBA programs (organized by school)
Podcast with woman coming from finance and accepted to HBS.
Podcast with woman coming from finance and accepted to HBS 2+2

Best,
Linda

I'm assuming that you plan to apply R1 of next year, not R2 of this year.

If you get the GMAT you anticipate, you have a competitive profile for Tuck and other top 15 programs. Your age is above average as is your level of work experience, but it's not an automatic knock out. I don't think you're wasting your time as long as you aim for programs with slightly higher average ages/work experience. You may also want to consider London Business School. It's excellent in finance, will welcome an U.S. citizen with an int'l background and military experience and is excellent if you want to go into IB. Also consider Columbia, Booth, Kellogg, NYU Stern, Yale, and Duke.

Best,
Linda

Hi, Could you kindly evaluate my profile please.

GMAT - 680
Undergrad - Bachelor of Commerce - HR College of Economics Mumbai (Top 10)
GPA - 3.7/4
Background - Indian - non IT Male
Total Work Ex - 4.5 years

Target Schools - HBS, GSB, Wharton, Kellogg, LBS.
Other info - I already have admission at ISB (India)
Work Experience:
Credit Suisse (Bulge Bracket Investment Bank) - Investment Banking Analyst. 2 years.

Founder and CEO - Orange is the New Green - While I was at Credit Suisse, I started a food technology company. Acquired in 2017. One of the highest-rated food delivery start-ups in Powai (Mumbai). Employed a staff of 40 when it was acquired.

Office of the Minister of Commerce and Industry - One of the three consultants to the Union Minister of Commerce and Industry.

The first assignment was dealing with Foreign Direct Investment (Make in India). Lead the Oil and Gas and Chemicals practice. Clients were Fortune 50 Oil and Gas and Chemicals majors. Landed Investments worth USD 5.6 BN in India.

Developed India's maiden National Logistics Policy and Action plan. Conducted commodity corridor analyses for the top 22 commodities by freight volumes to identify interventions for the policy.

Drafted Multi-Modal Logistics Parks Policy and the Multi-Modal Logistics Transport Bill -which was approved by the Cabinet earlier this year.
Conceived and developed the SAFAR application to crowdsource real-time data on Accidents, road quality, congestion and graft on India's highway network. This application was launched by the Hon Minister in Feb 2019 and now for the first time, the government can identify the location and officials involved in graft using big data analytics (context: Graft on Indian highways is estimated by the World Bank to be nearly INR 1 Tn).
Developed the blue print for the National Logistics Data and Analytics Centre where data from all the modes of transport (Air, Rail, Waterways, Ports and Roads) would be integrated for monitoring and analyses. (Jan 2017- Mar '19)

Regional Director - Asia for Zenysis technologies. Zenysis is a Silicon Valley based (Y Combinator batch of 2015) data analytics and artificial intelligence company that works with governments, NGO's and International Organisations to accelerate development goals, improve patient outcomes and run national-level health programs.
I have been tasked with setting up operations for Zenysis in Asia. This role involves Business Development, high-level relationship building, project management, execution.
Overseeing projects in India, Bangladesh and Vietnam. In India we are working with HIV AIDS Alliance and the National AIDS Control Org to provide care and support servives to 1.2 Mn people living with HIV in the country. Through this collaboration, we have improved patient outcomes, reduced the number of patients lost to follow up and strengthened programmatic monitoring and surveillance.

Extra Curricular:

Author of a best-selling book on teenage psychology Teenage Blues Parenting Clues which was published in 2014.
The book has been selected by the Governments of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh as mandatory reading for all government schools, colleges and libraries
Ran programs to help and encourage school and college-aged teenagers and advocate on substance abuse, depression and handling stress and pressure.
Used to play National level squash when I was in high school.
Awarded the REX Karmaveer fellowship by the International Confederation of NGO's for contributions to the community.

Future Goals:
I want to lead global teams at International Org to work towards accelerating development goals, specially in the use of technology and innovation to provide better healthcare, education, and services to the most marginalized sections of society. Since most of my work has been in the South Asian region, I would want to engage with the global community at Wharton to be able to take on more challenging global roles.

I'd say HBS (or Wharton, which you mention) is a stretch. While your work experience is excellent and your GPA is competitive, your GMAT is significantly below average. With so many applicants coming from India who have much higher GMAT scores, a low GMAT is a significant hurdle. It's not impossible, but that score is a negative.

Best,
Linda

Demographics: 33 Years Old, Male, White, American.

Education:
• Undergrad: Originally failed out of college in Fall 2008. Wandered through life for 1.5 years before enlisting in US Military. Picked up program to go back to school and try college again, second attempt was 3.86 GPA in Electrical Engineering.

GMAT: 750 (Q48, V44) probably the strongest part of my app.

Work Experience
• 5 years as a US Naval Submarine Officer, specializing in reactor operations, Quality Assurance management, tactical systems, and general operations

Leadership and Extracurricular Activities:
• First time in college was a member of marching band for 3 years, co-section leader
• recently founded accessions program to assist enlisted personnel from my ship applying to Officer programs

Other:
• Love running, multiple marathons/half marathons under my belt
• Grew up in what could be referred to as poverty in the US. family made a lot of sacrifices to present me with opportunity. squandered it in college the first try, but luckily got a second chance.

Post MBA goal: Consulting from Harvard and eventually transition into management in tech. PE/VC would be great but with my previous work experience and age it's probably a pipe dream.

Essay: focus is on recovery from previous failure, how military/service gave me something to serve greater than myself and how leading others has inspired me to bring about even greater change in the world. Ultimately I want to get into non-profit management in education technology focused on rural areas in the US.
Other schools: Wharton, Tuck, Haas (dual MBA/Meng here) for R2. If I don't get interviews here I'm going to significantly widen my net for R3 and hope for the best.

Points of concern:
• Age. I'm significantly older than almost everyone at M7 schools, and even older than similar military applicants due to failing out of college before joining the military.
• lack of experience in business. Hard to speak to business goals when you aren't incredibly experienced in any of the fields. I'm used to long hours and solving difficult problems so consulting seems like the way for me to go to start though.

Many thanks!

To me you have a very competitive profile for all the schools you're applying to including HBS. The GMAT and GPA alone put you in the mix but you also show leadership, self-awareness, and overcoming adversity in your story. The age is probably more a hurdle than lack of business experience but you have a clear goal and it's very attainable. Assume you're more or less done with R2 app (I applied then too!)--best of luck!

If we ignore your pre-military record, you are a competitive candidate for HBS and other top MBA programs. I think there is a good chance they will ignore it, especially if you took some time to complete college the second time around. I think they would like to see at least a year if not two of solid 3.86 grades. If you took just a few classes or if they were all distance, acceptance would be a little less likely, but the 750 GMAT will do a lot of allay concerns. And they will love your military leadership experience.

Regarding your post-MBA goals, I suggest you talk to as many people as possible in consulting so that you show that you've done your homework, if asked.

I'm not so worried about your age, given that you've been in the military for 5 years. It's a factor, but not a automatic ding. Coming from the military, your lack of business experience is not shocking, but you must have excellent leadership experience and operational/logistics experience. All are highly relevant to business, HBS, and consulting. So focus on what you do have.

You might be interested in:

HBS Essay Tips
Get Accepted to Harvard Business School, an on-demand webinar.

Best,
Linda Abraham