[Profile Evaluation] How to build a strong application?

Question

Hi,

Thanks for considering my post, I was hoping to get your advice on a few questions.

I am an Indian male currently working in US for last three years and plan to apply to R2 for Fall 2021.

Basic stats: 
Undergraduate: top IIT
Masters: top 2 US universities for computer science, focus on artificial intelligence research. 
Work Exp: Research Scientist   
GMAT: 710, Q50 V35 
Target school: HBS, GSB, Wharton.

Questions: 
1. Should I retake the GMAT (coming from a competitive demographic)? 
2. How should I formulate my essay (coming from non-business background)?

AndyDufresne · Answer

1. 710 is a bit on the lower side given the schools you are targeting and the pool you will be competing against. A 730+ would prove to be more helpful
2. A large number of applicants are from non-business background so it shouldn't be a problem. Just demonstrate how your work has had an impact on the top/bottomline of the company or even if you worked in AI, ML, a lot of these technologies are helping in either automating tasks to improve efficiency or by smarter data crunching, you will help the key decision makers with more insightful analysis. Either way, it will have a positive impact on the company. You need to show how you led these initiatives and gained exposure in terms of developing leadership capabilities and creating a lasting impact

gmatprep2018801 · Answer

Thanks for the advice, Andy.

Admissionado · Answer

Ideally you'll want a GMAT of ~740 given the tough demographic you're coming from - it's one that tends to have very high GMAT scores.

In terms of your essays, it's not a given that you will even mention your work experience in the HBS or Stanford essays. For the HBS essay & the "what matters most" Stanford essay many successful applicants don't even touch on their work experience (take a look at our essay analysis here for our thoughts on how to tackle these schools): https://admissionado.com/resources/essay-analysis/

Your GMAT & your work experience are both important parts of your application but they are just two components of the overall big picture. Especially when you are coming from a competitive demographic, it's critical to develop an overall strategy regarding your unique value proposition as well as your post-MBA goals, since your argument for why you need the degree rests upon those goals. Your work experience can come into play with both of those, but equally important are who are you as a person (the essay questions have become increasingly personal in recent years) as well as what type of impact you plan to have post-MBA and WHY that is your passion.

We have a book of "50 Essays that Worked" that you might find helpful as you think through your approach to these schools & how your work experience will (and won't) come into play there. Reach out to Claudia & let her know that I sent you - she can send you a copy of it to take a look at! You can reach her at [email protected]

gmatprep2018801 · Answer

Thanks a ton for the advice and help on the essay. I agree that work experience is just one of the several components.

Admissionado · Answer

Happy to help anytime!

[Profile Evaluation] How to build a strong application?

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