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HSWChances2024
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HSW Review: 26M, 760 GMAT, lower GPA/IR, Software Engineer a Updated on: 03 Jan 2024, 20:17
Originally posted by HSWChances2024 on 05 Dec 2023, 21:31.
Last edited by HSWChances2024 on 03 Jan 2024, 20:17, edited 1 time in total.
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GSBCoach
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HSW Review: 26M, 760 GMAT, lower GPA/IR, Software Engineer a 06 Dec 2023, 04:07
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Congrats on the GMAT score! What was the previous score when you applied?
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MBAGuide
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HSW Review: 26M, 760 GMAT, lower GPA/IR, Software Engineer a 06 Dec 2023, 05:59
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HSWChances2024
HSW Review: 26M, 760 GMAT, lower GPA/IR, Software Engineer at TikTok/(Lyft, Uber, Stripe, Pinterest, Robinhood)

Hi everyone, I'm currently a mid level software engineer at TikTok in the SF Bay Area. I previously worked at a tech unicorn (think Lyft, Uber, Stripe, Pinterest, Robinhood) as a Software Engineer after graduating from college. I went to a top Engineering school in Canada (think Waterloo, U of T).

I previously applied to 2+2 but I think my lower GMAT got me dinged then. But I just did the GMAT and got a 760 (V44, Q50, IR2 ikr :( ) . Looking to apply to HSW for R2.

\*\*MBA Info\*\*


\* \*\*\*Why I want an MBA:\*\*\* Being in the tech industry, I'm interested in pivoting to tech consulting at MBB or VC in the future.


\*\*Background\*\*


\* \*\*\*Work experience:\*\*\*
\* \*I've done internships at big and small tech companies (including one **each** **at all** of Facebook (now called Meta), Airbnb, Pinterest and Stripe) in Software Engineering and Product Management roles.\* I've done NINE internships (yes NINE!), more details on why I left school to do more internships below. So I graduated with like 3 years of internships.


\* Worked at a tech unicorn (think Lyft, Uber, Stripe, Pinterest, Robinhood) as a Software Engineer after graduating from college. I got promoted there and then left to my current job.

\* Currently work as a mid-level software engineer at TikTok in their US offices. Recent performance review was good, expect to be levelled up mid 2024 hopefully.

\* I graduated in mid 2021, so that currently puts me at a little over 2.5 YOE post grad, but if I matriculate Sept 2024, I'd be at a little over 3 YOE post grad.


\* \*\*\*Extra curriculars and other experience:\*\*\*
\* I run a drone flying club that funnels kids assigned to extrajudicial sanctions after their criminal charges are dropped by the courts. (ie. kid gets picked up for fighting, charged with assault, judge lets em off, with the condition that they take a course in anger management, and join an activity, in this case drone flying). We've helped over 25 kids over the last 3 years get into drone flying, that otherwise were going down the wrong path.


\* \*\*Undergrad school/major:\*\* Electrical and Computer Engineering major at Tier 1 Engineering school in Canada
\* \*\*Race/nationality:\*\* Pakistani-Canadian (born in Pakistan, grew up in Canada)
\* \*\*Gender:\*\* Male


\*\*Stats\*\*


\* \*\*\*GMAT Score:\*\*\* 760 V44 Q50, IR2 (I fumbled the IR section, sadly, but I don't want to write the GMAT again lol, its so draining, and I don't know if I'd hit 760 again, maybe might hit like 740, idk? Is the IR really a red flag?)


\* \*\*\*Undergrad GPA:\*\*\* So this is where I'm confused. My school isn't on a 4.0 scale, but we have percentages instead. 1st and 2nd year I did not do so well and got averages in the mid-60s. I did have extenuating circumstances because my father suffered a heart attack during this time and it was a major burden on my shoulders. So much so that, when in the middle of my 2nd year he was no longer able to work, I withdrew from school for one year in the middle of my 2nd year to work for a year to pay the bills. Came back and in 3rd year I got averages in the mid-70s, which is a Good standing at my school. In 4th year I got averages in the mid to high 80s, which is an Excellent standing.

​

\* Though I did graduate with "distinction", it says this on my official transcript, but my school only uses the last 2 years of grades to determine this. "distinction" is kinda like cum laude?


\* Not sure how much my circumstances matter, but being from a family with limited means and being a first-generation college student coupled with some bad cards dealt to me led to poorer performance for the beginning part of my undergrad. Dad is still a city bus driver, mom's a cashier at a grocery store, still bumbling along.


\* I'm hoping that my upwards trend in my undergrad performance is a good signal for them, coupled with my GMAT score, and strong Quant score is a good signal. Plus I do think I got some good brand names of my resume, and TikTok is certainly a cool name to have I think.


What are my chances for HSW? I think the MBA is a really only worth it for me if I go there, and how can I frame my application in a way to offset my not so great school history and IR score?

​

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HSWChances2024

If yours isn't a story of grit, hard work, patience, and positivity at its best, then I don't know what is! Great profile overall, and yes, you do have small hiccups here and there, but no story would be interesting without its share of low points that ultimately led to positive reinforcement and emerging stronger.

You should not be too concerned about your low undergrad GPA, except for how you should address it to the adcom in the most honest and authentic way possible. Schools look at the profile holistically and will absolutely consider the larger context around the low GPA or below-expectation grades (your situation at home and adverse circumstances). Having a ton of internships to boast is relatively rare among engineering grads. This goes to show how focused you were on the learning aspect, which can then help support the academic orientation narrative. Your GMAT is also a very compelling aspect that makes the case for your candidacy strong.

My only concern is that you might still be considered a bit inexperienced (discounting the internships) for the average class makeup at these schools. Think about how you would justify not wanting to wait another year at your current job before hopping onto the MBA bus.

That being said, your profile has its highs which you should tap to win the adcoms over. Deeply deliberate your goals in consulting or VC, network a lot with industry experts and develop a solid storyline there. Keep working hard.

Best wishes

Aanchal Sahni (INSEAD alum, former INSEAD MBA admissions interviewer)
MBAGuideConsulting
LinkedIn |WEBSITE: https://mbaguideconsulting.com/ | Message: +91 9971200927| email- mbaguideconsulting@gmail.com
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HSWChances2024
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HSW Review: 26M, 760 GMAT, lower GPA/IR, Software Engineer a 06 Dec 2023, 23:03
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GSBCoach
Congrats on the GMAT score! What was the previous score when you applied?
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I had a 650 when I applied to 2+2, I didn't have enough time to write it and messed it up real bad, so I'm guessing that's probably why I got dinged. There's probably other factors too I suppose. What do you think my chances are, and what can I do to improve my chances?
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HSW Review: 26M, 760 GMAT, lower GPA/IR, Software Engineer a 07 Dec 2023, 05:51
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HSWChances2024
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Congrats on the GMAT score! What was the previous score when you applied?
I had a 650 when I applied to 2+2, I didn't have enough time to write it and messed it up real bad, so I'm guessing that's probably why I got dinged. There's probably other factors too I suppose. What do you think my chances are, and what can I do to improve my chances?
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Your chances depend on whether you have accumulated enough experience, so that you can talk about the business impact you had in different places.
The depth of your leadership experience and your ability to reflect on it while sharing your future goals and passion for the specific school - all affect your admission chances more than any score or profile anecdote.
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HSW Review: 26M, 760 GMAT, lower GPA/IR, Software Engineer a 07 Dec 2023, 06:50
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HSWChances2024
GSBCoach
Congrats on the GMAT score! What was the previous score when you applied?
I had a 650 when I applied to 2+2, I didn't have enough time to write it and messed it up real bad, so I'm guessing that's probably why I got dinged. There's probably other factors too I suppose. What do you think my chances are, and what can I do to improve my chances?

Your chances depend on whether you have accumulated enough experience, so that you can talk about the business impact you had in different places.
The depth of your leadership experience and your ability to reflect on it while sharing your future goals and passion for the specific school - all affect your admission chances more than any score or profile anecdote.
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Fair points. I led some pretty serious work regarding hashtags on all of TikTok, so I’m gonna focus on that. Do you offer consulting at all? I’m interested

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HSW Review: 26M, 760 GMAT, lower GPA/IR, Software Engineer a 07 Dec 2023, 07:24
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Sure, feel free to reach out: coach@gsbcoach.com
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