Karolainis wrote:
Region: The Baltics
Gender: Male (27)
GMAT: 710 (Q49,V38)
Education:
BSc Economics in Top 20 European University in the Netherlands + Exchange at a reputed business school in Europe
GPA 4/4
MA Finance in Top 5 European Business School in Switzerland + Exchange at a Top 10 MBA in the world
GPA 5.3/6 (Top 5%)
Work experience:
3Y at A.T.Kearney in Germany with various international assignments and recommendations from individuals with Ivy League backgrounds.
Extracurricular activities involve various leadership positions at both universities as well as a educational volunteering placement in a third world country (3 months). Recently, I founded an NGO aimed at boosting youth participation at extracurricular activities in my home country (Yet this NGO is still at a nascent stage).
Fluent in 4 languages.
Short-term goal: Come back to ATK in Germany and go for the partner track.
Long-term goal: Return to home country and switch to a governmental role (education).
Targets: HBS, GSB, Sloan, Booth, Columbia.
Please note that I will not take GMAT again or that other variables will not change. Take my profile as it is and please elaborate if you think I am targeting the right schools.
Hello
KarolainisIt is interesting to have someone from Baltic here.
Your username does sound Greek, though ?
Excellent GPA on bachelor studies in Netherlands.
I would guess that was University of St. Gallen, for MA in Finance, right ?
Anyway, I love your Swiss experience.
Once again, I will assume that your exchange experience at top 10 MBA, would actually be at one of your selected schools for application, that can be a plus.
You already showed them that you can perform at their level (or at other top schools in their range) and they have record of it, to check it.
Master GPA, again is great.
Okay, your working experience is relevant, but since you do mention Ivy league recommendations, it is obvious where you shooting.
Your extracurricular activities is something ad com's do like to see, and they are commendable.
Fluency in 4 languages is a big plus, certainly. (Your native, Dutch, German (or French maybe) and English, I am guessing again
))
I like both your short term and long term goals.
Lets check facts a little bit.
HBS median GMAT is 730.
Good news is that range of 85% of their class is 610–800.
GSB GMAT average is 732.
On the other hand, range is 600-790.
Sloan average GMAT is 722.
Their scores range from 690-760 (in the middle 80% of range).
Booth has average GMAT of 738.
Good news is that average quantitative score on GMAT for their admitted students was Q49
Columbia has average GMAT of 724.
The middle 80% range of GMAT scores for Columbia was 690-760
As you can see, just regarding GMAT score you do have a chance at those schools you selected, just make sure you have excellent personal essay that does convey why you are particular fit for those schools and how you are special, different....find a clear way to differentiate your self in essay.
If I were you, I would also consider top Euro schools, like LBS, INSEAD, Oxford/Cambridge...it seems to me they are also aligned with your short term and long terms goals.
However, if US is the only challenge for you, since in fact you are European and you maybe need different cultural experience, I can understand and relate to that, then you can add some other great US schools to your list, just as maybe more "safe" options compared to Ivy league.
Good Luck with application !