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18 Jan 2017, 14:21
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I've spent the last few years (currently 25 yo) working in various industries. I've made decisions to switch jobs based off my desire to understand different business models, develop new skills, and gain leadership experience. I'm a little nervous that an adcom may see my work experience as random.
Academics:
- Top 20 University, 3.34 GPA, Economics, minor Finance. I was very immature in college only reason for my grades, though senior year I got almost all A's
- GMAT 760, 8 IR, 6 AWA
- Taking 2 upper level quant classes now to show my maturity with coursework has improved. Will likely take more classes before I apply.
Extracurricular:
- Started a residential real estate company. I purchased a couple of apartment buildings and hired contractors to rehab from the ground up (hvac, roof, flooring, walls, etc.). Currently have a team that manages the day to day. Negotiated contracts with a local non-profit to house incoming refugee families. The non-profit pays 1 years worth of rent then we transition the families. Sole-owner borrowed funds from private investors to avoid bank balloon mortgages. 12 units under ownership, ~500k in assets. ~40% cash on cash returns each year.
- Spent time working with refugees setting up homes for their move. Have more recently started working with a local organization to mentor/tutor families.
- One of 2 people to start a social fraternity at my school. Were able to gain our charter in my first year. Worked as a new member educator and rush chair. Grew fraternity to the largest on campus by my graduation. (would adcoms even care about this?)
Work Experience
- Worked 1 year as a business analyst for a healthcare IT company. Promoted and spent 1.5 years as a strategist taking ownership of pricing and positioning of new offerings across several product lines. One of the best firms in their market.
- Started new job in management development for an industrial distributor/ecommerce company. Work currently as an internal consultant improving processes. Will be promoted in a couple months to supervise a team. Private company, but prestigious program. Pay and recruiting on par with i banking. Not sure how to convey that.
I like the challenge of learning new business models and markets. Obviously, I'd like to go into consulting. I'm also wondering if it'd even be worth applying to Harvard/Wharton any advice is welcomed.
Academics:
- Top 20 University, 3.34 GPA, Economics, minor Finance. I was very immature in college only reason for my grades, though senior year I got almost all A's
- GMAT 760, 8 IR, 6 AWA
- Taking 2 upper level quant classes now to show my maturity with coursework has improved. Will likely take more classes before I apply.
Extracurricular:
- Started a residential real estate company. I purchased a couple of apartment buildings and hired contractors to rehab from the ground up (hvac, roof, flooring, walls, etc.). Currently have a team that manages the day to day. Negotiated contracts with a local non-profit to house incoming refugee families. The non-profit pays 1 years worth of rent then we transition the families. Sole-owner borrowed funds from private investors to avoid bank balloon mortgages. 12 units under ownership, ~500k in assets. ~40% cash on cash returns each year.
- Spent time working with refugees setting up homes for their move. Have more recently started working with a local organization to mentor/tutor families.
- One of 2 people to start a social fraternity at my school. Were able to gain our charter in my first year. Worked as a new member educator and rush chair. Grew fraternity to the largest on campus by my graduation. (would adcoms even care about this?)
Work Experience
- Worked 1 year as a business analyst for a healthcare IT company. Promoted and spent 1.5 years as a strategist taking ownership of pricing and positioning of new offerings across several product lines. One of the best firms in their market.
- Started new job in management development for an industrial distributor/ecommerce company. Work currently as an internal consultant improving processes. Will be promoted in a couple months to supervise a team. Private company, but prestigious program. Pay and recruiting on par with i banking. Not sure how to convey that.
I like the challenge of learning new business models and markets. Obviously, I'd like to go into consulting. I'm also wondering if it'd even be worth applying to Harvard/Wharton any advice is welcomed.
VantagePointMelody
Joined: 19 Apr 2016
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Expert reply
18 Jan 2017, 15:09
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Hi there,
Very cool extra-curriculars! I would love to learn more about what inspired you to get involved with refugees. I see that experience as a great differentiator in your applications. And honestly, I see a lot of strengths in your profile. Your GMAT is fantastic (congrats!), which can help offset a softer GPA from undergrad. (Note that your GPA isn’t a red flag but it’s not stellar either – so it’s best to address it head-on through taking additional coursework, which you’re already doing, and writing a brief optional essay explaining what happened in undergrad and pointing to all the reasons why it’s not indicative of your ability to handle the MBA curriculum.)
I actually think you’re a bit hard on yourself when it comes to your work experience. You’ve worked at 2 firms – 2.5 years at one company and presumably 1+ years at another – and have promotions at both. That’s pretty impressive. Plus moving from an internal strategist to an internal consultant role doesn’t seem very far-fetched. I would expect the leadership experience you’ve had at both firms to show nicely on your resume. Then your job in your essays will be to tell the story of “why” – why you made those moves in your career and what you learned from each experience. That story should then feed directly into your post-MBA goals and reason(s) for pursuing an MBA.
So yes, I think you should apply to HBS and Wharton...but they shouldn’t be the only schools you apply to. There’s no doubt that your profile is within range for those programs but you still want to hedge your bets. Programs like Columbia, Kellogg, and Sloan could also be great programs for your consideration set. With a clear and compelling story, logical and ambitious career goals (on that subject, you’ll want to get a bit more specific about “why consulting” and what your vision for your career is down the road), some A’s to add to your academic track record, and a couple of great recommenders, you should be well-positioned for a successful application season next year!
If you’d like to chat further about how to best develop your story and career goals, I’d be happy to do so! Either way, best of luck to you!
Kindly,
Melody
Very cool extra-curriculars! I would love to learn more about what inspired you to get involved with refugees. I see that experience as a great differentiator in your applications. And honestly, I see a lot of strengths in your profile. Your GMAT is fantastic (congrats!), which can help offset a softer GPA from undergrad. (Note that your GPA isn’t a red flag but it’s not stellar either – so it’s best to address it head-on through taking additional coursework, which you’re already doing, and writing a brief optional essay explaining what happened in undergrad and pointing to all the reasons why it’s not indicative of your ability to handle the MBA curriculum.)
I actually think you’re a bit hard on yourself when it comes to your work experience. You’ve worked at 2 firms – 2.5 years at one company and presumably 1+ years at another – and have promotions at both. That’s pretty impressive. Plus moving from an internal strategist to an internal consultant role doesn’t seem very far-fetched. I would expect the leadership experience you’ve had at both firms to show nicely on your resume. Then your job in your essays will be to tell the story of “why” – why you made those moves in your career and what you learned from each experience. That story should then feed directly into your post-MBA goals and reason(s) for pursuing an MBA.
So yes, I think you should apply to HBS and Wharton...but they shouldn’t be the only schools you apply to. There’s no doubt that your profile is within range for those programs but you still want to hedge your bets. Programs like Columbia, Kellogg, and Sloan could also be great programs for your consideration set. With a clear and compelling story, logical and ambitious career goals (on that subject, you’ll want to get a bit more specific about “why consulting” and what your vision for your career is down the road), some A’s to add to your academic track record, and a couple of great recommenders, you should be well-positioned for a successful application season next year!
If you’d like to chat further about how to best develop your story and career goals, I’d be happy to do so! Either way, best of luck to you!
Kindly,
Melody
18 Jan 2017, 21:28
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I think you have a very interesting profile an should certainly give HBS/Wharton a try as well as Booth/Kellogg. You may need some help with your story, so an admissions consultant could potentially help. But I think with these programs your "story" will be critical to get right with these programs
