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Need advice for LONG TERM profile improvement

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Ferihere
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Need advice for LONG TERM profile improvement [#permalink] New post   Updated on: 22 Oct 2008, 09:37
Hi Paul,

I see you have a lot of requests of profile evaluation and I know that it is not easy to give advise on each of them. Though I need your INVALUABLE advice on how i can improve my profile in 4-5 years (appx. date when i plan to apply to business schools).
My profile is as follows:

Target schools: Chicago, Wharton, Stanford, Harvard (dream), Stern

My evaluation of own profile: very weak extracurricular, not competitive in terms of obtained degree (i think type of degree plays crucial role in selection process), not sure about current job position

What kind of extracurricular activity participations would improve my profile?

I know that I am in very early stage, but I need advice in order to be ready for application in 4-5 years time, that is why I desperately need EXPERT advice to plan my 4-5 years of work and off-work activities.

Thank you in advance and the feedback is VERY appreciated

Originally posted by Ferihere on 27 Sep 2008, 10:20.
Last edited by Ferihere on 22 Oct 2008, 09:37, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Need advice for LONG TERM profile improvement [#permalink] New post   01 Oct 2008, 21:00
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Ferihere,

Sorry for the delayed reply. It's a good sign that you're planning early; that way you'll make the right decisions going forward. You have one massive fact in your favor: Uzbekistan. Most top schools rarely get applications from there, and would love to add Uzbekistan to their list of countries represented. Your international internship and strong English are good signs. You will want to do 720-730 or higher on GMAT but more importantly get a career path going that is (a) "fast track" -- atypical career advancement and (b) demonstrates leadership. You also want to show leadership and impact in your extracurricular roles, especially if your career won't give you those opportunities early on. Maybe *start* a social impact organization that benefits Uzbekistan (and that is not just you, i.e., you have a team, etc.). Finally, get as much international exposure as you can and meet people who go/went to your target schools.

If you do these things you could aim high.
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Ferihere
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Re: Need advice for LONG TERM profile improvement [#permalink] New post   18 Oct 2008, 08:12
Accepted.com wrote:
Ferihere,

Sorry for the delayed reply. It's a good sign that you're planning early; that way you'll make the right decisions going forward. You have one massive fact in your favor: Uzbekistan. Most top schools rarely get applications from there, and would love to add Uzbekistan to their list of countries represented. Your international internship and strong English are good signs. You will want to do 720-730 or higher on GMAT but more importantly get a career path going that is (a) "fast track" -- atypical career advancement and (b) demonstrates leadership. You also want to show leadership and impact in your extracurricular roles, especially if your career won't give you those opportunities early on. Maybe *start* a social impact organization that benefits Uzbekistan (and that is not just you, i.e., you have a team, etc.). Finally, get as much international exposure as you can and meet people who go/went to your target schools.

If you do these things you could aim high.


Dear Paul,

thank you for your invaluable evaluation and recommendations, that is a great opportunity for us (overseas people) to be evaluated by export (since we don't have this kind of chances in our country)!!! Your evaluation is very useful and only one thing left that 'bothers' me:

I have heard that experience gained in cigarette manufacturing company, even if it is international company, is not welcomed by school admission assessors, because of ethical and moral issues (cigarette is hazardous, etc.), and applicants are at the bottom of the 'acceptance sheet'!? And those working at Big4 are more than welcomed by school admissions even if both (Big4 and cigarette manufacturing company workers) have similar profiles???

is it right???

Thank you in advance
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Re: Need advice for LONG TERM profile improvement [#permalink] New post   21 Oct 2008, 20:39
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Ferihere,

I think it's true that there are certain industries that the B-schools are not as enthusiastic about, such as tobacco companies, alcohol, etc. But I think this is a minor negative since above all schools want *diverse* classes and that includes people who work in industries that have reputation problems. Finally, if you tell them that, yes, I work in the tobacco industry because it's an interesting, challenging industry for reason X, Y, and Z and offered me a great opportunity, but I've discovered it's not where my heart lies (because you're not a smoker and feel ambivalent about tobacco's negative impacts) and so you want an MBA to help you make a career switch. If you give them this argument your industry background can probably only help you, not hurt you.

As applicants from Big 4 firms, yes, they have the advantage of coming from companies that the adcoms know and respect, but again B-schools want diverse classes above all and so will only admit a certain number of Big 4 applicants per year.

Hope this helps,
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Re: Need advice for LONG TERM profile improvement [#permalink] New post   22 Oct 2008, 09:35
Accepted.com wrote:
Ferihere,

I think it's true that there are certain industries that the B-schools are not as enthusiastic about, such as tobacco companies, alcohol, etc. But I think this is a minor negative since above all schools want *diverse* classes and that includes people who work in industries that have reputation problems. Finally, if you tell them that, yes, I work in the tobacco industry because it's an interesting, challenging industry for reason X, Y, and Z and offered me a great opportunity, but I've discovered it's not where my heart lies (because you're not a smoker and feel ambivalent about tobacco's negative impacts) and so you want an MBA to help you make a career switch. If you give them this argument your industry background can probably only help you, not hurt you.

As applicants from Big 4 firms, yes, they have the advantage of coming from companies that the adcoms know and respect, but again B-schools want diverse classes above all and so will only admit a certain number of Big 4 applicants per year.

Hope this helps,


Hi Paul,

Thank you for your quick respond and priceless advise, i will definitely take into account your recommendations!!!

Keep it up!!!
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Re: Need advice for LONG TERM profile improvement [#permalink] New post   01 Nov 2008, 19:21
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You're welcome.
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Re: Need advice for LONG TERM profile improvement [#permalink]
01 Nov 2008, 19:21

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