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20 Oct 2016, 23:33
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Hi everyone, first off thanks for having this forum available to get some advice. I am a nontraditional applicant who submitted a few apps last year and was dinged all around, except for being waitlisted at Fuqua. I got feedback saying they found nothing wrong with my app and it was strong, but others just submitted a more compelling case. I reapplied this year ED and was straight dinged, not even waitlisted. I thought my nontraditional background is hampering me but several consultants I've spoken to over the phone have said they feel I'm a strong applicant. I wanted to see what people thought of my profile and whether I'd be competitive at the schools I'm considering for round 2. Let me know, thanks!
Quick Profile/Stats:
Biology/Music Major
Undergrad/Grad: Both Ivy League schools (UG: 2.9 / Grad: 3.5 GPA)
HBX CORe: Top 10% (Graduated with honors)
GMAT: 710
Work Experience:
I was a senior researcher in a hospital for 4 years, led two independent projects, published 4 papers, managed interns, etc. Left that job in 2015 and since then have been working as a professor at a university teaching Biology classes (both lecture and lab). I want to apply my science background with an MBA to work in biotech as a product manager.
Extracurriculars/Leadership:
--Train martial arts for the last 6 years, been teaching as a head instructor of my own class for 2 years. Run a class of ~30 students and coach individual and group classes.
--Touring musician for the past 7 years as part of a professional funk band (hence the low undergrad GPA). Currently play 4-6 times a month on weekends. Have played over 600 shows, performed in 12 states, and have 2 albums on iTunes.
--Worked as a sexual abuse counselor in college for 2 years, held weekly office hours
--Alumni admissions interviewer for my undergraduate university
Target Schools:
Columbia
NYU
UNC Kenan-Flagler
Michigan Ross
Georgetown
UVA??
Thoughts?
Quick Profile/Stats:
Biology/Music Major
Undergrad/Grad: Both Ivy League schools (UG: 2.9 / Grad: 3.5 GPA)
HBX CORe: Top 10% (Graduated with honors)
GMAT: 710
Work Experience:
I was a senior researcher in a hospital for 4 years, led two independent projects, published 4 papers, managed interns, etc. Left that job in 2015 and since then have been working as a professor at a university teaching Biology classes (both lecture and lab). I want to apply my science background with an MBA to work in biotech as a product manager.
Extracurriculars/Leadership:
--Train martial arts for the last 6 years, been teaching as a head instructor of my own class for 2 years. Run a class of ~30 students and coach individual and group classes.
--Touring musician for the past 7 years as part of a professional funk band (hence the low undergrad GPA). Currently play 4-6 times a month on weekends. Have played over 600 shows, performed in 12 states, and have 2 albums on iTunes.
--Worked as a sexual abuse counselor in college for 2 years, held weekly office hours
--Alumni admissions interviewer for my undergraduate university
Target Schools:
Columbia
NYU
UNC Kenan-Flagler
Michigan Ross
Georgetown
UVA??
Thoughts?
24 Oct 2016, 19:04
Kudos
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Hi ProfFunk, thanks for reaching out!
I think you have a really interesting profile, and I don't think your nontraditional background is hampering you. As long as you are showing clear reasons for why MBA now, and a logical path to reach your goals. It's hard to say exactly what caused the Fuqua decision this time around, but a few thoughts...
1. Your undergrad GPA is concerning. Yes, you do have more recent evidence of your academic abilities (GMAT, master's GPA, HBX), but schools do still look at the undergrad GPA. Hopefully you wrote an optional essay explaining the circumstances? If not, definitely plan to do that. Also, if you want to be going for top schools like Columbia, you'd do much better with a GMAT that's above average, since your GPA is below average.
2. Did you research /engage with the Fuqua community? Is it possible you could have better demonstrated fit with the school?
3. Did you have any tangible improvements in your application from last year to this year? It's a little odd that you would go from waitlist to straight ding this year.
I think if you can execute strong applications that address the GPA and reasons for MBA, then you should have a shot at most of the schools you list. Columbia strikes me as potentially too competitive without a higher GMAT, especially since their early decision option has already passed. Feel free to reach out to us if we can help with anything else.
Good luck!
Kate
I think you have a really interesting profile, and I don't think your nontraditional background is hampering you. As long as you are showing clear reasons for why MBA now, and a logical path to reach your goals. It's hard to say exactly what caused the Fuqua decision this time around, but a few thoughts...
1. Your undergrad GPA is concerning. Yes, you do have more recent evidence of your academic abilities (GMAT, master's GPA, HBX), but schools do still look at the undergrad GPA. Hopefully you wrote an optional essay explaining the circumstances? If not, definitely plan to do that. Also, if you want to be going for top schools like Columbia, you'd do much better with a GMAT that's above average, since your GPA is below average.
2. Did you research /engage with the Fuqua community? Is it possible you could have better demonstrated fit with the school?
3. Did you have any tangible improvements in your application from last year to this year? It's a little odd that you would go from waitlist to straight ding this year.
I think if you can execute strong applications that address the GPA and reasons for MBA, then you should have a shot at most of the schools you list. Columbia strikes me as potentially too competitive without a higher GMAT, especially since their early decision option has already passed. Feel free to reach out to us if we can help with anything else.
Good luck!
Kate
ProfFunk
25 Oct 2016, 09:04
Kudos
Bookmarks
Thanks for the response! Yes I'm definitely writing a small blurb in the optional essay section about how I'd leave school to tour with a professional band from Wed-Sat and return on Sundays. This helped pay for some of my schooling, but also had a negative impact on my GPA.
What's surprising about Fuqua is I had an alumni who just graduated this past year write an additional rec through the Fuqua system to support my application, and still somehow got dinged. In terms of tangible improvements, I was on the waitlist till June and applied ED in September, so in that time not a whole lot to be quite frank BUT the things I did talk about were getting promoted to teaching my own class of 30 students in my jiu-jitsu academy (previously I was assisting), published a paper in July from work I had done in my previous research job, and working on a 3rd studio album with my band.
If I had time this year before round 2, I'd think about retaking my GMAT to beat 710, but given the timeframe it's not possible.
I'm hoping with the list of schools I've chosen, one of them will look favorably upon my story and I'll get an acceptance.
What's surprising about Fuqua is I had an alumni who just graduated this past year write an additional rec through the Fuqua system to support my application, and still somehow got dinged. In terms of tangible improvements, I was on the waitlist till June and applied ED in September, so in that time not a whole lot to be quite frank BUT the things I did talk about were getting promoted to teaching my own class of 30 students in my jiu-jitsu academy (previously I was assisting), published a paper in July from work I had done in my previous research job, and working on a 3rd studio album with my band.
If I had time this year before round 2, I'd think about retaking my GMAT to beat 710, but given the timeframe it's not possible.
I'm hoping with the list of schools I've chosen, one of them will look favorably upon my story and I'll get an acceptance.
