futurebostonmba wrote:
Hello,
Thank you very much for taking the time to do this. I am looking to apply for Fall 2013 entrance.
Undergrad: BA Accountancy, 2008, Top 35 business school
GPA: 3.18 (graduated in 3 years)
Grad: MS Taxation, 2012, Same school as undergrad.
GPA: 3.13 (completed part-time while working full-time)
GMAT: 710
Registered CPA in Massachusetts
Age: 25
Nationality: American (of Syrian descent)
Work Experience:
4 years work experience at Big 4 accounting firm. Experience in tax and audit. Promoted to Senior Associate and will have 2 years experience at that level upon entrance. Continuously gaining more leadership and responsibility roles within the firm. Heavily involved in campus recruiting and peer mentoring within firm. Selected as one of 3 associates to participate in National Leadership Adventure (program to recruit top intern candidates from around the country). Currently working in Financial Services but have experience in International consulting.
On the side, I am involved in various charitable organizations. Organizing a 2nd annual fundraiser to bring awareness to men's health. Organizing a Jimmy Fund Golf Tournament. Participate in other charitable organizations but have no official titles.
In college I had lots of involvement in our community service organization serving as a leader on the board. Heavily involved in athletics (and still am). Member of Accounting/Finance business fraternity and in a leadership role.
Essentially, I am still mulling Management Consulting or Finance (i-banking/i-management/PE) I am curious as to my chances of the following schools:
1: Harvard (dream)
2: Columbia (dream/reach)
3: MIT
4: NYU
5: Chicago
6: Northwestern
7: Duke
I know my GPA's were low but have various excuses/reasons to explain them such as having been diagnosed with a tumor and having massive surgery 2 weeks before a semester began and not missing a day.
Any advice will greatly help!
Thank you very much for your time.
I'm concerned that your career doesn't seem to offer you a lot of strategic leadership. If your extracurricular leadership is truly exceptional - which your summary didn't seem to indicate - then the schools in your list are possible. If not, then the low GPA and non-exciting professional background put a significant damper on your applications, in my opinion.