ComingToAmerica wrote:
Please evaluate my profile:
African (American) Male - was born and lived in Africa until college but a US citizen - underrepresented minority
GPA: 3.6 from Ivy (Columbia) - Magna Cum Laude - Distinction in Major - Dean's List many semesters + other awards - also, I had a bad freshman year (3.2 GPA) and upped my gpa every year (3.98 final semester) - Fulbright scholar
Double Major: Philosophy and Cultural Studies - Graduated #1 in my class for Cultural Studies amongst 100+ students
GMAT: 680 - Quant 48 - Verbal 35 (Did it three times but I just couldn't up my verbal score) - I am dyslexic (my reading is really affected when i'm under pressure) but for my writing courses in college I had a cumulative 3.85 gpa
WE: 3 years at a $2BN equity hedge fund - promoted twice - moved back to Africa to work with family business 6 months ago (energy consulting firm)
Goals after business school: Africa focused venture capital
Extra-curriculars:
In college - president and chairman of 2 cultural groups - philanthropy chair of my fraternity - soup kitchen volunteer for homeless
Since college: Toastmasters (Vice President) - mentor to young aspiring African college graduates - scuba diver (qualified scuba diving instructor) - events planner for college alumni events
Other: My father and brother attended HBS and my mother has a masters in international relations from Stanford.
I am considering applying to:
HBS
Stanford
Wharton
Columbia
My questions specifically: What of my odds of getting into HBS and Stanford GSB given that I am a direct legacy at HBS and a quasi legacy at Stanford GSB? And what are my chances at Columbia seeing as I went there for undergrad? (I've heard Columbia does not like repeat students)
I haven't heard the CBS rumor and can't comment on it.
Given your
URM status,your Africa experience, your achievements, your GPA, and your diagnosed dyslexia, I'm not that worried about the
GMAT. It's lower than what they like, but it's not THAT low. I think you should apply to H/S/W/Columbia. At the same time, also apply to programs that have slightly higher acceptance rates and would still support your goal. NYU Stern, Chicago, and London Business School come to mind.
If you would like
help with your MBA application, please let me know.