Profile evaluation for Harvard 2+2 program

Thanks alot Varun!
Those articles were really helpful in getting your point straight out.
I want to work as a strategy consultant in the future. I mentioned those topics just to lay out some of my interests.
Thanks again!

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Hey Gyanone,
Thank you so much for your feedback!
I would like to pursue my career in strategy consulting.
And as for my achievements lining up with it, it comes pretty well in a story because they all are interrelated I don't think I was able to get that out in the post, apologies for the same.
Luckily or unluckily for me, the first 'assignemnt' I took up for my strategy consulting is setting up an entrepreneurial environment and a wind for social change in my institute.
I'll keep your advice of showing the consistancy in the final goal and the path when I do apply for the school

Thanks alot! :D


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Honestly while this is not a bad profile, it seems like you are the typical Indian applicant, who is extremely smart and accomplished in science- but without any notable stand out achievements. Based on that, I'd say that your applying with this profile can't be higher than a 50% chance of getting in.

Perhaps you should consider a campus visit, or doing some networking with the adcom at the very least in order for your personality to shine through a bit better. Alternatively, you could sign up for an hbx class, which I know some people have done to boost their chances of getting into Harvard. I have no idea if that strategy works at all though...

Hey Matayo!

Thanks for your valuable advice. You got some new information on the table!

I understand what you're saying, it's the cliche Indian profile of Indian iit engineer who's been involved in clubs. I'm aware of that, and that's exactly what scares me!

I had a question though, when you say stand out achievements does it mean winning competitions, starting a start-up etc? Or can it simply be starting a club and then building it from the ground up?

And as for networking with the adcom, I did some research abt it on the forum and it seems it doesn't play a huge role, esp for hbs. And even if it does is there a way to do so without visiting the campus?

Visiting hbs is a good idea, and I did visit it this summer, but I don't think be able to do that again (a bit too far for a short trip).

Hbx is a completely new point! I'll dig further into it!

Thanks alot!

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Hi,
I would really appreciate a profile evaluation for my candidacy for Harvard 2+2, comments and feedbacks are more than welcome. I plan to apply next year.

Gender: Male
Age: 22
College: one of the IITs
Cgpa: 8/10
Major: Chemical Engg
GMAT: 710

Internships are done and experiences :
-Worked as a marketing strategist for an international NGO
-Worked as a business associate for a medium sized social e-commerce firm.
-Summer Exchange student at a top American design institute (completely covered by my college)
-Coordinator and founder of institute's E-cell
-Founder and coordinator of an event aimed to provide a platform to innovators
-Founding member of the automotive club
-Been in the core team of institutes festivals
-Have attended international peace summits
-Tedx coordinator
-Campus ambassador for an international competition
-Have traveled across the several States of India to survey the small-scale businesses as part of a project.
-have done projects in the field of product design and system design

Future goals and interests: Entrepreneurship, organization structure, strategy, CSR.

I have listed all the information that I think could be relevant for my candidacy, if there's anything else that could better aid your evaluation, I would be happy to provide it.

Appreciate your evaluation!

Hello JoshuaHampton

Did you just copy the entire post written by librega above (except the GMAT score)?
Not sure if this is a mistake.

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Varun Sharma
+919137133507
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Hi librega

Thanks for your response. While your achievements certainly show leadership acumen and an interest in entrepreneurship, we don't see too much there that is really aligned to strategy consulting per se. Do you have some internships in strategy consulting or some projects which demonstrate this acumen? Setting up the entrepreneurial environment or leading social change is great, but it would be more leadership oriented. You would still be (based on the information provided in your post) missing the business insight and problem-solving acumen you would need to showcase yourself as a great fit with strategy consulting.

In any case, strategy consulting as a goal will be a weak one for programs such as the HBS 2+2. These programs are looking for high-potential budding business leaders who can create unique value through an early career MBA program at the world's best business school(s). Strategy consulting is something you could achieve through any good MBA program. There is no urgency for getting an MBA to achieve that goal.

Don't mean to criticize your goals or planning, but evaluating for gaps is our job.

And you're doing your Job well ! :D

I understand what you're saying, it is the kind of goal that doesn't urgently need an MBA, and certainly not an MBA from a school like Harvard.

As for internships, either of the internships had me working as a strategist, one as an online marketing strategist and the other one as a business strategist.

Now for the main question you've asked, how does an early degree from HBS help me in any way?
I would need to introspect a bit over it, because right now I am all over the place, and if I do try to explain it here I will end up making a mess. (Maybe expect a reply in a day or two?)
I will reflect on it and get back to you!
Thanks again!
Everyone who contributed to the post, it has really helped me see things that I had previously thought I had known well about (Like what do you want to do and why hbs)
You guys are awesome !

Hi guys, please I need answers on this. Is it unacceptable to have an economics masters degree from a top school while applying for HBS 2+2 program?

I'm about to do a masters in development economics, but I intend to apply to HBS later on. Should I step on the brake now, or hit the accelerator with no worries?
Help needed, thanks!

Hi MrJglass

- It is not unacceptable to have an economics masters when applying to the 2+2
- However, please keep in mind that you will be ineligible for the 2+2 if you have (significant, lasting more than the few month gap between the degrees) full-time work experience in between your Bachelor's and Master's.

Oh okay, thanks! Also, does a masters degree give an added advantage in any way?

no
in your case, it may actually hurt- they are looking for STEM

Aah, thought as much! Okay, thanks!

Hello, I would be grateful if someone could give me an opinion on my 2+2 application below.

School: HBS, (I do not feel Stanford, should I try tho?)

- 23 years old, African male
- 320 GRE - expected (from mock test results)
- 3.7 GPA ( hoping to get a 3.8 for major GPA) - from low-tier school in Europe - delayed graduation due to depression - thoroughly explained in the essay and supported by recommenders
- Got admitted to study a Masters degree in Public policy from a top 20 school in Europe; Top school in the country
- Current ECs include:
Mentor for youths that are depressed or rejected at an association, using my experience gave talks & advice about failure & depression and how to overcome it,
Member of the LGBT community where I give talks about mental and sexual health,
Charity fundraiser for an association in an African country

- Started 2 startups during my first year at uni, one I sold to a family friend and the other failed;
- interned in finance, in investment management
- working now on another startup before starting my masters next semester

- pre-mba goals: working in development banking/consulting & entrepreneurship
- Post MBA short-term goals: entrepreneurship in healthcare/pharmaceuticals sector in Africa
- Post MBA long-term goals: Building startup incubators in Africa

I personally think you have a great profile, though I think that the exact details of your school and startups would aid better judgement.
I'd say apply to Stanford as well, because from what I've read in several places, they love candidates who have suffered and overcome their challenges and are helping others overcome the same. Never a bad thing to have two offer letters!
Do put yourself well in your essay, I'd say that would be your strongest cord is showing your story.
All the best!

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Thank you for your reply Librega. Let me provide a clearer picture so perhaps you may give me a more informed opinion.

My first startup was focused on solving the supply chain gap between Africa and Europe
My second startup started off as a car search services in Europe for clients in Africa but it terribly failed, I did not have time with all my classes;
The startup I'm working on now aims to help designers in Africa earn some money while designing clothes for sale in Europe
My post-MBA startup already has foundations, to work on innovating pharmaceuticals in Africa.

As for my school, it is a vocational school which nationally ranks 3rd but is not present in global rankings , its a university of applied sciences or a Fachhochschule in German.

I will indeed work on my essay as you suggested.

My "problem" with Stanford is that out of the United States it is not as well recognized by people as Harvard, I would love to open several doors for my projects to work so leveraging a name would be important to me. Am I wrong? What do you think?

Thank you again for your feedback, I truly appreciate it.