Harvard Profile Evaluation - Tools for B-School Profile Evaluation

Time for a reality check I guess.

Age:26
GMAT: 730 (49Q,41V)
Country: Uruguay
Undergraduate degree: CPA, also did a semester abroad in the UK taking Business Management classes. I'm using WES' conversion to GPA and still don't have the result, but average GPA is probably going to be around 3.5
Work experience: Two one month internships (one at HSBC and the other one KPMG), then a semester helping my dad manage his restaurant, then year and a half of middle office&compliance work at a broker dealer, and finally one year of working at a financial advisor and getting more into trading and investment analysis.
I passed the CFA Level 1 exam last December
Side businesses: imported some electronics to my country for reselling, and right now I've just purchased an american LLC to purchase clothes from china and resell in the states (all remotely through amazon's FBA). I'm having a few issues with Amazon, but the plan and research is there and I've got proof of my chats with the chinese supplier, the ownership of the LLC, pictures of myself with the clothing samples, etc.
Non-profit work: Very little. One December I helped an organization distribute food to poor families around Christmas. I also helped friends set up investment accounts and start to think long-term about their finances.
Post-MBA: I'd probably try to get into a job that pays well in finance to keep learning and pay off my huge debt. Harvard costs USD 200K is about 16 times my after-tax salary, so I can't immediatelygo back to my country or anywhere close. Long-term I'd love to have my own company. I especially like thinking and helping people with their finances- I think people can't depend on their government retirement plan (look at Brazil right now) and have to start saving and investing at a young age. But there's nothing so easy or cheap like americans have. There's also no digital bank afaik like N26, Revolut, etc in latin america. I like the CFA's plan of giving back to society, making a business out of helping people invest would be wonderful.

Your academics are competitive. I'm not sure you're showing the leadership and impact that HBS wants to see. if you have it, and it's just not in the post, I'd definitely encourage you to apply. They will like the international aspect of your experience and your initiative. However, if you don't have that leadership and impact, I'd suggest that you either apply elsewhere or wait a year and apply when you can show those qualities. In the interim, also increase your community service.

Best,
Linda
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Personal Info: 28, Male, White.

Education:

Liberal Arts Degree from Top 50 U.S. University ( Studied Philosophy & Advanced Logic )
MicroMasters in Supply Chain Mgmt from MIT

GPA: 3.5

GMAT: 1. 690 (Q46, V38 ) 2. 690 (Q42, V42)

Professional Exp: I have 6.5 years of work experience. I work in the Tech/Startup space and have worked at 5 startups including Uber and my own company. I am currently a Senior Manager at a unicorn startup while also helping to build a new company that is starting to raise seed money.

Volunteer Exp: I work as a Pro Bono Consultant for Nonprofits focused on the arts. I also volunteer for a nonprofit to teach entrepreneurship at inner city schools. I just started volunteering for a nonprofit focused on selling used clothes to fund scholarships.

Purpose of MBA: I am looking to build foundational skills specifically in finance and strategy. I am looking for entrepreneur heavy programs.

Goal on Graduating: Start my own company / work in VC

Your grades are close enough and your experience is good,but that test score is going to be a hurdle at Harvard. I'm not optimistic. Would you consider taking it a 3rd time or trying the GRE? How would your grades at MIT's micro masters, if it was graded?

FYI I think Tuck takes your highest quant and your highest verbal, but most do not.

Linda
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Hi,

Can you please go through the below and provide me your valuable inputs? Specific questions I have are listed at the bottom.

Bio: 1994 born, Indian, Engineer, Male

GMAT: 770 (Q 50 / V 46)

Intend to apply H/S/W R1 for 2021 intake.


Education: Co2016 Top 15 Indian School (non-IIT) GPA 8.11/10 Electrical and Electronics Engineering (no official figure on rank. The top ranker had 9.84/10 GPA). (Note - Got selected for ISB Young Leaders Program but I dropped out)

Full time work Ex - Total 4+ years (at the time of applying in Sep 2020), 5+ years (at joining Sep 2021)
1. 2.9 years in a Consulting division of a Big 4. Worked with Fortune 500 clients in insurance and hospital industry. Mostly on Cost Optimization, business Process Restructuring and Project Management consulting assignments. Worked at Office of the Managing Director for a year. Received 4 awards. Few months of international client facing experience in US (had to come back due to immigration issues).
2. 1.5 years in top tier non-profit (think Gates/Dell/Clinton Foundation, one of the top feeders from the sector) where I work with Indian federal govt on a high impact project in digital transformation & leveraging AI/ML for HIV public health systems.

Part time work ex
1. Worked with a Member of Parliament to create a strategy to make Bangalore a tourist hub (pro bono)
2. Worked as remote volunteer with a national award winning documentary film maker for his new project around families residing along borders of India (pro bono)
3. GMAT tutor for an online portal

Extra curricular:
School
Ambassador for a top tier international education NGO. Co-founded its school chapter. Taught English, Math to 30 children for 2 years.
Received diploma in painting (trained for 10+ years and conducted 6 exhibitions)

Undergrad
1. Organizer (1/15, led Revenue Dept) of one of the largest college cultural festivals in the country. Led team of 80 to generate revenues of 65K USD+ and footfall of 30,000+
2. Volunteer with top tier national education NGO for 3 years in various roles - Teacher, fundraiser, career counselor, Mentor
3. Social Entrepreneurship venture with Enactus to create livelihood for 6 widows in rural India. Raised 6K USD as funds from Walmart, KPMG. Led 50 member team.
4. Co-founded a college club which was a collab between the college and an MNC. Led 40+ member team
5. Participated and won in 15+ debate tournaments (MUNs)

After undergrad
1. Ambassador for alumni association of college and created the social media presence - generating 20K+ engagement in 6 months.
2. Participated in education related CSR activities at Big 4 firm
3. Completed Certificate course in public policy. Studied under Harvard MPA/Oxford MPP educated mentors.
4. Rejoined the national NGO in (2) above as a Mentor for youth (18+ years of age)

Target Schools: H/S/W

Post MBA Goal - Deciding between Impact investing in India and International Public Sector Consulting

Added Info - Applied in 2018 with a hurried application (think 4 schools in 1 month) to H/S/W/Sloan. This was when I was still at big 4 consulting. Bad Decision. I know. But that ship has sailed.

Thank you for taking time out to go through my profile. The questions I have are -


1. I have a non-IIT undergrad and not-so-stellar GPA. How do I optimize this aspect for H/S/W? the GMAT is one way. But what else can I do?
2. I have never had direct reportees during professional life. I have guided technical/ops teams but its not direct reporting. How do I showcase leadership?
3. Re-applicant. I applied 2018 December. I will again apply 2020 September. What is the potential impact?
4. Are the target schools realistic?
5. What else can I do to improve my profile from now till Sep 2020?

GMAT: 760 (V: 44,Q:49, IR: 7, AWA: 6)
IELTS: 8/9
Law School GPA: 9.3/10
XIIth : 93%
Xth: 10/10 CGPA

Nationality:Indian


3 years of work experience as a lawyer with independent offices.
I practice across constitutional law courts as well as trial and appellate forums. I have also argued across income tax and company law tribunals.
Graduated out of a law school (ranked in top 10) with 15+ university awards on convocation.
Won 2 National Debates, an international policy research competition as well as a national and an international moot.
Published across national and international law journals.
Headed the Mercantile Law School Review as Chief Editor.
Also a volunteer lawyer for the State Legal Services Authority (represented in around 15 matters therein)
Internships include Chief Justice, Attorney General as well as a reputed international organisation

Cited by constitutional courts as well as wrote a paper whose suggestions were taken up for framing a major state government scheme and later a Union Law.

[size=80][b][i]Posted from my mobile device[/i][/b][/size]

My profile:

I am an Indian female with 4 years work-ex by the time I join.
GRE - 322: V(152) Q(170) AWA - 4/6
Under-grad university - BITS Pilani. CGPA - 8.7
total 4 years work experience at one MNC and a start-up as an individual contributor in technology.

Why MBA?
Shift into product management and leadership roles in technology

extra-curricular:
1. Classical Dancer

Also, I plan to help my family with family business once I am done with MBA.

Thanks for your post. To answer your questions

1. If your undergrad program is well-regarded, accredited program, albeit non-IIT, don't worry about it. I don't believe your UGPA is an issue. It's above average and your GMAT is stellar. You could take HBS Online CORe, if you're really worried about it, but I don't think it's necessary.
2. Highlight the impact you've had without having an official managerial title or direct reports. If you've "guided" successfully without a title, you've led. Please see "Leadership in Admissions."
3. As long as you improve your application (and your new job is distinctive and will a new dimension to your qualifications) and show growth, reapplication at most programs (INSEAD is an exception) is a slight plus. It show commitment and persistance. Don't rush your application this time. If you'd like help with it, please considerseeking Accepted's guidance.
4. Yes.
5. 1) Clarify your goal as well as your reasons for wanting to attend each of these schools. 2) If you can, get some experience outside of India. 3) Prepare your resume to showcase your impact and not just responsibilities. 4). Keep on achieving as you have been doing.

Best,
Linda
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Without knowing anything about your achievements I can't evaluate your experience at all. Your grades are competitive. Your verbal score on the GRE is not; you need to raise it.
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The information you provided is competitive for HBS. Why do you want an MBA?
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Undergrad: 3.51 GPA studying econ, math, and Chinese from a top 10 US school
GMAT: 760 (49 Q, 42 V)
WE: 4 years of Corporate Strategy for an F500
Extracurriculars:NCAA D1 athlete, ~50 hours/year volunteering for past 11 years, head of small affinity group at work
Post-MBA goal:investment banking and eventually PE/asset management
White American male

Is this profile competitive? Any thoughts are appreciated. Thanks!

A few quick questions: Did you complete undergrad 4 years ago? Did your volunteering start in high school? Can you show leadership on and/or off the job? Any international exposure? Progression on the job?

Linda
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A few quick questions: Did you complete undergrad 4 years ago? Did your volunteering start in high school? Can you show leadership on and/or off the job? Any international exposure? Progression on the job?

Linda[/quote]

I completed undergrad 3 years ago (2016) but anticipating 4 years of WE when I start my MBA. I started volunteering at the start of high school. In my job, I have leadership leading projects and being a leader in the affinity group I'm part of; off the job, most leadership is in my religious organizations. International--I've traveled a lot personally internationally and spent a summer volunteering in a developing economy, and speak 4 languages but no work experience abroad (just working with a global team). I've been promoted once, near a second promotion, and have a lot more responsibility in my role than when I started working.

I completed undergrad 3 years ago (2016) but anticipating 4 years of WE when I start my MBA. I started volunteering at the start of high school. In my job, I have leadership leading projects and being a leader in the affinity group I'm part of; off the job, most leadership is in my religious organizations. International--I've traveled a lot personally internationally and spent a summer volunteering in a developing economy, and speak 4 languages but no work experience abroad (just working with a global team). I've been promoted once, near a second promotion, and have a lot more responsibility in my role than when I started working.[/quote]

Hi Wabook.

Thanks for the additional information. All excellent. You have a competitive profile for top MBA programs including HBS. If you would like help with your MBA application, please let me know.
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Undergrad: BBA with a specialization in Finance and Computer Science (Dual Degree) at a good school in Canada
- GPA: 3.7 (Had 2Fs and a D but retook the courses and got good grades on them the second time around)
- GMAT: 760
Grade 12 Result: 70%
Certifications: CFA
Work Experience: Deloitte Consulting - 3 years of work experience, expecting my 2nd promotion soon (BTA -> Consultant -> Senior Consultant)
Extra Curriculars/Social Work/Leadership Experience
- Pro Bono cases: Spent 600+ hours in the past 3.5 years working on pro bono bases
- Leadership Positions at school clubs
- Tried to start a couple of startups but it didn't work out

Questions:
- How much does a low score in highschool/a couple of Fs in undergrad hurt me?
- Does that fact that I did 2 hard degrees and CFA all at the same time make up for that?
- Does having a CFA help me tell my story/have a strong profile since my end goal is to work in MBB/Tier 1 Investment Bank?

Post MBA Goals:
- MBB: I really like the culture at Bain. PE due diligence would prolly be my top choice if I was to work there.
- MS/GS/JPM: Investment Banking

I can provide more info if needed. What are my chances of getting on Harvard and what are my chances of getting into a top 10 MBA in the States?
PS: I'm an American and Canadian dual citizen if that matters

AdmitChanceFinder,

Thanks for your post. Dual citizenship helps.

Let me address your questions:

1. High school grades are irrelevant. Undergraduate grades are relevant. Schools will want to know context for those F's. However, if whatever caused them is no longer an influence on your performance and you provide lots of evidence that you can perform academically and professionally, which you are doing, you should be OK in the greater top 10. Can't promise HBS, but I do think given the rest of your qualifications and your goals, that it makes sense for you to apply to HBS. No need to reject yourself.
2. All that sure helps a lot.
3. The CFA is a highly credible credential and evidences a serious interest in finance.

For advice on mitigating your GPA, please see 5 As for your Low GPA..
For insight into Bain, please see Bain & Company’s Keith Bevans Talks About Careers, Life at Bain
For general perspective, "Your Past Doesn't Define You."

Please let me know if you'd like help with your MBA application.

Best,
Linda
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Hey,
Name- Ravi Makani
Nationality- Indian
Age-21
Degree-Final year BTech in Pharmaceutical chemistry and tech
Institute of chemical technology, Mumbai

GPA-8.8/10
GMAT score-740

Internships-
1. Summer intern at Sanofi India
2. Business development and marketing intern at Vital labs Pvt Ltd
3. Research associate at Syngenta Biosciences Pvt Ltd.
4. Marketing and sales intern at colourzone chemtech Pvt Ltd.

Academic certificates-
1. Green belt six Sigma course from KPMG
2. Business management certificate from NPTEL

Leadership achievements-
1. Sports secretary in third year BTech where i headed a team of 20 core members and conducted 5 events with a budget of around 1-1.5lakh rupees each and a sports fest with a budget of 26lakhs. I also promoted sports culture in the institute and introduced 2 new sports teams in the institute namely Swimming and Kho-Kho.
2. Volunteered for the institute's tedx event in 2017
3. Sponsorship head of the institute's annual research journal called The Bombay technologist.
4. Placement coordinator for the batch of 2020

Other achievements:
1. Industry defined problem winner with a cash prize of 24,000 rupees.
2. Winner of badminton and swimming singles event in one of the inter college sports fests and a bunch of other sports achievements in my high school.
3. Volunteered in almost every fest in the institute.
4. A few community service certificates.

I come from a chemical manufacturing business background and my goal is to expand my family business and venture into healthcare industry.

I want to apply for deffered mba courses offered by Harvard and alike schools. Is it a good enough profile to get me selected for the interview? And to get an admit?

Posted from my mobile device

Hi AdmitChanceFinder,

Thank you for your post and for sharing your profile. Also, congratulations on a 760 GMAT. I have addressed your questions below (in blue):

Questions:
- How much does a low score in highschool/a couple of Fs in undergrad hurt me? The grades that adcoms take into consideration are your undergraduate scores. Where your Fs and D early in your undergraduate studies? With a CFA and a high GMAT score, you should be ok (provided your Fs and D were early on). That said, you will need to address your undergraduate performance in your applications.
- Does that fact that I did 2 hard degrees and CFA all at the same time make up for that? Indeed, this will be viewed positively in your application.
- Does having a CFA help me tell my story/have a strong profile since my end goal is to work in MBB/Tier 1 Investment Bank? From personal experience, the CFA carries a lot of weight in finance. Getting an MBA with a CFA already in hand makes a great difference in your application and your post-degree placement, especially with your goal in mind. Be sure to spend time articulating how your experiences have shaped your career, and how you need an MBA to propel your career in MBB/Tier 1 Investment Bank.

All your accomplishments are data points that tell the adcom you are a competitive candidate. Data points without a story does not make for a compelling candidate, however - the institutions want well-rounded candidates in their cohort. Be sure you bring your personality to the page.

If you would like to continue this conversation offline, please reach out.

Good luck!

Susan


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Hi.I am planning to apply to various B-schools in the next admission cycle(Class of 2022).I am posting my profile to understand my strengths and weaknesses so that I can work on potential gaps in my profile.

Background and nationality 23,M,Indian
Undergrad Information : B.Tech from IIT Kharagpur.GPA of 3.32/4
GMAT: 730(Q 51,V36) ( I have taken the GMAT in Dec 2016)
Work experience and leadership :
Completed 2 years of work experience at a major tobacco based FMCG. Will have 4 years of work experience by the time of joining.Work domain includes-Project management, Capital investment planning and execution,Operational excellence.
My current role involves me spearheading over 20 projects across the division.I was also the project engineer for execution of a brownfield factory in my first role.

Community and others:
Plethora of extracurricular activities at Undergrad level-
-Elected student representative during my final year of undergrad
-Represented the college in Inter-IIT Tech meet and also lead the hall of residence in inter-hall events.
-Team leader at AIESEC
-Part of the student entrepreneurship cell

Didn’t really participate in any community service activities since I have started working(possible weak-link in my profile)

Post MBA goals
Would like to get into management consulting and strategy and eventually settle down in one company,which I would like to lead.I also have ambitious plans of coming back to India and doing something meaningful in the agricultural sector through technology.

Anything else?
I would also like to get scholarship(full or part waiver of tuition) in whichever B-School I might get admitted to.