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Profile Review
[#permalink]
10 Jul 2020, 03:30
10 Jul 2020, 03:30
Hi! Would highly appreciate a profile assessment, and input on some questions below.
· Demographics (nationality, gender): Indonesian, M
· Education (undergraduate institution, GPA, major - high school/entrance exams not needed): Top 2 local university, 3.7, Business
· Other coursework or post-undergraduate education: One semester abroad in Europe
· GMAT or GRE (include section breakdown): 760 (Q48, V47)
· Work experience (highlight amount of work experience, industries, roles, promotions, special accomplishments, international exposure):
2 years of MBB consulting, with a focus on digital/analytics in banking - 1 promotion
2 years (upon matriculation) in a large holdings company (top 10 in market cap in my country), where I started out the digital strategy team - non-managerial role, but beginning to get leadership assignments - which is a reason why I am applying now
· Extracurricular activities (highlight notable undergraduate and post-undergraduate ones):
Post-undergrad:
- Advisor to a nonprofit focused on upskilling workers to tech roles
- Mentor to business case competition teams at my alma mater
Undergrad:
- Leadership role in my undergrad organization
· Post-MBA goals:
- Short term: Join the product or strategy team in an established fintech company
- Long term: Become a leader in the fintech space in my country
· Target schools:
- HBS, Stanford, Wharton
· Any specific questions you would like answered by our team:
1) When I look at employment reports from HSW, a very small percentage is labeled as going into fintech - would it be okay to mention fintech as is in my post-MBA goal, or would broadening it to "tech" be a better move?
2) I received a couple of low grades in undergrad (D equivalent) - should I address this in the additional info section? Not sure what exactly what I'd put, given that I don't exactly have a strong excuse.
3) Any advice on how to nuance the app to each school? What aspects should I focus on to appeal to what they are looking for?
4) Are Southeast Asian (non-Chinese, non-Indian) applicants considered under or overrepresented?
Thank you!
· Demographics (nationality, gender): Indonesian, M
· Education (undergraduate institution, GPA, major - high school/entrance exams not needed): Top 2 local university, 3.7, Business
· Other coursework or post-undergraduate education: One semester abroad in Europe
· GMAT or GRE (include section breakdown): 760 (Q48, V47)
· Work experience (highlight amount of work experience, industries, roles, promotions, special accomplishments, international exposure):
2 years of MBB consulting, with a focus on digital/analytics in banking - 1 promotion
2 years (upon matriculation) in a large holdings company (top 10 in market cap in my country), where I started out the digital strategy team - non-managerial role, but beginning to get leadership assignments - which is a reason why I am applying now
· Extracurricular activities (highlight notable undergraduate and post-undergraduate ones):
Post-undergrad:
- Advisor to a nonprofit focused on upskilling workers to tech roles
- Mentor to business case competition teams at my alma mater
Undergrad:
- Leadership role in my undergrad organization
· Post-MBA goals:
- Short term: Join the product or strategy team in an established fintech company
- Long term: Become a leader in the fintech space in my country
· Target schools:
- HBS, Stanford, Wharton
· Any specific questions you would like answered by our team:
1) When I look at employment reports from HSW, a very small percentage is labeled as going into fintech - would it be okay to mention fintech as is in my post-MBA goal, or would broadening it to "tech" be a better move?
2) I received a couple of low grades in undergrad (D equivalent) - should I address this in the additional info section? Not sure what exactly what I'd put, given that I don't exactly have a strong excuse.
3) Any advice on how to nuance the app to each school? What aspects should I focus on to appeal to what they are looking for?
4) Are Southeast Asian (non-Chinese, non-Indian) applicants considered under or overrepresented?
Thank you!
mbaMission Admissions Consultant
Joined: 01 Apr 2015
Posts: 1456
Given Kudos: 22
Re: Profile Review
[#permalink]
13 Jul 2020, 18:34
13 Jul 2020, 18:34
1
Kudos
Expert Reply
Hi wwh72,
Thanks for reaching out to us. It sounds like you have a great academic background and GMAT score. I like that you have some post-MBB experience too, as I think the corporate experience helps round out your profile. You have great extracurricular activities too!
In terms of target schools, you definitely seem to have the components of a competitive profile at those top schools, but just keep in mind how selective those three are, in particular H/S. I would still apply, but make sure you've considered some backup options too.
To answer your questions...
1) When I look at employment reports from HSW, a very small percentage is labeled as going into fintech - would it be okay to mention fintech as is in my post-MBA goal, or would broadening it to "tech" be a better move? I think that's completely fine to mention, as long as you know that some graduates of your program have gone into that field, and more importantly that you have the right profile and transferable skills to be qualified for those roles. You may want to make sure you are considering a broad definition of fintech and can explain the types of roles you'll target, like roles at fintech startups, or roles at larger financial services firms that are exploring new fintech products.
2) I received a couple of low grades in undergrad (D equivalent) - should I address this in the additional info section? Not sure what exactly what I'd put, given that I don't exactly have a strong excuse. Depends a bit on when they were (early vs. late) and what courses (major vs. non-major, or quant vs. non-quant), but in general I lean towards addressing these issues in the optional essay. But do so very briefly, mostly just to acknowledge the weakness. With your eventual GPA and high GMAT, I think you will be showing other evidence of your abilities.
3) Any advice on how to nuance the app to each school? What aspects should I focus on to appeal to what they are looking for? Hard to say without knowing your story and more about your background! Make sure you are researching what makes each program different, and thinking carefully about what the essay prompts are asking for. For more resources, check out the following:
Our Insider's Guides to top programs: https://shop.mbamission.com/collections ... r-s-guides
Our Guide to the HBS / GSB essays: https://shop.mbamission.com/products/wh ... nal-essays
School specific essay tips on our blog: https://www.mbamission.com/blog/categor ... 2020-2021/
4) Are Southeast Asian (non-Chinese, non-Indian) applicants considered under or overrepresented? Hmm, good question. From what I've seen they are not as over-represented as applicants from China and India, but they are not considered under-represented either. I think it probably puts your chances pretty close to the average acceptance rates.
Thanks for reaching out to us. It sounds like you have a great academic background and GMAT score. I like that you have some post-MBB experience too, as I think the corporate experience helps round out your profile. You have great extracurricular activities too!
In terms of target schools, you definitely seem to have the components of a competitive profile at those top schools, but just keep in mind how selective those three are, in particular H/S. I would still apply, but make sure you've considered some backup options too.
To answer your questions...
1) When I look at employment reports from HSW, a very small percentage is labeled as going into fintech - would it be okay to mention fintech as is in my post-MBA goal, or would broadening it to "tech" be a better move? I think that's completely fine to mention, as long as you know that some graduates of your program have gone into that field, and more importantly that you have the right profile and transferable skills to be qualified for those roles. You may want to make sure you are considering a broad definition of fintech and can explain the types of roles you'll target, like roles at fintech startups, or roles at larger financial services firms that are exploring new fintech products.
2) I received a couple of low grades in undergrad (D equivalent) - should I address this in the additional info section? Not sure what exactly what I'd put, given that I don't exactly have a strong excuse. Depends a bit on when they were (early vs. late) and what courses (major vs. non-major, or quant vs. non-quant), but in general I lean towards addressing these issues in the optional essay. But do so very briefly, mostly just to acknowledge the weakness. With your eventual GPA and high GMAT, I think you will be showing other evidence of your abilities.
3) Any advice on how to nuance the app to each school? What aspects should I focus on to appeal to what they are looking for? Hard to say without knowing your story and more about your background! Make sure you are researching what makes each program different, and thinking carefully about what the essay prompts are asking for. For more resources, check out the following:
Our Insider's Guides to top programs: https://shop.mbamission.com/collections ... r-s-guides
Our Guide to the HBS / GSB essays: https://shop.mbamission.com/products/wh ... nal-essays
School specific essay tips on our blog: https://www.mbamission.com/blog/categor ... 2020-2021/
4) Are Southeast Asian (non-Chinese, non-Indian) applicants considered under or overrepresented? Hmm, good question. From what I've seen they are not as over-represented as applicants from China and India, but they are not considered under-represented either. I think it probably puts your chances pretty close to the average acceptance rates.
wwh72 wrote:
Hi! Would highly appreciate a profile assessment, and input on some questions below.
· Demographics (nationality, gender): Indonesian, M
· Education (undergraduate institution, GPA, major - high school/entrance exams not needed): Top 2 local university, 3.7, Business
· Other coursework or post-undergraduate education: One semester abroad in Europe
· GMAT or GRE (include section breakdown): 760 (Q48, V47)
· Work experience (highlight amount of work experience, industries, roles, promotions, special accomplishments, international exposure):
2 years of MBB consulting, with a focus on digital/analytics in banking - 1 promotion
2 years (upon matriculation) in a large holdings company (top 10 in market cap in my country), where I started out the digital strategy team - non-managerial role, but beginning to get leadership assignments - which is a reason why I am applying now
· Extracurricular activities (highlight notable undergraduate and post-undergraduate ones):
Post-undergrad:
- Advisor to a nonprofit focused on upskilling workers to tech roles
- Mentor to business case competition teams at my alma mater
Undergrad:
- Leadership role in my undergrad organization
· Post-MBA goals:
- Short term: Join the product or strategy team in an established fintech company
- Long term: Become a leader in the fintech space in my country
· Target schools:
- HBS, Stanford, Wharton
· Any specific questions you would like answered by our team:
1) When I look at employment reports from HSW, a very small percentage is labeled as going into fintech - would it be okay to mention fintech as is in my post-MBA goal, or would broadening it to "tech" be a better move?
2) I received a couple of low grades in undergrad (D equivalent) - should I address this in the additional info section? Not sure what exactly what I'd put, given that I don't exactly have a strong excuse.
3) Any advice on how to nuance the app to each school? What aspects should I focus on to appeal to what they are looking for?
4) Are Southeast Asian (non-Chinese, non-Indian) applicants considered under or overrepresented?
Thank you!
· Demographics (nationality, gender): Indonesian, M
· Education (undergraduate institution, GPA, major - high school/entrance exams not needed): Top 2 local university, 3.7, Business
· Other coursework or post-undergraduate education: One semester abroad in Europe
· GMAT or GRE (include section breakdown): 760 (Q48, V47)
· Work experience (highlight amount of work experience, industries, roles, promotions, special accomplishments, international exposure):
2 years of MBB consulting, with a focus on digital/analytics in banking - 1 promotion
2 years (upon matriculation) in a large holdings company (top 10 in market cap in my country), where I started out the digital strategy team - non-managerial role, but beginning to get leadership assignments - which is a reason why I am applying now
· Extracurricular activities (highlight notable undergraduate and post-undergraduate ones):
Post-undergrad:
- Advisor to a nonprofit focused on upskilling workers to tech roles
- Mentor to business case competition teams at my alma mater
Undergrad:
- Leadership role in my undergrad organization
· Post-MBA goals:
- Short term: Join the product or strategy team in an established fintech company
- Long term: Become a leader in the fintech space in my country
· Target schools:
- HBS, Stanford, Wharton
· Any specific questions you would like answered by our team:
1) When I look at employment reports from HSW, a very small percentage is labeled as going into fintech - would it be okay to mention fintech as is in my post-MBA goal, or would broadening it to "tech" be a better move?
2) I received a couple of low grades in undergrad (D equivalent) - should I address this in the additional info section? Not sure what exactly what I'd put, given that I don't exactly have a strong excuse.
3) Any advice on how to nuance the app to each school? What aspects should I focus on to appeal to what they are looking for?
4) Are Southeast Asian (non-Chinese, non-Indian) applicants considered under or overrepresented?
Thank you!
Re: Profile Review
[#permalink]
13 Jul 2020, 23:36
13 Jul 2020, 23:36
Hi Kate, thank you! This was very helpful.
Just one last question - would it be alright if both my recommenders came from my existing company, even if I haven't been here as long as I was in MBB? I've worked much more closely with my supervisors here than in MBB, and the people here would be able to tell much better stories. I hope it wouldn't be a red flag to adcoms?
Just one last question - would it be alright if both my recommenders came from my existing company, even if I haven't been here as long as I was in MBB? I've worked much more closely with my supervisors here than in MBB, and the people here would be able to tell much better stories. I hope it wouldn't be a red flag to adcoms?
