liubhs02 wrote:
Hi kryzak,
I’m applying for Haas in R2 and need some advice on where to focus my efforts on. I’m 25/M/Asian. I graduated from University of Texas Engineering with 3.95 GPA, but my GMAT is slight below average (700 - 93% on Verbal/74% on Quant). I have 2.5 years of WE, but it’s a bit erratic. I worked for a major automotive company of only 6 month, before moving to healthcare IT for 15 month. I’ve been a volunteer teacher in a developing country for 4 month now. Haas is my top choice, and I would like to focus on corporate social responsibility/non-profit but I also have heavy interest in renewable/alternative energy, both of which are strong at Haas.
I’m very worried about how the adcom will look at my seemingly erratic work experience. Do you have any advice on how to approach the situation?
Also, I know that the leadership essay was on last year’s application. I’m blanking on the essay because of not having significant team oriented role in to demonstrate leadership. Do you have any tips on how you approached the essay?
Thanks in advance.
Hi there,
your work experience could be both a plus and a minus. If you can tell a story that clearly explains why you chose the steps in your career that you did, you will actually differentiate yourself as an applicant from the others who are applying. For example, you could say:
- I started working at an auto company because my degree was in XXX Engineering
- But after a few months, I realized that I was not passionate about that industry
- I then realized that I have in interest in helping people, and using my engineering background, I decided to help improve the Healthcare system through IT
- While working in healthcare is rewarding, I learned more and more about myself and felt the need to truly help people, so I left for my current teaching job
- The teaching job has been so rewarding that I want to dedicate my future career to non-profit, blah blah blah
As for leadership, it can be defined very broadly. It doesn't always have to be an official position leading a team. You could be an advisor to a group, leading a bunch of students. As a teacher, you are a "leader" in many ways. There must have been some project where you had to work with many people, even if you're not their leader. All those can be examples of leadership. Your goal is to define what leadership means to you, and then show examples of the ways that you've demonstrated that leadership.
Hope that helps!