Last visit was: 09 Jun 2024, 09:20 It is currently 09 Jun 2024, 09:20
Decision Tracker
My Rewards
Unanswered
Active Topics
New posts
New comers' posts
Close
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track
Your Progress

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Go to My Error Log Learn more
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel

To Paul/Linda

SORT BY:
Date
Kudos
User avatar
Blayze
Manager
Manager
Joined: 28 Mar 2009
Posts: 85
Own Kudos [?]: 5 [0]
Given Kudos: 8
Send PM
To Paul/Linda [#permalink] To Paul/Linda   Updated on: 14 Apr 2009, 08:00
edited

Originally posted by Blayze on 30 Mar 2009, 19:59.
Last edited by Blayze on 14 Apr 2009, 08:00, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
B
PaulBodine
SVP
SVP
Joined: 12 Dec 2005
Status:Trust Experience, Trust Success
Affiliations: U. Chicago, Johns Hopkins, AIGAC
Posts: 1796
Own Kudos [?]: 192 [0]
Given Kudos: 0
Send PM
Re: To Paul/Linda [#permalink] To Paul/Linda   04 Apr 2009, 13:06
Blayze,

Main Question: What are my chances of getting in based on what I've described
I would not discourage you from applying to H/S/W; you have a shot at these schools (higher at Wharton, lowest at Stanford). I would describe H and S as credible longshots for you, and Wharton as a competitive school for you.

Secondary Question: Have I adequately distinguished myself from the "asian finance pool" thru my application angle? If not, what other suggestions would you make?
The fact that you are Canadian and Vietnamese and have experience outside traditional IB finance does sufficiently remove you from the "Asian finance" pool, yes. You will stand out.

Other Questions:
-The top schools (led by HBS) are recruiting younger nowadays (I have 23-24 year old friends who have been recently admitted), will my age hurt me (27 in Sept 2010)?
No, 27 is still "young enough." If you were,say, 29 it would be different.

-Does the ethnicity/geography card actually help? Is there any way I can play this to my advantage?
Yes, it most certainly does help, particularly for nationalities (like Vietnam) that are not well represented in top B-schools. Yes, there are many ways to play it to your advantage. That's what I would help you do if you were my client.

-Is round 1 the best time to apply?
Yes. You can apply to the schools you feel most confident about in the second round if necessary.

-What is the GMAT "threshold" for h/s/w? 700 seems to be the rule of thumb but is it higher in the case of these schools?
700 is good enough. If you can get in the 740 or higher zone it can help you stand out even more.

-Will my Gpa hurt me? (7.6/9), translates to A- according to our letter system
No, it's fine.

-How important is title/status of recommender (ie: will it help significantly if I get the founder/CEO of our corporation as a recommender?)
No, in fact it would hurt you if he doesn't know you well. Get letters from direct supervisors.

Good luck,
User avatar
Blayze
Manager
Manager
Joined: 28 Mar 2009
Posts: 85
Own Kudos [?]: 5 [0]
Given Kudos: 8
Send PM
Re: To Paul/Linda [#permalink] To Paul/Linda   04 Apr 2009, 17:11
Thank you for the feedback Paul. I was particularly interested in your answer to my main question. I just have a few follow-up questions based on your responses:

1) You mentioned H and S as "credible longshots" whereas I would be "competitive" at Wharton. Just curious about what your basis was for making this determination? What is the fundamental diff between the former and the latter with respect to my application that makes me more of a longshot at H&S vs W? What would you perceive as the weaknesses in my profile that make H/S stretches for me and what will be the main challenge in addressing this thru my applications?

2) With regards to the entrepreneurship aspirations I described in my original post, do you think this goal is "overplayed" or is this a strong angle to take with regards to positioning my goals and reasons for the MBA?

3) Outside of H/S/W, which would schools would you personally rank as the next three in terms of overall brand reputation (I know this is incredibly subjective).

Thanks again for your time.
User avatar
Blayze
Manager
Manager
Joined: 28 Mar 2009
Posts: 85
Own Kudos [?]: 5 [0]
Given Kudos: 8
Send PM
Re: To Paul/Linda [#permalink] To Paul/Linda   10 Apr 2009, 16:37
Paul,

Not sure if you have been online since your last response, but I would really appreciate your feedback to the follow up questions above (especially the first question).

Thanks for your time.
User avatar
D
Accepted.com
MBA Admissions Consultant
Joined: 20 Apr 2003
Posts: 6455
Own Kudos [?]: 846 [0]
Given Kudos: 92
Location: Los Angeles CA
Send PM
Re: To Paul/Linda [#permalink] To Paul/Linda   13 Apr 2009, 16:39
Expert Reply
Blayze wrote:
Thank you for the feedback Paul. I was particularly interested in your answer to my main question. I just have a few follow-up questions based on your responses:

1) You mentioned H and S as "credible longshots" whereas I would be "competitive" at Wharton. Just curious about what your basis was for making this determination? What is the fundamental diff between the former and the latter with respect to my application that makes me more of a longshot at H&S vs W? What would you perceive as the weaknesses in my profile that make H/S stretches for me and what will be the main challenge in addressing this thru my applications?

2) With regards to the entrepreneurship aspirations I described in my original post, do you think this goal is "overplayed" or is this a strong angle to take with regards to positioning my goals and reasons for the MBA?

3) Outside of H/S/W, which would schools would you personally rank as the next three in terms of overall brand reputation (I know this is incredibly subjective).

Thanks again for your time.


Paul is on vacation so I am going to answer for him and hope he agrees with me.

1) Statistically, Whartonhas traditionally had the highest acceptance rate of these 3 programs.
2) I think it is a good approach. It makes sense, is distinctive, and has an aura of authenticity to it. don't be overly calculating about "angles" and "positioning." You don't want to come across as canned and calculated, but thoughtful and sincere.
3) This is incredibly subjective, but considering your entrepreneurial goals and the other background information you provided, I would suggest you look into MIT, Haas, and Chicago.

Best,
Linda
User avatar
Blayze
Manager
Manager
Joined: 28 Mar 2009
Posts: 85
Own Kudos [?]: 5 [0]
Given Kudos: 8
Send PM
Re: To Paul/Linda [#permalink] To Paul/Linda   13 Apr 2009, 18:55
Accepted.com wrote:
Blayze wrote:
Thank you for the feedback Paul. I was particularly interested in your answer to my main question. I just have a few follow-up questions based on your responses:

1) You mentioned H and S as "credible longshots" whereas I would be "competitive" at Wharton. Just curious about what your basis was for making this determination? What is the fundamental diff between the former and the latter with respect to my application that makes me more of a longshot at H&S vs W? What would you perceive as the weaknesses in my profile that make H/S stretches for me and what will be the main challenge in addressing this thru my applications?

2) With regards to the entrepreneurship aspirations I described in my original post, do you think this goal is "overplayed" or is this a strong angle to take with regards to positioning my goals and reasons for the MBA?

3) Outside of H/S/W, which would schools would you personally rank as the next three in terms of overall brand reputation (I know this is incredibly subjective).

Thanks again for your time.


Paul is on vacation so I am going to answer for him and hope he agrees with me.

1) Statistically, Whartonhas traditionally had the highest acceptance rate of these 3 programs.
2) I think it is a good approach. It makes sense, is distinctive, and has an aura of authenticity to it. don't be overly calculating about "angles" and "positioning." You don't want to come across as canned and calculated, but thoughtful and sincere.
3) This is incredibly subjective, but considering your entrepreneurial goals and the other background information you provided, I would suggest you look into MIT, Haas, and Chicago.

Best,
Linda



Thanks for your feedback Linda. I must say, outside of Chicago, I was surprised by your choice of "backup" schools... I was expecting Columbia, Kellogg, Tuck... the usual suspects.
User avatar
D
Accepted.com
MBA Admissions Consultant
Joined: 20 Apr 2003
Posts: 6455
Own Kudos [?]: 846 [0]
Given Kudos: 92
Location: Los Angeles CA
Send PM
Re: To Paul/Linda [#permalink] To Paul/Linda   14 Apr 2009, 16:49
Expert Reply
Blayze wrote:
Accepted.com wrote:
Blayze wrote:
Thank you for the feedback Paul. I was particularly interested in your answer to my main question. I just have a few follow-up questions based on your responses:

1) You mentioned H and S as "credible longshots" whereas I would be "competitive" at Wharton. Just curious about what your basis was for making this determination? What is the fundamental diff between the former and the latter with respect to my application that makes me more of a longshot at H&S vs W? What would you perceive as the weaknesses in my profile that make H/S stretches for me and what will be the main challenge in addressing this thru my applications?

2) With regards to the entrepreneurship aspirations I described in my original post, do you think this goal is "overplayed" or is this a strong angle to take with regards to positioning my goals and reasons for the MBA?

3) Outside of H/S/W, which would schools would you personally rank as the next three in terms of overall brand reputation (I know this is incredibly subjective).

Thanks again for your time.


Paul is on vacation so I am going to answer for him and hope he agrees with me.

1) Statistically, Whartonhas traditionally had the highest acceptance rate of these 3 programs.
2) I think it is a good approach. It makes sense, is distinctive, and has an aura of authenticity to it. don't be overly calculating about "angles" and "positioning." You don't want to come across as canned and calculated, but thoughtful and sincere.
3) This is incredibly subjective, but considering your entrepreneurial goals and the other background information you provided, I would suggest you look into MIT, Haas, and Chicago.

Best,
Linda



Thanks for your feedback Linda. I must say, outside of Chicago, I was surprised by your choice of "backup" schools... I was expecting Columbia, Kellogg, Tuck... the usual suspects.


I almost wrote Tuck:-) because of its ties to PE, and you can't go wrong with Columbiaand Kellogg, but based on your goals and background I thought that these 3 would help support your goals, especially the entrepreneurial aspects.

Best,
Linda
GMAT Club Bot
gmatclubot
Re: To Paul/Linda [#permalink]
14 Apr 2009, 16:49