Harvard Profile Evaluation - Tools for B-School Profile Evaluation

Hi, your GMAT, GPA and career in top-5 consulting sound good for top-10 US b-schools. I don't think you should improve your GMAT, especially if you're planning to apply this August-September. What you should concentrate your efforts on is the following: your inspirations to apply (what inspires you to get an MBA?); your motivation to go to a particular school (how can this school help you achieve your goals: curriculum, location, faculty etc.); your development (what skills and practical knowledge you've gained to stand out and bring value to MBA class)

Sorry, but if you don't have inspiration to get an MBA, how you'll do it?

so you do have it - that's great! It must be well-structured and visible for AdComs - that's what I meant.

Chinese American
Top 5 liberal arts school, 3.42 math major/physics minor
GMAT: 750 (49Q 42 V)
Work experience and leadership: 4 years (at matriculation) of life sciences management consulting at a top econ consulting firm - 2 promotions
Community and others: Grassroots political activist and organizer, mentor for immigrant youth, marathoner, write healthcare policy pieces, film criticism, and fashion blog. Vice chairman of undergrad student invest committee
Short term goal: Healthcare system consulting at McKinsey or Avalere
Long term goal: Healthcare delivery reform at healthcare system or government
Why MBA: Develop leadership/management skills, gain broader business education, learn more about healthcare systems, develop healthcare industry network

Hi, what degree did you take at liberal arts school? Is it Bachelor's? And it's not clear, why you target Harvard: your goals fit all top-20 b-schools. As for your strengths, your mentorship for immigrants and community activities will be a good asset, if you can demonstrate positive impact (what do you teach youth and how this improved their adaptation in foreign environment? can you provide impressive real-life examples and results?)

I like this profile. Your GPA is a little low, but the Adcom will recognize that you got it in a difficult major from a prestigious school. So don't sweat too much about that.

The key to your application will be in arguing that your work experience is impactful, prestigious, and the ideal preparation for your future ambitions. HBS in particular plays favorites with firms and will weight your past work experience most heavily in the process. If you feel comfortable sharing, I can see how common it is to see people from your firm at HBS. If it is less common, you'll really need to double down on the personal narrative part of your application and argue that you couldn't have picked a better preparation for Healthcare consulting at McKinsey than your firm.

The other challenge is in telling a story about how moving from one consulting firm to another is both inspiring and impactful. The HBS Adcom doesn't want to just help people make incremental changes. They want to help people make transformative improvements to both their careers and the world. A few ideas come to mind, but this is the second big question you need to answer in your application. If you get both done you'll have a great chance!

Thanks Nate, some great advice here. In terms of the firm sending people to HBS, there isn't a huge history. One of my co-workers did get in and graduated this year, others who have gone to HBS typically had some other work experience after working at my firm (e.g, a former co-worker worked at my firm for 3 years and then a NGO for 1 year and will be attending HBS this fall). Then again, our firm is relatively small so it's a bit hard to gauge what history really looks like (in the past two years, my division has had 1 Booth, 1 HBS, 1 Haas, 1 Wharton).

In terms of going from life sciences consulting (essentially pharmaceutical consulting) to healthcare consulting, my main reason for doing so is breadth of work and exposure. I also considered going straight into working for healthcare systems or insurers, like a Kaiser or Cigna, but I think going back to consulting with a focus on healthcare systems would provide me with a stronger perspective of healthcare as a whole and provide a stronger foundation before going to a more public service oriented role or into industry. Right now, my consulting work is more niche. Of course, the MBA is also to help develop my leadership/management skills, meet and learn from more people in the healthcare industry, and gain some foundational knowledge as well.

Another vague thought is whether I should retake the GMAT; I usually scored 760 or 770 on my practice but flubbed the quant on the real thing and got a 750. It also looks like we'll be able to take the sections in whatever order we want in July/August, which could be helpful as well. On the other hand, retaking a 750 could look neurotic (sent scores at test center) and it'd take away time spent on essays.

Background and nationality: indian female. 7 years work experience in government sector. Cleared cfa level 1
Undergrad Information: BE with 67%. Was elected training and placement coordinator
GMAT:760
Work experience: varied experience in different sectors under Govt. Always as head of department with 100+ staff members
Community and others: launched eye donation campaign, taught students from poor background, volunteered in US for four months.
Post MBA goals: shift to consulting

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Thanks in advance for taking a look at my profile - I'm pretty new at the MBA admissions world and am just looking for some advice as to whether Harvard's really in the cards with my background - as well as any pointers as to how to shore up my weaknesses.

High Level:
27 years old, White male, US citizen
Education: Elite US University (Top 7), Double Major in Biological Sciences and American History, minor in Chemistry

Stats:
GPA: 3.25
GMAT: 770 (46V, 50Q), 6.0 AWA, 7 IR

Work Experience:
- 5 years working for a consulting/business process management firm that supports public sector healthcare programs in the US. The firm played a large role in helping to implement health care reform in the US and supports state and federal clients that administer large public insurance and other entitlement programs
- Have been promoted twice and served in a number of different roles. Started out in the operations/consulting unit, working with individual clients to address their operational issues or stand up new programs. Upon last promotion was selected to lead own team (though now only three analysts currently) focused on identifying adjacent markets and new strategic partnerships for the firm's business in the domestic (US) health space
- Have had a number of key accomplishments, including proposing the acquisition of a competitor, pitching the idea to executives at my company, and helping lead the due diligence and integration process once the deal was approved. I received a corporate award for this that's only given to around 15 people a year worldwide out of a total of 18,000 employees

Extracurriculars - was drum major of the marching band at fairly large school (>100 members in band) and also led pep band for all men's and women's basketball games. Was also active in a fraternity, with a couple of minor leadership roles. Currently on alumni board for the group

Philanthropy - was philanthropy chair of my fraternity for a year, and worked for a summer for an environmental protection-focused not-for-profit. After graduation I work with the corporate foundation my company runs, meeting community groups and attending dinners/events to present.

Essays/Recs - this post nonwithstanding I think I can pull together excellent essays, and plan to start writing as soon as applications are available. I also believe that my recommendations will be excellent, based on their feedback on my performance/a draft that one of them let me read.

MBA Goals - move into strategy and operations consulting for the health care sector, particularly for clients/companies that interact with the programs that I've supported in the past (Medicaid, Medicare, etc.)

I imagine my GPA will be a big stumbling block, as I was below the mean at my university (though I suppose the hard science degree might help a bit). I don't have a great way of explaining it away unfortunately, though I do think my strong job performance and recommendations will get across that I can handle the work. I did a lot better on the GMAT than I expected too (though I studied for like 6 months). I'm really just looking to see what range of schools I should apply to - with my GPA are Harvard/Stanford/Wharton out of the question or should I be a bit less pessimistic? Any help at all would be much appreciated - thank you in advance for your time and for taking a look at this

Hi! Your strengths are good GMAT, managerial position and community activities. You make your profile stronger, you should emphasize on your achievements (activities that could prove your positive impact on a government sector you work) and reasons to switch on consulting. Maybe it'd be good to think of a particular direction in consulting, which you're going to work in (why this direction? what are you going to do there? how are your skills, practice and achievement be relevant and applicable in this direction?) That will be a good start to understand, whether HBS is a right choice for you.

You seem to have nice profile, indeed. I'd advise you to work on your post-MBA goals to shape your role role up: are going to improve smth or solve a big problem? why do you believe you'll be a competitive candidate for this role? Where do you see yourself in 10 years? And think of 2-3 more schools from top-10 list, in addition to top-3.

Hi..I plan to apply this year for the class of 2020. Please share your feedback.

Background and nationality - I am a medical doctor (general physician) INDIAN MALE 28 years of age
Undergrad Information - M.B.B.S. from one of the top medical schools in India
GMAT: 730 (IR was 3/8) so reappeared 710 (IR 7/8). Both scores sent to HBS
Work experience and leadership - Total 3 years. Worked as a resident medical officer at a government hospital. Then in a managerial role (networking/recruitment/market communication) with an international healthcare Not for profit organization. Then in a private clinic. On the look out for another role right now. Never had reportees (except 2 people in clinic)
Community and others- International healthcare not for profit organization. Also as health officer in Indian healthcare not for profits.
Post MBA goals - Healthcare management with development organizations.
Anything else? Captain of the college basketball and soccer team. Organizer of college youth fest

Thank you for the evaluation and suggestions.

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Hi my name is Abhishek Srivastava from India

GMAT : 760 (Q-50 V-44)
Industry : Pharmaceutical Consulting
Work Experience : 72 (months)
Under grad : Jaypee Institute of Information Technology (B.Tech - Information technology)
Under grad GPA : 2.4

I have been working for a market research startup which provides data to pharmaceutical companies so that they could help devise strategies related to new brand production, market capture etc. My post is of a regional manager and I been heading a team of 10 people now. earlier the time size was 2. No promotions because hierarchical structure is very less ( only 2 managers above and then the ceo of company). Yet I have handled major projects for company like glenmark pilot, zydus optistox etc. Glenmark was ready to roll out pan india only when they saw success in uttar pradesh and I was the given the role of leading that projects bringing in revenue of Rs 1.5 crore.

Extracurricular : Film making group in hometown, assistant director for the same. directed movies majorly on women issue and farmer labour.

I want to specialise in operations consulting.

Post mba: I want to work in healthcare consulting.

Hello! I have a bit of an unorthodox profile, so would love an expert's perspective on my HBS chances.

Background and nationality: Filipino woman, multi-national experience in Philippines, Singapore and US
Educational Background:
- Undergrad: Behavioral Sciences from top 3 Philippine university; GPA: 3.6 (top 1% of graduating class)
- Masters: Industrial/Organizational Psychology from top 40 US university; GPA: 3.7
GMAT: 710 (46 Q/41 V)
Work experience and leadership:
- 4 years full time experience
- Currently Big 4 Consulting - Human Capital, focus on life sciences & healthcare industry
- Previous: health benefits consulting, organizational development (training/change management/org design), marketing & communications
Community involvement:
- Leadership role in Filipino poverty alleviation nonprofit in the Boston area
- Various student government roles in college; led training, policy reform, and scholarship programs
Post MBA goals: Long term, I want to prove that Strategic HR/People Management is a path to C-suite beyond CHRO. Short term, I'll be seeking a role in a strategic Talent Management/Org Development/People Analytics capacity.

Thanks!

I'm looking for some candid feedback on my chances at HBS, as well as any feedback on strategy. I'm an attentive student so I promise your time won't be wasted, and thanks in advance!

Personal Narrative: I'm a 29 year old Special Operations Army Officer with experience leading teams large and small in austere and challenging environments with extensive international experience working with interagency, intergovernmental, and private NGO partners.
Demographics: 29 y/o White Male
Education: 3.59 GPA earning a B.S. Economics and Mathematics Cum Laude from the Univ. of Southern Califorinia
Tests: GMAT: 750 (48Q 45V, IR 8, AWA 6), GRE: 338 (168Q, 170V, AWA 5)
Work Experience: Captain in the US Army in a Special Operations Civil Affairs Battalion

Civil Affairs Team Leader April 2016 - Present
- Leads a four person team on 6 month long rotations at US Embassies in the Asia-Pacific region achieving DoD, DoS, and USAID goals through a combination of military partnerships and humanitarian aid & development projects.
- Most recent rotation was to Nepal partnering with the Nepal Army to train in Civilian-Military Operations pertinent to UN Peace Keeping Missions as Nepal is the 3rd largest personnel provider to these missions
- Managed a $12 million portfolio of programs and projects in conjunction with the Department of State and USAID in the fields of Disaster Preparedness, Health, and Counter Human Trafficking with Nepalese NGOs such as Pro Public, Shakti Samuha (lit "Women Power"), and the Feminist Dalit Organization (Dalit = "Untouchable" caste).
- Ranked "in top 10% of 48 Captains in the Battalion" on most recent annual evaluation

Executive Officer March 2013 - September 2014
- Managed the logistics and training programs while serving as second in command for a Headquarters Company of of 220+ Soldiers; responsible for $39 million in equipment to include an arms room and high value vehicles.
- Training program consistently resulted in 85%+ achievement of "Trained" for all mission essential tasks and was one of only two companies (out of a total of 6) to do so; maintenance program never fell below a 93% Operational Readiness Rate
- Responsible for oversight of a force realignment resulting in a support platoon being stood up as full company as well as transitioning a platoon of Military Police to a new Brigade.
- Ranked #2 of 5 Executive Officers by Battalion Commander, top 5 of 25 lieutenants in the battalion

Platoon Leader September 2011 - November 2012
- Led a Support Platoon of 86 personnel deployed to various posts across Eastern Afghanistan; directly supported combat operations with transportation, maintenance, and medical assets.
- Appointed as the Battalion Unit Movement Officer; overall responsible for the redeployment of over 119 pieces of cargo primarily composed of 20' containers, Tricons, and a variety of vehicles; the only battalion (of 6) to have all equipment arrive on time with no loss in accountability
- Ranked #1 of 4 Platoon Leaders by Company Commander

Other: Can read/speak/write conversational Mandarin Chinese ("Intermediate" level by ACTFL standards), qualified with a sub 3 hr time for 2016 Boston Marathon, ranked #1 of 30+ cadets in my ROTC program, had a part time job in college tutoring college athletes for the university Student Athlete Academic Services.
Goal: Transition from the Army to become a Foreign Service Officer in the Department of State. Use a joint MBA-MPP degree to gain skills complementary to the work of an Economics Officer, allowing me to advise both foreign governments in addition to foreign business executives, as well as leveraging the name of a renowned school in international diplomacy. Long term I want to become an economic advisor that has a similar impact to that of Dutch Economist Albert Winsemius or become a US Ambassador like former Ambassador to Cambodia and Zimbabwe Major Charles Ray.

Background and nationality - Indian male, Internet Networking industry
Undergrad Information - Bachelor's in Engineering ( Electronics and Communications)
GMAT: 770 (Q51, V42, IR 7, AWA 4.5)
Work experience and leadership - 9 Years in top Networking Company, Started as Junior Engineer, received 4 promotions in 8 years now Solution Architect leading a team of over 25 global resources.
Community and others :
Passionate about making education more accessible.
Organized Street plays to promote girl child education in India.
Instructed and organized Summer Camps focused on Data Privacy and Cyber Bullying awareness for Middle and High School students as part of Cyber Patriot program.
Post MBA goals : Management Consulting in Tech Industry