kingfalcon wrote:
Hi,
Please take a look at my profile and let me know what you think of my plan to apply for Fall 2012 when you have a few moments. Thanks in advance.
LONG VERSION
1) Basic demographic info
25 (at matriculation), male, Caucasian
2) Educational Background
BA Economics, Minor in Anthropology (top 10 public university) - April 2009
GPA – 3.88/4.00 (major GPA about the same)
GMAT – 730 (Q49, V41, AWA6)
3) Work experience
Currently hold the title Senior Fund Accountant (received one promotion) for a fairly large player in the financial services industry after working there since July 2009. I have done everything within my power to take on extra responsibility at my job, too. I worked a seven month assignment on location in New Jersey and Massachusetts, leading to me being offered (and accepting) a position with the group I was assisting in Boston.
Also worth mentioning is that I worked full-time as a hiring manager in retail during the last two years of my undergrad to finance my education (outside loans/grants/scholarships, of course). My grades dropped a little (3.98 over years one and two, 3.8 over years three and four) and I took some classes in my minor P/NP to focus more on my major. Hopefully this is a net positive and not a net negative for my candidacy.
4) Extracurriculars
During undergrad, I focused a lot on chess for about two years. Did a few tournaments (team and individual), but I’m definitely not Bobby Fischer by any stretch of the imagination. Beyond chess, though, the only “extracurricular” I did was work full-time to support myself.
Post undergrad, I’ll be honest in saying that I haven’t done much. The activity which really stands out in my mind is that I really enjoy playing basketball. In California, I played regularly with my coworkers in our pickup games. Additionally, in New Jersey, I coordinated a regular weekly pickup game for those of us who were on assignment and also participated in two separate seasons of league basketball. Finally, in Massachusetts, I intend to start up a work league and/or pursue a private league. As far as professional extracurriculars, I’m currently a protégé in a Mentor-Protégé program through my work. It’s nothing groundbreaking, but every little bit counts, right?
Looking forward, I’m trying to figure out how to get more involved. I’m thinking about joining the Big Brother/Sister program as a Big, for one. What is your opinion on that? Do you have any suggestions on organizations I could look into which would allow me to make a difference and help me round out my profile? I’d love to get more involved, but honestly I don’t know where to start.
5) Short/Long term goals
I really want to switch from financial services into consulting. The work sounds incredibly interesting, challenging, and rewarding. No major geographic preferences.
6) Schools: Which schools have you considered already? Any on your initial short list?
Overall, the schools I am eying are the heavy hitters. If I were to narrow it down to seven schools, in no particular order, they would be: Harvard, Wharton, Kellogg, MIT, Tuck, Stern, and Haas. If you asked me to narrow that list to four schools right now, they would be Wharton, Kellogg, MIT, and Tuck.
SHORT VERSION
1) Basic demographic info
25 (at matriculation), male, Caucasian
2) Educational Background
BA Economics, Minor in Anthropology (top 10 public university) - April 2009
GPA – 3.88/4.00 (major GPA about the same)
GMAT – 730 (Q49, V41, AWA6)
3) Work experience
Work as Senior Fund Accountant (started in July 2009). Received one promotion and was chosen to work a short term assignment (seven months) in two different locations across the country. During my last two years of undergrad, I worked FT while going to school FT as a hiring manager in retail (supporting myself).
4) Extracurriculars
UG - some chess for a few years
Since - a lot of recreational basketball (leagues); Mentor-Protege program at work; not much else
I'm thinking about joining the Big Brother/Sister program. Thoughts?
5) Career Goals
Consulting (M/B/B)
6) Schools
HBS, Wharton, Kellogg, Sloan, Tuck, Stern, and (maybe) Haas
QUESTIONS
I have two major questions for you:
1) In your opinion, will I be competitive if I apply for Fall 2012 or should I wait another year?
2) What do you advise in the way of extracurriculars? I know this is currently a glaring hole in my profile and I want to make sure it gets shored up.
Thank you so much for taking the time to evaluate my candidacy and I look forward to hearing back from you.
Your GPA and GMAT are strong; your extracurriculars need to be more social and demonstrate greater impact. If you can put something together in that vein this summer, then you can apply in the fall. If not, then you may go for second round. If it doesn't work out this year, keep moving forward professionally and in the community and reapply in the fall for 2013. There is no downside to trying to apply to a few programs this year and you may find the experience extremely helpful as you do a more extensive push second round or next fall.