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cantchooseMBA
Joined: 07 Jun 2016
Last visit: 07 Dec 2016
Posts: 2
Location: Germany
Schools: Insead Sept '17 (A) IESE '19 (A$)
GMAT 1: 750 Q49 V47
GPA: 3.45
WE:Accounting (Accounting)
08 Jun 2016, 02:56
Kudos
Bookmarks
Hello, I've been a lurker here for quite some time but now that the application process is getting real, thought I would sign up for a reality check.
Background
Age: 26
Gender: Female
Ethnicity: Chinese American (grew up in San Diego)
Education: UC Berkeley, Bachelors degree in Economics, Regents' & Chancellor's scholar (the only merit based scholarship at Berkeley, puts me in top 4% of my class)
GPA: 3.44
GMAT: 720 (Q47/V41/IR8/AWA? Just took it on June 3rd, but I'm pretty sure I got 5-6). Open to retake for a higher Q, but would really like to avoid doing that. Spent 1 week studying for it, so I'm quite sure I can boost my score... but I really don't want to! I hate standardized tests!
Work
Started at Ernst & Young in Munich, Germany in 2012. Promoted early to senior, and was promoted to manager at round tables this year, but it won't be official until October 2016 (right after R1 deadlines for some schools... Should I wait till R2? Or just somehow mention I will be promoted?)
licensed CPA (since 2014)
Extras
My extracurriculars are my weak point I think, as there is nothing that really stands out... I'm sporadically involved in volunteer activities to help refugees, where I really want to dedicate more of my time, but I work such long hours, this is really difficult...
To keep myself sane, I spend a lot of time working out, but I'm not a runner, so I can't say I'm doing marathons or anything like that. I run 10Ks for fundraising, but I feel like there is also no "wow" factor there... Do I need to join some bodybuilding competition to show my dedication to fitness? I do "force" my teams to do weekly workouts with me. Maybe I can highlight how I turned my colleagues on to a healthy lifestyle? It did come up during roundtables, how it boosts team spirit, so maybe that's something I can write about? People get fat and lazy working in financial services... we sit on our bums alllll day long.
I'm also involved in company recruiting too, but that's work related... does it even count?
I am fluent in English, German, and Chinese (with Chinese, it's really just speaking though, with limited reading/writing).
Target Schools
INSEAD, LBS, IE, IESE, HEC
Target Start Date: Fall of 2017
I really want to stay in Europe, but I plan to eventually work in Asia for a few years, so would definitely be open to INSEAD Singapore or doing an exchange during the MBA. I'm still trying to determine a Nr 1 for myself, but they are all so different with different +/-'s that I would be thrilled to go to any of them at this stage.
What can/should I do to strengthen my profile? Where are my weaknesses? Do my extracurriculars really suck that much, or do I just need to see the positive in them? I mean, how do all the other financial services people fit extras into their week if we already work so much?
Please don't say retake the GMATs... but I guess if its a must, I would
Should I rather focus my energy on my essays or retake the GMATs? I have my recommendors in mind and they know I'm coming to them. Given that our company does semi-annual official feedback rounds, they are pretty much already written and strong (albeit still in German)
I'm freaking out........... I know I have a strong profile... but is it strong enough for the top european B-Schools? I guess everyone applying will be strong, so how can I set myself apart?
Background
Age: 26
Gender: Female
Ethnicity: Chinese American (grew up in San Diego)
Education: UC Berkeley, Bachelors degree in Economics, Regents' & Chancellor's scholar (the only merit based scholarship at Berkeley, puts me in top 4% of my class)
GPA: 3.44
GMAT: 720 (Q47/V41/IR8/AWA? Just took it on June 3rd, but I'm pretty sure I got 5-6). Open to retake for a higher Q, but would really like to avoid doing that. Spent 1 week studying for it, so I'm quite sure I can boost my score... but I really don't want to! I hate standardized tests!
Work
Started at Ernst & Young in Munich, Germany in 2012. Promoted early to senior, and was promoted to manager at round tables this year, but it won't be official until October 2016 (right after R1 deadlines for some schools... Should I wait till R2? Or just somehow mention I will be promoted?)
licensed CPA (since 2014)
Extras
My extracurriculars are my weak point I think, as there is nothing that really stands out... I'm sporadically involved in volunteer activities to help refugees, where I really want to dedicate more of my time, but I work such long hours, this is really difficult...
To keep myself sane, I spend a lot of time working out, but I'm not a runner, so I can't say I'm doing marathons or anything like that. I run 10Ks for fundraising, but I feel like there is also no "wow" factor there... Do I need to join some bodybuilding competition to show my dedication to fitness? I do "force" my teams to do weekly workouts with me. Maybe I can highlight how I turned my colleagues on to a healthy lifestyle? It did come up during roundtables, how it boosts team spirit, so maybe that's something I can write about? People get fat and lazy working in financial services... we sit on our bums alllll day long.
I'm also involved in company recruiting too, but that's work related... does it even count?
I am fluent in English, German, and Chinese (with Chinese, it's really just speaking though, with limited reading/writing).
Target Schools
INSEAD, LBS, IE, IESE, HEC
Target Start Date: Fall of 2017
I really want to stay in Europe, but I plan to eventually work in Asia for a few years, so would definitely be open to INSEAD Singapore or doing an exchange during the MBA. I'm still trying to determine a Nr 1 for myself, but they are all so different with different +/-'s that I would be thrilled to go to any of them at this stage.
What can/should I do to strengthen my profile? Where are my weaknesses? Do my extracurriculars really suck that much, or do I just need to see the positive in them? I mean, how do all the other financial services people fit extras into their week if we already work so much?
Please don't say retake the GMATs... but I guess if its a must, I would
Should I rather focus my energy on my essays or retake the GMATs? I have my recommendors in mind and they know I'm coming to them. Given that our company does semi-annual official feedback rounds, they are pretty much already written and strong (albeit still in German)
I'm freaking out........... I know I have a strong profile... but is it strong enough for the top european B-Schools? I guess everyone applying will be strong, so how can I set myself apart?
08 Jun 2016, 21:29
Kudos
Bookmarks
Hi,
Thanks for posting! After lurking.
Always welcome either way! Congrats on getting the GMAT under your belt, and given what you've shared here about yourself I wouldn't feel you need to re-take IMO. I would focus the time/energy on brainstorming then writing fabulous essays to showcase who you are and what you'll bring to the class.
To your specific q's
Should I wait till R2? Or just somehow mention I will be promoted?
I would just mention it if already confirmed!
Maybe I can highlight how I turned my colleagues on to a healthy lifestyle?
Sounds like a great topic to consider weaving in to an essay and/or interview!
I'm also involved in company recruiting too, but that's work related... does it even count?
It does to a certain extent; you can always show what you've done that is 'above and beyond' your role as well.
What can/should I do to strengthen my profile?
At this point I'd just focus on the essays and applications, given that it's already mid June practically. Aim to show what you feel you bring to the class that others might not!
Where are my weaknesses? Do my extracurriculars really suck that much, or do I just need to see the positive in them? I mean, how do all the other financial services people fit extras into their week if we already work so much?
I don't see any dramatic weaknesses; of course I don't have your full application etc, but I think the opportunity is in the essays at this point given where we are at in the process, and in nurturing your Recommender relationships and ensuring all is going well there!!
Should I rather focus my energy on my essays or retake the GMATs?
My vote is essays!
is it strong enough for the top european B-Schools? I guess everyone applying will be strong, so how can I set myself apart?
Tough to say with certainty BUT I would believe you would be competitive to top European schools! Again to set yourself apart you have to first identify what truly makes you who you are and how that might benefit your classmates/teams in class/classroom discussions etc. Think about your life and influences, passions and accomplishments, and identify for yourself what might be interesting about you.
Good luck and keep us posted on how we can help at any point!!
Thanks for posting! After lurking.
Always welcome either way! Congrats on getting the GMAT under your belt, and given what you've shared here about yourself I wouldn't feel you need to re-take IMO. I would focus the time/energy on brainstorming then writing fabulous essays to showcase who you are and what you'll bring to the class. To your specific q's
Should I wait till R2? Or just somehow mention I will be promoted?
I would just mention it if already confirmed!
Maybe I can highlight how I turned my colleagues on to a healthy lifestyle?
Sounds like a great topic to consider weaving in to an essay and/or interview!
I'm also involved in company recruiting too, but that's work related... does it even count?
It does to a certain extent; you can always show what you've done that is 'above and beyond' your role as well.
What can/should I do to strengthen my profile?
At this point I'd just focus on the essays and applications, given that it's already mid June practically. Aim to show what you feel you bring to the class that others might not!
Where are my weaknesses? Do my extracurriculars really suck that much, or do I just need to see the positive in them? I mean, how do all the other financial services people fit extras into their week if we already work so much?
I don't see any dramatic weaknesses; of course I don't have your full application etc, but I think the opportunity is in the essays at this point given where we are at in the process, and in nurturing your Recommender relationships and ensuring all is going well there!!
Should I rather focus my energy on my essays or retake the GMATs?
My vote is essays!
is it strong enough for the top european B-Schools? I guess everyone applying will be strong, so how can I set myself apart?
Tough to say with certainty BUT I would believe you would be competitive to top European schools! Again to set yourself apart you have to first identify what truly makes you who you are and how that might benefit your classmates/teams in class/classroom discussions etc. Think about your life and influences, passions and accomplishments, and identify for yourself what might be interesting about you.
Good luck and keep us posted on how we can help at any point!!
