Profile Evaluation

Question

I am interested in applying to an MBA next year, Fall 2016, for class of 2019. I feel like I'm in the same bucket with all the bankers/consultants so I want to start planning early and stick out!

Education: ~3.8 GPA in Math from Ivy
Test Scores: Haven't take GMAT yet (seems like my top priority). GRE is 170Q/165V
Work Experience: Currently at 2nd year at investment fund, will have 3 years by time of matriculation
Community Service: Consulting for non-profits, mentoring a student group

Applying to: GSB, HBS, CBS, Wharton, Booth

Reason: I am pre-mba analysts at my investment fund and it doesn't seem like there is any room for me to move upward after 3 years. My goal would be to transition to another investment fund in a post-MBA position. I am worried because all my colleagues were hired post-grad school (MIT, Stanford, Harvard Law), so that means my fund has no track record sending people to top MBAs.

Two quick questions:

1) Is 3 years work experience enough? How about if I did a 1 year fellowship in a foreign country after working... would that augment my application?
2) Other than take the GMAT, any advice how to start preparing over the next year  ?

Absolutely appreciate the help in advance!

PersonalMBACoach · Answer

Congrats on some nice accomplishments. First, with a GRE score so high you don't need to take the GMAT actually. If you can take it with minimal studying and get a 780 you would help the schools' stats so they would like that but it's not needed. 1. Three years is enough to apply. If you did a fellowship it would help if it makes sense in the broader context of your application. Ie what is important to you, what will be a story you convey in your application? 2. All of those things are wise to do. Go to the events, visit schools if you can (this is not required for cross country schools though), but most importantly build up a leadership role in your consulting or mentorship activities. The bigger story you are able to tell there, the better. Feel free to email me to discuss further. It is great to start early and begin crafting your story so everything is tight by the time you start applying. Scott@personalmbacoach.com Best, Scott

VeritasPrepDozie · Answer

Thanks for sharing your profile. Some really impressive accomplishments here and given your score you should be in play for the top schools. Given your high GRE not sure the GMAT really makes sense for you. So it probably makes sense to focus on other areas. I would caution you that the only value an international fellowship would have for you is if it helps you get closer to your career goals down the line. I would not recommend doing it just to do it. This may cause more confusions with your story then actual value.

Let’s take a look at areas where you should focus on as you prepare your profile.

Improve Your Resume
Take advantage of the additional time by really focusing at work. Improving your performance and taking on additional leadership opportunities affects so many different application pieces. From your resume to the recommendations to even your essays, being a rockstar in the office is one of the best things you can do with the additional time.

Identify Recommenders
This is usually one of the last decisions candidates make when it comes to the application and it really should be one of the first. Picking a recommender is not just about having someone fill out the form. In the best situations it is someone you trust and have built a close professional and sometimes personal relationship with. If that person does not exist, then its time to start identifying and preparing someone for the upcoming application season. Recommendations are very time consuming so make sure you are identifying someone who is not only willing to dedicate a good amount of time to these but also who puts a strong representation of you forward.

School Selection
One of the easiest things you can do with the additional time is finalize your school list. Start broad and narrow down using a filter of what you are looking for in a school like location, academic programs, reputation, etc. Once you secure your GMAT score you can kick the school selection process into high gear. Engage in some primary research by visiting schools and getting a more in-depth understanding of your target programs. This will also help you develop some real essay and interview fodder when discussing “fit.”

Essay Prep
A lot of schools change their essays every year. Others keep them pretty consistent with slight tweaks. Either way it won’t hurt to get a head start on looking at the type of questions your target schools have historically asked. This will help you as you start sorting out potential approaches to the essay portion of the application. Also, there are traditional essay questions that will be asked in one form or another in almost every application like “Why MBA”. “Why School X”, and “What Are Your Short Term and Long Term Career Goals?” You know these questions are coming so get a head start on answering them.

Put your time to use by following the above tips and cruise confidently into next year’s application season.

GeneralEducation · Answer

Hi there,

You have a strong profile. Your GRE Score, work experinece, academics and extra curricular are really good. The list of B-School you have chosen are really good. But to get into these B-Schools i would strongly suggest you to build up your profile and gain some leadership experinece.

3 years of work experience is good enough to apply to the B-Schools you have selected. I don't think with such a great GRE Score you would require to take GMAT.

You may also gauge your chances of getting admission to top business school by trying this amazing tool  https://bit.ly/1C9o2Md

Hope this helps.

Cheers,

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