Profile Evaluation

Question

Hi Admissionado,

First off thank you for all the evaluations and resources on this forum. The YouTube series have also been super helpful (my favorite is the resume video as a young padawan!)

I'm currently crafting my application for M7 schools, and would like to hear your thoughts given my profile:

Demographic : 27 / M / Asian
 GPA : 3.17 from Top 40
 GMAT : 750 (50Q / 41V)
 Other Exams : Passed CFA Level 1
 Work Experience : 5 Years (3 Years Banking + 2 Years Series A Startup)
 Extracurricular : Strong, started community service org in college, involved in high school alumni org, Board member of city's running org (500+ members), started own photography company
 Post MBA Career : Venture Capital

Also would appreciate any other tips to make my profile more competitive. Thank you so much again for your time!

Admissionado · Answer

aonori93 : I appreciate the kind words, and thank you for reaching out to us. Strengths: GMAT score, appropriate age range, sounds like you have some good non-work achievements though I'd like to know more about their scale and scope. Technical aptitude is evident as well from your banking experience and CFA Level I. Weaknesses: Your GPA is a concern. Is there a reason it is closer to 3.0 than a 4.0? This matters for the M7 schools. Venture capital is a popular career choice, though you do have some credibility coming from a startup and banking - that would need to be fleshed out in your essays. Missing: Where did you go to school (I know you can't disclose, but that also plays a role.) What was your major? What did you accomplish at work? Those types of roles have potential, but what matters so much more is what you achieved in those positions. Who is writing your letters of recommendations and how well do they know you? When you say you are drafting your applications, does that mean you are applying to Round 2 of this year? That actually plays a huge influence in my recommendations for improving your profile. If you are actively applying this year and need our help, please reach out for a free consultation. We can pair you with an expert consultant such as me who can walk you through your profile, application strategy and help develop materials for you. https://admissionado.com/free-consultation/ Best, Seth

aonori93 · Answer

Thank you Seth! Some responses to your questions:

Your GPA is a concern. Is there a reason it is closer to 3.0 than a 4.0? 
 Brutally honest answer is I stopped trying as hard as towards the latter half of college. My freshman year GPA was a 3.8 and it was all down hill from there. MBA appropriate answer would be there were familial and mental health dynamics in play (junior year was a mental low year for me, father had a heart attack and was airlifted to hospital my senior year. Thankfully he's doing great but this ate a lot of my time visiting home)

Where did you go to school (I know you can't disclose, but that also plays a role.) What was your major? 
 
My school is definitely not a feeder school to top programs. Came in as a pre-med, switch majors half way, ended up as an econ major, biology minor.

What did you accomplish at work? 
 
Banking days: Top 10-20% of analysts consistently based on rating. Took on more "non-traditional" high visibility projects aside from normal deals. Only Finance and Ops hire at the current start up, and built up the finance framework grounds up. Resume to talk about my accomplishments and projects in details. I also had a promotion this year for a title change and pay raise.

Who is writing your letters of recommendations and how well do they know you?
 
Current manager, who is the CEO / Co-founder and is also a GSB grad. He is 100% supportive of me pursuing an MBA
Second rec split between my old banking manager, and current president of the running organization, both whom think very positively and are enthusiastic about me pursuing MBA

When you say you are drafting your applications, does that mean you are applying to Round 2 of this year? That actually plays a huge influence in my recommendations for improving your profile.
 
This is correct, I am applying Round 2. I signed up on the site right now, and was wondering, do you guys have pricing options for hourly / topic specific sessions? Rather than the Junior / Deluxe sessions, I would be interested in more targetted sessions to go over weak areas of my application.

Thank you again for your time!

Edit: I just got your email for the Product Book. Will be combing through your a la carte services!

Admissionado · Answer

aonori93 :

Thanks for the follow-up to my response. I like a lot of what I have read in your first and second posts. The key for you, above all, is nailing these essays. That's a big X-factor that could be the tipping point in getting in to some of these uber competitive schools.

Yes, we do offer hourly services. There is a breaking point where it makes sense to go with a package over the timed rate, but that doesn't apply if you want strategic help across the board for all schools. I can explain it all later.

If you would like to work with me for a few hours, I happen to have bandwidth over the next couple of weeks. Indicate in the questionnaire and/or when you talk to Rose or Claudia if that appeals to you. I am a former banker and HBS grad. If not, we have many other great consultants!

Best of luck,
Seth

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