Profile evaluation

Question

Hi

I need some analysis on my profile for the following schools 
Dual degree (ideal option) 
- GSB MBA and mpa Princeston 
- MIT MBA and HKS MPA 
- HKS mpa And Wharton MBA 
Open to other dual degree program ideas if you have any too.

Stand-alone mba degrees 
- dream Schools: GSB, HBS and Wharton 
- second choice: Columbia MIT and Yale 
- third choice: Berkley mba

- female late age 30 Australian/NZL from ORM background 
- tier 2 strategy consulting firm for 6 years (started at a tier 2 strategy consulting firm then moved to another tier 2 then moved back to same one) - mixture of pe and corporate strategy work 
- former professional athlete 
- undergrad degree at top Australian nzl university with “distinction” graduation (75/100) 
- GRE score: v160 q162. 
- Masters in at well known international university in UK (not good grades- average of B) but received a big scholarship 
- internships at top investment banks
- post graduate goals: doing a start up to arrange to help access more people to get learning disabilities testing such as dyslexia dysgraphia etc 
- working on strategy projects including Ed tech software of learning disability, working with universities hard fund programs 
- extra circular activities: pro Bono charity consulting work (per project basis) , co founding company’s Neurodiversity support network and building a Neurodiversity mentorship program at former university,

Questions; 
- Should I retake gre? 
- which other dual degrees from different unis should I look at? 
- is my profile realistic for the target program? 
- I have a learning disability. Should I mention it? If so will it disadvantage or advantage me?

Posted from my mobile device

StratusSoterios · Answer

Hi  Markuslangham88  - Thank you for reaching out. I'm happy to provide some feedback.

To answer your specific questions: I do think you should consider retaking the GRE if you think you will be able to improve your scores. Your current scores are under the averages for most of your target schools, and I'm concerned schools will be looking for stronger scores to counteract your "not good grades" in your masters program. What type of masters degree did you receive?

In terms of other dual degree options, you can get the HKS MPA with an MBA from Stanford or HBS too, and I would also add a Tuck MBA as an option, which is another combo allowed by HKS.

I would need to know a lot more about you to truly assess your competitiveness for these programs. We consider your dream schools "stretch" schools for even the very best candidates, and all of the schools you are targeting are very competitive, as I'm sure you know. With a higher GRE, I do think you could be compelling IF you are also able to show leadership experience (your extracurriculars look good! I'd want to know more about the roles you played and impact you had) and impact/progression at work (have you been promoted? Do you have clear accomplishments at the two firms? Leadership experience at work too?). Your success will also depend on how well you are able to tell your story, connecting all of the dots between what you have accomplished so far, where you are headed (and why), and in particular why you need two additional masters degrees in addition to the one you already have in order to get there. Schools don't want "degree collectors," so especially since you already have a masters, you will need to explain how all of the degrees fit together and are necessary for you to reach your goal.

I do think your learning disability could be an important part of your story, particularly if it is motivating your longterm goal. I think it will be important not to come across as a "victim" but instead perhaps weave it into what motivates your passions, or otherwise show what you have overcome.

If you would like to dive deeper into your specific profile, please feel free to take advantage of my company's free 30-minute consultations. If you are interested, you can sign up  here . In any case, best of luck to you!!

Markuslangham88 · Answer

Thank you so much for that details I really appreciate it. I have booked my retake for mid may. Hoping to break the 330.

Few following up questions 
- what score do you think I should aim to hit? I know people say as high as possible but is there a difference between 330 vs 335 vs 340 ? 
- is there any other MPA or dual degree program you think I could consider ? 
 I don’t think I want to go to tuck. The only mba programs I think I’d go to are HBS, Wharton, GSB YALE Berkley Columbia and MIT. I really need something that is internationally recognised. Are there any other degrees I could combine with these mba schools I’m missing? 
- my masters is in masters in management at LBS (MIM) 
- progression I actually changed firms 3 times so technically I got a pay rise and promotion everytime I booked (company A to company B back to company A). Both companies are tier 2 strategy consulting firms. Do you think it’ll be see negatively?

Posted from my mobile device

StratusSoterios · Answer

Hi again,  Markuslangham88  - you are very welcome. To answer your follow-up questions:

Yes, there is a difference between 330 vs 335 vs 340, and the higher the better. But I think aiming for 330 is great, particularly if you get at least 165 on each section and also do well on the analytical writing - that would be at or above average for all of the schools you are applying. Good luck on your retake in May!

For your target MBA schools, with my additions you now have all of the possible combinations for MBA/MPA degrees. Are you also considering other types of dual masters degrees? For example, Stanford offers an MBA/MPP dual degree, but the MPP has a different focus than the MPA so may not be as relevant for your career goals.

Thanks for clarifying about the MiM. Again, you will need to show how all of your degrees fit together and lead your towards your goal. Having a MiM already, you will need to explain why you want to also get an MBA -- perhaps it is now to dive deeper in a specific area now that you have more work experience, in order to reach your goals, for instance.

I don't think your moving back and forth between consulting firms will be seen as negatives - particularly because you were promoted each time. You might want to add a couple of sentences to your optional essays to explain why you decided to move each time (for the promotions or other opportunities?) if that isn't otherwise explained in your essays.

Again, hope this helps, and once again, best of luck to you!

Markuslangham88 · Answer

Thank you for this. I just had one follow up question. 
If I take the exam again but I score lower. How would the school look at it? Would it been I need to retake it again get my original score or do they only look at your highest score?

Posted from my mobile device

StratusSoterios · Answer

Hi again, Markuslangham88 - most schools, including HBS and Stanford GSB, will only look at your highest score. I'm told informally that they do also give some credit if you show improvement in your scores over time, but officially most schools only look at your highest score, so a lower test score later will not work against you. Also, if you know for whatever reason that you did badly as you finish your re-test, you have the option to cancel the score altogether, in which case it will never be reported. I believe with the GRE this has to be done before viewing your score, though.

Best of luck with this!

Best of luck with this!

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