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delain
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Profile Evaluation & a couple of questions Updated on: 21 May 2019, 06:44
Originally posted by delain on 11 May 2019, 06:50.
Last edited by delain on 21 May 2019, 06:44, edited 1 time in total.
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PaulLanzillotti
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Profile Evaluation & a couple of questions 11 May 2019, 15:15
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Hey Delain:

Thanks for all the detail and the pointed questions. It really helps. Just a heads up. I plan on responding shortly.

- PL

delain
Hi,

I was hoping I could get some clarity on my profile and answers to a couple of questions. I'm looking to apply this fall for the 2020 intake.

BACKGROUND


    GPA: 4.0 double major (Global Studies & Communication) at a large state school
    GMAT: 710 (Q46 V42 IR – 8). Will be retaking
    Age & Nationality: 26 (on matriculation) White Female (American)

WORK EXPERIENCE


    1 year at a well-known international education non-profit, promoting summer study abroad programs for high school students. I was primarily in charge of promoting our programs and recruiting students and partner high schools to participate.

    Currently, 1.5 years in a Japanese company (in Japan) where I manage our international suppliers, most of whom are from Europe and other Asian countries. The job involves imports, exports, shipping, and logistics and include maintaining relationships with these suppliers and coordinating/interpreting regular meetings. I also do a lot of paperwork in Japanese – not sure if that matters or not.

    In addition to these, I held several internship and research positions for two years when I was in college. Not sure if this counts toward my work experience, but the total time would be over a year across 3-4 different roles.

OTHER INFORMATION


    I had many extra-curricular activities during college, but the one constant has been English and cultural exchange classes that I continue for people at my current job and community members. I also am using my experience to help a couple of non-profits in India as part of a remote project. The project involves launching a spoken English curriculum for over 1000 children/beneficiaries supported by these non-profits.

    I’m business proficient in Japanese and fluent in Brazilian Portuguese. I also did a couple of exchange programs to Japan and Brazil.

    Recipient of a couple of fellowships/awards in college. Also had several leadership positions in clubs/organizations.

GOALS


    Looking to pivot to consulting in the short-term. I find that my background has developed a foundation for solving problems in cross-cultural situations. I would like to build upon these strengths by helping companies solve their organizational challenges and applying these skills to a wide range of management/business projects. While I prefer to start as a generalist, I’d be interested in eventually specializing in marketing projects (this is an idea, but I'm not 100% clear on this yet).

    In the long-term, I would like to start my own boutique consultancy. I was thinking that it would specialize in international marketing projects (or projects with a cross-cultural/international aspect to it). I think an MBA would complement my international background and degree in communications and people skills to prepare me for my career goals.

TARGET SCHOOLS


    Kellogg – my dream school. Also looking at Tuck, Yale, Ross and a couple of others.

QUESTIONS


    1) First and biggest question is about my choice of recommenders. I’m getting one from my former supervisor, but I have a choice for the second one and was wondering which would work better. My options are:
    Option 1: Getting one from my company in Japan. This would be exceptionally hard as it is a very traditional company and they will not be supportive of me leaving to get my MBA. That said, I do know one person who would be willing to write it, but he’s a senior and not my direct supervisor. He’s also not familiar with my job/duties and his English level is lower intermediate at best (though I suppose I could pay someone to translate a Japanese letter). I’m also not sure how aware he is of what an MBA recommendation requires and how much I’ll be able to coach him through the process. The advantage here is that it is a professional recommendation.
    Option 2: My other option is getting one from the non-profit I’m working with in India. The disadvantage here is that I started working with them recently. I would have only completed 6 months by the time applications are due. That said I was brought on-board specifically for this project that has been stalled for a while and am confident that I can bring it to completion before its time for me to apply. So while I wouldn’t have been there too long, I would have completed an entire project working closely with my recommender. The advantage here is that she is extremely familiar with the MBA process and I would have no doubts about the quality of the recommendation.

    2) Am I being realistic about my school choices, given my background, GMAT score and goals? Do my short and long-term goal make sense?

    3) While I am trying to improve my 710 (Q46 V42), how much importance should I give this? Should I stop at nothing to improve the 710, or am I a competitive candidate with this score?

Thank you in advance for your response!
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delain
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Joined: 26 Apr 2019
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Profile Evaluation & a couple of questions 12 May 2019, 21:02
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PaulLanzillotti
Hey Delain:

Thanks for all the detail and the pointed questions. It really helps. Just a heads up. I plan on responding shortly.

- PL

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Thank you! Looking forward to your response!