hu321 wrote:
Hello there!
I'm hoping to start applying for some top programs next year- specifically looking at Yale, Columbia, Kellogg, Wharton, & HBS and would love to know if I'm being too risky by not applying to lower ranked schools.
Here are some stats:
- 3.6 Undergrad GPA from top HBCU with Public Relations major
- 700 GMAT score
- 4 yrs experience (by the time I'll start) at Procter & Gamble in brand management
- Fluent in Spanish and Intermediate French
- 25 year old African American Female
Very involved volunteer and extracurricular work. Includes ESL teaching for recent immigrants and small business/career development courses for inner city residents. also work as a mentor in Big Brother/Big Sister
Studied abroad for a year during undergrad and have done volunteer work in multiple countries in Latin America, also had an internship in social enterprise in Peru before beginning full time role
My story to tie this all together:
I grew up in a low income inner city environment and my parents built their own businesses without any formal education, which has inspired me to learn how to build businesses (hence brand management) & help others become entrepreneurs.
I would like to use my MBA to gain more business knowledge since I have a liberal arts educational background and would like to transition into consulting where I can gain more business knowledge beyond brand management. Would like to eventually use these skills to branch out on my own and help build social enterprises and non profits.
My concerns with my application are my quant skills. I didn’t take any quant courses in undergrad besides 3 Econ courses and am wondering if I should work on developing an alternative transcript (considering taking accounting, finance, and statistics)
Also would like to know if work experience is measured at the time of application or the time of matriculation. I’ll have 3 years full time experience when I apply, and want to know if I’d be increasing my odds by getting additional experience.
I have been advised (by non professionals) that being a minority female makes me a strong candidate for my target schools- especially since I’m coming from marketing instead of consulting/finance/IT. How much of a difference does this really make? Is my application strong enough that I don’t need to build an alternative transcript?
Thanks in advance for the help!
Fantastic profile and logical background story and career goals. And yes being an African American female is absolutely a huge help, and rightfully so. A lot of people just see underrepresented minorities as a check box for schools, but that couldn't be further from the truth. The way I like to think about it is that you will bring a perspective that very few others will be able to offer. Adcoms ultimately want people who will contribute to the experience of their classmates. Bringing in a bunch of homogenous individuals does not make for much of an experience.
I think your school selection is solid, and don't think you need another safety. FWIW, I'd say you have a 90%+ chance at Yale. I'd also recommend throwing in Haas given your career goals and the fact that they value diversity perhaps more than any other school.
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27 Dec 2014, 10:03
