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Apr 2909:00 AM PDT
-10:00 AM PDT
What’s in it for you- Live Profile Evaluation Chat Session with Jenifer Turtschanow, CEO, ARINGO. Come with your details prepared and ARINGO will share insights! Pre-MBA Role/Industry, YOE, Exam Score, C/GPA, ECs Post-MBA Role/ Industry & School List.
Apr 2908:00 PM EDT
-09:00 PM EDT
Join us for a live Ask Me Anything (AMA) session with Juno’s Co-Founder, where we’ll break down everything you need to know about financing your MBA in today’s rapidly changing landscape.
Apr 3010:00 AM EDT
-11:00 AM EDT
Applying to business school from a finance background? Personal MBA Coach is here to help with this quick tips video on how to set yourself apart during the MBA application process!
Apr 3010:00 AM EDT
-10:30 AM EDT
Sia Admissions Founder Susan Berishaj will walk through why reach/target/safety produces the wrong list for many specific profiles, how admissions committees at different programs read the same background differently, and more...
Apr 3012:00 PM EDT
-01:00 PM EDT
Starting at $975 and offering up to $545 of savings, our new Amplify Hourly Packages offer structure and support in certain high-value areas (story development, resume, essays, interviewing) to help get your applications across the finish line.
Apr 3009:00 PM IST
-10:00 PM IST
Thinking about PE/VC? Most consultants are. Few actually make it. Learn how to position your profile, build the right skills, and break into Private Equity & Venture Capital.
May 0108:30 AM EDT
-09:15 AM EDT
Get the inside scoop on what makes Emory’s Goizueta Business School great, learn how you can present a strong MBA application, and connect with an Admissions Director to get your questions answered.- May 01
08:30 AM EDT
-09:30 AM EDT
Get the inside scoop on what makes Emory’s Goizueta Business School great and how you can present a strong MBA application. Explore the difference between our One-Year MBA and Two-Year MBA programs, talk to our admissions team, and meet students. 
May 0108:00 PM PDT
-09:00 PM PDT
Inquire for a free profile evaluation and guarantee statement for possible admits and scholarships!
04 Jan 2008, 06:23
Kudos
Bookmarks
Hi Paul,
I have already applied to Tuck and Haas in R1 and HBS and Wharton in R2, and have been shifting my strategy a bit as I've gone through the process - still planning to submit to Stanford, Kellogg, and Stern (with Kellogg being a top choice) and would you like your advice on my approach - pardon the heavy detail.
Stats:
White male, 28 years-old at matriculation
GPA: 2.96 overall from UC Berkeley (basically flunked freshman year (1.67 GPA with an F) due to a) lack of preparedness from college and immaturity b) some serious ancillary health problems) - goes up significantly from freshman year. Also took some classes in high school at a UC school that I did poorly in (was "enrichment") that are by university policy included in my GPA (drags it down a bit - otherwise would be a 3.07 overall, though I haven't addressed that last point in essays - seems too nit-picky)
GMAT: 750 (48Q, 45V - 86%, 98%)
WE: 5 Years at matriculation:
2.5 in strategy consulting (boutique )
1 in M&A (Corporate Development) at a software company; mostly working on acquisitions; position was typically filled by ex-investment bankers
1.5 in an operating role (asked to join a company we spun off due to my experience in structuring the transaction)
Work Leadership: Lots - ran consulting projects after being promoted early; high profile on M&A deals, commissioned for projects by CEO; worldwide project ownership for major strategic initatives at spinoff company; several more
ECs: Non-profit board member (have had a lot of impact), coached inner-city basketball in Los Angeles (at elementary school level and a competitive high school program), Big Brother program, non-profit consultant (pro bono projects through the Taproot Foundation), I'm a staff writer for a travel magazine, serious amateur boxer (12 hours/week training), competitive athlete in other sports (rugby, others), chair of alumni scholarship foundation for alma mater (in charge of awarding $20K of scholarships), bunch of fraternity leadership as undergrad, some other stuff as well
Goals post MBA: My work experience as been either working for or consulting for struggling technology companies - I've identified common characteristics of leaders of those that successfully turned around - almost all are highly seasoned, have been entrepreneurs and have a unique leadership style. My goal is to become a turnaround executive fixing these companies. Post-MBA, there are two stops - 1st - running business development at a mid-sized technology company; 2nd - entrepreneurship. This paves the way and builds the necessary skills. MBA is necessary to broaden skill-base (turnaround execs have experience across sales,marketing, ops, etc.), spark idea generation (MBA experience being 2 years of constant team-based creative thinking), and develop as leader (academic framework + focused experiential opportunities)
My question (finally!): In my Tuck and Haas apps I wrote quite a bit on my medical issues - overcoming them were my most significant accomplishment, but I tried to make the point that my low GPA was due to not stepping up to the plate in college.
With Wharton, I toned down the medical issue talk but wrote the optional essay focusing mostly on lack of preparedness for college; with HBS I toned it down more by mentioning it only as my most significant accomplishment and weaving it into the global issue essay (was highly relevant).
So: Considering I've got three apps left, should I continue to tone down explaining my undergrad GPA? I'm concerned about coming off as whiny or not taking responsibility for my actions. I consider my GPA to be the really only weak point in my application, but there were extenuating circumstances and I took a lot of tough classes at school that is known for being very tough on grading.
I'm a very good writer as well so I'm not worried about readability or execution on my essays.
Also, if you think I'm overreaching on schools or if I could benefit from consulting please let me know (I already have your book).
Thanks!
I have already applied to Tuck and Haas in R1 and HBS and Wharton in R2, and have been shifting my strategy a bit as I've gone through the process - still planning to submit to Stanford, Kellogg, and Stern (with Kellogg being a top choice) and would you like your advice on my approach - pardon the heavy detail.
Stats:
White male, 28 years-old at matriculation
GPA: 2.96 overall from UC Berkeley (basically flunked freshman year (1.67 GPA with an F) due to a) lack of preparedness from college and immaturity b) some serious ancillary health problems) - goes up significantly from freshman year. Also took some classes in high school at a UC school that I did poorly in (was "enrichment") that are by university policy included in my GPA (drags it down a bit - otherwise would be a 3.07 overall, though I haven't addressed that last point in essays - seems too nit-picky)
GMAT: 750 (48Q, 45V - 86%, 98%)
WE: 5 Years at matriculation:
2.5 in strategy consulting (boutique )
1 in M&A (Corporate Development) at a software company; mostly working on acquisitions; position was typically filled by ex-investment bankers
1.5 in an operating role (asked to join a company we spun off due to my experience in structuring the transaction)
Work Leadership: Lots - ran consulting projects after being promoted early; high profile on M&A deals, commissioned for projects by CEO; worldwide project ownership for major strategic initatives at spinoff company; several more
ECs: Non-profit board member (have had a lot of impact), coached inner-city basketball in Los Angeles (at elementary school level and a competitive high school program), Big Brother program, non-profit consultant (pro bono projects through the Taproot Foundation), I'm a staff writer for a travel magazine, serious amateur boxer (12 hours/week training), competitive athlete in other sports (rugby, others), chair of alumni scholarship foundation for alma mater (in charge of awarding $20K of scholarships), bunch of fraternity leadership as undergrad, some other stuff as well
Goals post MBA: My work experience as been either working for or consulting for struggling technology companies - I've identified common characteristics of leaders of those that successfully turned around - almost all are highly seasoned, have been entrepreneurs and have a unique leadership style. My goal is to become a turnaround executive fixing these companies. Post-MBA, there are two stops - 1st - running business development at a mid-sized technology company; 2nd - entrepreneurship. This paves the way and builds the necessary skills. MBA is necessary to broaden skill-base (turnaround execs have experience across sales,marketing, ops, etc.), spark idea generation (MBA experience being 2 years of constant team-based creative thinking), and develop as leader (academic framework + focused experiential opportunities)
My question (finally!): In my Tuck and Haas apps I wrote quite a bit on my medical issues - overcoming them were my most significant accomplishment, but I tried to make the point that my low GPA was due to not stepping up to the plate in college.
With Wharton, I toned down the medical issue talk but wrote the optional essay focusing mostly on lack of preparedness for college; with HBS I toned it down more by mentioning it only as my most significant accomplishment and weaving it into the global issue essay (was highly relevant).
So: Considering I've got three apps left, should I continue to tone down explaining my undergrad GPA? I'm concerned about coming off as whiny or not taking responsibility for my actions. I consider my GPA to be the really only weak point in my application, but there were extenuating circumstances and I took a lot of tough classes at school that is known for being very tough on grading.
I'm a very good writer as well so I'm not worried about readability or execution on my essays.
Also, if you think I'm overreaching on schools or if I could benefit from consulting please let me know (I already have your book).
Thanks!
05 Jan 2008, 12:42
Kudos
Bookmarks
MBLevin,
You have a great profile, and I agree with you that your GPA is the only negative. (By the way, no harm IMO in mentioning in essays the enrichment grade stuff you axed as 'nitpicky'). Certainly each of your schools should have one essay that 'explains' your grades and this is perhaps most efficiently done by also discussing your medical issues (i.e., in the same essay). Mentioning the grades in more than one essay is not necessary though not a deal-breaker. I would err on the side of over-explanation than under-explanation given that its your only negative but assuming that you fully present all your many assets in the other essays. Whether you have been handling the medical issue correctly in your essays thus far is something I really can't judge without seeing them. So if you're looking for a consultant to review them, I'd be happy to.
Good luck,
You have a great profile, and I agree with you that your GPA is the only negative. (By the way, no harm IMO in mentioning in essays the enrichment grade stuff you axed as 'nitpicky'). Certainly each of your schools should have one essay that 'explains' your grades and this is perhaps most efficiently done by also discussing your medical issues (i.e., in the same essay). Mentioning the grades in more than one essay is not necessary though not a deal-breaker. I would err on the side of over-explanation than under-explanation given that its your only negative but assuming that you fully present all your many assets in the other essays. Whether you have been handling the medical issue correctly in your essays thus far is something I really can't judge without seeing them. So if you're looking for a consultant to review them, I'd be happy to.
Good luck,
11 Jan 2008, 22:36
Kudos
Bookmarks
I read your profile and I wish you the best of luck with your applications. I am in a similar position in regard to the medical issue. It took me 8 years to get a handle on things. Overcoming my issue is also my most significant accomplishment, but my college transcript is horrendous because of how I handled things.
