MBA House Admissions Consultant
Joined: 26 May 2022
Posts: 343
Given Kudos: 0
Re: Profile Evaluation please! Wharton, Stanford, Columbia
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16 Oct 2023, 09:51
Your profile has several strong aspects, but there are a few areas where you might consider making improvements to enhance your chances of getting accepted into Wharton, Stanford, and Columbia. Let's break it down:
1. GRE Score: Your GRE score of 320 (160Q, 160V) is decent but slightly below the average for these top MBA programs. While it's not necessary to retake it, improving your score to 324 or higher could make your application more competitive.
2. GPA: Your undergraduate GPA is excellent, and your master's GPA is also strong. These academic achievements demonstrate your ability to excel in a rigorous academic environment, which is a plus.
3. Extracurricular Activities: Your involvement in mentoring, student societies, committees, and study abroad is positive, especially if it aligns with a cohesive story about your education and career goals. Make sure to emphasize how these activities have contributed to your personal and professional growth.
4. Diversity: Being a Black, female candidate with dual citizenship from underrepresented countries is a significant advantage. Business schools value diversity and seek to create a diverse and inclusive student body.
5. Professional Experience: Your work experience, particularly at a FAANG company, is a strong point. Your work in product marketing management is relevant to your post-MBA goals in ed-tech. Your side hustle and significant salary increases also demonstrate your entrepreneurship and financial acumen.
6. Lack of Promotion: While promotions can be a valuable indicator of your professional growth, they are not the only factor that matters. Admissions committees understand that external factors, like a difficult manager or company policies, can impact promotions. Focus on showcasing your accomplishments, impact, and leadership experiences within your roles, even without the formal promotion.
7. Post-MBA Goals: Your post-MBA goals align with your prior experience, which is excellent. Make sure to articulate how an MBA from Wharton, Stanford, or Columbia will bridge the gap between your current experience and your goals in ed-tech and entrepreneurship.
To enhance your application, consider the following:
- Aim to improve your GRE score if possible.
- Focus on the quality of your recommendation letters, ensuring they highlight your strengths and potential.
- Craft a compelling and authentic personal statement that explains your journey, your aspirations, and how the MBA will be pivotal in achieving your goals.
- Consider discussing your plans to address your lack of promotion in your optional essay, framing it as a challenge you've overcome or are actively addressing.
- Use the essays to express how your unique background and experiences will contribute to the diversity and vitality of the MBA class.
Overall, while there are areas to address, your background is diverse and unique, and your work experience in ed-tech aligns well with your post-MBA goals. Make sure to present a well-rounded, authentic, and compelling application to make a strong case for admission to these top business schools.