It's 4am here and I have just suddenly got a bout of pre-submission blues for HBS R1 (today). Is it realistic for me to apply to HBS? Any comments would be so appreciated! Thank you so much for your time!
BackgroundWork experience: 4.5 years at matriculation. A year in front office bulge bracket investment banking (think Goldman, JPM, MS). It was not for me so I moved into one of the top law firms in Australia. Currently seconded to another top law firm in Asia. I have primarily advised clients in relation to major projects e.g. massive infrastructure, schools, motorways, airports, etc.
Extra curriculars: I think I am well ahead of the curve on this front. Meaningful roles across a multiple organisations in both Australia and Asia (although nothing like founding a charity or foundation or that sort). Just very actively participated. Think teaching refugees English, Red Cross, Aboriginal legal advice, underprivileged student mentoring, homeless shelter volunteering.
Undergrad: Top Australian university
Race: Asian-Australian
Sex: Male, 27 at matriculation
StatsGMAT: 740 (Q49, V42)
GPA: 3.5/4.0 (I did a combined law degree i.e. BCom/LL.B so my GPA includes my law grades. For my commerce degree, if you exclude my first year, I got 4.0/4.0).
Application specificsEssay: Single mum, welfare my entire life. Since I was 12, my mum and I have cleaned offices for a living. The essay revolves around the motivation and lessons learnt from cleaning. The essay then transitions into why I feel so fortunate with the generosity and support I have been (not just my mum but when I was student all the way through to now), and how I feel I owe a debt to my community. This is why I then want to do something that makes the community we live in a better place (as repayment for what the generosity that has been extended to me).
MBA InfoCareer goals: Public sector practice of MBB then into federal politics.
Target schools: HBS in R1.