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PointPiper
Joined: 03 Sep 2019
Last visit: 23 Jan 2021
Posts: 2
Location: Australia
Schools: HBS '22 (S) Stanford '22
GMAT 1: 740 Q49 V42
03 Sep 2019, 11:47
Kudos
Bookmarks
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!
Background
Work 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
Stats
GMAT: 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 specifics
Essay: 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 Info
Career goals: Public sector practice of MBB then into federal politics.
Target schools: HBS in R1.
Background
Work 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
Stats
GMAT: 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 specifics
Essay: 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 Info
Career goals: Public sector practice of MBB then into federal politics.
Target schools: HBS in R1.
03 Sep 2019, 12:15
Kudos
Bookmarks
The day before the deadline, I think everyone is very busy with the final touches... everyone except me, so you get what you pay for.
I think all your stats and details checkout. I can't find anything that would keep you out of the Interview Invite list but you are thinking of applying to the top program in the world so it is very competitive. One aspect is what you are using your MBA for? Would granting you a spot vs. another person make a greater impact on the world? Would you be able to leverage it better or have a realistic and well thought-through plan and is everything coming together and fits into a picture? Have you had your essays reviewed by other students/consultants/etc? If you just wrote them on your own and a person attending a Top 5 program has not read them and blessed them, I would be a bit unsure about rushing for R1.
Don't mean to spook you but if you are feeling unsure at the moment, perhaps it is better to wait until R2 and have a much more confident application that has been battle-proofed in a few Top-10 schools perhaps.
P.S. Forgot to add, thanks for bolding your headings and make it easier to read.
I think all your stats and details checkout. I can't find anything that would keep you out of the Interview Invite list but you are thinking of applying to the top program in the world so it is very competitive. One aspect is what you are using your MBA for? Would granting you a spot vs. another person make a greater impact on the world? Would you be able to leverage it better or have a realistic and well thought-through plan and is everything coming together and fits into a picture? Have you had your essays reviewed by other students/consultants/etc? If you just wrote them on your own and a person attending a Top 5 program has not read them and blessed them, I would be a bit unsure about rushing for R1.
Don't mean to spook you but if you are feeling unsure at the moment, perhaps it is better to wait until R2 and have a much more confident application that has been battle-proofed in a few Top-10 schools perhaps.
P.S. Forgot to add, thanks for bolding your headings and make it easier to read.
03 Sep 2019, 20:23
Kudos
Bookmarks
bb
The day before the deadline, I think everyone is very busy with the final touches... everyone except me, so you get what you pay for.
PointPiper, you have a great story to tell. Did you finally apply?
