KOB wrote:
Hello,
My name is Krystelle. This is my first post here. I would really appreciate any comment on my profile. It’s a really long post (sorry). I included a lot of details because I don’t know anyone personally who can give me advice on this.
Profile
- 33 Female (34 at target intake, Sep2022)
- Filipino
Education and GMAT
- Undergrad is BS in Accountancy. Graduated with honors leadership awards.
- I completed the two-year coursework of Master’s in ASEAN Studies (online) and passed the comprehensive exam. I only need to finish the thesis to get the degree. This is a challenge for now because of the pandemic (unresponsive thesis advisers and lack of focus).
- Will take the GMAT in June and targeting a minimum 700 score
Profession and Work experience
- CPA and CFA Charterholder
- 7+ years of full-time corporate experience from EY, Citibank, and a growing startup (all in the Philippines). My last corporate experience was as Head of Corporate Planning and Treasury for four years. I joined the company when it was a startup and helped in its successful IPO. I formed my department from the ground up, growing it from a one-man team to a group of over 10 professionals.
- I left my corporate job in 2016 to figure out what I really wanted to do. I became a digital nomad and ended up freelancing. I held a CFO role (virtual and fractional) for a startup hotel developer for three years. I’ve set up the Finance department and managed accountants and consultants in three countries for this role. I also worked on other freelance projects for clients in Asia, Europe, and the USA.
International Experience
As a digital nomad, I lived in over 40 countries for the last five years, including 1 year in New Zealand, 3 months in Australia, 4 months in Georgia and Armenia, and 6 months in Europe.
Extracurricular Activities
I volunteered around the world, mainly in smallholdings and farms (I dream of having an organic farm someday). When I was still in the corporate, I volunteer teaching kids in slums, orphanages, and our church. I volunteered in Cambodia and raised funds to cover one semester of expenses for the school.
Career goals/Post-MBA Plan
I have a Dutch partner who is also a digital nomad. Even before the pandemic, we already decided that 2021 will be our last travel year and settle in the Netherlands. I want to get into a top consulting firm in the Netherlands as I plan to start my own consulting firm 10 years down the road.
Concerns/Questions
1. My age – The admission committee always has reassuring words that they still consider older applicants, but I still can’t help feeling insecure about this.
2. I’m worried that my freelancing stint will be seen as a long career gap. I was not out of work, but I was also not working full-time for the last five years because I combined traveling, volunteering, and online Masters with my freelance jobs.
3. Will the non-completion of my Master’s degree be taken against me?
4. I’m anxious about not getting in as I don’t really have a Plan B. I feel that INSEAD is a perfect fit for me, and I don’t feel the urge to apply to any other B school.
5. Option to get back to corporate without MBA – Most people take the CFA after the MBA. It’s a recognized global certification, but I don’t think it’s enough to get me into a top consulting firm or a top company in NL. I don’t have international and investment banking experience.
6. I don't have the financial means to pay for an INSEAD MBA. If I don't get a scholarship, my plan is to loan most of the fees. Will it be worth getting in a lot of debt, in case?
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this. I’d love to hear what you think are my strengths and weaknesses and any recommendations.
Hi
KOB,
Thank you for sharing. Overall, you have an interesting profile and some reputable companies in your work experience. A 700+ GMAT should make you a competitive applicant for INSEAD, given the rest of your application tells a consistent and compelling story.
To address some of your concerns, I’ll start with your age. At 33, you are slightly older than the average INSEAD student, which is reported as 29 in their latest class profile. Age, but more accurately, work experience, does have a significant impact on your chances of success. That said,
Personal MBA Coach has worked with a lot of applicants on the older end of the spectrum who have successfully gotten into their target schools! We would be happy to guide you here.
In terms of your gap in full-time work experience, it is tough to say how it will look on your application. With freelancing it depends on how much work you did, what the impact was, how many jobs, compensation, etc. so we would have to find out more, to be honest.
The non-completion of your masters should be addressed in the optional essay section. Keep in mind that these essays should be short and to the point. Do not offer a long-winded explanation here.
For school selection, I highly suggest targeting more schools. Our average client applies to at least 5 schools. Make sure that you have some “reach” schools, some “more likely” schools and some “safer” schools, especially if you want to secure an acceptance this year. All business schools look to fill their classes with diverse candidates, and you cannot always predict which school might need someone who fits your profile.
Feel free to reach out to
scott@personalmbacoach.com to further discuss your situation and take a look at
our services to find out how we can help!
Best,
Personal MBA Coach _________________