Profile Evaluation (Science Major trying to transition into business)

Question

Hi, can you please let me know where I stand;

Basics

690 GMAT
3.0 undergrad GPA from UCSD double majored in Biochem and econ
4.0 GPA Masters in Chemistry
4 years at a big name biotech

I am thinking of getting a general MBA because I am still unsure what specialty to focus on. I currently work in drug development.

I made a list of reasonable colleges that I think I can get into, any thoughts? Or better yet, what top school do you think I have a reasonable chance of getting into either listed or not listed on my application.

Duke
Yale
UCLA
Texas
Washington
USC
ASU
INSEAD

Thank you very much

Admissionado · Answer

Hey there!
Thanks for writing.
If I am to give you any sort of evaluation, I'm gonna need a lot more than the basics you included here.

So a few questions:
How long have you been working? Were? what position? What do you do? What are your greatest achievements? Do you have any leadership experience? do you have any volunteer work? What? What about extra curriculars in college?

The more information you can give, the better an evaluation I can give you,

Waiting to hear from you,
Best,
Jon

animanga008 · Answer

1. I've been working for about 4-5 years. 2yrs at a biotech startup and 2+ yrs at Genentech (an established biotech). In both positions I was strictly research and development doing technical work. Med Chem Scientist.

2. I can't think of any outstanding achievements that I've accomplished outside the norm. I'm pretty regular in that regard. I travel internationally a lot, I hike and backpack a lot. I also created an ecommerce site to cater to my town but that failed. I've written two papers that have been published on global journals within the field, I was listed on a patent that the company was trying to file for a molecular linker.

3. No formal leadership positions. I was never a "lead" on any projects except at the small startup that I worked at. However a lot of that had to do with how many people were working there.

3. I volunteer quite often. I volunteer almost on a weekly basis with my local communities and I've been doing that for most of my young adult life. I can most definitely get letters of rec to verify this. The type of volunteer work that I do varies, a good chunk of it currently involves planting trees in the local community; another example of something I've done is work with Salvation Army to prepare supplies for underserved demographics. Specifically, I've helped put together backpacks with school supplies that kids may need that they can't afford. Or help purchase clothes for kids for school. Another common event is local trash pickup.

4. In college I did a lot of sports during my free time and was part of the school team for swimming. I left though to continue playing sports on my own time rather than on a schedule. I was also part of a few campus student organizations, but not in any leadership capacity.

Admissionado · Answer

Hey,
Great to hear back from you. This info helps a lot!
Sooo, as you are probably aware, the two weaker points of your profile are the GMAT and your undergrad GPA. The good thing is neither is too low, but they aren't stellar either. It's good that you have a 4.0 in your masters, and a bit of publication and patent work, as that should help prove to the adcom that you are very capable .

On the positive side, you are in an excellent industry with a very good technical training, and what seems to be significant work experience (even if at this point it does not yet include leadership). Other than that, you have a good mix of volunteer work and sports.

Even if they seem small the ecommerce site and the "Startup" (are they maybe one and the same) may have some good buried story potential in them for you to exhibit business skills as well as leadership.

I don't know if you plan to apply to ALL schools on your list, but overall I find your list to be spot on you. You have some tough schools (Duke Yale INSEAD) some more reasonable schools Texas, UCLA, USC, and then some lower ranked schools as well. Basically for your profile I feel that list is a good balance (And if you were to drop one, I'd suggest one of the three that are tougher).

Otherwise, things look good.

Let me know if you have any additional questions.

animanga008 · Answer

Thanks for the advice. I'll consider taking the GMAT again to increase my chances with the schools I have chosen.

Admissionado · Answer

Great. Good luck with it all!
And if you have any other questions, just drop me a line.

Best,
JF

Profile Evaluation (Science Major trying to transition into business)

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