Hi
mbaMissionI am looking for guidance about my profile, whether it is good enough to have a shot at Harvard or Stanford and what areas can I work on to improve my chances. I am still planning for my MBA, and probably will be applying to these universities within 3 years from now on. I think my strength lies on my Extracurricular Activities and I would have plenty of leadership experience to write within my essays.
Academics
- Graduated with cum laude (GPA 3.7/4.0), majoring in Accounting, from less known University in Indonesia, although with Accreditation on par with top Universities in Indonesia.
- GMAT 710 (Verbal 41, Quant 46, IR 6). I'm considering on whether to retake the GMAT Exam, because my Quant score is not satisfactory (I got nervous during the Quant section and ran out of time). The second question is whether I should take the Original GMAT or GMAT Focus. Any advice on this matter will be appreciated.
Work Experience
I have been working in Corporate Tax Consulting for two years in a Tier 1 Tax Consulting Firm in Indonesia (which is ranked above PwC's Tax Consulting according to ITR Tax Ranking).
Currently considering about transitioning into Management Consulting role within MBB or Tier 2 firms. Primarily, because I have never known a Tax Consultant that attended Business Schools, most of them will go for International Taxation or International Law instead and secondly in Tax Consulting, the promotion cycle is typically longer than Management Consulting (With promotion cycle of 3 years, compared to Management Consulting's 2 years).
Extracurricular activities
- I was the Club Leader for Taekwondo Student Club. I organized a National Tae-Kwon-Do tournament and convinced the Vice-Rector to procure practice equipment, making my university one of the favorites for Taekwondo athletes.
- I was the Chairman for the Student Clubs Coordinator. During my term, I made the 'Coordinator' into an organization that, together with the other members, organized an interfaculty sports tournament and managed to convince the Vice-Rector that the construction of Sports Center in the University is necessary, although it was not immediately built, but the idea was integrated into my university's long term construction plan.
- I was the Head of Field for the Muslim Students' Association. During the Covid Pandemic, I helped to organize a student protest regarding the tuition fee policy and drafted the key arguments that led the Rectorate to agree to revise the tuition fee policy.
Post MBA Goals
- Short term - Work for two or three years within Management Consulting to build reputation
- Long term - Start a company. I have ideas about companies that does 'Carbon Credit Trading' (basically in sustainability sector), Agriculture and Agribusiness, and Hospitality Sector.
I need advice on which areas that I need to work on. I think the GMAT issue is the one that I'm currently worried about. Second is whether I need to get more volunteering/extracurricular activity or not, as the Uni where I studied and where I currently work is in different city. Finally, whether staying in Tax Consulting would hurt my chances due to reasons above.