irwingstop wrote:
Hi, looking to get some advice regarding apps for 2016. Any thoughts or suggestions are much appreciated.
Citizenship: US, born and raised in NJ/NY
Ethnicity: Mix (but mostly Indian)
Age: 26
Education:
UG GPA: 3.85, decent public research university
Major: Psychology, Sociology
LSAT score: 97th percentile
Law School: Top 20
Law School GPA: slightly above median
Work Experience:
*Here's where things get weird. After two years of law school, I dropped out to start a company with some friends (I led the team). We secured $50k in funding and went through an accelerator program. the company was legal related. Unfortunately things didn't pan out and 6 months later we ran out of money. I then started working in NY for an ecommerce startup and shortly after a boutique digital marketing agency. In both companies I led marketing efforts. Outside of my full-time job, I participated in and won several hackathons. One of these hackathons led to the creation of an app company, which I led for approximately 6 months. After a year of working in the "real world" I started another legal related company. I led this company to an annual run rate of $240k. However, we recently shut down because of growth and legal issues.
To sum it up:
1 year work experience in marketing
2 years running and leading 3 startups, one of which produced $20k/mo
I'm currently looking for another job, so that'll add another year of experience. That's a total of 4 years of work experience and 2 years of law school before starting b-school.
Lastly, why b-school: I'm at heart an entrepreneur. I love making an impact in the world. All my startups have been legal related and I invested in making a meaningful difference in the lives of people who could not afford a lawyer. I believe technology can do wonders and help people, regardless of socioeconomic status. I see business as a sustainable way to change lives. Despite my failed startups, I've learned a ton of valuable lessons in leadership, marketing, product development, etc.. Overall, I think I can tell a good story about why I left law school and why I think business school is right for me. After b-school I'd like to get into consulting and then (most likely) start my own company again.
My Question - if you noticed I haven't included my GMAT score. That's because I haven't taken it yet. So here's my question:
Given my unique background, what score is enough to get admission to the M7. I know there's no cut off, but realistically speaking, what score would give me ~50% chance of getting an offer. My goal right now is 740, and with enough studying, I think I can get it. Is that enough? If I score 720, should I bother applying? At what score should I really cancel my score and try again. I'm only going to apply to M7 schools (I have my reasons - mostly because I'm buried in law school loans and it won't make sense for me to take on more unless I was confident in securing post-grad employment, hence M7). I'm planning on taking the GMATs on sept 6, a few days before Harvard's app deadline...
Please let me know your thoughts! I really appreciate any insight!
Hey dude,
I like your profile!
You have a super interesting story here. It may on the surface have plenty of failures, but they are GOOD failures. I mean, you went to law school with an awesome LSAT but then figured you loved business more. Sure your idea didn't work out, but you have proven your entrepreneurial mettle by trying (while getting funding), failing and trying again.
I mean, keep that up and you are bound to succeed right?
(I mean that is your STORY).
I think firstoff that that story will make you a heck of a lot more interesting than most candidacy - you take risks, you go for your dreams, you have met a certain success.
Just make sure that you are applying when employed, and also that your story this time around is really solid (what I mean is that it's great that you are a risk-taker, but they want to see that you have learned from your mistakes, and that you want to lay down a basis that will ensure a higher probability of success (hence the MBA) )
Do that, and I think Top 10 should be within range,
Good luck dude,
JF
close
11 Jul 2015, 16:44
