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mbahopeful04
Joined: 09 May 2019
Last visit: 18 Apr 2021
Posts: 7
Location: United States (MN)
GRE 1: Q167 V165
GPA: 3.01
14 Aug 2019, 12:36
Kudos
Bookmarks
Planning to apply this fall. Would appreciate any thoughts, tips you're willing to provide!
Work experience:
3.75 years working in social media strategy and analytics (think: media planning and buying, not so much content creation / community management) at an independent advertising agency (~100 employees) in Minneapolis; promoted four times during my time there, ultimately managing two assistant account executives
CURRENT: 1.5 years in digital marketing strategy/operations (non-management position) at a large integrated healthcare system based in the Midwest, playing a lead role in enterprise digital media planning/buying/analytics in social, display, direct, native, etc.
Extra curriculars:
Spent the last 1.25 years on the Programming Committee and Associate/Junior Board (~8 hours/week) of a prominent inner-city youth sports organization; will continue to participate for as long as I can (even during/after MBA) – truly value my time here and the opportunity to have an impact
During my time at the agency, I was selected/sponsored by agency to participate in a three-month-long national case study competition
During undergrad, I was one of five students selected to represent my university in the Public Relations Student Society of America’s Bateman Case Study Competition – a year-long, national case study competition in which student teams create and implement a full public relations campaign
Multi-year member of two different ad/PR student orgs
Undergrad school/major:
Big10, Journalism – with an emphasis on Strategic Communication (i.e. Advertising/PR)
Race/nationality:
White; born in Northern Ireland, primarily raised in US
Sex:
Male
Stats:
GRE Score:
332 – 167Q, 165V (according to ETS’s conversion tool, that would be a 750 GMAT - hence the headline)
Undergrad GPA:
3.0 – I understand this is something I’ll need to overcome (more on that below).
Goal of MBA:
Transition into the marketing practice group of a Big 4/T2 consulting firm
Target schools:
Northwestern, Dartmouth, Michigan, Virginia, Duke, Cornell
Beyond my lower GPA, I have a checkered past academically. Due to lack of maturity more than anything else, I wasted my first two years post-high school bouncing out of a Pac12 party school and failing classes at a local community college. Then I enrolled in the Big10 school from which I graduated and began to take my academics more seriously. And since I’ve been in the workforce, I’ve been passionate and dedicated (which I hope is demonstrated by my history of promotions). Absolutely plan to address past failures in my essays and how I’ve benefitted from them.
Four big questions:
· Any thoughts on targets?
· Any guidance on framing up my lackluster academic history?
· Wondering about the value of completing MBAmath or HBX Core this fall to reinforce quant skills and demonstrate commitment?
Thanks in advance for your time and advice!
Work experience:
3.75 years working in social media strategy and analytics (think: media planning and buying, not so much content creation / community management) at an independent advertising agency (~100 employees) in Minneapolis; promoted four times during my time there, ultimately managing two assistant account executives
CURRENT: 1.5 years in digital marketing strategy/operations (non-management position) at a large integrated healthcare system based in the Midwest, playing a lead role in enterprise digital media planning/buying/analytics in social, display, direct, native, etc.
Extra curriculars:
Spent the last 1.25 years on the Programming Committee and Associate/Junior Board (~8 hours/week) of a prominent inner-city youth sports organization; will continue to participate for as long as I can (even during/after MBA) – truly value my time here and the opportunity to have an impact
During my time at the agency, I was selected/sponsored by agency to participate in a three-month-long national case study competition
During undergrad, I was one of five students selected to represent my university in the Public Relations Student Society of America’s Bateman Case Study Competition – a year-long, national case study competition in which student teams create and implement a full public relations campaign
Multi-year member of two different ad/PR student orgs
Undergrad school/major:
Big10, Journalism – with an emphasis on Strategic Communication (i.e. Advertising/PR)
Race/nationality:
White; born in Northern Ireland, primarily raised in US
Sex:
Male
Stats:
GRE Score:
332 – 167Q, 165V (according to ETS’s conversion tool, that would be a 750 GMAT - hence the headline)
Undergrad GPA:
3.0 – I understand this is something I’ll need to overcome (more on that below).
Goal of MBA:
Transition into the marketing practice group of a Big 4/T2 consulting firm
Target schools:
Northwestern, Dartmouth, Michigan, Virginia, Duke, Cornell
Beyond my lower GPA, I have a checkered past academically. Due to lack of maturity more than anything else, I wasted my first two years post-high school bouncing out of a Pac12 party school and failing classes at a local community college. Then I enrolled in the Big10 school from which I graduated and began to take my academics more seriously. And since I’ve been in the workforce, I’ve been passionate and dedicated (which I hope is demonstrated by my history of promotions). Absolutely plan to address past failures in my essays and how I’ve benefitted from them.
Four big questions:
· Any thoughts on targets?
· Any guidance on framing up my lackluster academic history?
· Wondering about the value of completing MBAmath or HBX Core this fall to reinforce quant skills and demonstrate commitment?
Thanks in advance for your time and advice!
14 Aug 2019, 13:21
Kudos
Bookmarks
mbahopeful04
Planning to apply this fall. Would appreciate any thoughts, tips you're willing to provide!
Work experience:
3.75 years working in social media strategy and analytics (think: media planning and buying, not so much content creation / community management) at an independent advertising agency (~100 employees) in Minneapolis; promoted four times during my time there, ultimately managing two assistant account executives
CURRENT: 1.5 years in digital marketing strategy/operations (non-management position) at a large integrated healthcare system based in the Midwest, playing a lead role in enterprise digital media planning/buying/analytics in social, display, direct, native, etc.
Work experience:
3.75 years working in social media strategy and analytics (think: media planning and buying, not so much content creation / community management) at an independent advertising agency (~100 employees) in Minneapolis; promoted four times during my time there, ultimately managing two assistant account executives
CURRENT: 1.5 years in digital marketing strategy/operations (non-management position) at a large integrated healthcare system based in the Midwest, playing a lead role in enterprise digital media planning/buying/analytics in social, display, direct, native, etc.
Good work experience. Promotions are a plus. I think you can thread this nicely into your goals. Will your recommenders sing your praises / be big advocates in their recommendations?
mbahopeful04
Extra curriculars:
Spent the last 1.25 years on the Programming Committee and Associate/Junior Board (~8 hours/week) of a prominent inner-city youth sports organization; will continue to participate for as long as I can (even during/after MBA) – truly value my time here and the opportunity to have an impact
During my time at the agency, I was selected/sponsored by agency to participate in a three-month-long national case study competition
During undergrad, I was one of five students selected to represent my university in the Public Relations Student Society of America’s Bateman Case Study Competition – a year-long, national case study competition in which student teams create and implement a full public relations campaign
Multi-year member of two different ad/PR student orgs
Spent the last 1.25 years on the Programming Committee and Associate/Junior Board (~8 hours/week) of a prominent inner-city youth sports organization; will continue to participate for as long as I can (even during/after MBA) – truly value my time here and the opportunity to have an impact
During my time at the agency, I was selected/sponsored by agency to participate in a three-month-long national case study competition
During undergrad, I was one of five students selected to represent my university in the Public Relations Student Society of America’s Bateman Case Study Competition – a year-long, national case study competition in which student teams create and implement a full public relations campaign
Multi-year member of two different ad/PR student orgs
Nice experiences. Would you write anything about it? Otherwise, it's good to show you're well-rounded.
mbahopeful04
Undergrad school/major:
Big10, Journalism – with an emphasis on Strategic Communication (i.e. Advertising/PR)
Race/nationality:
White; born in Northern Ireland, primarily raised in US
Sex:
Male
Stats:
GRE Score:
332 – 167Q, 165V (according to ETS’s conversion tool, that would be a 750 GMAT - hence the headline)
Undergrad GPA:
3.0 – I understand this is something I’ll need to overcome (more on that below).
Big10, Journalism – with an emphasis on Strategic Communication (i.e. Advertising/PR)
Race/nationality:
White; born in Northern Ireland, primarily raised in US
Sex:
Male
Stats:
GRE Score:
332 – 167Q, 165V (according to ETS’s conversion tool, that would be a 750 GMAT - hence the headline)
Undergrad GPA:
3.0 – I understand this is something I’ll need to overcome (more on that below).
Really solid GMAT. 3.0 isn't a death knell, especially if transcript shows the story you're telling.
mbahopeful04
Goal of MBA:
Transition into the marketing practice group of a Big 4/T2 consulting firm
Target schools:
Northwestern, Dartmouth, Michigan, Virginia, Duke, Cornell
Transition into the marketing practice group of a Big 4/T2 consulting firm
Target schools:
Northwestern, Dartmouth, Michigan, Virginia, Duke, Cornell
- When you say Big 4, are you referring to accounting firms, or MBB (not sure which is fourth)? I'd like to see you firm this up. What's the long-term goals?
- School list looks achievable to me. I'd be surprised if you didn't at least get shots at a few.
mbahopeful04
Four big questions:
· Any thoughts on targets?
· Any guidance on framing up my lackluster academic history?
· Wondering about the value of completing MBAmath or HBX Core this fall to reinforce quant skills and demonstrate commitment?
· Any thoughts on targets?
· Any guidance on framing up my lackluster academic history?
· Wondering about the value of completing MBAmath or HBX Core this fall to reinforce quant skills and demonstrate commitment?
- Targets look like a good list. You can do it, especially if you really smooth the app deliverables into cohesive package.
- The arc you explained makes sense. Keep it tight and push towards what's changed. What was your "run rate" GPA at end of undergrad?
- Wouldn't hurt but I think you can make it into a school without. If you have time, go for it.
16 Aug 2019, 08:24
Kudos
Bookmarks
Overall, you have a solid profile in certain areas, and yes, the GPA will be something to address in an Optional essay. Now, your GRE is weighted much more than your GPA, so that is good news. Many folks have low GPAs due to similar reasons you outlined, so it is common at times, even for top schools. Speaking of, you have a good mix of strong schools, and you can apply to all; however, I would recommend diversifying your risk a bit more along the top 20 or so schools - you might want to add in or adjust the current list to reflect a couple “safer” programs. There is no such thing as a safety, as all top 20 are challenging to get into, and you only need to get in to one place you like, remember! You can always do the two-year plan as well, which is go high risk and just re-apply if you don't get admitted. It depends on how much risk you would like to take 
So, with your GRE and work experience, you can make a good case for those on the list. In terms of the academics, just be concise and honest. Don’t belabor it, that’s for sure! The key here too is ensuring, given your age, that the AdComs are convinced you can secure an internship/job, as you could potentially be over-qualified for the more typical post-MBA jobs, given your age. This would then deem you as “risky” to the AdComs. If, for example, someone states their goal is to be an Associate at McKinsey, they need to be at the level coming out of their MBA program. You will want to be super clear as to your goals, that they are feasible, and that you can secure that internship, etc. I would potentially wait to see about MBAmath, etc. Typically, folks will do that if they are weak on the GMAT/GRE and/or are placed on a Waitlist. I don’t think it’s going to be super critical. Your essays are more important Your non-work activities should stand out as well, given that it seems the new benchmark is that folks are generally lacking in that area when they apply. This will help differentiate you.
I hope that helps. If you'd like to chat more with our team, feel free to reach out to claudia@admissionado.com to that up.
So, with your GRE and work experience, you can make a good case for those on the list. In terms of the academics, just be concise and honest. Don’t belabor it, that’s for sure! The key here too is ensuring, given your age, that the AdComs are convinced you can secure an internship/job, as you could potentially be over-qualified for the more typical post-MBA jobs, given your age. This would then deem you as “risky” to the AdComs. If, for example, someone states their goal is to be an Associate at McKinsey, they need to be at the level coming out of their MBA program. You will want to be super clear as to your goals, that they are feasible, and that you can secure that internship, etc. I would potentially wait to see about MBAmath, etc. Typically, folks will do that if they are weak on the GMAT/GRE and/or are placed on a Waitlist. I don’t think it’s going to be super critical. Your essays are more important Your non-work activities should stand out as well, given that it seems the new benchmark is that folks are generally lacking in that area when they apply. This will help differentiate you.I hope that helps. If you'd like to chat more with our team, feel free to reach out to claudia@admissionado.com to that up.
