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If you’re applying to Columbia, NYU Stern, or Yale SOM, you need more than strong stats. Each school defines “leadership” differently, and your essays must reflect that. Join Sia Admissions founder, Susan Berishaj on November 20th
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sonybologna541
Joined: 20 Jun 2020
Last visit: 26 May 2022
Posts: 6
Location: United States
Concentration: Sustainability, Finance
Schools: Fuqua '24 (WL)
GMAT 1: 700 Q47 V39
GMAT 2: 710 Q47 V41
GPA: 2.7
WE:Analyst (Energy)
27 Nov 2020, 10:41
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Bookmarks
Hi everyone! I'm at the beginning of pursuing my MBA journey, and am hoping to get some second opinions on what schools I have a shot at. I'm currently 24 with a little over two years of experience, hoping to apply next Fall for Fall of 2022 matriculation. Here's a bit about my background:
Demographics: White, male, American, 26 years old at matriculation.
Undergrad Education: Top 30 Liberal Arts school majoring in Environmental Studies. 2.7 GPA.
Post-Grad Additional Education: NABCEP PV Associate (certification relevent in the solar industry, requires a passing score via examination), Energy Innovation and Emergining Technologies Certificate via Stanford online, Tableau Certification, and a few DataCamp courses on R. Not sure if the last two are relevant for MBA apps.
GMAT: 700: 47Q/39V/8IR.
Work Experience: Fours years (at matriculation) working at a fintech solar company. Within my first year, I was named employee of the month and given a promotion (currently working as a business analyst) and have developed some reputable experience since then working with our senior executives. Some of my bigger achievements include designing a new loan amortization model projected to save my company up to 1.5 mil in yearly revenue, and pioneering the usage of regression analyses at my company via an analysis of past loan performance. I also think I should be able to achieve another promotion by the time I apply next fall. I have a very solid reputation within this company, and I know for a fact that I'd be able to get a glowing letter of rec from my manager.
Extra Curriculars: In undergrad I was captain of the rowing team for 2 years, and achieved a few personal accolades my senior year (all conference, team MVP). In my workplace, I was a founding member of our committee on diversity and inclusion. I also currently volunteer with an organization that helps encourage likely environmentalists to register to vote.
Post-MBA goals: I'm interested working in energy finance specifically for renewables. I think I'd prefer to work for an energy developer or power company, but I'd also be interested in working for a private investor of renewable energy. Hoping that my quant based work experience lends well to these career paths. What's most important for me with my career is that I feel like I'm helping further the goal of reaching a decarbonized economy.
Schools of Interest: Reach: Duke MBA/MEM, UNC MBA/MEM (not totally sold on the MBA/MEM but I think I'll likely just apply to both programs and see what happens), Cornell Johnson, Carnegie Mellon Tepper. Target: BU Questrom, Georgetown. Realistically, I don't think I'll apply to all of these schools, but they're all on my list as of now. Would love to hear opinions on whether or not some of these schools are worth my time, or if there are any schools that would be worth adding to my list given my interests! Haven't looked much at Europe, but I would consider it if the fit was right.
So I realize that the big downer of my profile is my GPA, and that it will certainly hold me back in the admissions process. I think I plan to address this in an optional essay, and talk about how I wasn't able to balance my extra curriculars (rowing and a few part time internships/jobs) with my schoolwork, but that I feel like I got a lot out of my extra curriculars. Happy to hear thoughts on whether that sounds like a worthwhile path and any other advice on combating a below average GPA in the admissions process. But overall, I'm hoping that my GMAT score, post grad coursework, and achievements via my work experience help to speak to my growth after undergrad.
Anyway, thanks so much for reading all of this and looking forward to responses!
Demographics: White, male, American, 26 years old at matriculation.
Undergrad Education: Top 30 Liberal Arts school majoring in Environmental Studies. 2.7 GPA.
Post-Grad Additional Education: NABCEP PV Associate (certification relevent in the solar industry, requires a passing score via examination), Energy Innovation and Emergining Technologies Certificate via Stanford online, Tableau Certification, and a few DataCamp courses on R. Not sure if the last two are relevant for MBA apps.
GMAT: 700: 47Q/39V/8IR.
Work Experience: Fours years (at matriculation) working at a fintech solar company. Within my first year, I was named employee of the month and given a promotion (currently working as a business analyst) and have developed some reputable experience since then working with our senior executives. Some of my bigger achievements include designing a new loan amortization model projected to save my company up to 1.5 mil in yearly revenue, and pioneering the usage of regression analyses at my company via an analysis of past loan performance. I also think I should be able to achieve another promotion by the time I apply next fall. I have a very solid reputation within this company, and I know for a fact that I'd be able to get a glowing letter of rec from my manager.
Extra Curriculars: In undergrad I was captain of the rowing team for 2 years, and achieved a few personal accolades my senior year (all conference, team MVP). In my workplace, I was a founding member of our committee on diversity and inclusion. I also currently volunteer with an organization that helps encourage likely environmentalists to register to vote.
Post-MBA goals: I'm interested working in energy finance specifically for renewables. I think I'd prefer to work for an energy developer or power company, but I'd also be interested in working for a private investor of renewable energy. Hoping that my quant based work experience lends well to these career paths. What's most important for me with my career is that I feel like I'm helping further the goal of reaching a decarbonized economy.
Schools of Interest: Reach: Duke MBA/MEM, UNC MBA/MEM (not totally sold on the MBA/MEM but I think I'll likely just apply to both programs and see what happens), Cornell Johnson, Carnegie Mellon Tepper. Target: BU Questrom, Georgetown. Realistically, I don't think I'll apply to all of these schools, but they're all on my list as of now. Would love to hear opinions on whether or not some of these schools are worth my time, or if there are any schools that would be worth adding to my list given my interests! Haven't looked much at Europe, but I would consider it if the fit was right.
So I realize that the big downer of my profile is my GPA, and that it will certainly hold me back in the admissions process. I think I plan to address this in an optional essay, and talk about how I wasn't able to balance my extra curriculars (rowing and a few part time internships/jobs) with my schoolwork, but that I feel like I got a lot out of my extra curriculars. Happy to hear thoughts on whether that sounds like a worthwhile path and any other advice on combating a below average GPA in the admissions process. But overall, I'm hoping that my GMAT score, post grad coursework, and achievements via my work experience help to speak to my growth after undergrad.
Anyway, thanks so much for reading all of this and looking forward to responses!
29 Nov 2020, 21:51
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Bookmarks
Hi there @sonybologna451. From what I see here, you seem pretty aware of your strengths and weaknesses, though I would also add that your work experience is on the low side for most top MBA programs. It can be hard to show leadership and impact with only 3 years at application time, but from what you've described, you have some good things to show here. I do think that dual degree programs can also be more forgiving because you will be devoting more time, usually, to school. I agree with you on using the optional essay to discuss your GPA. In terms of what else can help, I'd say that high test scores can help mitigate a low GPA (so if you can improve yours further to be ABOVE your schools' averages, all the better), as well as additional quantitative/business coursework-- ideally in a graded class. Your post grad coursework looks more technical/industry specific to me, but the business programs might be looking for more classic quantitative or business coursework. What were your low grades in in college? If in something quantitative like calc or statistics, or business like accounting or finance, I'd look to retake those classes now online with a reputable school or, if offered, in person at a local university. I hope this is helpful, wishing you the best of luck!
Warmly,
Julie-Anne Heafey
Warmly,
Julie-Anne Heafey
sonybologna541
Joined: 20 Jun 2020
Last visit: 26 May 2022
Posts: 6
Location: United States
Concentration: Sustainability, Finance
Schools: Fuqua '24 (WL)
GMAT 1: 700 Q47 V39
GMAT 2: 710 Q47 V41
GPA: 2.7
WE:Analyst (Energy)
30 Nov 2020, 07:34
Kudos
Bookmarks
mbaMissionJA
Thanks for the detailed reply, Julia-Anne! I especially appreciate the elaboration on my profile's strengths and weaknesses.
I haven't looked much into additional quantitative/business coursework. I actually didn't take any math/stats/business related coursework in undergrad, except for one intro to business course that I got a B+ in. Most of my poor grades were in science classes (bio/geo) that were required for my major, but I really wasn't prepared for given the other courses I was taking, and likely shouldn't have attempted to take in the first place (maybe I should address this in my optional essay now that I'm thinking of it). I also had to take two classes for a language requirement that dragged down my GPA. Taking a stats course does intrigue me, as that would be relevant to my current work and maybe something I could convince my company to help fund. Any tips on where to look online for a course like the ones you mention? Makes sense why a graded course from a university would help the most.
As for the GMAT, I have considered retaking as of recent, considering I do have a bit of time before I end up applying. The thing that is holding me back currently is that my score was on the top threshold of my scores in my practice tests (in the 6 I did in my 4.5 months of studying I went 520/610/660/680/630/700) so I'm not confident I have it in me to boost my score. But that's something I'll have to weight the costs/benefits of on my own. Totally agreed that any boost in my GMAT will help mitigate my gpa!
But again, thanks for sharing your insight!
Thanks for the detailed reply, Julia-Anne! I especially appreciate the elaboration on my profile's strengths and weaknesses.
I haven't looked much into additional quantitative/business coursework. I actually didn't take any math/stats/business related coursework in undergrad, except for one intro to business course that I got a B+ in. Most of my poor grades were in science classes (bio/geo) that were required for my major, but I really wasn't prepared for given the other courses I was taking, and likely shouldn't have attempted to take in the first place (maybe I should address this in my optional essay now that I'm thinking of it). I also had to take two classes for a language requirement that dragged down my GPA. Taking a stats course does intrigue me, as that would be relevant to my current work and maybe something I could convince my company to help fund. Any tips on where to look online for a course like the ones you mention? Makes sense why a graded course from a university would help the most.
As for the GMAT, I have considered retaking as of recent, considering I do have a bit of time before I end up applying. The thing that is holding me back currently is that my score was on the top threshold of my scores in my practice tests (in the 6 I did in my 4.5 months of studying I went 520/610/660/680/630/700) so I'm not confident I have it in me to boost my score. But that's something I'll have to weight the costs/benefits of on my own. Totally agreed that any boost in my GMAT will help mitigate my gpa!
But again, thanks for sharing your insight!
