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16 Feb 2015, 00:06
Kudos
Bookmarks
Hi there...
I was hoping someone could evaluate my profile.
About me: I’m a 31 year-old Australian male.
GMAT: 720, Q46 V44. Tested early 2015.
Target schools:
Given I’m a bit older, I’m particularly interested in 1-year programs (IMD, Oxford, Kellogg, or Columbia’s January entry).
University undergrad:
4-year Bachelor of Business (Marketing) from an Australian university. My GPA however isn’t great (2.2 - weighed down by a few ‘DNS’ zero scores where I was enrolled only but did not complete) - I’m one of the stereotypes who took a while to find what they wanted to do and spent too much time having fun. I also competed a significant part of this degree part-time while I worked to support myself. However, in my final year as I started studying more (interesting) strategy-based subjects, I moved toward the top of my class, with a GPA of 3.8 in my final year.
Work experience:
From there I went to work for a boutique consulting firm (started by ex-McKinsey guys) that had a range of blue-chip clients. Which was funny, because being a clueless kid from the country I didn’t know what consulting WAS until I was in my final semester and encountered the field/subject/concept - at which point I decided that is exactly what I wanted to do (leaving my run a bit late…). I worked there for a bit over 3 years, being promoted twice in that time to an engagement lead.
I was then head-hunted by a large insurer into the strategy team. From there I was promoted to manage the strategy team for the major division ($6B revenue) after 6 months - a role I’ve been in for 2.5 years. And in this role my reports are essentially MBA-graduate level roles based on salary and candidate mix.
Post-MBA goals:
I love strategy work - the practice, the theory, the ambiguity - and my spare time is spent reading and studying it. And an MBA is significantly about this passion I have for learning - a chance to take some time to to consolidate, formalise and expand on what I do today anyway. I have a belief about business’ ability to be better in the world, and I’ve tried that problem on the in-house strategy side and the consulting side. I’ve considered the post-MBA paths from here - academia (contributing to the topic), entrepreneur (living it), or back to consulting - and while it’s somewhat cliched for MBAs, I think I’m going back to consulting.
Questions:
Thanks in advance.
I was hoping someone could evaluate my profile.
About me: I’m a 31 year-old Australian male.
GMAT: 720, Q46 V44. Tested early 2015.
Target schools:
Given I’m a bit older, I’m particularly interested in 1-year programs (IMD, Oxford, Kellogg, or Columbia’s January entry).
University undergrad:
4-year Bachelor of Business (Marketing) from an Australian university. My GPA however isn’t great (2.2 - weighed down by a few ‘DNS’ zero scores where I was enrolled only but did not complete) - I’m one of the stereotypes who took a while to find what they wanted to do and spent too much time having fun. I also competed a significant part of this degree part-time while I worked to support myself. However, in my final year as I started studying more (interesting) strategy-based subjects, I moved toward the top of my class, with a GPA of 3.8 in my final year.
Work experience:
From there I went to work for a boutique consulting firm (started by ex-McKinsey guys) that had a range of blue-chip clients. Which was funny, because being a clueless kid from the country I didn’t know what consulting WAS until I was in my final semester and encountered the field/subject/concept - at which point I decided that is exactly what I wanted to do (leaving my run a bit late…). I worked there for a bit over 3 years, being promoted twice in that time to an engagement lead.
I was then head-hunted by a large insurer into the strategy team. From there I was promoted to manage the strategy team for the major division ($6B revenue) after 6 months - a role I’ve been in for 2.5 years. And in this role my reports are essentially MBA-graduate level roles based on salary and candidate mix.
Post-MBA goals:
I love strategy work - the practice, the theory, the ambiguity - and my spare time is spent reading and studying it. And an MBA is significantly about this passion I have for learning - a chance to take some time to to consolidate, formalise and expand on what I do today anyway. I have a belief about business’ ability to be better in the world, and I’ve tried that problem on the in-house strategy side and the consulting side. I’ve considered the post-MBA paths from here - academia (contributing to the topic), entrepreneur (living it), or back to consulting - and while it’s somewhat cliched for MBAs, I think I’m going back to consulting.
Questions:
- I’m wondering if I have a shot at one of the top schools, given a) my age and b) the holes in my resume (e.g. poor GPA)? i.e. does my GMAT score and work experience offset these?
My friend made a (half) joke that I’m quitting my job to do an MBA to get the job that reports to me now. While it makes sense to me, do you think I have some explaining to do to recruiters?
Thanks in advance.
16 Feb 2015, 00:20
Kudos
Bookmarks
alzx
Hi there!!
You've got a very interesting profile and I do believe that you've redeemed your low GPA with a decent GMAT score.
I agree with your friend's comment on doing an MBA to take on a position that reports to you currently! IMO, you need to show more dynamism and ambition. Think entrepreneurship/ taking on senior leadership positions within the consulting space etc. Present yourself from a position of strength.
Your age should not be a deterrent; 1 year programs are MORE suited to people with your kind of profile and experience. Widen your radar and look up other possible options too in addition to the ones you mention. Don't let doubts flail your aspirations. Go for it!! Good Luck!
19 Feb 2015, 07:19
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Bookmarks
Hi there,
Thanks for posting and sharing your profile and background. As I see it...
You have the following strengths going for you:
-strong work experience, including plenty of recognition for your accomplishments, promotions, and exposure to consulting and strategy etc
-solid GMAT
-sounds like genuine interest in strategy and strong desire for the MBA education
The following potential challenges:
-GPA -- the fact that your final-year GPA was quite strong helps, and the GMAT is good... that said, VERY top programs may still have a hard time getting past an overall 2.2 GPA. Check on Oxford in particular as Ox-Bridge often has stricter minimum GPA requirements than others.
-yes you do want to explain to admissions in a convincing way why you NEED the MBA (not just why you want it), so just keep that in mind in explaining your post-MBA goals
And the following unknowns (at least on my end):
-extracurricular & volunteering activities?
-recommendations
-essays/interviews
-more detail on accomplishments and leadership activities
Overall your school list isn't outside the realm of possibility, and I wouldn't be extremely worried about your age per se especially for those programs, but just keep in mind that a lot may come down to your 'story' of why you want the degree and what you want to do with it etc, if the rest of your profile is strong (or as strong as it can be given the GPA challenges). To be 'safe' and have better chances of getting in somewhere, you could add a slightly less competitive school as well, but obviously only apply where you'd consider attending. Again your experience is your strength so emphasize what you've learned and been exposed to and what you'll bring to the class.
Good luck and let us know how we can help.
(ps the prior poster has no affiliation with mbaMission, fyi to readers)
Thanks for posting and sharing your profile and background. As I see it...
You have the following strengths going for you:
-strong work experience, including plenty of recognition for your accomplishments, promotions, and exposure to consulting and strategy etc
-solid GMAT
-sounds like genuine interest in strategy and strong desire for the MBA education
The following potential challenges:
-GPA -- the fact that your final-year GPA was quite strong helps, and the GMAT is good... that said, VERY top programs may still have a hard time getting past an overall 2.2 GPA. Check on Oxford in particular as Ox-Bridge often has stricter minimum GPA requirements than others.
-yes you do want to explain to admissions in a convincing way why you NEED the MBA (not just why you want it), so just keep that in mind in explaining your post-MBA goals
And the following unknowns (at least on my end):
-extracurricular & volunteering activities?
-recommendations
-essays/interviews
-more detail on accomplishments and leadership activities
Overall your school list isn't outside the realm of possibility, and I wouldn't be extremely worried about your age per se especially for those programs, but just keep in mind that a lot may come down to your 'story' of why you want the degree and what you want to do with it etc, if the rest of your profile is strong (or as strong as it can be given the GPA challenges). To be 'safe' and have better chances of getting in somewhere, you could add a slightly less competitive school as well, but obviously only apply where you'd consider attending. Again your experience is your strength so emphasize what you've learned and been exposed to and what you'll bring to the class.
Good luck and let us know how we can help.
(ps the prior poster has no affiliation with mbaMission, fyi to readers)
