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PallMall
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Joined: 01 Dec 2010
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Schools: Tuck '16 Yale '16 Duke '16 McDonough '16
Schools: Tuck '16 Yale '16 Duke '16 McDonough '16
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Public Sector Evaluation Updated on: 20 Jan 2013, 17:06
Originally posted by PallMall on 13 Oct 2012, 05:46.
Last edited by PallMall on 20 Jan 2013, 17:06, edited 1 time in total.
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Public Sector Evaluation 14 Oct 2012, 21:21
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PallMall
I am interested in applying for my MBA, however have some rather different goals than the usual applicant:

At matriculation will have worked as an analyst for the DoD for 3.5 years (where I deployed to Afghanistan and traveled in the Middle East), prior to that I was a management consultant (Big Four) in strategy, primarily focused in the Oil & Gas and Defense sectors for a year and spent a year consulting to the Civil Service and energy sector in a Western European country.

Education-wise, I hold my BA in International Relations from a Top 50 university (top 10 in IR) and a master's from a top UK university in IR also. Grade wise I did alright, earning a 3.1 UG GPA (3.55 in my major) and a 2i (equivalent 3.4-3.7 GPA) in my master's. In terms of the GMAT, I took a couple practice exams and scored 700 and 710 a little over a year ago and have always been a strong standardized test taker (SATs (98th/99th percentile), SAT IIs, etc).

My reason for wanting a MBA is fairly specific. I have a long term interest in DoD reform and Civil Service reform as a whole. Particularly I am interested in developing a more dynamic and professional civil service, which can attract the top applicants similar to the UK and French Civil Services, which the US does not do at present. Additionally, in the coming years with a reduced budget, I believe the DoD will have to learn to do more with less so to speak and there are many areas where this can be achieved via reorganization and the elimination of the duplication of effort.

With all that said, I am particularly interested in Yale SOM given its history with and to a large extent its engagement with the public sector and emphasis on service. Would I be at all competitive as an applicant? If so what can I do to improve my chances? And finally, are there any other MBAs of a similar note that emphasize public service?
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Interesting goals. Their specificity and distinctiveness will help you.

If you GMAT comes in as anticipated, you will have a shot at Yale. I am however a little concerned that your UGPA is low for Yale. Was there an upward trend that would mitigate?

Also consider Georgetown. Have you consider a Masters in Public Policy?

Best,
Linda
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PallMall
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Joined: 01 Dec 2010
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Schools: Tuck '16 Yale '16 Duke '16 McDonough '16
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Posts: 43
Kudos: 4
Public Sector Evaluation 20 Oct 2012, 23:44
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PallMall
I am interested in applying for my MBA, however have some rather different goals than the usual applicant:

At matriculation will have worked as an analyst for the DoD for 3.5 years (where I deployed to Afghanistan and traveled in the Middle East), prior to that I was a management consultant (Big Four) in strategy, primarily focused in the Oil & Gas and Defense sectors for a year and spent a year consulting to the Civil Service and energy sector in a Western European country.

Education-wise, I hold my BA in International Relations from a Top 50 university (top 10 in IR) and a master's from a top UK university in IR also. Grade wise I did alright, earning a 3.1 UG GPA (3.55 in my major) and a 2i (equivalent 3.4-3.7 GPA) in my master's. In terms of the GMAT, I took a couple practice exams and scored 700 and 710 a little over a year ago and have always been a strong standardized test taker (SATs (98th/99th percentile), SAT IIs, etc).

My reason for wanting a MBA is fairly specific. I have a long term interest in DoD reform and Civil Service reform as a whole. Particularly I am interested in developing a more dynamic and professional civil service, which can attract the top applicants similar to the UK and French Civil Services, which the US does not do at present. Additionally, in the coming years with a reduced budget, I believe the DoD will have to learn to do more with less so to speak and there are many areas where this can be achieved via reorganization and the elimination of the duplication of effort.

With all that said, I am particularly interested in Yale SOM given its history with and to a large extent its engagement with the public sector and emphasis on service. Would I be at all competitive as an applicant? If so what can I do to improve my chances? And finally, are there any other MBAs of a similar note that emphasize public service?

Interesting goals. Their specificity and distinctiveness will help you.

If you GMAT comes in as anticipated, you will have a shot at Yale. I am however a little concerned that your UGPA is low for Yale. Was there an upward trend that would mitigate?

Also consider Georgetown. Have you consider a Masters in Public Policy?

Best,
Linda
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There was an upward trend, including a 3.6 while studying abroad (which unfortunately was only factored in for credit, not GPA). I have considered an MPP/MPA however, given the cost it seems like an MBA is a far better investment. What do you think?

Also would it be advantageous for me to take a couple of classes to build an alternate transcript?
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Public Sector Evaluation 22 Oct 2012, 22:09
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PallMall
I am interested in applying for my MBA, however have some rather different goals than the usual applicant:

At matriculation will have worked as an analyst for the DoD for 3.5 years (where I deployed to Afghanistan and traveled in the Middle East), prior to that I was a management consultant (Big Four) in strategy, primarily focused in the Oil & Gas and Defense sectors for a year and spent a year consulting to the Civil Service and energy sector in a Western European country.

Education-wise, I hold my BA in International Relations from a Top 50 university (top 10 in IR) and a master's from a top UK university in IR also. Grade wise I did alright, earning a 3.1 UG GPA (3.55 in my major) and a 2i (equivalent 3.4-3.7 GPA) in my master's. In terms of the GMAT, I took a couple practice exams and scored 700 and 710 a little over a year ago and have always been a strong standardized test taker (SATs (98th/99th percentile), SAT IIs, etc).

My reason for wanting a MBA is fairly specific. I have a long term interest in DoD reform and Civil Service reform as a whole. Particularly I am interested in developing a more dynamic and professional civil service, which can attract the top applicants similar to the UK and French Civil Services, which the US does not do at present. Additionally, in the coming years with a reduced budget, I believe the DoD will have to learn to do more with less so to speak and there are many areas where this can be achieved via reorganization and the elimination of the duplication of effort.

With all that said, I am particularly interested in Yale SOM given its history with and to a large extent its engagement with the public sector and emphasis on service. Would I be at all competitive as an applicant? If so what can I do to improve my chances? And finally, are there any other MBAs of a similar note that emphasize public service?
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PallMall,

Thanks for your post.

Assuming that your GMAT comes in the range that you indicated above, yes you are competitive at Yale. Although your grades are a little lower than average for Yale, your GMAT would be close to average and your work experience is excellent. Your goal is also distinctive, but b-school education is relevant.

Also look into Georgetown. Columbia and NYU have joint MBA/MPA programs that you might want to look into. Johns Hopkins has an MBA/MA in Government .

Best,
Linda