Supporting the Mission - Thoughts?

Question

All -

I'm planning on applying via the consortium either this coming fall or the following fall, and want to get some thoughts on activities that support the consortium's mission.

The way I understand it, I need to show some sort of support of the mission, and then the member schools evaluate me for admission/fellowship sort of outside of this realm, but considering the activities that support the mission as things that strengthen your app.

What are your thoughts about my competitiveness w/ Ross, McCombs, maybe a few others?

Bio: 
Degree: Finance
WE: 4-5 years at matriculation. (Depends which year I apply in) in corporate finance (2 yrs in FLDP program (spent one year out of state)
Undergrad GPA: 3.58 w/26 hrs after degree in accounting w/ 3.9 GPA for those courses at a local community college
College activities: Finance Club VP, honors frat (webmaster), fan club, consulting club (real projects), campus rec job
HS Activities: 4 year 3 sport athlete (captain senior year), band, choir, Beta Club (Volunteering), National Honor Society, Peer Youth Ministry, misc volunteering w/ youth organization at church

Consortium related activities
- 4 mission trips serving those living below poverty line (predominately minorities) - Detroit, Flint, Omaha, Cincinnati
- Mentor for minority for a year during undergrad in business school (a freshman)
- Food bank volunteering in HS (serving predominately minority community)
- HS volunteering w/ habitat for humanity.

I am also Hispanic myself, and could write about how I ask as a role model to my younger brother. We have a very close relationship and he very much looks to me for guidance.

Additionally, I am looking for ways to strengthen my profile. Any ideas, suggestions, etc? I'll be taking the GMAT this year, and will hopefully get ~700.

Thanks!

braminc · Answer

Your numbers (GPA) and extracurriculars look very good on paper--good enough to be very competitive at McCombs/Ross. Add a 700 gmat and some strong essays and you'll be in excellent position.

A couple of tips after applying myself through Consortium (hopefully others can add to this):

- Don't apply to 6 schools via Consortium. I think 4max is better because the lower ranked schools have an extremely high rate of denying well qualified applicants, and it seems it might reflect poorly on your overall application.

- Really, truly put the school(s) you want to be at the most at the top of your rankings. I mostly did this, except I got a little fancy and put one school above McCombs (put them at 2) thinking it could maximize my chances of earning a fellowship. It may not have hurt me much, but I really wish I had put McCombs #1 as that is by far the school I most wish to attend. Plenty of others have given the same advice before, but it really is true!

- You can never put too much effort into essays. I might've been a little overconfident due to a high GMAT and spent perhaps too little time on my essays. I regret this. I'm sure you won't make that mistake, but it doesn't hurt to mention. The essays are really the only chance Adcom's have of seeing your personality before they interview you. And personality matters a LOT.

- Put lots of emphasis on class visits, emailing current students, and connecting via social media with the school(s) you care most about. I believe this has a huge impact on interview chances. Obviously it signals to the school that you are extremely interested which implies good yield % for them.

Others have any tips/lessons to add since going through the whole process this year?

Goillini13 · Answer

Thanks for the detailed response! I'd love to hear other thoughts.

DefyingGravity · Answer

High school activities don't really matter that much. Try to get some more recent experience - you have plenty of time. Find something meaningful. This will also help to give you more stories to share in your essays and interviews. Congrats on starting early, it will make this process a lot easier.

I definitely agree that you should spend time deeply researching schools and crafting strong essays.

Posted from my mobile device

I definitely agree that you should spend time deeply researching schools and crafting strong essays.

Posted from my mobile device

Goillini13 · Answer

I figured I'd probably want to have more recent experience. Any specific ideas for me? I'm trying to come up with something pretty good.

I also plan on having my CPA before applying as well.

sobe1hopeful · Answer

Hi Goillini13,

I would also like to commend you on starting early. However, to your question about suggestions for experience, I would say that you must find something that you are passionate about that is aligned with the Consortium’s mission. For me it was providing young people with information about health management careers. I did not see any outlets around me to provide this info, so I created my own outlet. Whatever you decide to do, make sure you can speak and write about it passionately. Good luck!

ohsballer · Answer

Trust me, this is way more than some people have done who got into the Consortium. I'd find a common theme among those activities and craft up a nice narrative for the essay and you should be fine. Also, get a recommender to attest to your involvement in those things you mentioned.

I think it goes without saying that you need to do well on the GMAT to maximize your chances at any school.

jvqb · Answer

Help some minority start-ups with your finance or accounting background down at the SBA office or somewhere else. It doesn't have to be formal.

bb · Answer

Supporting the Mission - Thoughts?

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