my thoughts below...
Hello! I'm preparing now to apply for B-school, but I'm wondering where to best place my efforts. Is admissions to a top B-school realistic with this profile?
Edits below highlighted in red!
- 3.29 GPA, social sciences (EDITED: I transferred, and realized I forgot to factor in my older GPA, which brings my total average to a 3.29
- 730 GMAT (RETAKING aiming for a 780) - [i]wow! ambitious. This is already strong but of course the higher the better. But don't sacrifice your apps. Go for round 2 if you need.
- Completing HBX CORe (Harvard business 'prep' course) soon with a goal of an A (4.0) average -
good for you; GPA is not a huge problem but not an asset- American, 3 years of international experience (Germany - working language proficiency) -
really like this, as I'm sure you know, not many American bilinguals and the international experience is helpful, if high quality. - 10 years of professional experience, 5 years in people management/leadership roles - now working for a startup as Head of Sales
- Managed 15 people at maximum, now managing around 5 people (switched companies, and now growing the team from 0 to 5)
Obviously, people management experience is a plus.
- 5 promotions, from intern >associate > senior associate > team lead > senior manager > head of salesProgression is great. - Starting my own company, in the very early stages
This is tricky; make sure to have a solid client do your recs; or someone from previous job. If VC backed this will be more credible. -
Experienced a life-threatening illness and homeless during undergrad - hence the low GPA
This is sad and I"m sorry you went through this, but will definitely add depth to your profile and be a compelling story- Also worked full-time during all of undergrad
Noted....I imagine this is included in the 10 years- Decent amount of volunteering experience
Details would be good, ideal if there is a solid contribution and/or board experience more so than scattered involvement- Undergrad was at Harvard div. of continuing education (Harvard Extension School)
I have to be honest, have never worked with someone who did an undergrad there, only certificates. Not sure how that will swing; is it all online or hybrid?- Aged 29 now, will be 30/just turning 31 when I submit my applications (I'm taking a year to finish HBXCore, and work on my own company first)You're aging a bit out of system here for GSB and HBS, but Sloan likes older applicants; would encourage you to check out median age for class profile for schools that interest you. If any inclination for INSEAD, age would not be an issue. It's not a problem, but higher than average. Make sure that when shaping goals, you dont go for something where there is a highly structured recruiting process like MBB or IB; awkward to pay 33 year old the same as a 28 year old, see what I mean. - "Theme" of my application is overcoming hardship/life threatening illness/and homelessness, and now wanting to start my own company and make the world a better place
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Updated on: 10 Jul 2018, 03:48
