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18 Sep 2012, 03:33
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Hi guys - first post, so be nice please 
After much soul-searching and looking into my career, I've decided I do wish to get an MBA. However, I'm giving myself 2 years from now - that is, applying around Oct-Dec 2014 to enter in 2015. Aim is of course to get into one of H/W/S. In fact my order of preference would probably be H/S/Booth (love Chicago, bro went to Booth).
My question to you guys is - what can I do from this point on, to build as strong an application as possible? I'll provide some details and it would be incredibly helpful if you could help point out where I'm not so strong/lack, or where I'm good and should push further, etc:
1) Summa Cum Laude from a non target business university during ugrad - graduated Dec 2009.
2) Working in a Tier 2 management consulting firm (one of OW, Monitor, Roland Berger, LEK, AT K) and have moved up the ranks reasonably well (should hopefully get a good recommendation from my favourite Partner)
3) ECAs - strong leadership shown during college/high school (started/ran 2 prominent clubs), but not a lot since then obviously as focus was more on work
4) Pretty good writer - can I exploit this somehow and maybe write a novella? Or maybe try and get a contributing role in a leading newspaper in Singapore (where I'm based)?
5) Haven't taken the GMAT yet. I definitely know I need to ace it like no other (750+ will have to be achieved I think)
Thoughts, people? Basically looking for stories around 'if I had 2 extra years, this is what I'd have done...'
Would really appreciate the input!
After much soul-searching and looking into my career, I've decided I do wish to get an MBA. However, I'm giving myself 2 years from now - that is, applying around Oct-Dec 2014 to enter in 2015. Aim is of course to get into one of H/W/S. In fact my order of preference would probably be H/S/Booth (love Chicago, bro went to Booth).
My question to you guys is - what can I do from this point on, to build as strong an application as possible? I'll provide some details and it would be incredibly helpful if you could help point out where I'm not so strong/lack, or where I'm good and should push further, etc:
1) Summa Cum Laude from a non target business university during ugrad - graduated Dec 2009.
2) Working in a Tier 2 management consulting firm (one of OW, Monitor, Roland Berger, LEK, AT K) and have moved up the ranks reasonably well (should hopefully get a good recommendation from my favourite Partner)
3) ECAs - strong leadership shown during college/high school (started/ran 2 prominent clubs), but not a lot since then obviously as focus was more on work
4) Pretty good writer - can I exploit this somehow and maybe write a novella? Or maybe try and get a contributing role in a leading newspaper in Singapore (where I'm based)?
5) Haven't taken the GMAT yet. I definitely know I need to ace it like no other (750+ will have to be achieved I think)
Thoughts, people? Basically looking for stories around 'if I had 2 extra years, this is what I'd have done...'
Would really appreciate the input!
cheetarah1980
18 Sep 2012, 09:46
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Harvard and Stanford like to see EC involvement with a service leaning. They are particularly fond of leadership in organizations that help marginalized groups (poor, minorities, immigrants, etc.). Those two schools both have mottos about making leaders who will change the world (or something in that vein).
Booth appreciates that stuff too but just likes to see some type of involvement outside of work. It doesn't necessarily have to be community service oriented. You can get involved with employee groups and events at your job and that would be fine.
The novella idea probably won't get you very far in admissions land unless it gets published somewhere pretty big. HBS isn't particularly interested in random hobbies if they haven't led to significant achievements.
My advice is to get involved in something that you enjoy. Try to contribute in a meaningful way and maybe take on a leadership role (either on a committee or on a board or project based) within a year. Other than that your profile seems solid enough. HBS and Stanford like to see more sparkle dust in terms of undergrad institution and employer. However, you seem to have done very well in undergrad and if you can be at the top of your peer group at your firm and can get a lot of company support then you should at least have a shot at the interview.
Booth appreciates that stuff too but just likes to see some type of involvement outside of work. It doesn't necessarily have to be community service oriented. You can get involved with employee groups and events at your job and that would be fine.
The novella idea probably won't get you very far in admissions land unless it gets published somewhere pretty big. HBS isn't particularly interested in random hobbies if they haven't led to significant achievements.
My advice is to get involved in something that you enjoy. Try to contribute in a meaningful way and maybe take on a leadership role (either on a committee or on a board or project based) within a year. Other than that your profile seems solid enough. HBS and Stanford like to see more sparkle dust in terms of undergrad institution and employer. However, you seem to have done very well in undergrad and if you can be at the top of your peer group at your firm and can get a lot of company support then you should at least have a shot at the interview.
18 Sep 2012, 13:25
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You are correct that you will need an excellent GMAT score, but above 750 is not absolutely necessary. Of the top 3 MBA programs, Wharton is the most quantitative, so they care most about the GMAT. The other schools are more lenient. I have worked with many clients with GMAT scores in the 600s and even some in the 500s who have gained entry to HBS. What matters most is differentiating yourself through the story that you tell in your application. HBS, as well as Stanford and Booth, are very interested in entrepreneurs right now, so since you have a couple years before you apply, you may consider starting an entrepreneurial venture.
