Ask MBAPrepCoach: 2+2 Profile Evaluation

Question

Hello, I would be happy to review your profile for HBS 2+2 program, applications due on April 2 at noon ET.
Please include the following for best accuracy:
  internship and/or work experience 
 school, major, GPA 
 test scores, GMAT or GRE 
 language test scores 
 country of citizenship 
 international exposure and languages 
 all leadership experience, duration and role 
 all community involvement 
 goals 
 unique background factors 
 other diversity factors 
 any other special or relevant info (special sauce) 
 your best guess at what you will discuss in your main essay

MBAaustralia · Answer

Hi Farrel  MBAPrepCoach ,

I am a 22-year-old Australian about to begin my final year of undergraduate studies with the intention to complete an MBA through  Harvard's 2+2 program in 2021 . I believe that my GMAT score and essay(s) will ‘make or break’ my application. Can you provide some feedback on my profile and advise an appropriate GMAT score to target for Harvard. My current train of thought is minimum --> 710, target --> 730, dream --> 750.

(1) BACKGROUND

Work experience:

Big 3 German automotive manufacturer (Volkswagen, BMW, Mercedes)

6-month internship in Germany

Prestigious boutique German automotive manufacturer

14-month internship + thesis in Germany.

Only (possibly first) non-EU resident at the company

Extra curriculars:

Founding president of the mechanical engineering student association

200+ members in six months

Organised an on-campus industry expo with 30+ companies and 1100 student registrations

Company Q&As, industry visits, skill workshops, etc.

Elected undergraduate representative of 12,000+ students on the school’s academic board

Hold monthly academic board meetings with the pro-vice chancellor and other high-ranking school officials. The academic board establishes the structure of academic programs and discusses school matters. There are a lot of NDAs!

In2Science  mentor

Mentor a classroom of low socioeconomic high school students to increase their engagement, confidence, and aspirations in STEM.

Student-Staff consulting representative

Consult with my peers to identify program-related opportunities for improvement and present those issues at student-staff meetings.

Entrepreneurship club

Committee member

Founded a side-business on a shoestring budget

Automotive part marketplace,  similar to this . I DO NOT want to brand it as a start-up.

Very early stage NPO start-up

I have the ambition to  not let this happen again . Everyone has the right to get home safely!

MVP almost complete.

Golden Key International Honour Society

Formula SAE

Undergrad school/major:

Location - Australia

QS 250, QS Engineering 100

Mechanical Engineering (Honours) | Business Management

Will graduate with two degrees.

Received several awards.

Featured on university promotional material.

December 2020 graduation date

Other education/coursework:

Certificate III in Music Industry

Race/nationality:

White

Australian

Sex:

Male

(2) STATS

Cold GMAT Scores:

MGMAT#1 620 (Q40 V35)

Taken 23/12/2019

GMATPrep#1 530 (Q32 V32)

Taken 26/12/2019

Potential test dates: July 20’, December 20’, January 21’, February 21’

Undergrad GPA:

4.0 / 4.0

6 subjects remaining.

(3) MBA INFO

Goal of MBA:

To move away from traditional engineering roles and into management style roles particularly in NPO start-ups. By being accepted into a deferred program I will have the confidence after undergrad to take professional risks, whether that is to begin/grow a start-up or apply myself in a smaller boutique firm. Furthermore, I will have the support of the school’s network to help accelerate my professional progression in the period before matriculation.

My longer-term vision is to make a positive impact in Australia. Currently Australia has a large dependence on its mining and farming exports however both industries are in decline which will ultimately damage the economy. The automotive industry was once in this position, unfortunately the industry succumbed to the downward trend and manufacturing has since been abandoned. My goal is to bring back the automotive industry to Australia in the form of renewable and sustainable practises thus contributing jobs, innovative technology, and pride to the country.

(4) OTHER

International exposure and languages:

Two months in Tanzania

Two years in Germany

Can speak German at an elementary workplace level which I learnt in my own time.

Matriculation:

Aim to work for 3-4 years before matriculating

Assuming that I am accepted into a deferred program.

Will be ~27 years old at time of matriculation

Essay discussion points:

Aspirations to lead and make a positive impact.

Unfortunately  Fortunately I have no ‘sob stories’.

MBA goals

Time spent in Germany

MBAPrepCoach · Answer

Hi MBAaustralia I replied to you in the GSB forum. your profile is amazing on every level, quantitatively and qualitatively. I clicked on your links, great stuff. Please advance with confidence! You are competitive. However I do feel you need to clear 710 as you mentioned and I would be a lot more comfortable with 720 because white male. I encourage you to reach out to me at info@mbaprepcoach.com if you want more detailed feedback privately.

MBAaustralia · Answer

Apologies I missed that notification in the Stanford thread!

Thank you for the feedback Farrell, I have only just started my GMAT prep, but it is interesting to learn about the comparison to different demographics. I will send a follow up email to the address provided.

genericMBAIndian · Answer

Background: Civil Engineering

Indian Male

Undergrad Information: 8.9/10 CGPA, Department Topper for Civil Engineering, Continuous 100% scholarship for all 4 years based on previous years performance. 
The college is ranked 37 according to the government of India but it is one of the Top 5 private colleges in India. I chose it because of the scholarship and distance from my home.

GMAT: 710 (Q49 V38 AWA5 IR8) first attempt and 770 (Q50 V45 AWA5 IR8) on the second attempt 30 days later

Leadership: Have been actively involved in numerous activities on campus. Most notably I have worked for three years organising the annual Model United Nations Conference where I worked my way up to the position of Director-General with over 100 people working under me. At the same time, I have been actively participating in MUNs, Debates and Youth parliaments. I am also the president of the Entrepreneurship Club of the University and have organised multiple one of a kind events, interactions on campus, and helped a few entrepreneurs get in touch with investors. Also involved in the Student Chapters of multiple organizations in various capacities. I am one of two the elected class representatives for my batch.

Internships: I have interned in various roles like content writing and marketing but my summer internships have been in the Construction Industry. One at a local construction firm and one at the Project Management consultancy Colliers International ( does not hire undergrads for management positions generally). I used these to cement my disinterest in the construction Industry. I am planning to get an internship in the real estate sector from Feb 2020.

Outside of campus, I have also been involved in social work. I have worked for two years with an NGO working for the rights of women and children. Wrote and delivered modules on Child Sexual Abuse and awareness at various low-income schools to vulnerable kids

I have a non-profit in the works which is aimed at providing clean drinking water at construction sites to the labourers, especially children as they are more vulnerable to diseases. This was a problem I got to know the depth of while on my internships. I want to expand it to sanitation facilities and education at the site once it gains steam. I expect to be helping over 400 labourers at 3 constructions in the next 2 months.

Languages: Studied German for 3 years at University. Learning mandarin right now

I have completed my certifications in Lean Management and Lean Six Sigma from the British Standards Institute as well as many certifications in Data, Project Management and business from Coursera.

Post-MBA goals: Get into a REIT or a Real Estate focused PE Firm or in Investment Banking and then start my own eREIT back in India in the longer run.

MBAPrepCoach · Answer

yashbhati

First of all, please. Please accept my apologies for not replying earlier. This was during my MIT round 2 application phase, So I was not on GMAT Club hardly at all.

I'm not what sure what to say exactly but I'm very impressed with your profile. And I think what most impresses me, beyond the 770 obviously is that you're extremely well-rounded and that's a huge competitive advantage especially for Indians.

You're up against a lot of competition, but I think you can really set yourself apart by the amount of Entrepreneurship and problem-solving you've already demonstrated and the fact that you are extremely versatile.

Go for it, if you're interested in talking further, please feel free to email me your resume via my website.

Posted from my mobile device

Jayati23 · Answer

Hello, 
I am currently apply for the 2+2 program but am a little concerned about my GMAT :690(Q48,V36)
My profile is :
Nationality : Indian Female
Completing degree in IT from IIIT-A (Top 25 engineering college)
GPA : 8.02/10
Ranked at 99.99 percentile in JEE mains exam for engineering in India.

Extra curriculars:
Did an independent slum project to educate and skill women 
Won awards for writing dramas
Volunteered in Indonesia for an entrepreneurship project.

Current work:
Raised $65,000 in Venture capital and won $7000 in government grants to build my own startup.

Working on startup since 2 year now.

Post MBA goals: to develop as an entrepreneur and build more ventures
Scale my current venture and turn it into an industry standard.

How detrimental is my current not so great GMAT going to be? Should I re take it?

Thankyou for any help!

Posted from my mobile device

MBAPrepCoach · Answer

You are part of a very overrepresented group of applicants even for the 2+2, and so that puts upward pressure on the GMAT score. Your profile is extremely amazing but fact is, lots of female Indian applicants are amazing - and also have a competitive GMAT score. The class average is 730 and so I would say you need a 750 - minimum 740 - to be competitive. With a 690 given the demo you are competing against I would say the chances are very low. I would ask other advisors just so you get multiple opinions but - ya. I am so sorry, it is very doubtful. The score is so low that even someone who was underrepresented would be in jeopardy. I would recommend you hire private tutors to help understand where you are making the wrong turns, probably for both verbal and math. Sorry to have to deliver this disappointing news @Jayati123

Jayati23 · Answer

Well thankyou for the reply, but can't do much about the GMAT given the COVID situation , the restrictive testing and the challenges with GMAT online which affects the score deeply. Yes, Indians are overly represented but I am planning for highlight my achievements in raising funding from Venture Capital which is definitely not over represented specially when it comes to students in college. But yes, I will keep my expectations in check. Any comments about other schools like columbia , booth and sloan?

MBAPrepCoach · Answer

OK I am confused I thought you asked if you should retake. If you are not interested or willing to retake the GMAT then i urge you to take the GRE - even without any special preparation - Amit Pandey will back me up on this. You can do this with a physical whiteboard remotely unlike the GMAT. Manhattan GMAT has a free mock exam.  https://mbaessaycoaching.com/b/gmat-or-gre--my-case-for-the-gre-right-now-  I do realize VC is unique; however it's not enough to overwhelm having a sub 700 GMAT. I encourage you to speak about it with other reputable consultants. If you are considering applying to other deferred admission programs to maximize your odds yes, that is a wise idea. My feelings are the same however regarding test score. Indians need a score 20 points over the class average - this has been my experience. a tiny bit less for women, unless they are in IT, and yes, diverse work experience helps but the sheer number of Indian applicants means you are unlikely to be the only one of anything and so there is inevitably a match up tie breaker with regards to GMAT. GRE less so, because it is less published and less high profile so its a bit of a back door quite often if they like the diversity you bring. I helped someone get into HBS in Round 2 with a GRE score that was equivalent to 700 but no way would he have gotten in with a 700 GMAT. Despite all his amazingness.

Jayati23 · Answer

Well thankyou again for your inputs, would look into GRE. I fully understand how tough it will be to manage with an over represented pool

. Trying my best for it.

bb · Answer

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