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15 Oct 2014, 18:47
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Hello, I tried doing a search but didn't find much information on this, but wondering if anyone else has been in a similar situation
I have 720 GMAT and a 3.55 GPA from a top 20 school (private) looking to get an MBA with a marketing focus, ideally from Kellogg.
In addition to my regular career, I also have run an internet business for the past ~6 years. The business is very successful (and of course, legal) and in fact makes me more money than my regular career (as a retail buyer). I initially was working it full time for about 9 months until I got it rolling and then picked up my career and have succeeded in both.
Two questions
1. How much of a focus should I put on this side business in my application? It is literally just a one-man operation, so it doesn't have any employees other than myself, but it does have a very impressive growth rate and sales, but its not something I want to do as a career, only interested in doing it on the side. But I do think it is the most unique part about myself though and could be the angle that I use in order to stand out.
2. Will this help me in the extracurricular department? Due to the size of the business, I admittedly have very little free time outside of my 2 careers, other than time for socializing, traveling, and frequent exercising, so have not had a chance to volunteer regularly since 2012
Thanks
I have 720 GMAT and a 3.55 GPA from a top 20 school (private) looking to get an MBA with a marketing focus, ideally from Kellogg.
In addition to my regular career, I also have run an internet business for the past ~6 years. The business is very successful (and of course, legal) and in fact makes me more money than my regular career (as a retail buyer). I initially was working it full time for about 9 months until I got it rolling and then picked up my career and have succeeded in both.
Two questions
1. How much of a focus should I put on this side business in my application? It is literally just a one-man operation, so it doesn't have any employees other than myself, but it does have a very impressive growth rate and sales, but its not something I want to do as a career, only interested in doing it on the side. But I do think it is the most unique part about myself though and could be the angle that I use in order to stand out.
2. Will this help me in the extracurricular department? Due to the size of the business, I admittedly have very little free time outside of my 2 careers, other than time for socializing, traveling, and frequent exercising, so have not had a chance to volunteer regularly since 2012
Thanks
16 Oct 2014, 01:36
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Hello sulmona
You have a good profile with impressive stats. You must mention your side business in your applications. It will indeed make your profile quite unique. Succeeding in two businesses simultaneously is an achievement in itself and business schools will certainly take note of it.
In your essays you should highlight the growth of the business in the past 6 year. As you were the only person working on it you can point out that you were directly responsible for this growth. This experience is paramount in showing that you have all the qualities of a successful businessman in short all the qualities and skills that business schools look for in a prospective student.
It may not count as an EC but it will certainly make up for not being involved in any other activities. If you have any volunteer experience prior to 2012, you should certainly discuss it. In your essays when you talk about your work experience, begin with your full time work as retail buyer and then continue to your online business.
It is alright if you don’t want to pursue your side business full time. As long as you continue working on it alongside your career, discussing about it in your essays will only help. The important part here is that you present a strong case for your post MBA goals and why you want to pursue MBA.
Hope this helps.
All the best
www.interviewbay.com
Application Reviews and Mock Interviews by Alumni of your Target B-School
You have a good profile with impressive stats. You must mention your side business in your applications. It will indeed make your profile quite unique. Succeeding in two businesses simultaneously is an achievement in itself and business schools will certainly take note of it.
In your essays you should highlight the growth of the business in the past 6 year. As you were the only person working on it you can point out that you were directly responsible for this growth. This experience is paramount in showing that you have all the qualities of a successful businessman in short all the qualities and skills that business schools look for in a prospective student.
It may not count as an EC but it will certainly make up for not being involved in any other activities. If you have any volunteer experience prior to 2012, you should certainly discuss it. In your essays when you talk about your work experience, begin with your full time work as retail buyer and then continue to your online business.
It is alright if you don’t want to pursue your side business full time. As long as you continue working on it alongside your career, discussing about it in your essays will only help. The important part here is that you present a strong case for your post MBA goals and why you want to pursue MBA.
Hope this helps.
All the best
www.interviewbay.com
Application Reviews and Mock Interviews by Alumni of your Target B-School
16 Oct 2014, 05:46
Kudos
Bookmarks
Hi there Sulmona,
Growth and sales in and of themselves don't constitute impact. HOWEVER - it sounds you've put a lot of hard work and elbow grease into this venture and it's been successful! The reason I started by saying growth and sales aren't everything is because, to your question about how much to emphasize, the answer to that depends on how proud of this you are. I understand it might not fit with your longer term goals but growing a successful business showcases a ton of key themes such as drive & vision, managing ambiguity, etc. And those are all amazing things that not a lot of people can demonstrate.
If the school asks for your most significant professional accomplishment, should this be the source of your example? Probably not given it's a one-man show. But you should absolutely call attention to it! From an involvement perspective - this will help explain it somewhat but not having anything since 2011 will definitely catch their attention. Know of the saying, "if it matters, people make time for it"? That goes here as well. They will absolutely cut you slack, however. That's for sure!
Congratulations on having something in your profile that's unique! How you play it is up to you but definitely do make a deal out of it!
Bhavik
Growth and sales in and of themselves don't constitute impact. HOWEVER - it sounds you've put a lot of hard work and elbow grease into this venture and it's been successful! The reason I started by saying growth and sales aren't everything is because, to your question about how much to emphasize, the answer to that depends on how proud of this you are. I understand it might not fit with your longer term goals but growing a successful business showcases a ton of key themes such as drive & vision, managing ambiguity, etc. And those are all amazing things that not a lot of people can demonstrate.
If the school asks for your most significant professional accomplishment, should this be the source of your example? Probably not given it's a one-man show. But you should absolutely call attention to it! From an involvement perspective - this will help explain it somewhat but not having anything since 2011 will definitely catch their attention. Know of the saying, "if it matters, people make time for it"? That goes here as well. They will absolutely cut you slack, however. That's for sure!
Congratulations on having something in your profile that's unique! How you play it is up to you but definitely do make a deal out of it!
Bhavik
