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Updated on: 20 Sep 2010, 21:31
Originally posted by speakupdude on 30 Aug 2010, 15:13.
Last edited by speakupdude on 20 Sep 2010, 21:31, edited 1 time in total.
Last edited by speakupdude on 20 Sep 2010, 21:31, edited 1 time in total.
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01 Sep 2010, 17:08
Kudos
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Hello,
First, it looks like you recovered nicely from the mid-career hiccup in which you tried your hand at the startup thing but then ended up jobless for a while. To go from that to a blue chip MC firm is not easy. So, even though you will have to do some explaining re: your slightly unusual background (and that's something that admissions consultants like us can help you do), you recovered nicely enough that I don't think the hole in your experience will be a deal breaker for you.
Second, the biggest weakness I see (other than what I mentioned above) is your extra-curricular work. Sounds like you've volunteered here and there, but I don't see any evidence of where you led something, created something, or made something happen that wouldn't have happened without you. A lot of applicants mistakenly think they just need to show that they "put in the time," but it's much more about being able to show IMPACT. That goes for your job and ECs... Think of ECs as an additional opportunity to show that, not as another box to be checked.
Also, why the non-profit industry? Make sure you have real, believable reasons here, and that you don't come off as yet another applicant who says that sort of thing because he thinks that will help him get in (and I see A LOT of those).
If you're applying this year, I'd say that's your biggest weakness, and H/S/MIT/Haas will be tough. Duke could be doable, but isn't a guarantee. If you want more in the Duke-type tier (not guarantees at all, but a bit easier), also think about Tuck, Ross, and Darden. If you 're really serious about the non-profit gig, then also look at Yale, for sure.
And, if you apply next year (maybe doable, if you don't get pushed out of your MC gig?), in the meantime I'd really focus on those ECs.
Good luck!
Scott
First, it looks like you recovered nicely from the mid-career hiccup in which you tried your hand at the startup thing but then ended up jobless for a while. To go from that to a blue chip MC firm is not easy. So, even though you will have to do some explaining re: your slightly unusual background (and that's something that admissions consultants like us can help you do), you recovered nicely enough that I don't think the hole in your experience will be a deal breaker for you.
Second, the biggest weakness I see (other than what I mentioned above) is your extra-curricular work. Sounds like you've volunteered here and there, but I don't see any evidence of where you led something, created something, or made something happen that wouldn't have happened without you. A lot of applicants mistakenly think they just need to show that they "put in the time," but it's much more about being able to show IMPACT. That goes for your job and ECs... Think of ECs as an additional opportunity to show that, not as another box to be checked.
Also, why the non-profit industry? Make sure you have real, believable reasons here, and that you don't come off as yet another applicant who says that sort of thing because he thinks that will help him get in (and I see A LOT of those).
If you're applying this year, I'd say that's your biggest weakness, and H/S/MIT/Haas will be tough. Duke could be doable, but isn't a guarantee. If you want more in the Duke-type tier (not guarantees at all, but a bit easier), also think about Tuck, Ross, and Darden. If you 're really serious about the non-profit gig, then also look at Yale, for sure.
And, if you apply next year (maybe doable, if you don't get pushed out of your MC gig?), in the meantime I'd really focus on those ECs.
Good luck!
Scott
01 Sep 2010, 18:04
Kudos
Bookmarks
Hi Scott -
Thanks for the reply - this is great! I have follow-up question(s) which tie into your comments.
First, I am serious about the non-profit space. In terms of making an impact, my latest volunteer work is more substantial than ground-level "face-time" (the biz intelligence tools I've created leads to reports that go to their Board of Dir.), so I'll have to make this as clear as possible in my resume/apps.
I have actually (in the last month or so) begun building out a web-driven non-profit (in that its central mechanism is driven by an Internet site) with a friend. We have quality mockups and I've been running it by friends in the startup space. We will have a pitch deck and business plan ready within a month, at which point I'll be running it by higher-level acquaintances and ex-coworkers in the non-profit / startup space for advice. Also, we will have a "Coming soon" page up shortly and probably will have the whole site up by end of year.
This is something me and my partner have committed to taking to the end (or our end) (i.e., it is not designed to fluff b-school apps), as we seriously think we have a good unique idea, and everyone we've talked to agrees.
The questions are:
1. I was leaning towards not putting this non-profit startup on my resume as although the intent is real, we have not accomplished anything tangible yet (that an adcom could see at least besides a coming soon page) and to them it may seem last minute. What is your opinion on putting this on the resume or mentioning it? Obviously I would caveat it as work-in-progress.
2. I am serious about non-profit. If you think it is a liability since I haven't done anything jaw-dropping yet, do you recommend leaving that part out and focusing on entrepreneurship? I obviously can determine the focus of my entrepreneurship classes if I get in, i.e. around social enterprise, non-profit management, etc..
3. I'm aware that if this non-profit takes off, that my app will be quite stronger if I get rejected this year and reapply the following year. Do I run any risks with considering an "apply now, and apply next year if I don't get in" strategy versus a "wait one year" strategy?
Thanks for the reply - this is great! I have follow-up question(s) which tie into your comments.
First, I am serious about the non-profit space. In terms of making an impact, my latest volunteer work is more substantial than ground-level "face-time" (the biz intelligence tools I've created leads to reports that go to their Board of Dir.), so I'll have to make this as clear as possible in my resume/apps.
I have actually (in the last month or so) begun building out a web-driven non-profit (in that its central mechanism is driven by an Internet site) with a friend. We have quality mockups and I've been running it by friends in the startup space. We will have a pitch deck and business plan ready within a month, at which point I'll be running it by higher-level acquaintances and ex-coworkers in the non-profit / startup space for advice. Also, we will have a "Coming soon" page up shortly and probably will have the whole site up by end of year.
This is something me and my partner have committed to taking to the end (or our end) (i.e., it is not designed to fluff b-school apps), as we seriously think we have a good unique idea, and everyone we've talked to agrees.
The questions are:
1. I was leaning towards not putting this non-profit startup on my resume as although the intent is real, we have not accomplished anything tangible yet (that an adcom could see at least besides a coming soon page) and to them it may seem last minute. What is your opinion on putting this on the resume or mentioning it? Obviously I would caveat it as work-in-progress.
2. I am serious about non-profit. If you think it is a liability since I haven't done anything jaw-dropping yet, do you recommend leaving that part out and focusing on entrepreneurship? I obviously can determine the focus of my entrepreneurship classes if I get in, i.e. around social enterprise, non-profit management, etc..
3. I'm aware that if this non-profit takes off, that my app will be quite stronger if I get rejected this year and reapply the following year. Do I run any risks with considering an "apply now, and apply next year if I don't get in" strategy versus a "wait one year" strategy?
