Profile Evaluation

Question

Hi Veritas,

I wanted to receive a profile evaluation - I would like to apply to the top 20 business schools range (Global). Top 3 schools of choice are INSEAD, Stern and HBS.

Age:  25 (26 in June)
 Gender:  Male
 Nationality:  Dutch (Netherlands)
 GMAT:  Not completed yet, but based on test-CATs I feel comfortable to achieve a 700+ score

Career Experience:  3+ years experience in marketing/business development. Based in New York City. 2 promotions at first job (in 2 years) before moving to current position at my new job (also a promotion). Responsible for building out an Account Management team at global digital agency. During undergrad, I interned (and worked part-time after my internship) at American Express in Amsterdam, Netherlands and wrote my dissertation at their Operational HQ in Brighton, UK - while also working in a full-time position.

Undergrad degree:  Bachelor of Commerce (Marketing Management)
 Undergrad GPA:  7.31/10 (Satisfactory/good) - believe it is similar to a 3.0-3.3 GPA in US
 Undergrad extracurricular activities:  Studied abroad in Sweden for 6 months - International Business minor. Completed my dissertation in Brighton, UK (for American Express)

Certificates:  Post-graduate certificate in International Business Practice (12-month graduate exchange program) in New York
 Certificate extracurricular activities:  Chair of the Intern Management Committee (student committee) - Founder/Co-Chair of the Centre for Entrepreneurship (Entrepreneurial Committee)

International Experience:  Worked in: Amsterdam, Netherlands - Brighton, UK and New York City, USA. Studied in: The Hague, Netherlands - Gavle, Sweden - Brighton, UK (dissertation) and New York City, USA

Goals:  Strategic Consulting Career in Marketing/Sales. Ideally work for one of the MBB firms.

Would love to hear if it is feasible to see myself go to any of the top 20 global MBA programs - if not, what I could do to improve my odds or where should I set my sights on?

Thanks for all your help!

D

greenzie · Answer

I'm not an expert but top 20 schools definitely I'd say, providing your GMAT is really 700+ and good essays. Just by any chance, did you study at Haagse?

VeritasPrepEdison · Answer

Thanks for sharing your profile.

Based on what you have provided, including an expected GMAT of 700+, you have the materials for a strong and competitive application with your success at work, and international exposure. Including outside interest and community involvement could help strengthen your application further.

Executing your essays to leverage your background to show a personality who would thrive in the target MBA program would be helpful.

Wish you all the best!

ddb1990 · Answer

Hi Greenzie - thanks for your review, I went to INHolland actually. I did check out Haagse but felt like you were much more a number than a student there.

VeritasPrepEdison, thanks for your reply. Looks like I've got my work cut out for me in nailing this 700+ GMAT. Hypothetically speaking, if I'd like to use your services, and apply for R1 this year, when would be a best time to reach out?

VeritasPrepEdison · Answer

Targeting Round 1 of the INSEAD September 2017 intake, which has a deadline of Sep 2016, and assuming that you will also be applying to two more schools with deadlines around that time, it would be good to start 4-6 months prior to the earliest deadline among schools you are targeting. So this is around March to May 2016.

This is based on my experience consulting for applicants to INSEAD (more essays) and other schools the past eight years - as applicants would also be preparing for the GMAT, working full-time, going on business trips, family vacations, training for triathlons, etc.

These factors affecting the time you are able to put in, and your speed in writing up the essays would be factors to consider, as well.

Hope this helps and look forward to hearing from you!

ddb1990 · Answer

Thanks Edison, so it looks like I'm starting at just the right time. Once I've completed my GMAT I will have a good idea of which school to target, just in case the elusive 700+ does not make it in to my pocket.

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