Whats should be my strategy.

Question

OK your book is on it's way to me but thought I'd ask what advice on admissions strategy you can give through the board.

I'm 23 currently work as a trainee HR executive for a universal bank. I will be applying in 2007. By the time of my application I will have:

Worked on largescale outsourcing and employee relations projects
Completed secondments in New York and Hong Kong
Supported an executive team in handling a merger integration
Worked in the strategy team for the head of our IB business
Managed a small team in trade settlement
Carried out a broad analysis of workforce diversity and formulated a set of detailed recommendations for execution
Supported the massive recruitment of senior execs into a rapidly growing and unique business area

I will have been working for three years previously I completed a B.A in Classics at Cambridge University in which I received a 2.1 (although in my second year I received a 2.2 though this does not affect my final grade).

At university I was
Communications officer for college student governing body
Captain of Ultimate Frisbee team
Head of programming and training for Cambridge University Radio
Membership Secretary for Cambridge Footlights
Director and Producer of several shows in Cambridge and of a successful independent tour show to the Edinburgh fringe

I achieved top A-level grades at School and was head of house as well as captain of the public speaking/debate team. I was a finalist in the Rotary club competition and highest ranked state school speaker in the Oxford Union debating contest.


My career goal
To move into the strategy and business development side of the media industry allowing me to apply my business acumen and my creative passion.

My question-
Are the top schools within my reach?
I had planned on targetting Wharton, Harvard and Stanford-am I being realistic since i do not have a business background and come from a back-office role within the financial services industry?

Are there other schools I should consider?

How do I go about approaching the application process-what holes do I need to plug, what aspects of the application should I consider and what should I be emphasising on my application?

Thanks in advance for your help.

scottshrum · Answer

I think the top schools could be within your reach. In ters of holes, I'd worry less about what function you come from and more about what specific experiences you have. It looks like you've been parts of successful teams and have supported other people, but when have you stepped up and led an initiative? When did you make something happen that wouldn't have happened if you weren't there? That's one was thaat schools define leadership, and they'll look for these kinds of experiences. If you don't yet have them, I recommend getting another year or two of experience and trying to gain those experiences before applying.

Also look at NYU and UCLA. Basically, the NY- and LA-area schools will help a lot if you're looking at media, although they're not your only options.

Scott

Whats should be my strategy.

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