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robibh1
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Military Prelim Evaluation Updated on: 26 Feb 2007, 12:17
Originally posted by robibh1 on 04 Feb 2007, 15:36.
Last edited by robibh1 on 26 Feb 2007, 12:17, edited 1 time in total.
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Hi all

I recently came across this forum and have found the information extremely helpful. I am currently 1.5 years out from applying to B-school. I was hoping I could present my profile as it stands now in the hope that I can get some advice on how best to spend the next 18 months preparing for applications.

Personal: White Male. 24 y/o. 3 years work experience at time of applications.

Education: BA Anthropology Wake Forest University. 3.3 cum. 3.5 in major. This is my biggest area of concern. I was on pace for a 3.45 when I had several life crises during my senior year. I responded by shutting down for the last 6 weeks of the first semester. A terrible mistake and a poor response to my first real life crisis but in the long run it taught me alot about life. But I digress. The damage was an F and D- . The professor in those classes is willing to write a rec attesting to the anomaly of those results.

Work Experience: Army Officer branched Quartermaster (operations/logistics). As of this writing I have led platoons ranging from 54-66 soldiers, worked with operations/supply-chain management, and have had limited command experience. All of this in a war zone. More specific information available but this touches on the important points.

Community Service: I consider military service community service of a sort. Further I am active in Habitat for Humanity.

Why MBA? Following my military service I am interested in switching career tracks into consulting. Further I would like to broaden my limited business experience and hone my operations skills. Ideally I would like to focus on global supply chain management, specifically targeting emerging markets. My operations background in the military coupled with my international experience (6 months in Africa, proficiency in Swahili) make this a logical fit.

Intangibles: International experience. 5 months in E. Africa with proficiency in Swahili. 6 weeks in S. Africa. All as a student. My Anthropology background can also be seen as a plus in that I have the tools to interpret and interact with different cultures.

Weaknesses: My GPA is the most glaring weakness. A further weakness is my weak background in Quant.

I have 18 months until application and 30 months until terms begin. The first step I am taking is GMAT preparation. Following that I was considering taking classes in Statistics, Calculus, and if I have time Econ, and Accounting.

Any further guidance would be greatly appreciated. Also any advice on schools that are strong in supply chain management, international business, and also known for producing consultants.

Thanks
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PaulBodine
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Military Prelim Evaluation 05 Feb 2007, 12:08
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robibh1
Hi all

I recently came across this forum and have found the information extremely helpful. I am currently 1.5 years out from applying to B-school. I was hoping I could present my profile as it stands now in the hope that I can get some advice on how best to spend the next 18 months preparing for applications.

Personal: White Male. 24 y/o. 3 years work experience at time of applications.

Education: BA Anthropology Wake Forest University. 3.3 cum. 3.5 in major. This is my biggest area of concern. I was on pace for a 3.45 when I had several life crises during my senior year. Long story short, my father came down with cancer (since in remission) and I received word that a) I did not receive any of the military branches I had hoped for (I'm in the military), b) I did not receive any of the education delays I had hoped for, and c) I was heading to Iraq within 12 months of graduation. I responded by shutting down for the last 6 weeks of the first semester. A terrible mistake and a poor response to my first real life crisis but in the long run it taught me alot about life. But I digress. The damage was an F and D- . The professor in those classes is willing to write a rec attesting to the anomaly of those results.

Work Experience: Army Officer branched Quartermaster (operations/logistics). As of this writing I have led platoons ranging from 54-66 soldiers, worked with operations/supply-chain management, and have had limited command experience. All of this in a war zone. More specific information available but this touches on the important points.

Community Service: I consider military service community service of a sort. Further I am active in Habitat for Humanity.

Why MBA? Following my military service I am interested in switching career tracks into consulting. Further I would like to broaden my limited business experience and hone my operations skills. Ideally I would like to focus on global supply chain management, specifically targeting emerging markets. My operations background in the military coupled with my international experience (6 months in Africa, proficiency in Swahili) make this a logical fit.

Intangibles: International experience. 5 months in E. Africa with proficiency in Swahili. 6 weeks in S. Africa. All as a student. My Anthropology background can also be seen as a plus in that I have the tools to interpret and interact with different cultures.

Weaknesses: My GPA is the most glaring weakness. A further weakness is my weak background in Quant.

I have 18 months until application and 30 months until terms begin. The first step I am taking is GMAT preparation. Following that I was considering taking classes in Statistics, Calculus, and if I have time Econ, and Accounting.

Any further guidance would be greatly appreciated. Also any advice on schools that are strong in supply chain management, international business, and also known for producing consultants.

Thanks
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robibh1,

The GPA glitch you mentioned is not as big a deal as you may think, provided you ace the GMAT and retake and ace the courses you screwed up in. You certainly have a persuasive story for explaining the grades.

Your Iraq/military and E. Africa components are a nice one-two punch that I recommend making the most of. In terms of what you can do, I assume you are still in the military and will be for the foreseeable future? If so, then there isn't much you can do besides trying to get leadership experiences and impact stories wherever possible. I agree that the community service is not as crucial given your military service, but perhaps you could step up your Habitat involvement a notch to encompass leadership roles? Otherwise, you can start nailing down your goals by doing informational interviews with people in the field (which you can mention in your essays) and, more importantly, you can start building your network at the schools you're applying to: campus visits, talking to students and alums (generates great material for essays).

If you are just out of or will be out of the military soon then I would recommend getting a job where you can further demonstrate your leadership.

Hope this helps,
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robibh1
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Military Prelim Evaluation 24 Feb 2007, 14:30
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Paul

I appreciate the advice. It's helped me focus my preparation over the next 18 months.

As I previously mentioned I have not taken the GMAT yet. I believe a score in the low 700s is possible based on my preliminary preparation. Assuming a score of 700 are the following schools realistic given the aforementioned profile?

HBS
MIT
Columbia
Dartmouth
Duke
Kenan-Flagler

I'm trying to determine what level of school I'm competitive for given my current profile.

Thanks again for any advice you're able to give
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PaulBodine
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Military Prelim Evaluation 26 Feb 2007, 11:33
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robibh1
Paul

I appreciate the advice. It's helped me focus my preparation over the next 18 months.

As I previously mentioned I have not taken the GMAT yet. I believe a score in the low 700s is possible based on my preliminary preparation. Assuming a score of 700 are the following schools realistic given the aforementioned profile?

HBS
MIT
Columbia
Dartmouth
Duke
Kenan-Flagler

I'm trying to determine what level of school I'm competitive for given my current profile.

Thanks again for any advice you're able to give
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robibh1,

You have some intangibles (military leadership, E. Africa experience) that will make all schools interested in your application. Whether it's quite good enough or blemishless enough to break into HBS or Columbia I don't know. Certainly nailing the GMAT, i.e., not just getting a 700 but getting a 740-750 or higher would practically eliminate concerns about your grades. The lack of community might be regarded as lacking the 'social vision' etc. that top schools like. Still, I wouldn't discourage you from aiming for HBS or CBS as long shots. Tuck and MIT would be more doable, while Duke and UNC would be more doable still (for them you would be very competitive I think).

My deepest concern with the schools you mentioned are their fit for your goals. If it's global supply chain management/logistics then MIT is a good choice, but Michigan State, Arizona State, Ohio State, Carnegie Mellon, Michigan, and Wharton are all more higly ranked than the other schools you listed in this field.
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StartupAddict
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Military Prelim Evaluation 01 Apr 2007, 02:07
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My friend, do not sweat the GPA, almost everyone has a 4.0+ (most schools are very easy), so the GPA does not matter too much. I am impressed with your military experience, as I am sure any B-school would be. I would ignore the GPA, and instead focus on acing the GMAT... study hard for it and your GPA won't matter. Also focus on a convincing letter as to why you want to go to B-school.... GMAT + solid letter and you're in for sure. Best of luck.