Profiel eval

Question

Hi Alex,

I'm a long time follower of this site and have benefited from the many topics discussed by everyone. I would be thankful if you could review my background/profile and provide me with feedback on my chances of admission to my target schools:

Age: 30/male
Degree: BA business economics w/emphasis in accounting
GPA: UG 3.2 overall (2yr at top three CA UCs and 2yr at community college) 3.5 GPA core classes
GMAT: 740
Credential active CPA
Post MBA goal: management consulting/IB (depending on the school)
Target schools: Stern, Anderson, Ross, Booth, Wharton, Darden, INSEAD, LBS, USC (backup)
Work experience: post grad, 5 years at Big 4 in asset management assurance, lead senior associate on the largest client in local office (over $3mm in budget, 12 direct reports), international work experience serving clients in London and Germany.
Extrac: founder of a non profit college career and advancement counselling, focusing on providing guidance on career-related matters by connecting volunteer corporate professionals and students.
Background and other info: I was born and raised in the middle east and came to U.S at 17 on my own. I worked full time throughout school and supported myself all the way through. Among many challenges, I'm hoping to use this experience as an indication of my cultural diversity, and a proven track record that I have performed well despite being confronted with a vastly different culture and settings.

My questions are:
1) how do the target schools match up with my background? Am I being too aggressive with my selections?
2) I have read conflicting viewpoints on what is considered "too old for MBA". I understand that some schools treat this differently than others, but overall am I already priced out of the MBA admission due to my age? 
3) Is my GPA too low or has the impact been mitigated due to my GMAT score along with having a CPA and higher core GPA?
4) Besides the name recognition of my employer, how do top schools view the big 4 experience or accounting in general?
5) I'm sure you've reviewed a wide range of backgrounds. How much can I leverage my cultural experience as the "differentiator"? Any suggestions on "framing" this experience to my advantage?
6) any other weaknesses/strength I should focus on?

Many thanks.

AlexMBAApply · Answer

You're targeting the right range of schools (i.e. you should have a shot at getting into at least one of them, unless you run into really bad luck).

As for your age, there's nothing you can do about it, so there's no point worrying about it. The harder you try to address it, the more you draw attention to the fact that you feel uncomfortable about it within the context of the admissions process. It is what it is. Yes, you're on the old side, and adcoms on the whole do prefer them younger. But there's nothing you can do to change that bias.

Same with your background. You're overstating its importance. Being from another country (no matter how exotic it may be) isn't as big a deal as you think - you're not applying to a b-school environment/culture from the whitebread 1950s. At most schools, international students are 30-45% of the class. At Euro schools, 90% aren't from the country where the school is based. Try too hard to overplay your nationality/background, and it will backfire.

What is MOST important is being able to come across as a dynamic INDIVIDUAL. The diversity will take care of itself (you're hardly the only person with a Middle Eastern background applying, so it's hardly exotic).

All you can do is:

(1) Narrow your list of schools (4-6). I assume you can do that on your own based on the schools you really want to go to. Any more than 6 and you risk diluting your efforts across too many schools (and then lowering your chances at any school).

(2) Do the best you can on the written applications and interview. You can't do anything about who you are today, so all you can do is focus on HOW you communicate who you are as an INDIVIDUAL.

toeachitsown · Answer

Alex,

Thank you for your candid feedback.

In terms of background, I agree with you that solely based on the fact that I'm from a "different" culture doesn't necessarily translate into differentiation. Perhaps I should've elaborated more. Please let me know if given the following additional information, you think I can leverage my "background" in any shape or form:

I moved to U.S, on my own on my 17th birthday, without having any family members in the U.S, leaving everyone behind back home. Didn't know how to read, write, or speak English at the time of my arrival. Moving to a different country with your family's full financial and moral support is challenging for many as it is, and without those factors can be even more difficult. I haven't had the luxury of the father's advise, or the natural network that would be afforded to a native candidate. Yet, I managed to support myself financially throughout my academic years, plan wisely, and work at my reputable firm in my industry. I understand that many other candidates have achieved the same, if not, more. However, don't you agree that the "why" and the "how" should also be weighed in? You mentioned that I should focus on the "INDIVIDUAL", and the "story" about my path. Do you think my story can be a good leverage point in that regard? From a personality standpoint, I'm also musician (have played an instrument for the past 15 years), and have taught music lessons to kids, and am a avid skydiver (licensed).

I've read your other responses and do appreciate your straight forward "tell it like it is" approach. Given this additional information, what do you think my chances are if I narrowed the list of target schools to the following:

1) NYU
2) INSEAD
3) LBS
4) Ross
5) USC
6) Darden

Lastly, you didn't specifically address my question around big 4/accounting experience. Besides the name recognition of my employer, how do top schools view the big 4 experience or accounting in general?

Thank you so so much for taking the time to respond. I've enjoyed reading your responses on this board and would really appreciate your comments.

AlexMBAApply · Answer

The schools you targeted are in range - you should have a shot at getting into at least some of them, assuming you do a good job on the applications.

As for Big 4 experience - it's seen as neutral; no one is going to be amazed by it, but no one is going to look down on it either. It's like a Toyota Corolla - reliable and low key, and not the kind of car that will turn heads.

Personal story: don't oversell the "I came here on my own at a young age without parental support, etc". You're being evaluated mostly on your professional background and your adult life. Because given the tone of your post, it will come across as overly needy and begging for someone's validation for your hardship.

toeachitsown · Answer

Much appreciated, Alex.

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