Last visit was: 27 Apr 2026, 15:03 It is currently 27 Apr 2026, 15:03
Home
Messages
Tests
Schools
Events
Close
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track
Your Progress

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Go to My Error Log Learn more
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel
avatar
jc456
avatar
Joined: 03 May 2011
Last visit: 20 Aug 2012
Posts: 37
Own Kudos:
4
Posts: 37
Kudos: 4
Could you kindly evaluate my profile 08 May 2011, 10:18
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Hi all,

I was hoping I could have some comments on my profile. Thank you in advance for your help.
My B school apps got some good feedback but my age was stated as a big issue for EU schools

24 Years of age
got a 2:1 from a top UK business School

For 2 years. I founded my own importing company.Imported food supplements. It was successful but I decided to sell it in December 2010 as I foresaw the crisis in Greece. (in fact this turned out to be a great decision)
For 1 year I worked in the Hellenic Navy: National military service. So this should help me with some military experience.
Immediately after graduating I worked as a business analyst for Microsoft UK for 1 year. A lot of senior exposure with very strong references.
Overall 3.5 years working (started my firm while in the Navy)

other activities:
I was a private tutor at uni for economics, finance and statistics.
2003 – Forensics Tournament, Greece: Participated in 3 rounds of group discussions. Reached the final stage
2002 –The Hague International Model United Nations
Member of Greek National Golf team for a few years.
Lots of community service via my International Bacc.
Member of my uni rowing team.
Member of investment clubs.
GMAT 680
Invest personally in the stock market and have often acted a "voice" to my peers on investment ideas and how they should react to recent market conditions.

currently looking for work after I sold my firm. I am sure you all know the situation in Greece so finding new employment is tough. However, I am negotiating work at Google and a hedge fund position. Have 2 strong references 1 from MS and the other from someone I worked with when operating my firm.
Trilingual in English, Greek, French. Travelled a lot so a lot of international experiences.
Well read: read a lot of history and philosophy.

Can I please have some advice on how weak/strong my profile is and how I should possibly present it? Because I believe that I have some strong and diverse experience (I started my own firm..that must count for something) and have 3 cultural experiences (Greek, UK, France).

I applied to Duke and Tuck.
I was told but a friend of mine who is at Cranfield, that due to my experience and family background (my family owned the no.1 flower mill in the Balkans) that I should try Harvard. Any thoughts? I really liked the idea of Duke/Tuck because I believe they have a tight community in which I can truly help improve. I like giving to my community which I believe is important for Tuck. I did apply R3 though. I had a lot of work while selling my firm so I couldn't apply to an earlier round. Duke/Tuck didn't interview me. So I am "bearish" to be honest.

Please I would appreciate all comments and please be blunt.
User avatar
bakfed
User avatar
Joined: 28 Jul 2009
Last visit: 12 Oct 2022
Posts: 1,768
Own Kudos:
1,246
Given Kudos: 37
Status:Darden Class of 2013
Schools:University of Virginia
GMAT 1: 660 Q44 V37
Posts: 1,768
Kudos: 1,246
Could you kindly evaluate my profile 09 May 2011, 08:02
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Honestly, starting your own firm is a great thing as that's how this world came about. However, in a b-school sense, that's harder to judge. If it were so great, why sell it? If it were a strong company, it would've been able to withstand the meltdown in Greece. I'm not saying it's a bad company (please don't get me wrong here), but I'm just thinking outloud as an AdCom. Both Tuck and Fuqua are great institutions and are hard to get into. You're a bit young for both Tuck and Fuqua and your GMAT score falls below both of their averages. I believe this could've contributed to the dings you saw at both schools. Your current situation of unemployment doesn't serve you any good either. From what I read, there's a lot of decision makings that could trigger some scrutiny from the AdComs. These may be some concerns, or there could be other underlying reasons, such as your essays. I believe Tuck offers some sort of a 'ding' analysis in the spring and if I were you, I'd take advantage of that. Last, but not least, I'm not sure how much of the flower mill would play into a top b-school. Family-owned businesses get the most questions from AdComs simply because everyone there will love you...because you're family. It's not another corporate (such as Goodgle, Microsoft, Goldman Sachs) who will boot you out the moment you're not producing the right things. So treat the family-owned business with a grain of salt and don't reply on it.
avatar
jc456
avatar
Joined: 03 May 2011
Last visit: 20 Aug 2012
Posts: 37
Own Kudos:
4
Posts: 37
Kudos: 4
Could you kindly evaluate my profile 09 May 2011, 10:31
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
bakfed
Honestly, starting your own firm is a great thing as that's how this world came about. However, in a b-school sense, that's harder to judge. If it were so great, why sell it? If it were a strong company, it would've been able to withstand the meltdown in Greece. I'm not saying it's a bad company (please don't get me wrong here), but I'm just thinking outloud as an AdCom. Both Tuck and Fuqua are great institutions and are hard to get into. You're a bit young for both Tuck and Fuqua and your GMAT score falls below both of their averages. I believe this could've contributed to the dings you saw at both schools. Your current situation of unemployment doesn't serve you any good either. From what I read, there's a lot of decision makings that could trigger some scrutiny from the AdComs. These may be some concerns, or there could be other underlying reasons, such as your essays. I believe Tuck offers some sort of a 'ding' analysis in the spring and if I were you, I'd take advantage of that. Last, but not least, I'm not sure how much of the flower mill would play into a top b-school. Family-owned businesses get the most questions from AdComs simply because everyone there will love you...because you're family. It's not another corporate (such as Goodgle, Microsoft, Goldman Sachs) who will boot you out the moment you're not producing the right things. So treat the family-owned business with a grain of salt and don't reply on it.
Show more


thanks for the feedback I really appreciate it.
In terms of my company, I had a large number of import exclusive products in Greece, a strong network of customers and a strong reputation. To be honest, I started the firm during my military service only as an experience" i wanted to challenge my self a bit as i did not find the military service was pushing me enough. It turned out to be quite successful and that's why I kept operating it for 2 years. Ultimately, I was offered a very good price and I was bought out. I understand how this can come under scrutiny from an Adcom. But alas as you said, this for a b-school is a double edged sword it seems :(
Other than that, lets hope I get some really good employment and soon. Otherwise, how do you think charity work counts in? If not accepted this year in to an MBA I am thinking of helping with some charitable foundations under the employment market in EU gets better. Any thoughts?
User avatar
bakfed
User avatar
Joined: 28 Jul 2009
Last visit: 12 Oct 2022
Posts: 1,768
Own Kudos:
1,246
Given Kudos: 37
Status:Darden Class of 2013
Schools:University of Virginia
GMAT 1: 660 Q44 V37
Posts: 1,768
Kudos: 1,246
Could you kindly evaluate my profile 09 May 2011, 10:42
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
jc456
bakfed
Honestly, starting your own firm is a great thing as that's how this world came about. However, in a b-school sense, that's harder to judge. If it were so great, why sell it? If it were a strong company, it would've been able to withstand the meltdown in Greece. I'm not saying it's a bad company (please don't get me wrong here), but I'm just thinking outloud as an AdCom. Both Tuck and Fuqua are great institutions and are hard to get into. You're a bit young for both Tuck and Fuqua and your GMAT score falls below both of their averages. I believe this could've contributed to the dings you saw at both schools. Your current situation of unemployment doesn't serve you any good either. From what I read, there's a lot of decision makings that could trigger some scrutiny from the AdComs. These may be some concerns, or there could be other underlying reasons, such as your essays. I believe Tuck offers some sort of a 'ding' analysis in the spring and if I were you, I'd take advantage of that. Last, but not least, I'm not sure how much of the flower mill would play into a top b-school. Family-owned businesses get the most questions from AdComs simply because everyone there will love you...because you're family. It's not another corporate (such as Goodgle, Microsoft, Goldman Sachs) who will boot you out the moment you're not producing the right things. So treat the family-owned business with a grain of salt and don't reply on it.


thanks for the feedback I really appreciate it.
In terms of my company, I had a large number of import exclusive products in Greece, a strong network of customers and a strong reputation. To be honest, I started the firm during my military service only as an experience" i wanted to challenge my self a bit as i did not find the military service was pushing me enough. It turned out to be quite successful and that's why I kept operating it for 2 years. Ultimately, I was offered a very good price and I was bought out. I understand how this can come under scrutiny from an Adcom. But alas as you said, this for a b-school is a double edged sword it seems :(
Other than that, lets hope I get some really good employment and soon. Otherwise, how do you think charity work counts in? If not accepted this year in to an MBA I am thinking of helping with some charitable foundations under the employment market in EU gets better. Any thoughts?
Show more

Charitable organizations are always a good source of that "extra oomph" when AdCom reviews your profile. If you can demonstrate leadership at your charitable organization, it'll definitely be a plus, but nothing trumps a good brand corporate company. I hope that you find a job that you enjoy doing soon and that you do get into the schools of your desire. Tuck is such a beautiful place (just a bit out in the middle of nowhere) that I envy anyone who attends that institution. :-D
avatar
jc456
avatar
Joined: 03 May 2011
Last visit: 20 Aug 2012
Posts: 37
Own Kudos:
4
Posts: 37
Kudos: 4
Could you kindly evaluate my profile 09 May 2011, 10:45
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
bakfed
jc456
bakfed
Honestly, starting your own firm is a great thing as that's how this world came about. However, in a b-school sense, that's harder to judge. If it were so great, why sell it? If it were a strong company, it would've been able to withstand the meltdown in Greece. I'm not saying it's a bad company (please don't get me wrong here), but I'm just thinking outloud as an AdCom. Both Tuck and Fuqua are great institutions and are hard to get into. You're a bit young for both Tuck and Fuqua and your GMAT score falls below both of their averages. I believe this could've contributed to the dings you saw at both schools. Your current situation of unemployment doesn't serve you any good either. From what I read, there's a lot of decision makings that could trigger some scrutiny from the AdComs. These may be some concerns, or there could be other underlying reasons, such as your essays. I believe Tuck offers some sort of a 'ding' analysis in the spring and if I were you, I'd take advantage of that. Last, but not least, I'm not sure how much of the flower mill would play into a top b-school. Family-owned businesses get the most questions from AdComs simply because everyone there will love you...because you're family. It's not another corporate (such as Goodgle, Microsoft, Goldman Sachs) who will boot you out the moment you're not producing the right things. So treat the family-owned business with a grain of salt and don't reply on it.


thanks for the feedback I really appreciate it.
In terms of my company, I had a large number of import exclusive products in Greece, a strong network of customers and a strong reputation. To be honest, I started the firm during my military service only as an experience" i wanted to challenge my self a bit as i did not find the military service was pushing me enough. It turned out to be quite successful and that's why I kept operating it for 2 years. Ultimately, I was offered a very good price and I was bought out. I understand how this can come under scrutiny from an Adcom. But alas as you said, this for a b-school is a double edged sword it seems :(
Other than that, lets hope I get some really good employment and soon. Otherwise, how do you think charity work counts in? If not accepted this year in to an MBA I am thinking of helping with some charitable foundations under the employment market in EU gets better. Any thoughts?

Charitable organizations are always a good source of that "extra oomph" when AdCom reviews your profile. If you can demonstrate leadership at your charitable organization, it'll definitely be a plus, but nothing trumps a good brand corporate company. I hope that you find a job that you enjoy doing soon and that you do get into the schools of your desire. Tuck is such a beautiful place (just a bit out in the middle of nowhere) that I envy anyone who attends that institution. :-D
Show more

Yup Tuck seems like a fantastic college and environment. Thank you for all your help. Lets hope I get the Google position this month :)