Profile evaluation - Journalist

Question

Greetings,

I am a 26 years old female Indian journalist. I did my undergrad from Delhi University in India and worked at a national daily newspaper as editor for two years. Then I came to the US to do a masters in arts journalism from S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, Syracuse University (one of the top three J-schools in the US). I graduated in June 2011 (GPA 3.77) and have been working as writer/editor for a fashion/marketing website in New York City since then.

I volunteered at a non-profit in India for two years and collaborated with Indians abroad to raise money for charities. I was also the head of the Journalism Students Association and the Debating Society during undergrad and got the Goldring Merit Scholarship in grad school. I was also the general secretary at the Indian Student Association at Syracuse University and helped organize events, raise funds and create awareness about the organization's initiatives.

I am planning to apply for Fall 2013. From what I have seen in class profiles of most schools and discussions here, most candidates come from an IT, management or finance background. Research tells me that schools look for diversity while selecting candidates and that's where my application will stand stronger than other Indian applicants, who apply to B-schools every year. Is this true for the top 20 schools?

I haven't taken the GMAT yet. I plan to take it mid-September and aiming for a 710-720 score.

The reason I want to do an MBA is because I now want to work in the management side of a media house or at a non-profit. After gaining some experience, I eventually want to start my own magazine and an MBA would help there too.

The schools I am planning to apply to are:

1. Harvard 
2. Chicago Booth
3. UCLA Anderson
4. Michigan Ross
5. UNC Kenan Flagler
6. University of Texas, Austin (McCombs)
7. NYU Stern
8. Kellogg
9. Emory (Goizueta)
10. Duke
11. Georgetown
12. USC Marshall
13. UC Berkley Haas

I will shortlist eight schools out of these and apply to those.

I will really appreciate any feedback that you may have for me.

Thanks.

- Avantika

Admissionado · Answer

You are right that most folks do apply from IT, Finance etc. But that's a huge advantage for you! The Adcoms don't see many journalist candidates, and it can be a great unique factor and selling point.

However, you need to be super clear about your goals: Why are you applying to an MBA? How will it help you reach those goals? How will make use of your career experience up until now to reach those goals?

Since you don't come from a business background, it will be helpful if you can answer those questions. Secondly, if you lack a strong quant background, it might be a good idea to take a few quant courses - such as accounting for business, finance, statistics, calculus, etc.... Luckily, in NYC, you have like a billion options

And that's that.

Right now you have to ace your GMAT, and if you get the score you are supposing, you can be a strong candidate. But your goals are KEY!

And that's that.

Right now you have to ace your GMAT, and if you get the score you are supposing, you can be a strong candidate. But your goals are KEY!

asharma86 · Answer

Thank you for responding to my post, Joe. GMAT and story - these are the two areas I am working the hardest on. I plan to take quant courses once I am done with the GMAT and have sent in the applications.

Thanks again. Your reply definitely helped.

Best,
AS

Thanks again. Your reply definitely helped.

Best,
AS

Admissionado · Answer

Glad to help! Come back and drop us a line with your score, and we can see how you might fare, taking things forward.

Now....

Go kill that GMAT!

asharma86 · Answer

Hi Joe,

So, I am coming back here and looking for advice. I took the GMAT last month and got 640 (34V and 43Q). Not what I was expecting but I don't think I can do anything about it now and I have been focussing on writing strong essays after that. I have had my essays for 2 schools reviewed by 4 different current B-school students (in Emory and Austin) and one Columbia alum and have receieved very positive feedback from them, I know both my short term and long term goals are tied well with the MBA programs and my recos are pretty solid as well. Due to sub-par GMAT score, I have changed the list of schools I am applying to. How would you rate my chances in the following schools:

1. Duke - Fuqua
2. UNC- Kenan Flagler
3. Texas - McComba
4. Emory
5. Georgetown
6. USC
7. Boston College
8. Boston University

I understand there are so many factors involved that can affect the final decision, but based on my profile and GMAT, how do you rate my chances in these schools? I have already interviewed at Fuqua and KF (during school visits). Thanks!

Admissionado · Answer

Dear Avantika,
Well, given your list, the first three schools will be most challenging. the others, you would have chances at, even if your GMAT is lower than average, because I feel your profile has a good basis. And Boston college is your one "safe school" which is great.

However, the big question is: If you had been expecting to get a 710 or so on the GMAT, what happened? And would it not be a better idea to retake and apply next year and get accepted to far better programs??? (If you feel you can do better on the GMAT)

asharma86 · Answer

GMAT was a disaster, I was regularly scoring close to 700 in the mocks and when I took the real test, I got a 640. I did take it again but did even worse - got a 570 2nd time. I certainly think I can do better than that, but, due to some personal and family commitments, I want to start b-school in fall 2013. Which is why I changed the school list and decided to give it a shot. Also, to clarify, I have completed https://mbamath.com/ before submitting the applications (except to USC) and have attached my transcripts to the application. I will also take quant, finance courses in spring/summer to make sure I am prepared for the rigors of the b-school. I have mentioned this in my optional essays, I don't know how much difference it will make (maybe the school will still consider my sub-par GMAT score if they think I will be prepared for b-school with those courses), but I wanted to give it a shot and see how it goes - specially since I know that my essays and recos are pretty solid and impressive. Does that make sense? When you say the first three schools would be challenging, do you mean I have next to no chance there with a 640?

Admissionado · Answer

It's not "no chance", but it is a smaller chance than it would be otherwise... Only looking at GMAT for Duke for example, they only took about 10% of their students in the GMAT range of 650 or lower, so you do need to take that into consideration when applying... But as you see, there still is some chance.

I guess you can apply now for the schools you like most, and then worst comes to worst, you would have another opportunity to retake the GMAT and reapply if things don't pan out as you hope, and if they do, all th better!

Profile evaluation - Journalist

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