Profile Evaluation Request- THANK YOU!

Question

Hello!

Thanks in advance for your response, it is greatly appreciated.

Profile:
- Age: 25 (27 @ matriculation)
- Male
- U.S. Resident
- GMAT 710 (Q47, V42)
- Undergraduate Institution: Ouachita Baptist University (liberal arts school in Arkansas)
- Undergraduate Degree: Biblical Studies, 3.35 GPA. Graduated in 3.5 years.
- Business coursework outside of major: Microeconomics (B), Accounting I (A), Accounting II (A), College Algebra (B), Personal Finance(A)
- Extracurricular in college: president of fraternity which grew from 12 members to over 80 while I was a member. Various community service leadership opportunities.
- W/E: 
o 2 years at one of the top 5 Health Insurance companies in the U.S. I was a Disability Analyst. Various leadership opportunities.
o (Current) 2 years at a Insurance Brokerage and Consulting Firm as a Consultant (boutique firm likely never head of by admissions committee). Work with company executives to customize benefit program that will make them an employer of choice. Consult regarding Affordable Care Act compliance, as well as be the liaison between various other vendors. Various leadership opportunities, etc. Company size- around 20 employees. 
o Both positions held in a major metroplex. Would likely have great recommendations from management.
- Community Involvement: Served as Associate Pastor for organization my wife and I started called Grassroots Christianity. Organization is focused on changing people’s perception of Church structure and function. Various community service events held.
- Target Schools (I will likely declare a Healthcare concentration if available):
o UT McCombs (in-state tuition. #1 choice)
o UNC
o Vanderbilt
- Stretch Schools
o Duke- Fuqua
o Cornell- Johnson
o Virginia Darden
- Less Competitive Target Schools
o SMU
o Rice
o A&M
- Timeline: I will apply in the fall of 2017 in order to matriculate in the fall of 2018 (class of 2020)
- Career Aspirations: Healthcare Consulting (not on the insurance brokerage side), but to be honest it is a bit undecided. I’m not completely aware of the paths available to me given my background.

Concerns:
- Undergraduate Degree: Will having a religious degree be the diversity that schools are NOT looking for? I know diversity is a big focus of MBA programs. The degree was from a Liberal Arts institution, thus I studied in multiple areas which allowed me to truly foster a passion for learning. 
- Work Experience: I’ve definitely shown progression in both positions (both in salary and promotions), but Insurance is often seen as an industry anyone can walk in to. Not sure how my experience will be viewed by ADCOM at the programs I mentioned. 
Questions:
- Given my somewhat low quant score (Q47), would you recommend I take a few business/math course prior to my application? I’m thinking maybe Calc. for Business, Stats. for Business, and/or some other finance course.
- My current company is somewhat small and the advancement opps are limited because of that. I’m considering looking for another company to work for during the two years leading up to matriculation.
o If I’m right at 2 years before switching companies, would that look negatively to ADCOM(job hopping)?
o I have a relatively large network, and my first thought is I would try to work for one of the big 4 consulting firms in an analyst type role. I think this would be a good opportunity for me personally, but would me taking a role like this hurt my “diversity factor”, since so many MBA applicants come from that background? 
- Are there other schools that you feel like my profile fits? My family (wife and 1 year old daughter) is flexible on location. Outside of the obvious stats(GMAT, GPA), do you feel like I would be a competitive applicant at the schools I listed?

Thank you for your time.

Admissionado · Answer

Hey there good sir!

So very good to hear from you. Lemme jump right in to answering your questions:

- Undergraduate Degree: Will having a religious degree be the diversity that schools are NOT looking for? I know diversity is a big focus of MBA programs. The degree was from a Liberal Arts institution, thus I studied in multiple areas which allowed me to truly foster a passion for learning.

Nahhh this is awesome! Schools will eat this up. This makes you interesting and unique and have different values than your average candidate. So use it to your advantage!

- Work Experience: I’ve definitely shown progression in both positions (both in salary and promotions), but Insurance is often seen as an industry anyone can walk in to. Not sure how my experience will be viewed by ADCOM at the programs I mentioned.

You're right in the sense that insurance, unless you work ina good position ina big firm is not a "top feeder industry" like IB or Consulting would be. Nevertheless, that's no longer a concern. This has been your industry, and now your job is to make the most out of what you have done to show business skills, leadership, impact, and progress. Bascially - don't worry about it, but do WORK with it.

Questions:
- Given my somewhat low quant score (Q47), would you recommend I take a few business/math course prior to my application? I’m thinking maybe Calc. for Business, Stats. for Business, and/or some other finance course.

No. Waste of time. And doesn't help really. Applications have been released. It's time for you to start writing. And getting your resume done, and getting your LORs... enough for you to do to apply in R1.

- My current company is somewhat small and the advancement opps are limited because of that. I’m considering looking for another company to work for during the two years leading up to matriculation.

That's up to you. If you get a better job, its always better for your application. Better = better salary or better company or better responsibilities or more leadership... or any combination of the above,

o If I’m right at 2 years before switching companies, would that look negatively to ADCOM(job hopping)?

No.

o I have a relatively large network, and my first thought is I would try to work for one of the big 4 consulting firms in an analyst type role. I think this would be a good opportunity for me personally, but would me taking a role like this hurt my “diversity factor”, since so many MBA applicants come from that background?

I dunno. Big four can be a bit boring and competitive for the reason you stated. But likely the industry and employer is stronger than your current. If you REALLY want to get into healthcare, tey and aim for a healthcare consulting job (either in Big 4 or elsewhere). That way it will also bring you forward.

- Are there other schools that you feel like my profile fits? My family (wife and 1 year old daughter) is flexible on location. Outside of the obvious stats(GMAT, GPA), do you feel like I would be a competitive applicant at the schools I listed?

If you are aiming for healthcare, there's no reason not to hit up Haas/Ross/Kellogg. Yeah all a bit stretch, but all have good healthcare programs. (and you might also consider doing a double degree if that's your thing and you think you can handle the workload).

I think you are actually in good shape. You do have to get the most out of what you do have and get your goals and story straight. But overall, despite the weaknesses, I think applying in the 5-20 range is about right for you.

I hope this helps!

JF

UNCBOUND · Answer

Thanks  JonAdmissionado  for your thoughtful and thorough response. It is very helpful. I have a year and 4 months till my applications will be due so that's why I was considering taking another quant based class. The general consensus I've received is that the class would make very little impact at this point, and I'm better off focusing on excelling at work and putting together a good app. Cheers!

Admissionado · Answer

You got it dude!
If you have any other questions, don't hesitate,
Best,

UNCBOUND · Answer

Ok  JonAdmissionado  , follow up question. Would you recommend applying for 2017 intake or 2018 intake? I have a friend that is starting at Fuqua in the fall and he’s recommending I don’t wait any longer. This has got me thinking that I really don’t want to wait 2+ years to start a program. 
If I applied for 2017 intake: I’d likely stay in the same role I’m in now. Post MBA career goal would be to do strategy consulting for companies in healthcare industry. I’d be 26 entering the program. My fear is that I wouldn’t have enough experience to reach post-MBA career goal. I’d have less time to save for the MBA program, but I’d be making a better salary sooner in life so it would make up for it. 
If I applied for 2018 intake: I’d likely find a job for larger consulting firm NOW, that way I can increase the likelihood of convincing ADCOM that my post-MBA career goals are within reach. Assuming this job switch is overall beneficial and is not out of left field. I’d have more time to prepare for the program(savings, etc.)

Given my profile, how do you think both routes would affect my admission chances at the target schools given(if at all)? Thanks again!

Admissionado · Answer

Basically, if you are ready to go now, I don't see any reason to wait

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