Profile evaluation

Question

Hey guys- Thanks so much for helping people like me out

24/Indian (born in the US)/Male - plan on applying for the fall of 2014

1) Work Experience
I Spent 1 year doing an education-based Americorps program in a mid-sized city in the South. I am currently working as a junior researcher for a research institute that studies education and is affiliated with a large, reputable research university. My job primarily consists of doing statistical analyses (ie cleaning data, regression analysis, and a bit of mapping). I have been at my job for 1.5 years. Also, before my Americorps year, I spent three months at a large internationally focused NGO.

2) GMAT
730 (q48 v42). I also took the GRE and scored a 1410 (q800 v610)

3)College Info
Top 10 LAC. Majored in math and economics and graduated with a 3.4 out of 4.

4)Extracurricular Activities
In college I was President of Model UN and I tutored students at a local middle school twice a week. I currently am on the alumni board of the Americorps organization I worked for. Also hope to start tutoring students on weekends.

5) Target Programs
Best school I can get into - Maybe Wharton/Columbia/Chicago

6) Post MBA goals
Try to transition to a top economic/litigation consulting firm

Thanks guys!!!

mbaMissionMili · Answer

Hello,

Thanks for sharing your profile. Your career path has been a bit varied - three months here, one year there, and now a solid chunk of time doing data analysis. The reason I mention this is because it'll put more onus on you to have a strong career narrative - just something to be aware of. I might also argue that you could transition into an economic consulting firm without an MBA - transition into a research/data role and work your way up to a consulting position. If that's the case, you'll need to be prepared with a strong answer on "Why do you need an MBA to reach your goals?"

Academically, you're in a strong position. Professionally, I worry that your data analysis/research institute experience does not lend itself to the kind of leadership experience top programs want to see. Typically these roles don't involve a lot of teamwork, leadership, management - is that fair to say in your case? If you're not able to demonstrate professional leadership, it will be very important to demonstrate leadership outside of work -- serving on the alumni board is great, but you'll want to make sure you have strong leadership stories from that experience. I'd also say your lack of extracurricular activities could be a weakness.

So, overall, I'd suggest that you wait another year or two and build your professional and nonprofessional leadership profile to have a better shot at top programs, or apply sooner but lower your expectations to programs like Michigan on the high end, Duke, Darden, UCLA as targets and a lower safety.

Best of luck,
Mili

Mili Mittal
Senior Consultant
 https://www.mbamission.com 
 
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