Profile Evaluation - Thank you!

Question

(I understand Hjort is probably very busy, but hopefully I can get an evaluation here in the near future, thanks!)

Alright, I decided to go to B-school roughly around May, and have been studying for the GMAT (early August test date) and researching schools for the past couple of months. Here's a rough sketch about me, just to see what the more experienced GMAT Club members think of my chances. I know focusing on the essays is key, and that will be my goal starting from early August until I apply first round end of October/early November. I tried to highlight a few things I will talk about in my essays.

EDIT: Profile in Archive: https://www.gmatclub.com/forum/111-t56286

I would love to hear any feedback on my chances, what I should emphasize, and where else I should apply to.

Also, I plan to apply to Berkeley, UCLA, and Stanford R1. Maybe one of the other choices if I'm not burned out yet. Anything else will probably be R2.

Thank you again Hjort!

kryzak · Answer

just giving this a bump. Hjort, could you give my profile a glance if you have time? I modified it from my original post (7/12/2007 10:40pm PST), with updates on what I've learned in the past week on GMAT forums (with lots of help from rhyme!).

Thank you!

Hjort · Answer

It looks like rhyme has (as usual) done a fine job of pointing you in the right direction. 

Here are some additional thoughts:

1) I like the basic career story (discovered business development, this planted the idea for further study of business) 

2) Regarding leadership activities, you have provided a good list but I would focus on the activities where you have contributed the most. 

3) Portfolio- Have you considered INSEAD? 

4) I am not sure that the cultural background, as currently presented, is much of a differentiating factor. I would focus some attention on refining this aspect of your story. 

Hjort

kryzak · Answer

Yes, Rhyme has been a great help to me (and everyone else on these boards) so far! =)

1) Ok, I will focus on telling that story as best as I can.

2) Ok, focus on the ones I contributed the most, I will do that. Probably the engineering society president/advisor thing, which I've been helping for 8 years and been quite involved. I think that also shows my "giving back" to the school community as an alumnus and willingness to join student clubs while I'm a student. I'll put the leadership development program from work in my basic career story. 

3) I've thought about INSEAD, but after reading the differences between a 1 year and a 2 year MBA, wanting to do international business *based* in the US (instead of being a true globe trotter), and wanting to do a career switch (which a 2 year program does better), I had to drop INSEAD from the list (similar to Thunderbird, which a friend of mine said I should apply).

4) Hrm, ok, I might just briefly mention it as part of the "Why International Business?" essay. I don't think I have a true differentiating factor (wow factor) after reading the forums and some books. 

Do you think I have a good chance if I just focused on telling an interesting story about myself, having concrete and believable career goals, and doing a great job on the essays (along with GMAT, GPA, recs, resume, interviews)? I'm hoping that will "differentiate" myself from the applicants that do not spend the time on these aspects

Thank you Hjort!

Profile Evaluation - Thank you!

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