Hi all, I'd be grateful if someone here could evaluate my admission chances at Stanford GSB:
Indian male, 31.
Education: I joined medical college after graduating from high school, but dropped out within a year. Right now I've got a bachelor's degree in history from a top 10 Indian liberal arts college, a MSc in economic history from LSE, and a MA in business and economic Journalism from Columbia University (with a full-ride scholarship). While I have indeed spent quite some time in universities, I'm mostly self-taught (I've read over 500 books in the last decade)
GMAT: 690 (Q42, V41)--I know my quant is super-low. Could have done far better judging by my mock scores, but that's the score I have in hand right now.
Work experience: 5 years of full-time experience as a journalist by the time I join classes. I haven't had any promotions at work, mainly due to conflicts regarding "what is the right thing to do" with multiple bosses. I'm too opinionated and straightforward for my own good, I guess.
I currently work at India's second largest English daily as an editorial page writer commenting on the economy, markets etc. Started my career in a business newspaper in Delhi performing a similar role. I have also interned at a couple of news organizations in the US (namely WSJ and Business Insider).
Extracurriculars: Nothing earth-shattering. I held some leadership positions in college and did some decent work. Also participated in various clubs throughout my educational journey.
I do, however, share an exciting story in the 250-word optional essay: about how I helped rescue my family from the brink of bankruptcy (we were going to lose our house to the bank and I had to return from the US to take over my father's loss-making business and salvage some money out of it after he suffered a serious stroke)
I also talk about my family background (my parents are school dropouts coming from rural India) and how it has influenced my participation at work in the personal background section of the application.
Post-MBA plans: I want to start a news business that's run based on some very unconventional ideas.
I discuss my post-MBA business plans in detail in my second essay. My first essay (on what matters most to me) is centered on my pretty harsh personal experiences as a journalist that have driven me to this decision. I'm fairly confident my essays are going to be strong.
I know I'm an oddball candidate. So please be candid about my chances. I don't want to be lured by false hopes. Thank you very much