Will Harvard accept me at 720?

Question

Hi Hjort,

Could you please tell me if 720 is good enough to get me an admission to any of the following: Harvard, Wharton, Kellogg, Stanford, INSEAD ? 

I have 5+ years of managerial experience in Consumer Finance Risk management. Have a Bachelor's in Engineering (GPA 3.8), and a Master's in Economics (GPA was average). 

I am sure I will get good recommendations too - from people around the globe whom I have worked with. 

Any inputs are appreciated ... 

Thanks!

Porscheboy16 · Answer

What school did you get your BA and MA from?

itsme · Answer

Hi Porscheboy16,

I got my B.Tech from HBTI, Kanpur (India). This college would be ranked probably 30th best engineering college of India.

I got my MA (Economics) from Delhi School of Economics (India). This is a premier college (Top 5) of India/Asia. But, my GPA would be at the 65-70 percentile. I shifted from Engineering to Economics, hence my GPA dropped. I was, however, the topper of 1st Semester. And, based upon that I will get one good recommendation from a professor at DSE.

My other recommendations would be as below:

1 from a Univ Sydney Professor (whom I worked with in my present job.)
2 from US clients who are at VP level in a Fortune 50 MNC 
1 from my manager who is VP too.

Thanks!

Porscheboy16 · Answer

GPA matters less as your work experience increases. Although you are in a tough group. There is a rumor that engineers must outperform non-engineers with the GMAT. If Harvard has a 710 avg, engineers should score more (and so on). Your work experience should compensate your lower GPA and slightly above avg GMAT. What other schools are you thinking about?

itsme · Answer

Thanks for your inputs Porscheboy16! 

I am beginning to shortlist schools now - have about 12-13 schools shortlisted. After researching the websites, I will pick 6-7 schools and apply. Below is the list I have in mind right now:

Chicago 
Columbia University
Dartmouth College
Duke University
Emory University
Harvard University
INSEAD
London Business School
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
New York University
Northwestern University
Stanford University
University of California (Berkeley)
University of Pennsylvania

Do you think I have a STRONG chance for any of these top schools? 

Or, should I add some 'safety' schools as well?

Thanks again!

Hjort · Answer

What are your post-MBA goals?
Where (geographically) would you like to work after your MBA?

itsme · Answer

Hi Hjort,

I would like to work in the Financial sector - preferably in US, East Coast. 

Intuition and Quantitative aptitude are some of my strengths and I guess an MBA in Finance will be the best for me.

Thanks!

Porscheboy16 · Answer

You have a good chance at all the schools listed, as long as you work hard on the essays and interviews.

Finance in Northeast:
-Wharton
-Harvard
-Chicago
-Columbia
-NYU

^These should be top choices. I know Hjort will have better info.

Hjort · Answer

Porscheboy has assembled a good list. I would consider a few more elite cluster schools for the final portfolio such as Dartmouth, Cornell, and Yale. Considering your goals, I would be reluctant to include Emory and UC Berkeley in the final portfolio.

itsme · Answer

Thanks for the inputs Hjort and Porscheboy16 !!

Will Harvard accept me at 720?

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