IESE Prospects

chrsells · Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2007 12:31 am Post subject: IESE Prospects

Graduated from a top 10 national university (not an Ivy) with an AB in English. 3.8/4.0 GPA, Phi Beta Kappa, Dean's List for three years, year-long study abroad in London, received university's highest undergraduate academic award.

740 GMAT (50Q, 40V) - 98th percentile.

In college, I worked on international affairs and immigration issues over several summers as a congressional intern. Dabbled in publicity/marketing at the nation's largest academic press (which gave me a good first taste of the business world) and worked as a research assistant in the sociology department. Served on several select committees at both my home and study abroad universities.

After college, spent a year heading up communications efforts for a local political campaign and assisted with some field organizing and volunteer training. Our initiative campaign received endorsements from nearly every major newspaper across the state and public commissions, and raised several hundred thousand dollars. Have also served as a volunteer at my local library (where I've been able to advise on improving the library's holdings), a research assistant for a think tank based out of a major museum in Washington, DC, and a researcher/volunteer for a nationally broadcast television show on PBS.

Next I'm off to Eastern Europe for a two-year stint with the Peace Corps. I'm very much looking forward to understanding how people elsewhere confront specific challenges and broadening my international knowledge.

This perhaps does not add up to a lot of business experience proper, but through my volunteer and paid work I've learned a lot about vague, undetermined assignments (and grown a bit of an appetite for them). I would very much like to shift into consulting - a place where I might test my analytical skills and let them run wild - upon my return from the Peace Corps. To gain training and develop expertise in this arena, especially with a strong international component, I feel that IESE - and to a lesser extent, Virginia and Georgetown - would be a marvelous fit. I also find IESE's attitudes regarding CSR and its service-minded spirit absolutely winning.

I am keeping a bit of an eye on joint MA/MBA international relations programs - ad hoc or formal - such as those offered through Tufts-Fletcher, Johns Hopkins, Georgetown, et al.

Any impressions? Thank you, Stacy!

Stacy Blackman · Posted: Tue May 01, 2007 2:11 pm Post subject:

My impression - you will do just fine! It seems like you have excelled in most things you have touched. Keep that up and then of course you will have to work hard to craft a great application that highlights all of your interests and accomplishments. For consulting I might suggest some different schools but you have time to research and figure out what is the right fit for you. Enjoy your next few years and good luck!

chrsells · Posted: Tue May 01, 2007 2:51 pm Post subject:

Thanks for taking the time to provide some insight, Stacy. It is greatly appreciated! I will certainly keep your consulting services in mind as time goes by and the admissions cycle for 2009 entrants begins to catch fire.