Ask Stacy Blackman

Hi - wondered if you could spare 5mins to evaluate my profile?

So here is the issue: I want to do an MBA at a top school (UK / USA), but all my permanent work experience is in the not-for-profit sector.

Questions:

1. How can I best position myself? - Should I leave my current job and get private sector experience? or is my profile strong enough? What could strengthen my profile?

2. What schools should I target? Do I have a realistic chance of a scholarship considering not-for-profit background (or GMAT/GPA too low?)?

3. Assuming the worst case GMAT (680), then what?

Thanks a lot!

Profile

Work Experience: 3 years on highly competitive (100+ applicants per place etc.) programme at top not for profit (think global, think huge). Ranked in top 10% of employees every year. 3 promotions, 3 years. Experience in project management, strategy, organisational change.

Internships while at university: 2 x investment banking (tier 1 firm); 2 x consulting at (tier 2 firm).

Education: Oxford University (UK): high, but not super high 2.1 (probably converts to 3.5/3.6 GPA?). Not a business / economics related subject.

Leadership & other stuff: 6 years tutoring/mentor school children; 6 years coaching soccer to under 16s; president of moderate society at university (200+ members); represented university in competitive sports (2 years); numerous other smaller positions at university; prefect at school etc.

GMAT: Not taken. Scoring 680-710 in mocks. Could score higher if I had more time to prep (which I don't).

Why MBA? Short term goal (straight after MBA): to work in healthcare / education sector. Long term goal (5 years post MBA): to start a business in healthcare / education sector.