Help me pick target schools! (profile evaluation)

Figure out where you wish to apply
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So I have been scouring forums and websites for the past several months, trying to get a feel for which programs are realistic for me. I have unconventional work experience (non profit mgmt), which could be a benefit or a detriment, depending on how my story "reads" to adcoms. I will try to give some context to my stats - id be grateful for a profile evaluation to help me narrow down some target schools!

Basic: 27 y/o white male (28 at matriculation). American.

GMAT: 700. 95th % verbal, 63% quant. I really screwed up timing on the quant section ( I usually score mid 80th % on practice tests). Retaking next Monday in hopes of raising quant to 80+ %tile. Quite confident that I can.

Education: 3.6 from UCSD. Major: Chinese Studies; Minor: Political Science. Spent 8 months studying in china. Upward grade trajectory. Also received a merit scholarship from UCSD to take extension classes in non profit development, as well as finance. Straight A's in those classes (several accounting/finance classes included).

Work Experience: 3 years at a non profit assisting wounded veterans. Started as grants coordinator, promoted to program director, and then to executive director. Progressive responsibilities correlating to each position - I have gained a deep understanding of non profits from several angles (program implementation, evaluation, fundraising, management, strategic planning, marketing, etc). The organization is relatively small, but quite established with national programs. You would probably not recognize the name, however.

Awards: the scholarship mentioned above, as well as a commendation from the brig. general in charge of special operations in ft. bragg (not a huge deal)

Extra curriculars: volunteered at a boarding school/orphanage in Kathmandu, Nepal for several weeks, but that was quite some time ago. Nothing notable in college (see explanation below) or post college, as my job/organization consumes my 'volunteer time'. Conversational in mandarin and spanish - though it is a goal of mine to become 100% fluent in chinese. Lots of traveling, in both developed and developing countries.

Goals: I chose my major out of an interest in the subject, and a genuine desire to help others. I figured It would be a great background to have, but would require an advanced degree to narrow its focus. I wanted to be a foreign service officer (state dept) working on small business development pertaining to china. My father got sick shortly after I transferred to UCSD, and passed away within a year. I spent most/all of my time with family in college, hence the lack of ECs. Due to my family situation, I chose to remain in San Diego after graduation to provide support. I came from a military family, so the cause of my current organization resonated strongly with me - I am lucky to be able to "work" for such a great cause. I found that I am most passionate about working on social/organizational issues from a strategic standpoint. I would like to get an MBA and work in non profit consulting (preferably international) dealing with larger organizations. Companies such as bridgespan typically recruit from top MBA programs. Long term, I would like to utilize my background in Chinese studies with a NGO operating in the region / on the issues, or perhaps realize a niche to fill with an organization of my own. I could make my passion shine through in admission essays - I'm writing this from an iPad, so my syntax is quite terse at the moment.

What schools should I target? Is top 10 way out of line? I know it will be a crapshoot, considering my unconventional background & goals. In my wildest dreams, I would be interested in Stanford/HBS, Haas, Yale, Northwestern, or UCLA. If that is unrealistic, are there any other social entrepreneurship / non profit mgmt programs I should be looking into?

Thank you! Sorry for the wall of text.
Last edited by SocialImpactMBA on Fri Nov 23, 2012 5:44 pm, edited 2 times in total.

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by ripincigorm » Fri Nov 23, 2012 10:37 pm
hello

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by ripincigorm » Fri Nov 23, 2012 10:38 pm
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by FreshyFek » Sat Nov 24, 2012 8:47 am
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by SocialImpactMBA » Sat Nov 24, 2012 10:17 am
5 replies, all from spammers!

Anyone with some constructive feedback, please?

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by Jon@Admissionado » Tue Nov 27, 2012 1:13 am
Well, let's wait and see what that GMAT brings, but in general you are in very good shape I think. You have good nonprofit experience good grades, a good GMAT, and actually there is no reason in the world why you should not apply to the schools you listed, many of which are, as you know, considering amongst the best programs for non-profit. HBS/ Stanford is a stretch to be sure, but you also come from a very attractive (and let's say politically popular) non-profit which people are very likely to like. So use that to your advantage, and who knows? for HBS/Stanford of course applying with a 740 will be much nicer! :)


As for other schools, I would direct you here: https://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandr ... t-rankings

and here:https://www.beyondgreypinstripes.org/rankings/index.cfm
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https://admissionado.lpages.co/50-essay ... ked-vol-4/
https://admissionado.lpages.co/case-studies-lp/
https://admissionado.com/mba/reviews/
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by SocialImpactMBA » Tue Nov 27, 2012 9:48 am
Hi Jon,

Thank you so much for your input - with a non-trad background like mine, some days I feel optimistic about my odds and other days I wonder if I am delusional for aiming for these schools. It is nice to get some feedback from a non family member / co worker / friend (all of whom seem to 'tell me what I want to hear').

I retook the gmat yesterday and ended up with the exact same score (44q/41v for a 700), which was a bit disappointing. Although a 44q translates to 63rd %tile this year, I'm hoping this wont be a deal breaker at the schools I mentioned above. I understand that hbs/gsb are quite a stretch and the low quant score may be the final nail in the coffin, but I figure ill apply anyways (you only apply to bschool once, so why not?).

I understand that Haas is big on quant scores. Considering my non-quant academic and professional background, I think I may be better off dropping them from my list and choosing another program. While the finance/accounting classes that I have taken from UC extension should help quell concerns about my quant abilities, I just don't see it as being "enough" for the more quant oriented schools.

My question is this: considering that I was unable to improve my gmat score distribution, would it be wise to drop any of the other schools on my list and pick others with a bit more forgiving acceptance rates?

Thank you again for your evaluation. I'm quite well aware that admissions can be a crap shoot and much of it comes down to execution on the app, but guidance is greatly appreciated!

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by Jon@Admissionado » Wed Dec 12, 2012 3:45 am
700 is never a deal breaker ( and is actually an excellent score)... you are just missing the cherries on the cake, but if the cake is yummy...

And honestly with a 700 I don't think you need to drop any school off your list. You have chances everywhere I think. Even Stanford. So if you ask me, I would say just apply to the schools you REALLY want to go to. At the same time make sure there are one or three "easier" programs in there so that you h ave a balanced strategy, but honestly with such non-profit experience, and a good story and good goals, you have a shot anywhere.
"Hands down the best MBA admissions consulting firm of all-time, and boy, what an incredible founder!" -- Raj Patil, Founder of Admissionado

Something for everyone:
https://admissionado.lpages.co/admissio ... nter-2018/
https://admissionado.lpages.co/50-essay ... ked-vol-4/
https://admissionado.lpages.co/case-studies-lp/
https://admissionado.com/mba/reviews/
https://www.glassdoor.com/Reviews/Admis ... 700945.htm

Reach out, and let's gab. Our only requirement is that you don't prefer warm milk over cold milk. Everyone else, 100% welcome.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 866-409-4753
Hit us up on WhatsApp.
Ping our satellite: 0884#&@-2#101101
Contact us via web form you lazy git: https://admissionado.com/contact/
Mostly, email Claudia.

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by comeon-gmat » Mon Dec 17, 2012 6:29 pm
+ 1
Jon@Admissionado wrote:700 is never a deal breaker ( and is actually an excellent score)... you are just missing the cherries on the cake, but if the cake is yummy...

And honestly with a 700 I don't think you need to drop any school off your list. You have chances everywhere I think. Even Stanford. So if you ask me, I would say just apply to the schools you REALLY want to go to. At the same time make sure there are one or three "easier" programs in there so that you h ave a balanced strategy, but honestly with such non-profit experience, and a good story and good goals, you have a shot anywhere.

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by SocialImpactMBA » Thu Dec 20, 2012 8:45 am
Thank you so much for your responses. I may be getting in touch with your company for some small scale, last minute consulting. Crunch time!