Does coming from poverty fit into an applicant profile?

Expert replies

HeyArnold: Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts; Posts: 31; Joined: Sun Jul 31, 2011 10:55 amFollowed by: 1 member

by HeyArnold » Mon Dec 05, 2011 8:03 pm

Sob story I know. But also a big part of who I am.

Is my upbringing in poverty fair game for an essay, perhaps as a set back, or have the adcom's "heard it all" and I'm better off using a leadership story?

Thanks!

Like this post

Source: Beat The GMAT — The Application Process | Mon Dec 05, 2011 8:03 pm

GMAT/MBA Expert

Jon@Admissionado: Elite Legendary Member; Posts: 3135; Joined: Fri Apr 01, 2011 8:55 amFollowed by: 332 members; Location: Everywhere; Thanked: 589 times

by Jon@Admissionado » Tue Dec 06, 2011 10:14 am

It can be okay, but don't expect accolades for it. Plus, you are not the only one. But if it's an important part of your development DO tell them about it. What would be far more impressive than YOU coming out of poverty, would be you PULLING others out of poverty as a leader! now THAT'S a story!

"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.

Like this post

Kaneisha Grayson: MBA Admissions Consultant; Posts: 213; Joined: Thu Jul 29, 2010 10:15 amFollowed by: 31 members; Location: Austin, TX; Thanked: 44 times; GMAT Score:620

by Kaneisha Grayson » Wed Dec 07, 2011 11:32 am

Hey Arnold!

Overcoming poverty (and helping others do so well) will definitely help your story. In fact, I wrote a piece here on BTG called "How Realizing I Was Poor Helped Me Write Great Admissions Essays" (https://www.beatthegmat.com/mba/2011/06/ ... ons-essays) which you should check out.

Cheers! (and high five to the formerly poor people!)
Kaneisha

Harvard Business School MBA 2010, Harvard Kennedy School MPA 2010
Founder, The Art of Applying
Admissions Consulting for MBA, MPP, Joint Degrees, and Fellowships
https://theartofapplying.com

Want free advice that actually works? Sign up for my weekly MBA, MPP, and JD newsletter here: https://theartofapplying.com/newsletter/

My clients have earned over $3.1 million in fellowships from Harvard and other top MBA, MPP, and JD programs since 2010.

Like this post

Post new topic Post Reply

• Page 1 of 1

GMAT Course Reviews

560 reviews

1168 reviews

431 reviews

359 reviews

147 reviews

5/5

5 Star (560 Reviews)

"Target Test Prep is the closest to the official version of the GMAT exam, about 99% accuracy in terms of the quality and quantity of information. The course has excellently created singular sets of focused lessons and tests for every possible topic that one could come across in the official GMAT exam."

"The TTP course maximizes the efficiency of the time you spend studying. It will take time and effort but I could almost guarantee that if you complete the course exactly as it is laid out you will get an amazing score. They also have a very responsive team willing to help with any questions you might have."

"TTP has two things that I think no other test prep company offers: A teaching approach that reinforces understanding and an attitude that will give you the mental preparedness needed to succeed on the test. TTP gives you a deep understanding of the concept you need to know while teaching you how to think."

Write a Review