BREAKING: Target Test Prep releases Brand New 2026 On Demand GMAT prep course

Redeem

Peace Corps Experience

Free advice from the world's top MBA consultants
This topic has expert replies
Post new topic Post Reply
Previous Topic Next Topic
Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 1
Joined: Sun Mar 15, 2009 5:46 pm

Peace Corps Experience

by alexander24 » Sun Mar 15, 2009 6:16 pm
Hello everyone,

I am getting ready to leave for the Peace Corps. I will be a business advisor while in Costa Rica. I am curious if my experience will be viewed highly at any of the top 25 MBA programs.

My background: I graduated last year from a liberal arts college in Saint Petersburg Fl with honors 3.6 GPA. My degree is in Management. I studied abroad to China twice, Japan, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Taiwan, Cambodia, India and Belize (my minor was East Asian Studies). I had internships in Boston and Atlanta during two of my summers, I am from Minnesota. I was a financial advisor with Ameriprise for 8 months have my Series 7, 66 and insurance license. I had to stop for surgery and now am a Corporate Account Exec at a small business. My Gmat is 650 ( I know its low but am hoping my background will compensate).

My goal is to go to Harvard Kennedy School and Harvard Business School or Stanford and get a dual degree. Is this realistic or am I reaching in the clouds? Thanks for your input, I truly appreciate it :)
Top
Source: — Ask an MBA Admissions Consultant |
User avatar
MBA Admissions Consultant
Posts: 270
Joined: Thu Sep 18, 2008 2:20 am
Location: Philadelphia & Paris
Thanked: 35 times
Followed by:17 members
GMAT Score:750

by Graham » Mon Mar 16, 2009 3:28 am
Dear Alexander25,

Thanks for your post!

I have the following thoughts/comments:

1) Your ugrad experience sounds very interesting in terms of the extensive study-abroad you completed. Did all of this take place during a single academic year or were you away longer? Are you referring to 'study' or travels as well (that seems like a lot of countries to have studied in)... Do your grades include the study-abroad courses (often perceived as easier coursework).

2) A 3.60 GPA is clearly competitive at the top MBA programs like Stanford and HBS. Of course, I'd be curious to know more about the school you attended. Is it a top-20 liberal arts program? If not, the adcoms may use your GMAT to 'benchmark' the caliber of your ugrad institution.

3) Your GMAT is about 60-70 points below the average of the two target schools you mention. What were your percentile results on the math and verbal? Did you not cross the 80th percentile in one (or both) sections? As of now, this result is a bit of a 'red flag' if you are seriously targeting the very top programs. First, it will drag down your GPA (or the caliber of school you attended). Second, if you've only taken the exam once, the adcom will wonder why you haven't tried to improve a result that is so far beneath their average (especially since they really only take the highest score).

4) Your work experience sounds a bit spotty to date (8 months with one firm, a short stint with another). The good news is that your Peace Corps stint should help you add some stability (and uniqueness) to your profile, since you will be on a two-year post, etc. In additon, most MBA programs look favorably on Peace Corps experience.

Conclusion
While you have the beginnings of a solid candidacy for top-25 MBA programs, there are several elements that have yet to come into place. The first is the GMAT result - in which a retest with a higher result could really help your case. The second is your career path - ideally the Peace Corps experience offers you a great deal of leadership opportunity and cultural immersion, etc. The third relates to your outside activities/hobbies/community service - ideally you have plenty to work with here and will continue to nurture/develop these areas (you didn't comment on this area in your post). You'll also need to determine your career goals and why you need the dual degree, etc.

So are you "reaching for the clouds" with JFK/HBS and Stanford? I think the verdict is not yet in for most areas, but I can say that your present GMAT result may put those programs out of reach. While a lower score can be compensated for by other positve areas of one's profile, I fear that a 650 is simply going to be too low in this case (wheras you may have had a case if we were talking about a 680). Of course, I'd ideally see your ugrad transcripts to fully assess the situation, but that's my point of view based on the information you've offered.

Feel free to send your resume to [email protected] if you would like to set up a free initial assessment of your candidacy.

Best of luck,

Graham
Graham Richmond
Clear Admit, LLC
[email protected]
215 568 2590

Stay Informed with Clear Admit!
Read our Blog for daily MBA admissions tips and updates.
Follow us on Twitter for breaking b-school news.
Download our Publications on MBA programs and admissions strategy.
Visit our MBA Admissions Wiki to read and share application insights.
Top
Post new topic Post Reply
• Page 1 of 1