Appreciate an Evaluation

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Appreciate an Evaluation

by Heseraj » Sat Oct 01, 2016 8:49 pm
Mosa Rahimi is here. I appreciate your advice in advance.

1. Work experience: I've started as a sergeant in January 2004, rose the rank very quickly and became the Aide the Camp to the Afghan Border Police Director General. In 2008, I left my job to fully pursue higher education and was a lieutenant by then. Joining counter narcotics programs sponsored by the U.S. Government, I worked in different capacities: language assistant, program assistant, senior program assistant and finally adviser to the deputy minister of counter narcotics. My last two promotions, senior program assistant and adviser came after my graduation from college in May 2013. During not only my college but also secondary and high school, I had had a full time job while with hardworking continued my education. However, I've been living in the U.S.A since October 2014 and have had difficulties entering to a relevant career path. Jobs worked in the State, Bank teller, Cashier and currently I work as an over the pone interpreter for Cyracom Internationals.

2. GMAT score 620, 66th percentile, Quant 44, 54th percentile, Verbal, 32, 67th percentile. My score, even though not as high and competitive as needed for top business schools, is the highest, with a gap of 70 points from the second highest, GMAT score that I know any afghan applicants who studied and grew in Afghanistan has gotten.

3. The American University of Afghanistan. GPA 3.31. BBA with concentration in Finance, May 2013

4. Leadership roles: Member of the student government association with highest entry vote, initiator and organizer of a number of gatherings, meetings and fund raisers for students who had difficulties funding their education. In the context my community, my contribution can be defined as the first call for both materialistic and advisory helps. i.e. a place to stay, fund to borrow, take people with health issues who come from my countryside to hospitals or advice in terms of what course of action shall I or my school in children take. (note: I am a strong advocate of female education and was one of the most trusted males who was reached by different females for advice, financial support, either loaning my own money to, or finding another trusted male to borrow for them, and even needs such as transportation from university to home). In the summer of 2014, I turned down the suggestion made by some of my community elders to take part in provincial and district (county) people assembly election on the ground of not being ready for that role.

5. My short terms goals are entering into finance and consulting for a couple of years and get experience in this market. M long term goals are open my own consulting and finance company in Afghanistan with a focus on education support, financial advisory and business operation sustainability.

6. Any target schools specially Harvard, Columbia and Cornell in particular for my wish list and Daniel Business School, University of Buffalo and Baruch College
I really appreciate if you provide me your assessment on my profile.

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by Jon@Admissionado » Sun Oct 02, 2016 10:25 pm
Hello there Mosa Rahimi,
Very good to hear from you!

So first of all, let me say that your experience is very interesting. definitely one of the most unique stories I have heard, and as you can guess we see very few Afghani applicants. Which is great for you!

As it will make your profile more interesting and unique. I also think that the fact that you have great military and leadership experience will be helpful.


The main weakness I see here (As maybe you guessed) is your GMAT score. And with a 620 many of the top schools will be out of range. Which is why I ask myself if it wouldn't be a fantastic idea for you to consider retaking the GMAT. :) Of course if you think you can do better it is a good idea

Now, as for your schools: Actually first of all I think you need to rethink things because you have a very big (maybe too big) range of Schools. Harvard and Baruch and worlds away form one another, and actually Baruch would be more reasonable for you with your current GMAT.

I hope this helps!
And if you have any other questions, do not hesitate,
Best,
Jon
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by Heseraj » Mon Oct 03, 2016 5:53 pm
Dear Jon

Thank you very much for your response.

Given the range of GMAT that HBS accepts for its MBA class, even though the lower end range might be only a handful or even fewer than a handful of students, my unique story and the fact that I have the highest GMAT score that any Afghan applicant who studied in Afghanistan has gotten so far, you still think that I might not be a suitable candidate for HBS, my candidacy will be vulnerable to criticism and shortcoming or my admission probability will be low?

What do you think if I take the risk and apply for HBS?

Note: I've taken GMAT only once and out of the entire official materials and the 6 GMAC offered practice exams, I only took one. However, that doesn't mean that I've not studied for GMAT at all. I studied all on my own for at least three months and off of any materials I could get for free or cheap for example: Veritas, Manhattan Gmat app, Manhattan Review and GMATPrepNow. Only two months before my exam, I could register for two prep courses which helped me tremendously. Therefore, I am going to retake the exam in late Feb or early March 2017, hoping to top up my scores.

If I go with my back up plan and apply 3rd round, taken that I secure a higher GMAT score (a score ranged 680 to 700), what would be my chance of admission to Harvard by then?

Baruch and two other universities are my secure bet for admission.

Sincerely

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by Jon@Admissionado » Wed Oct 12, 2016 7:37 pm
Heseraj wrote:Dear Jon

Thank you very much for your response.

Given the range of GMAT that HBS accepts for its MBA class, even though the lower end range might be only a handful or even fewer than a handful of students, my unique story and the fact that I have the highest GMAT score that any Afghan applicant who studied in Afghanistan has gotten so far, you still think that I might not be a suitable candidate for HBS, my candidacy will be vulnerable to criticism and shortcoming or my admission probability will be low?

What do you think if I take the risk and apply for HBS?

Note: I've taken GMAT only once and out of the entire official materials and the 6 GMAC offered practice exams, I only took one. However, that doesn't mean that I've not studied for GMAT at all. I studied all on my own for at least three months and off of any materials I could get for free or cheap for example: Veritas, Manhattan Gmat app, Manhattan Review and GMATPrepNow. Only two months before my exam, I could register for two prep courses which helped me tremendously. Therefore, I am going to retake the exam in late Feb or early March 2017, hoping to top up my scores.

If I go with my back up plan and apply 3rd round, taken that I secure a higher GMAT score (a score ranged 680 to 700), what would be my chance of admission to Harvard by then?

Baruch and two other universities are my secure bet for admission.

Sincerely
Hello there Mosa Rahimi
So very good to hear from you again!
Now that is a VERY interesting story. I didn't realize that you have the highest GMAT score, and yes it is impressive. Now, should you apply to HBS? Of course! You ABSOLUTELY should go for it. But don't apply ONLY to HBS. Because they may take you on, or not, but a school strategy should be based on a bunch of schools. And again, you do have so any interesting stories, exterminating circumstance and ARE sooo very unique that sure, you could have a chance anywhere.

Of course that doesn't change the fact that you can make the job a LOT easier for them by improving your GMAT.

So my advice: Make your school list for R2. Finish what applications you can for that round. And try and get in a GMAT retake before R2 if possible, if not, then before they give answers for R2, so at least you can send a letter saying "Hey I got 50 points more on my GMAT!!!!"

Does that make sense?

I mean, given what you have written me regarding your GMAT test prep, it does seem that your score can go a lot higher.

Plus your candidacy is so unique that a R3 application would be totally fine for you, as that is EXACTLY the profile R3 exists for.

I truly hope these thoughts have been helpful!
Best,
Jon
"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.