Hi Everyone,
Planning early for MBA applications this fall and hoping for HBS.
My background is incredibly unique - hopefully in a good way - and I wondered if anyone had any feedback about my chances.
My Profile
26 / Male / Canadian
Education
Undergrad - Richard Ivey School of Business HBA
* Ivey's HBA is modelled after Harvard's program, and (I'd like to think?) the two schools have a good relationship. We are the second largest producer of cases in the world (next to Harvard) - I am hoping Ivey helps my application?
GMAT:
* I have not taken the actual test yet, but based on numerous practice tests I believe approximately 700 is realistic - slightly below the Harvard average. Does 20-30 points matter that much (eg. if I scored, say, 680?) given my unique experiences?
GPA:
"Good to Great"? Ivey's marking scheme is unusual but I assume HBS is familiar with it. Basically the equivalent of an A/high A- overall.
Work Experience:
It's difficult to tell the whole story concisely in an online forum, but here goes...
Throughout high school I operated an internet retail sales business, offering sports video tapes and DVD's to customers around the world. I made good (although not life changing) money while going to school.
I used the profits from my first business to begin investing in real estate, which I did while I went to Ivey. After graduation, I sold my properties and closed the internet business.
I purchased my first franchise of an up and coming retail ice cream shop in 2007. Over the last four years, I have expanded incredibly quickly. At this point:
* I secured financing for, and as a result opened, seven different locations in just two and a half years
* My stores generate nearly $3,000,000 in revenue
* Employee over 100 (mostly part-time) employees (have some great leadership stories for this portion)
* I've had lots of rewarding experiences (leadership - growth - financing) and lots of bad experiences (partnerships gone wrong - cash flow challenges - relationship with head office) that I think would lend themselves well to a business school application
I speak to an entrepreneurship class every year about "how entrepreneurial" my adventures in franchising have been - with the systemization, rapid growth, and creative financing I've been through, I generally manage to convince everyone that I didn't just "buy a job" - but will HBS see "franchise" and think something different?
I should point out that a deal is on the table for the stores to be sold and I would not be owning them while going to HBS (and this would be made clear in the application).
Extracurriculars
* Pubic Speaking - I speak at universities and high schools about my adventures in entrepreneurship approximately 10 times per year
* Junior Achievement - I deliver programs to grade school children about business and entrepreneurship
* Marathon Running, Volleyball, Soccer, Ultimate Frisbee
* Misc University clubs
Reference Letters
1. Entrepreneurship Professor from Ivey that I've stayed in contact with
2. Representative from Franchise head office
3. Suggestions for #3? Employee? Bookkeeper? Investor?
Specific Questions
1. How does Harvard look at entrepreneurship? Should I worry about any potential stigma of being a franchise?
2. Does being Canadian help? Going to Ivey?
3. Do 20-30 points really matter for the GMAT for "unique applicants"? (assuming I am one?)
Appreciate any advice!
Rob
Planning early for MBA applications this fall and hoping for HBS.
My background is incredibly unique - hopefully in a good way - and I wondered if anyone had any feedback about my chances.
My Profile
26 / Male / Canadian
Education
Undergrad - Richard Ivey School of Business HBA
* Ivey's HBA is modelled after Harvard's program, and (I'd like to think?) the two schools have a good relationship. We are the second largest producer of cases in the world (next to Harvard) - I am hoping Ivey helps my application?
GMAT:
* I have not taken the actual test yet, but based on numerous practice tests I believe approximately 700 is realistic - slightly below the Harvard average. Does 20-30 points matter that much (eg. if I scored, say, 680?) given my unique experiences?
GPA:
"Good to Great"? Ivey's marking scheme is unusual but I assume HBS is familiar with it. Basically the equivalent of an A/high A- overall.
Work Experience:
It's difficult to tell the whole story concisely in an online forum, but here goes...
Throughout high school I operated an internet retail sales business, offering sports video tapes and DVD's to customers around the world. I made good (although not life changing) money while going to school.
I used the profits from my first business to begin investing in real estate, which I did while I went to Ivey. After graduation, I sold my properties and closed the internet business.
I purchased my first franchise of an up and coming retail ice cream shop in 2007. Over the last four years, I have expanded incredibly quickly. At this point:
* I secured financing for, and as a result opened, seven different locations in just two and a half years
* My stores generate nearly $3,000,000 in revenue
* Employee over 100 (mostly part-time) employees (have some great leadership stories for this portion)
* I've had lots of rewarding experiences (leadership - growth - financing) and lots of bad experiences (partnerships gone wrong - cash flow challenges - relationship with head office) that I think would lend themselves well to a business school application
I speak to an entrepreneurship class every year about "how entrepreneurial" my adventures in franchising have been - with the systemization, rapid growth, and creative financing I've been through, I generally manage to convince everyone that I didn't just "buy a job" - but will HBS see "franchise" and think something different?
I should point out that a deal is on the table for the stores to be sold and I would not be owning them while going to HBS (and this would be made clear in the application).
Extracurriculars
* Pubic Speaking - I speak at universities and high schools about my adventures in entrepreneurship approximately 10 times per year
* Junior Achievement - I deliver programs to grade school children about business and entrepreneurship
* Marathon Running, Volleyball, Soccer, Ultimate Frisbee
* Misc University clubs
Reference Letters
1. Entrepreneurship Professor from Ivey that I've stayed in contact with
2. Representative from Franchise head office
3. Suggestions for #3? Employee? Bookkeeper? Investor?
Specific Questions
1. How does Harvard look at entrepreneurship? Should I worry about any potential stigma of being a franchise?
2. Does being Canadian help? Going to Ivey?
3. Do 20-30 points really matter for the GMAT for "unique applicants"? (assuming I am one?)
Appreciate any advice!
Rob
