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Hello all - I'd love to receive any advice relating to my profile. Specifically, do I have a chance at a top five school?

My Story:
For the last seven years I've been teaching high school English at a very competitive independent high school. Recently, I've become more and more interested in switching careers and getting into business; in particular, working for a management consulting firm. My free time is spent reading any number business strategy books, and I find business strategy to be a fascinating field. I really regret not getting into business during college.

I'm also interested in exploring the growing field of global educational consulting (working with schools that want to expand their classroom, globally). Given my background, I think this may be the more realistic option (and the easiest to sell).

(non-teaching) Leadership Experience :
- Director of three major student retreats
- Adult leader and work-site coordinator for three international service trips (to Mexico)
- Participation in global education seminars
- Participation in National teaching colloquiums
- Faculty mentor for younger teachers
- Participation in a number of task forces and committees focusing on school improvement
- Head JV football coach, head freshman rugby coach, varsity track coach
- Co-chair of accreditation committee

GMAT: 730 (Q44 , V47)

Age: 30

Undergrad GPA: 3.1 majoring in Communication Arts (read: public speaking) at a reputable state school
Grad GPA: 3.9 in Education at NYU

Target Schools:
- Stanford (reach), Kellogg, Ross, Yale, and Haas all have large education clubs, which may help.
- Harvard is probably a total reach...as it is with almost everyone... but since they partner with a global education company I'm thinking it may be worth a shot.

Recommendations:
- Would be very strong, including head of school

Extra-curricular
- Triathlete, recreational rock climbing, collegiate rugby player, tutor, etc

Do I have any chance at these schools given my lack of actual business experience and low undergrad GPA? I'm really interested to know if schools value candidates who have taken a non-traditional path, such as myself, or would they view my lack of experience to be a risk. I know schools love younger candidates that come from TFA, but what about independent schools?

Any input you guys (and gals) have would be great.

Thanks!

Hi Williams,

With 7 yrs. of work experience, you are in a perfect phase of your career, which most of the b-schools look for. B-schools look for: (1) diversity in the class, (2) value creation in class and b-school society. Subsequently, to convert your chances of application to admission in your shortlisted schools, you should expertly write application essays and exhibit leadership traits & achievement at work place during final interviews. If you are able to showcase these qualities, I am sure top b-schools should be within your reach.

Feel free to post any other concerns you might have.

Regards,
Richa

Williams21 wrote:Hello all - I'd love to receive any advice relating to my profile. Specifically, do I have a chance at a top five school?

My Story:
For the last seven years I've been teaching high school English at a very competitive independent high school. Recently, I've become more and more interested in switching careers and getting into business; in particular, working for a management consulting firm. My free time is spent reading any number business strategy books, and I find business strategy to be a fascinating field. I really regret not getting into business during college.

I'm also interested in exploring the growing field of global educational consulting (working with schools that want to expand their classroom, globally). Given my background, I think this may be the more realistic option (and the easiest to sell).

(non-teaching) Leadership Experience :
- Director of three major student retreats
- Adult leader and work-site coordinator for three international service trips (to Mexico)
- Participation in global education seminars
- Participation in National teaching colloquiums
- Faculty mentor for younger teachers
- Participation in a number of task forces and committees focusing on school improvement
- Head JV football coach, head freshman rugby coach, varsity track coach
- Co-chair of accreditation committee

GMAT: 730 (Q44 , V47)

Age: 30

Undergrad GPA: 3.1 majoring in Communication Arts (read: public speaking) at a reputable state school
Grad GPA: 3.9 in Education at NYU

Target Schools:
- Stanford (reach), Kellogg, Ross, Yale, and Haas all have large education clubs, which may help.
- Harvard is probably a total reach...as it is with almost everyone... but since they partner with a global education company I'm thinking it may be worth a shot.

Recommendations:
- Would be very strong, including head of school

Extra-curricular
- Triathlete, recreational rock climbing, collegiate rugby player, tutor, etc

Do I have any chance at these schools given my lack of actual business experience and low undergrad GPA? I'm really interested to know if schools value candidates who have taken a non-traditional path, such as myself, or would they view my lack of experience to be a risk. I know schools love younger candidates that come from TFA, but what about independent schools?

Any input you guys (and gals) have would be great.

Thanks!

Williams21,

You've received some helpful advice so far. I specialize in helping nontraditional applicants get into top schools. What I find to be most helpful and encouraging to nontraditional applicants is to compare applicants to clients I've actually worked with and share their story.

You sound like a client I worked with who had these stats:

- early 30s
- US ethnic minority
- grad from a reputable state school with 3.4 GPA
- 620 GMAT
- lots of leadership and community involvement
- good enough work experience (lots of years but not necessarily superstar. This is different than you.)

We got him into his top choice, Kellogg (after being waitlisted) by relying on very strong stories and Kellogg's awesome "everyone interviews" policy. We prepped him a lot to shine in his interview.

I have another client (younger than you) who was a White U.S. male from a state school with a blah undergrad GPA, great community experience, and strong GMAT that we worked together to get him into NYU Stern if you feel he's a closer match to you.

I think you have a great chance if you focus on cohesive, compelling essays that authentically show who you are, how you think, what motivates you, why you fit in at a particular school, what you'll contribute, and like Jon said, how it all fits together for your life and career vision.

If you've worked/volunteered actively with communities of color in the U.S. (which I assume you have since you're a public school teacher), applying through the Consortium might be a great option for you as well.

Best of luck with your application process!

Kaneisha