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Profile Evaluation

by stevieg » Sun Sep 27, 2009 6:45 am
Hi Stacey,

I trust that you are well.

Please could you perhaps give some advice on my evaluation.

I am planning to apply to the top 5 schools.

HBS is my number 1 choice.

Background
Born and raised in the UK.

BA in History from University College London (GPA:3.0)

Journalist for the The Times Group of Newspapers (1 year)

Derivatives analyst (UBS) - 3 years.

I have 6-7 year track record of strong extra-curricular activities, volunteering with several organisations (mentoring,education etc).

I am looking for a career change however and want to move into the non-profit sector with a long term target to set up a charitable foundation.

I am yet to take a GMAT but I'm assuming with my low GPA I would possibly need a 700+?

I know that Harvard may seem a long shot but I think
I can do it. I just wandered what your thoughts were and if you think my optimism is misguided!

Many Thanks for your time.

Regards,

Steve
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by Paxton Helms - Kaplan » Thu Oct 01, 2009 1:44 pm
Steve--

I just have a second but here goes...

- Yes, I think you have a chance; your coming from the UK is helpful though remember, you're competing with the cream of the UK; it's not like you're being measured HBS gets second-tier HBS applicants.

- Your GPA will matter less because of your considerable work experience...

- But that puts some serious pressure on your GMAT. Yes, I would shoot for 700, possibly more. The GMAT is math-slanted, in my opinion, so if you've been a derivatives analyst the expectation will be for you to do well on that section.

- Remember: HBS and similar programs have more qualified people than they can possibly offer slots to. So...do what you can to stand out. One fellow I worked with had done motor sports in college, another fellow founded a magazine...try and find and sell something unique.

You may also want to consider hiring a consultant to make sure that everything is as good as it can be. This is kind of on my mind right now since I have been working with two HBS applicants that --after coming in pretty confident about their apps-- were a bit startled at how much a consultant was able to improve them.

At the risk of sounding sales-y, I have time available.
Keep me in the loop about your thinking and let me know if you have any more questions.

Paxton



Paxton Helms is an MBA admissions consultant for Kaplan Admissions Consulting. He earned his MBA from UCLA and specializes in helping clients that are applying to top twenty and "reach" programs. He can be reached directly at [email protected].

To begin working with Paxton immediately, follow this link and request him specifically: https://www.kaptest.com/GMAT/Admissions- ... lting.html
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by stevieg » Thu Oct 01, 2009 4:29 pm
Hi Paxton,

Thanks for your reply - much appreciated.

Yep - I understand the type of competition I will be under.

I'm worried about my GMAT as in practice tests I'm scoring low, between 600-640. I know this probably isn't going to be good enough and many people are saying I have to shoot above a 700 to be competitive.

I have completed my essays and believe they are strong; this may mean I can get less than 700 but I still don't think this would be enough. I'm told that with sub 700 there's no point in applying to HBS.

Would you agree?

In general I believe my recommendations will be very strong (as my recommenders know me very well) and my essays. My work experience I feel is good.

However, I just think my GPA and GMAT may let me down and my feeling is that HBS may ultimately look unfavourably on this.

If you could let me know your thoughts it would be appreciated.

Kind regards,

Steve
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by Paxton Helms - Kaplan » Wed Oct 07, 2009 7:26 am
I'm worried about my GMAT as in practice tests I'm scoring low, between 600-640. I know this probably isn't going to be good enough and many people are saying I have to shoot above a 700 to be competitive.

I have completed my essays and believe they are strong; this may mean I can get less than 700 but I still don't think this would be enough. I'm told that with sub 700 there's no point in applying to HBS.

Would you agree?
Hi, again. You know, despite having taught GMAT and GRE for a while, I have come to the conclusion that practice tests have limited predictive value. So...go into the real thing calm and confident and do your best.

No, I do not agree that you need to have at least a 700 to get into HBS. Is it helpful? Of course, but you also have some other considerable strengths and you never what the committee is going to be thinking as they put together their incoming class.

In terms of essays, yes, make them strong because it does make a difference. I can tell you that, having read and edited LOTS of essays, the difference between a person who is speaking from the heart and really jazzed about what an MBA can do for them and the person that is straining to come up with something plausible but they don't believe in is night and day. Clients are consistently amazed by how the energy of the essay and THEIR energy changes when we get to something that they are excited about.
Keep me in the loop about your thinking and let me know if you have any more questions.

Paxton



Paxton Helms is an MBA admissions consultant for Kaplan Admissions Consulting. He earned his MBA from UCLA and specializes in helping clients that are applying to top twenty and "reach" programs. He can be reached directly at [email protected].

To begin working with Paxton immediately, follow this link and request him specifically: https://www.kaptest.com/GMAT/Admissions- ... lting.html
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