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

Redeem

HBS 2+2 chances

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: Mon Aug 05, 2013 9:31 pm

HBS 2+2 chances

by billoreilly » Mon Aug 05, 2013 9:39 pm
Hey all, I'm new here. Looking to get some insight on whether I'd be competitive for this program or not.

Stats
Top 50 undergrad institution
Finance major
3.5 GPA, think I can get it to 3.6 by end of semester
770 GMAT
Hispanic, if it helps.

Extracurrics:
VP of fraternity
Team leader at my school's investment fund where we manage about $200,000
Led a team in a case study competition and placed as one of the finalists

Work experience:
3 internships at top bulge bracket firms, think MS/GS/JPM
2 of them were in investment banking in different groups, have a full time offer in hand

Rec letters could easily come from higher ups in groups I've worked in.

I've also studied abroad. I think my weak point is my GPA, and maybe extracurrics? Not sure as I haven't read much on what a HBS 2+2 profile should look like. I'm a strong writer as well and if given some direction can put together a pretty killer essay.

Thanks for your time.
Top
Source: — Ask an MBA Admissions Consultant |

GMAT/MBA Expert

User avatar
Legendary Member
Posts: 1088
Joined: Thu Apr 18, 2013 3:29 pm
Thanked: 171 times
Followed by:52 members

by CriticalSquareMBA » Wed Aug 07, 2013 9:15 am
Hey there,

Congrats on the GMAT score - well done sir!

The short answer is you are definitely competitive and you should absolutely apply for it. I'm not going to spend a lot of time stating why your profile is competitive (great work experience, awesome GMAT, hispanic, etc.) so I will, instead, respond to your two concerns.

1) Your GPA is fine. Has it been fairly consistent? By that I mean you've always been a good student or was there a 1st semester where you got a couple of Cs and then got your act together? A 3.5 is definitely respectable and while not super high, it isn't low either. The use of the word "fine" is most appropriate.

2) Your extracurriculars have a lot of potential here. A couple of quick questions. Does a team leader of the fund mean you led the fund, or led a component of the fund? If the latter, how much of that $200K did you manage? If the former, disregard that question. The case study placement is also impressive. HBS is a case method school. Not a 1:1 relationship but definitely a strong correlation! Finally, your leadership in a greek organization is significant. Are your extracurriculars exceptional? No. But are they above average? Yes sir.

You have a lot of things in your profile that could speak to a variety of key themes and what it will come down to is goal articulation. That's the key to 2+2.

I hope that helps and if you have any questions, just let me know! If you'd like to chat, just send me a PM.

Cheers,

Bhavik
Critical Square | MBA Admissions Services

Web | Facebook | Twitter

Sign up for a free consultation today!

We love helping! Was this post helpful to you? Thank us and let me know!
Top
User avatar
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 288
Joined: Wed Jun 22, 2011 10:23 am
Location: Los Angeles/NY
Thanked: 58 times
Followed by:11 members

by PrepMBA.AlexLeventhal » Thu Aug 08, 2013 2:35 pm
billoreilly wrote:Hey all, I'm new here. Looking to get some insight on whether I'd be competitive for this program or not.

Stats
Top 50 undergrad institution
Finance major
3.5 GPA, think I can get it to 3.6 by end of semester
770 GMAT
Hispanic, if it helps.

Extracurrics:
VP of fraternity
Team leader at my school's investment fund where we manage about $200,000
Led a team in a case study competition and placed as one of the finalists

Work experience:
3 internships at top bulge bracket firms, think MS/GS/JPM
2 of them were in investment banking in different groups, have a full time offer in hand

Rec letters could easily come from higher ups in groups I've worked in.

I've also studied abroad. I think my weak point is my GPA, and maybe extracurrics? Not sure as I haven't read much on what a HBS 2+2 profile should look like. I'm a strong writer as well and if given some direction can put together a pretty killer essay.

Thanks for your time.
Well done on a solid record so far. You are on a great course to get into a top tier MBA program, whether it is through 2+2 now or down the road. HBS 2+2 has become absurdly competitive and people with your accomplishments get in, but also don't get interviews. I feel I am one of the more experienced consultants targeting this program, and I feel acceptance is less predictable vs other traditional avenues. On the good side, the program is taking more finance/business majors vs some time ago, and your GMAT is great. I would not worry about your gpa--it is competitive. I would say vs your competitive set, your extra curriculars are light. Many folks are officers in their frats, and it does not give you stand out extra-curricular commitment. The case competition is also attractive and a great foreshadower of MBA success.

Bottom line, you are an attractive candidate, and all you can do is work hard on the essays and give it a shot. There is only upside.

Suerte,

Alex
Alex Leventhal
Harvard MBA, 1998
Prep MBA Admissions Consulting
www.prepmba.com
[email protected]
(323)424.3178
Top
User avatar
MBA Admissions Consultant
Posts: 810
Joined: Thu Jun 16, 2011 1:12 pm
Thanked: 127 times
Followed by:35 members

by MBAPrepAdvantage » Tue Aug 20, 2013 5:33 am
After working with many successful 2+2 clients you are definitely competitive and should apply. Your extracurriculars are good. Try to hone in on the specific leadership qualities you demonstrated while leading your school investment fund and case study competition (both relevant business areas). Also, what initiatives did you spearhead as VP of Fraternity? Finally, have you done anything with respect to diversity considering you are Hispanic? Adding a diversity aspect will help your profile.

As far as GPA your grades are what they are. Your academic profile is still on par with accepted classmates (your 770 GMAT is greater than the median GMAT of 740, while your GPA of 3.5-3.6 is below the average GPA of 3.78).

Also, consider applying to Stanford's deferred admissions and Yale Silver Scholar Program to diversify your MBA admissions chances.

Good luck,
Michael Cohan
MBAPrepAdvantage Founder & AIGAC Board Director
305-604-8178
www.mbaprepadvantage.com

Please thank and/or like individual posts.

Follow Michael Cohan on Image Image and BeattheGMAT.
Follow MBAPrepAdvantage on Image Image Image.

For a free assessment email [email protected] your target schools, goals, resume, GPA and GMAT or fill out our Free MBA Admissions Consultation Form.
Top
Post new topic Post Reply
• Page 1 of 1