So I have been scouring forums and websites for the past several months, trying to get a feel for which programs are realistic for me. I have unconventional work experience (non profit mgmt), which could be a benefit or a detriment, depending on how my story "reads" to adcoms. I will try to give some context to my stats - id be grateful for a profile evaluation to help me narrow down some target schools!
Basic: 27 y/o white male (28 at matriculation). American.
GMAT: 700. 95th % verbal, 63% quant. I really screwed up timing on the quant section ( I usually score mid 80th % on practice tests). Retaking next Monday in hopes of raising quant to 80+ %tile. Quite confident that I can.
Education: 3.6 from UCSD. Major: Chinese Studies; Minor: Political Science. Spent 8 months studying in china. Upward grade trajectory. Also received a merit scholarship from UCSD to take extension classes in non profit development, as well as finance. Straight A's in those classes (several accounting/finance classes included).
Work Experience: 3 years at a non profit assisting wounded veterans. Started as grants coordinator, promoted to program director, and then to executive director. Progressive responsibilities correlating to each position - I have gained a deep understanding of non profits from several angles (program implementation, evaluation, fundraising, management, strategic planning, marketing, etc). The organization is relatively small, but quite established with national programs. You would probably not recognize the name, however.
Awards: the scholarship mentioned above, as well as a commendation from the brig. general in charge of special operations in ft. bragg (not a huge deal)
Extra curriculars: volunteered at a boarding school/orphanage in Kathmandu, Nepal for several weeks, but that was quite some time ago. Nothing notable in college (see explanation below) or post college, as my job/organization consumes my 'volunteer time'. Conversational in mandarin and spanish - though it is a goal of mine to become 100% fluent in chinese. Lots of traveling, in both developed and developing countries.
Goals: I chose my major out of an interest in the subject, and a genuine desire to help others. I figured It would be a great background to have, but would require an advanced degree to narrow its focus. I wanted to be a foreign service officer (state dept) working on small business development pertaining to china. My father got sick shortly after I transferred to UCSD, and passed away within a year. I spent most/all of my time with family in college, hence the lack of ECs. Due to my family situation, I chose to remain in San Diego after graduation to provide support. I came from a military family, so the cause of my current organization resonated strongly with me - I am lucky to be able to "work" for such a great cause. I found that I am most passionate about working on social/organizational issues from a strategic standpoint. I would like to get an MBA and work in non profit consulting (preferably international) dealing with larger organizations. Companies such as bridgespan typically recruit from top MBA programs. Long term, I would like to utilize my background in Chinese studies with a NGO operating in the region / on the issues, or perhaps realize a niche to fill with an organization of my own. I could make my passion shine through in admission essays - I'm writing this from an iPad, so my syntax is quite terse at the moment.
What schools should I target? Is top 10 way out of line? I know it will be a crapshoot, considering my unconventional background & goals. In my wildest dreams, I would be interested in Stanford/HBS, Haas, Yale, Northwestern, or UCLA. If that is unrealistic, are there any other social entrepreneurship / non profit mgmt programs I should be looking into?
Thank you! Sorry for the wall of text.
Basic: 27 y/o white male (28 at matriculation). American.
GMAT: 700. 95th % verbal, 63% quant. I really screwed up timing on the quant section ( I usually score mid 80th % on practice tests). Retaking next Monday in hopes of raising quant to 80+ %tile. Quite confident that I can.
Education: 3.6 from UCSD. Major: Chinese Studies; Minor: Political Science. Spent 8 months studying in china. Upward grade trajectory. Also received a merit scholarship from UCSD to take extension classes in non profit development, as well as finance. Straight A's in those classes (several accounting/finance classes included).
Work Experience: 3 years at a non profit assisting wounded veterans. Started as grants coordinator, promoted to program director, and then to executive director. Progressive responsibilities correlating to each position - I have gained a deep understanding of non profits from several angles (program implementation, evaluation, fundraising, management, strategic planning, marketing, etc). The organization is relatively small, but quite established with national programs. You would probably not recognize the name, however.
Awards: the scholarship mentioned above, as well as a commendation from the brig. general in charge of special operations in ft. bragg (not a huge deal)
Extra curriculars: volunteered at a boarding school/orphanage in Kathmandu, Nepal for several weeks, but that was quite some time ago. Nothing notable in college (see explanation below) or post college, as my job/organization consumes my 'volunteer time'. Conversational in mandarin and spanish - though it is a goal of mine to become 100% fluent in chinese. Lots of traveling, in both developed and developing countries.
Goals: I chose my major out of an interest in the subject, and a genuine desire to help others. I figured It would be a great background to have, but would require an advanced degree to narrow its focus. I wanted to be a foreign service officer (state dept) working on small business development pertaining to china. My father got sick shortly after I transferred to UCSD, and passed away within a year. I spent most/all of my time with family in college, hence the lack of ECs. Due to my family situation, I chose to remain in San Diego after graduation to provide support. I came from a military family, so the cause of my current organization resonated strongly with me - I am lucky to be able to "work" for such a great cause. I found that I am most passionate about working on social/organizational issues from a strategic standpoint. I would like to get an MBA and work in non profit consulting (preferably international) dealing with larger organizations. Companies such as bridgespan typically recruit from top MBA programs. Long term, I would like to utilize my background in Chinese studies with a NGO operating in the region / on the issues, or perhaps realize a niche to fill with an organization of my own. I could make my passion shine through in admission essays - I'm writing this from an iPad, so my syntax is quite terse at the moment.
What schools should I target? Is top 10 way out of line? I know it will be a crapshoot, considering my unconventional background & goals. In my wildest dreams, I would be interested in Stanford/HBS, Haas, Yale, Northwestern, or UCLA. If that is unrealistic, are there any other social entrepreneurship / non profit mgmt programs I should be looking into?
Thank you! Sorry for the wall of text.
Last edited by SocialImpactMBA on Fri Nov 23, 2012 5:44 pm, edited 2 times in total.
