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

Redeem

Profile Eval for low gpa biotech BD guy?

Share tips as you apply, write essays, interview...
This topic has expert replies
Post new topic Post Reply
Previous Topic Next Topic
Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 3
Joined: Tue Oct 04, 2011 2:35 pm

Profile Eval for low gpa biotech BD guy?

by gmat18 » Tue Oct 04, 2011 2:51 pm
Dear All,

I'm in the middle of my applications and wanted to gather some opinions as to whether my aspirations for Bschool were overreaching. My story is somewhat unique in that I supported my way through college playing poker (explaining my low gpa, started in a scientist-bench role and transitioned into business development in the healthcare sector.

Profile:
Male, 27
GMAT: 710 (47Q/41V) 6.0 AWA
GPA: 2.7 in Biological Sciences, UCSD (c/o 2007)
Extracurriculars: 3 year board member of heart-disease research foundation, pop warner football coach, medical missions overseas

Work Exp: 4 years out of undergrad, with a unique mix of
- 2 yrs Business Development for a biotech company with 2 deals on deal sheet, with all the normal modeling and analytics to be expected from such a role
- 2 yrs as a preclinical scientist, conducting oncology experiments for an investigational new drug

Future plans: Continue in BD in Biopharma; have made some decent connections along the way from negotiations and conferences due to the BD community in biotech being pretty small.

In regards to schools, I am looking at mostly entrepreneurial-focused schools: Haas, Anderson, GSB, HBS, Sloan. Do I have a shot?
Top
Source: — The Application Process |
User avatar
Legendary Member
Posts: 510
Joined: Sun Sep 11, 2011 6:15 am
Location: London
Thanked: 122 times
Followed by:22 members

by throughmba » Tue Oct 04, 2011 9:15 pm
It's all relative. Not all 4.0 GPAs are equal. The value placed on GPA depends on what courses you've taken. In the name of diversity, it can pack a punch for sure.

You have a very good profile with very good GMAT score so you have addressed half of your GPA problems.

I am sure that its a perfect setting to show the adcom as a Work in Progress candidate. Its a perfectly plausible theme, asking the bschool in 'transforming' you. So the persona you should present in your application is someone who is both focused and accomplished, yet open to change and ready to be worked on.

Optional essays are there to take a stand and explain. There are obvious ways, one is taking responsibility and other is saying you were more interested in something very very unique. Show how this very very unique thing has led you to Bschool.

I hope it helps. You can mail me if you like.
ThroughMBA Consulting
The No. 1 B-School Admission Consulting of U.K. is now the most Affordable.

https://throughmba.com
email : [email protected]

Alex Wilkins
Senior Admission Consultant, ThroughMBA.com
Panelist | MBA Admissions Achievers Meet
Interviewer | MIT Sloan | Former
Management Consultant | McKinsey & Company | Former

"Regardless of who you are or what you have been, You can make what you want to be."
Top

GMAT/MBA Expert

User avatar
Elite Legendary Member
Posts: 3135
Joined: Fri Apr 01, 2011 8:55 am
Location: Everywhere
Thanked: 589 times
Followed by:332 members

by Jon@Admissionado » Tue Oct 04, 2011 10:21 pm
Hmmmm It's very interesting stuff. Getting a 2.7 because you were too busy playing poker. I would say you have a decent shot. You're in the right function in an industry that B-schools love. You have the GMAT to back up that you have got the brains. And you have a very interesting "making my money through poker" story.

The question will be: how to play it in the essays? Do you want to go with a "folly of my youth" bed? or rather be proud of it? You can swing this story many ways.

Anyhow, you do have a good shot if you can get the right stories. If your intention is to absolutely cover yourself to go to a program, you may add a few more schools lower ranked to even out the odds. But if it suits you, you can also go with a slightly more risky "Top or Bust" strategy.
"Hands down the best MBA admissions consulting firm of all-time, and boy, what an incredible founder!" -- Raj Patil, Founder of Admissionado

Something for everyone:
https://admissionado.lpages.co/admissio ... nter-2018/
https://admissionado.lpages.co/50-essay ... ked-vol-4/
https://admissionado.lpages.co/case-studies-lp/
https://admissionado.com/mba/reviews/
https://www.glassdoor.com/Reviews/Admis ... 700945.htm

Reach out, and let's gab. Our only requirement is that you don't prefer warm milk over cold milk. Everyone else, 100% welcome.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 866-409-4753
Hit us up on WhatsApp.
Ping our satellite: 0884#&@-2#101101
Contact us via web form you lazy git: https://admissionado.com/contact/
Mostly, email Claudia.
Top
Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 3
Joined: Tue Oct 04, 2011 2:35 pm

by gmat18 » Wed Oct 05, 2011 9:19 am
Thanks Alex, Jon. I appreciate the feedback. I agree that I should apply to a few other schools to cover my bases - I would definitely say that I am a 'work in progress' type of applicant - one who's potential is beginning to get uncovered and that b-school will surely be transformational in my development.
Top
Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 3
Joined: Thu Oct 06, 2011 7:12 pm
Thanked: 1 times
Followed by:1 members

by Lalit_P » Thu Oct 06, 2011 7:28 pm
Hi, It's good to see another biotech person on here! From what I hear, the AdComs like diversity and you got an "in" with your Healthcare background. Even within that subgroup, you stand out at as a (professional?) poker player. I'd say it's looking pretty good for you. Are you in the SD area as well?

Also, at the risk of heightening my competition, have you thought of Wharton? They have a Healthcare Management MBA that you might be interested in.
https://hcmg.wharton.upenn.edu/programs/mba_program.cfm
Top
Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 3
Joined: Tue Oct 04, 2011 2:35 pm

by gmat18 » Fri Oct 07, 2011 2:45 pm
Lalit - yes not many biotechies around, where do you work? In regards to the poker, I played online, at the local indian casinos before I turned 21, and oceans, just grinding through maybe 50-60 hrs a week.

I'm indeed in the San Diego area - are you? I haven't looked too much at Wharton, was thinking the schools I'm already considering are enough of a stretch.
Top
Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 3
Joined: Thu Oct 06, 2011 7:12 pm
Thanked: 1 times
Followed by:1 members

by Lalit_P » Sat Oct 08, 2011 10:05 am
I'm in the area as well, just sent you a personal message.
Top

GMAT/MBA Expert

User avatar
Elite Legendary Member
Posts: 3135
Joined: Fri Apr 01, 2011 8:55 am
Location: Everywhere
Thanked: 589 times
Followed by:332 members

by Jon@Admissionado » Sun Oct 09, 2011 12:39 am
Oh! You guys maybe were virtual poker enemies :).
Getting exciting here on BeattheGMAT!
Anyhow, biotech is a great industry. You get bonus points for just being in it.
"Hands down the best MBA admissions consulting firm of all-time, and boy, what an incredible founder!" -- Raj Patil, Founder of Admissionado

Something for everyone:
https://admissionado.lpages.co/admissio ... nter-2018/
https://admissionado.lpages.co/50-essay ... ked-vol-4/
https://admissionado.lpages.co/case-studies-lp/
https://admissionado.com/mba/reviews/
https://www.glassdoor.com/Reviews/Admis ... 700945.htm

Reach out, and let's gab. Our only requirement is that you don't prefer warm milk over cold milk. Everyone else, 100% welcome.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 866-409-4753
Hit us up on WhatsApp.
Ping our satellite: 0884#&@-2#101101
Contact us via web form you lazy git: https://admissionado.com/contact/
Mostly, email Claudia.
Top
Post new topic Post Reply
• Page 1 of 1