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Profile Evaluation

by Krazie85 » Mon Apr 11, 2011 9:57 pm
Hi,

I am looking at applying to MBA schools this year for admission in 2012. About me:

25 year-old white male
3.98 Undergrad GPA from large state university in the South (majored in accounting)
750 GMAT score
Fluent in Japanese (passed the highest proficiency test offered by the government)
CPA

2 years experience with the JET Program (Japanese government program) teaching English at elementary and middle schools in rural Japan. Outside of work activities here included a cycling club and various events for students and people living in my community interested in English.

1 year experience doing transfer pricing consulting at a big 4 firm. Have been on a variety of projects and have focused on Japanese owned clients including participating in meetings with high ranking tax/accounting department Japanese nationals.

Extracurricular: Marathon finisher, involved in transportation reform initiatives in Los Angeles, CA, various committees at work

I am looking to shoot big and apply to Harvard, UPenn (lauder program), Stanford, Cal-Berkley, UCLA and then Southern Cal as my safety school.

The goal is to get in to banking or consulting with a focus on Japanese clients. What do you think about my chances for the top schools and any advice on things to focus on between now and application time?

Thanks!
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by Tani » Tue Apr 12, 2011 2:47 pm
This is a great profile: terrific stats, unusual background (Japan), good extracurriculars.

A few things to focus on:

First, your application. The schools you are looking at need killer essays. Focus on the things that set you apart. They will see tons of CPAs and tons of people who want in banking, but few Americans who actually know Japanese - tons of Japanese who know English. Your experience combines actually being in Japan with a government-based program working in the countryside. Those few Americans who do have experience in Japan will probably have worked with an American firm in a major city. Your extracurriculars portray you as active, energetic and involved...all good.

There are no major holes in your profile, but a couple of things might enhance it.

First, do what you can to be able to say "leadership" in your professional experience. Take on an extra assignment or initiate a project. Schools recognize that your industry can be pretty horizontal and actual management of people is hard to come by early on, but there are ways to show management and leadership through other than formal responsibility and titles.

Second, it's a good time to start building the sort of mentorship relationships with your superiors that will generate glowing recommendations. Schools are looking for in-depth knowledge of the applicant, not title, so be sure you focus on people who know you and your work.

Third, try to take on leadership responsibility in at least one of your extracurriculars. That can be a great opportunity to show "management" ability.

You are certainly the sort of applicant that should be applying to the top schools. Keep in mind, however, that the schools you are targeting turn down 85% of the applicants from exceptionally strong pools. There are never any guarantees when applying at this level. That said, you have identified a great safety school and should be in a strong position overall.

Good luck,
Tani Wolff
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by Krazie85 » Tue Apr 12, 2011 7:14 pm
Thank you so much for the quick and detailed response! I will take your advice and work on the things you mentioned....
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by Tani » Tue Apr 12, 2011 7:53 pm
Good luck, and let me know how it goes.
Tani Wolff
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