Currently studying for GMAT. Aiming to start in Fall 2016. What are my chances, and what specific things can I do to make myself more attractive to: Kellogg, Rotman, Stanford, HEC Paris, Hult. My profile's a bit long - I've not had a linear path for a typical MBA candidate at all! I'm also asking for help on what aspects of my profile to emphasize to increase my attractiveness.
My profile:
28 years old, female, black, Caribbean
Dual citizen of Canada (by birth) and Trinidad and Tobago (by descent)
Cambridge A Levels - won award for fifth highest mark in the world in Cambridge A Level Literature - recognised by Cambridge University and Trinidad & Tobago Government
Won scholarship from Trinidad Government for world ranking
Went to university in Montreal (Concordia University), did Communication Studies (extremely competitive program), minor English Literature. 3.16 GPA on a 4.33 scale so a bit on the low side.
Returned to Trinidad to serve Government for 2.5 years as part of scholarship programme (mandatory work service). Placed and moved around based on the Gov't needs for my skill set. Worked in Min of Trade and Industry, Government media houses and country's national investment promotion agency within Communications. Accomplishments: Was the Ministry's Communications rep on several committees for international conferences - China-Caribbean Economic and Trade Forum (worked with representative of the Government of China as part of the committee), Caribbean Investment Forum, Trade and Investment Convention. Worked with the EU Commission to develop communications plan for a major Ministry project. Also led team to organise major effort for international advertising for several Ministries in the Trinidad Government (worked with Marketing Manager of the Times of India to pull this off)
Recruited by local outpost of Ogilvy & Mather in Branding & Strategy department. Accomplishments: worked with top UK branding firm within the global Ogilvy network (part of WPP) to develop iterative process for brand strategy (currently being further developed and is in use within the global Ogilvy network). Successful brand strategy for Trinidad's Ministry of Arts and Multiculturalism, led teams in campaigns for Shelter for Battered Women and Children, Population Services International (Caribbean branch), Diageo (Bailey's). Led research effort for several current and prospective clients including Unilever (Dove), Samsung Trinidad.
Currently working as Inbound Marketing Lead for content marketing startup agency. Running company though, wearing several hats (project management, advertising campaign management, scouting for new clients, etc) - this is typical in a startup environment. Clients include: one of the Caribbean's largest banks, the nation's investment promotion agency, the country's Energy Chamber.
Started an event marketing business with friends - we charge companies/brands a fee to place their products in an event we organize. We promote these products to a young adult market they have been trying to tap into, by using event and social media marketing. Clients include territory offices of: Patron Tequila, BlackBerry, Dial, Trojan, Angostura, and more.
Aiming for MBA because I've realised from my own experience in communications in the public and private sector that communications needs are part of overall business needs. Need to have qualifications in business administration to display understanding of business objectives in order to demonstrate to organisations and companies the importance of communications and proper communication strategy to their bottom lines. Most companies in the Caribbean also risk-averse, CEOs don't have confidence that marketing and communications teams understand business needs.
My profile:
28 years old, female, black, Caribbean
Dual citizen of Canada (by birth) and Trinidad and Tobago (by descent)
Cambridge A Levels - won award for fifth highest mark in the world in Cambridge A Level Literature - recognised by Cambridge University and Trinidad & Tobago Government
Won scholarship from Trinidad Government for world ranking
Went to university in Montreal (Concordia University), did Communication Studies (extremely competitive program), minor English Literature. 3.16 GPA on a 4.33 scale so a bit on the low side.
Returned to Trinidad to serve Government for 2.5 years as part of scholarship programme (mandatory work service). Placed and moved around based on the Gov't needs for my skill set. Worked in Min of Trade and Industry, Government media houses and country's national investment promotion agency within Communications. Accomplishments: Was the Ministry's Communications rep on several committees for international conferences - China-Caribbean Economic and Trade Forum (worked with representative of the Government of China as part of the committee), Caribbean Investment Forum, Trade and Investment Convention. Worked with the EU Commission to develop communications plan for a major Ministry project. Also led team to organise major effort for international advertising for several Ministries in the Trinidad Government (worked with Marketing Manager of the Times of India to pull this off)
Recruited by local outpost of Ogilvy & Mather in Branding & Strategy department. Accomplishments: worked with top UK branding firm within the global Ogilvy network (part of WPP) to develop iterative process for brand strategy (currently being further developed and is in use within the global Ogilvy network). Successful brand strategy for Trinidad's Ministry of Arts and Multiculturalism, led teams in campaigns for Shelter for Battered Women and Children, Population Services International (Caribbean branch), Diageo (Bailey's). Led research effort for several current and prospective clients including Unilever (Dove), Samsung Trinidad.
Currently working as Inbound Marketing Lead for content marketing startup agency. Running company though, wearing several hats (project management, advertising campaign management, scouting for new clients, etc) - this is typical in a startup environment. Clients include: one of the Caribbean's largest banks, the nation's investment promotion agency, the country's Energy Chamber.
Started an event marketing business with friends - we charge companies/brands a fee to place their products in an event we organize. We promote these products to a young adult market they have been trying to tap into, by using event and social media marketing. Clients include territory offices of: Patron Tequila, BlackBerry, Dial, Trojan, Angostura, and more.
Aiming for MBA because I've realised from my own experience in communications in the public and private sector that communications needs are part of overall business needs. Need to have qualifications in business administration to display understanding of business objectives in order to demonstrate to organisations and companies the importance of communications and proper communication strategy to their bottom lines. Most companies in the Caribbean also risk-averse, CEOs don't have confidence that marketing and communications teams understand business needs.
... Key among them that I can think of right now are:
