Hi all,
I am at a very murky point in my MBA application process and would appreciate any insights you are able to offer.
Profile
GMAT: 740
GPA: 3.593
Undergrad: Top 50 State University, BA in Economics
Work Experience
- Peace Corps Volunteer in West Africa for 2 years, Small Enterprise Development Agent, professionally proficient in French
- Business development and strategy for a employee-owned consulting firm that specialized in international development and socially-focused work, 2 years
- Government analyst working on international trade data and statistics, 1 year
Other
- Currently trying to teach myself basic programming, mostly through MOOCs and free resources
- Organizer/Assistant temple youth program
- Tutor for middle school students in transitional housing, Housing Up
- Volunteer mapping activities, OpenStreet Maps
Post MBA Goals
In a nutshell, I want to continue working internationally and in a data-rich environment. Specifically, I am interested in leveraging my current work experience to move into strategy and emerging markets. I would love to work with companies that are trying to break into new global markets, and are using data to inform their decisions.
I have an atypical background for a MBA, so I am looking to develop the business skills I have learned on-the-job and advance my career in the private sector. I am interested in programs that have a strong quantitative focus, and I am also looking into Public Policy masters programs. I would like to stay in the Mid-Atlantic region.
Are these schools an appropriate list of targets? Any others I should consider?
1. Tepper - Data Analytics track
2. Georgetown - dual degree with MPP
3. Darden - Business Analytics concentration
4. Fuqua
5. Wharton (stretch - unsure about my chances here, but love their quant focus)
Thanks in advance!
5-Day Free Trial
5-day free, full-access trial TTP
Available with Beat the GMAT members only code
MORE DETAILS
Profile Evaluation and Target Schools List
This topic has expert replies
GMAT/MBA Expert
-
Donna@Stratus
- Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
- Posts: 298
- Joined: Mon Jun 20, 2016 11:37 am
- Thanked: 26 times
- Followed by:11 members
First of all, congrats on some great accomplishments professionally and also on the GMAT side. I think your list is good, I don't see any school as a stretch for you with a 740. I think all on your list could be good. I'd also look at programs at MIT, UT Austin and Wash U (Olin)- I thought about this more and think a school like Tuck would value your unusual work experience so I'd look at that program also. Would love to learn more and see if we can help- would need more info so please reach out to us for a free consult so we can learn more: https://stratusprep.com/free-consult/mba28 wrote:Hi all,
I am at a very murky point in my MBA application process and would appreciate any insights you are able to offer.
Profile
GMAT: 740
GPA: 3.593
Undergrad: Top 50 State University, BA in Economics
Work Experience
- Peace Corps Volunteer in West Africa for 2 years, Small Enterprise Development Agent, professionally proficient in French
- Business development and strategy for a employee-owned consulting firm that specialized in international development and socially-focused work, 2 years
- Government analyst working on international trade data and statistics, 1 year
Other
- Currently trying to teach myself basic programming, mostly through MOOCs and free resources
- Organizer/Assistant temple youth program
- Tutor for middle school students in transitional housing, Housing Up
- Volunteer mapping activities, OpenStreet Maps
Post MBA Goals
In a nutshell, I want to continue working internationally and in a data-rich environment. Specifically, I am interested in leveraging my current work experience to move into strategy and emerging markets. I would love to work with companies that are trying to break into new global markets, and are using data to inform their decisions.
I have an atypical background for a MBA, so I am looking to develop the business skills I have learned on-the-job and advance my career in the private sector. I am interested in programs that have a strong quantitative focus, and I am also looking into Public Policy masters programs. I would like to stay in the Mid-Atlantic region.
Are these schools an appropriate list of targets? Any others I should consider?
1. Tepper - Data Analytics track
2. Georgetown - dual degree with MPP
3. Darden - Business Analytics concentration
4. Fuqua
5. Wharton (stretch - unsure about my chances here, but love their quant focus)
Thanks in advance!
Last edited by Donna@Stratus on Wed Oct 05, 2016 5:25 am, edited 1 time in total.
-
99Colleges: MBA Admission
- Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
- Posts: 212
- Joined: Tue Jul 31, 2012 7:07 pm
- Thanked: 32 times
- Followed by:4 members
Hi mba28,
You've a solid GMAT score, and a good GPA to go along with.
You may not necessarily need to have a 'typical MBA' background to be a strong contender in the application process. What you need to demonstrate is that the skills and knowledge gained in your pre-MBA work are transferrable to the business world.
As far as choice of schools is concerned, you may consider NYU's BA track. Kellogg too has a data analytics track, but it won't fall in your geography of interest.
You may find this post useful:
Non-Traditional Applicant? Here's How You Can Strengthen Your Application
You've a solid GMAT score, and a good GPA to go along with.
You may not necessarily need to have a 'typical MBA' background to be a strong contender in the application process. What you need to demonstrate is that the skills and knowledge gained in your pre-MBA work are transferrable to the business world.
As far as choice of schools is concerned, you may consider NYU's BA track. Kellogg too has a data analytics track, but it won't fall in your geography of interest.
You may find this post useful:
Non-Traditional Applicant? Here's How You Can Strengthen Your Application
Anil, MBA (Wharton)| MBA Admissions Consultant
--------------------------------------
Consulting| Contact at [email protected] for your queries on MBA Admissions
--------------------------------------
And if you couldn't make it earlier, get a free ding analysis
--------------------------------------
Consulting| Contact at [email protected] for your queries on MBA Admissions
--------------------------------------
And if you couldn't make it earlier, get a free ding analysis
-
mcbMcK
- Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
- Posts: 308
- Joined: Sat Nov 13, 2010 8:29 pm
- Thanked: 43 times
- Followed by:5 members
A few thoughts on your profile mba28:
Cheers,
- The diversity of your experiences will instantly grab eyeballs. That is both a good thing and a potential burden. Latter because at least some of the changes do not have a clear rationale at first look - so you will have to articulate those well to ensure none of your work gets discounted.
- For reasons mentioned here, we do not speculate on the school selection. In general though, don't be too hung up on a Data Analtyics specialization. Be more cognizant of schools/programs that offer employment prospects in that space. Also know well what your post-MBA goals/roles could be within the Analytics world.
- The impact of your ECs/volunteer work is not very clear. That too will dictate how much they add to the overall profile.
Cheers,
MG (Manish Gupta)|The MBA Crystal Ball Team
Website: https://www.mbacrystalball.com
Email: mcb at mbacrystalball dot com
Website: https://www.mbacrystalball.com
Email: mcb at mbacrystalball dot com
