Ask mbaMission

Hello,

First of all, thank you very much for taking the time to evaluate my profile. I appreciate all of the advice I can get!

Allow me to e-introduce myself...

GMAT: Female
Nationality: Middle Eastern, fluent in 3 languages, conversational in 2, grew up in 7 countries
GMAT: 660 (85% - fair split btw Q & V). In the process of studying for a 2nd attempt. I am hoping for 700+.
Undergraduate: Double Major (Economics + Political Science), 1 semester study abroad, 3.7 GPA (graduated Cum Laude) from top 25 school
Undergraduate extra-curriculars: Started a student organization, volunteer teacher at local schools

Work Experience (4 yrs)
1 Yr Total: Healthcare consulting at a boutique consulting firm -- Not my cup of tea at all.
2.5 Yrs Total: Moved to the Middle East. Helped launch a government organization, under direct supervision of the president, that provides funding to entrepreneurs to start their businesses. Worked as a business counselor there for 2 years. Was then placed on a 6 month rotation to work at a private equity fund - M&A (affiliate of government organization). The reasoning behind placing me in this fund was because the government organization wanted to start a venture capital arm and have me involved in that. This is when I discovered my passion for social enterprise/entrepreneurship relating to this part of the world
8 Months ago - Present: Left the Middle East because I got married and, as a result, moved to NYC. Started volunteering (and still do) as a Financial Coach for low-income families (9 hrs/week).
Since February 2010: Working at a Fortune 100 company in Corporate Development...I primarily work in M&A and specifically, post-merger integration. While this is interesting, my passion lies in applying these skills for economic development (i.e. private equity/encouraging entrepreneurship in developing countries helps foster economic development)

Certifications: CFA level I, Pilates instructor certification

Short-term goal: To work in a fund or a foundation that does private equity (start-up capital or further along in PE) investments abroad (preferably Africa).
Long-term goal: To use those skills to help small business development & entrepreneurship in the Middle East.

Schools I hope to apply to R1 (by order of preference): Lauder Program at Penn, Columbia (social enterprise focus - dad is an alumni), HBS (social enterprise focus), London Business School

Questions for you:
1) How much of reaches are the schools I listed above (especially the Lauder program)? In other words, how negatively affected will I be because of my low gmat score? I am fully aware that my GMAT is not up to par for those schools. And this is, quite frankly, my biggest concern. Although I feel my application may be different and my essays may make for an interesting read, I still feel like my gmat score is a crippling weakness.
2) WIll the fact that I am applying after only assuming my current position for a couple of months reflect poorly to the admissions committee?
3) In relation to the question above, I am not comfortable asking my current supervisor for a recommendation. He doesn't know me well yet and I have two other previous supervisors can write great recs. Is that ok? Or would I have to provide an explanation?
4) My work experience from the Middle East to present is all related. However, my first job out of university is totally out field. Can I just write the truth and say that I realized it wasn't for me? Do I even have to address that or is it assumed that most people's first jobs don't work out?

Thanks again for the advice!

Dear Global Citizen -

You have an eclectic profile and I thank you for your questions - I am going to take them one-by-one below.

Questions for you:
1) How much of reaches are the schools I listed above (especially the Lauder program)? In other words, how negatively affected will I be because of my low gmat score? I am fully aware that my GMAT is not up to par for those schools. And this is, quite frankly, my biggest concern. Although I feel my application may be different and my essays may make for an interesting read, I still feel like my gmat score is a crippling weakness.

All of the schools you mention are quite competitive. However, the Lauder program's niche profile means that applicants with the language skills, career experiences and goals who are extremely focused and thoughtful about the program (and their fit with it) can be successful even if they fall below average on one dimension of their application. While the GMAT is just one data point, you have time to retest and it would be wonderful to remove this obstacle in your path with a 700+ score! Good luck. I really think your being a female from the Middle East with substantial international experiences, strong academics, in-depth volunteer and nonprofit credentials, and clear longer term career goals will matter more than the GMAT. The key is shaping that larger story most effectively regardless of what happens with the GMAT. In short, with your larger profile, the GMAT is not a "crippling weakness," but if you can overcome it by retesting, all the better.

2) WIll the fact that I am applying after only assuming my current position for a couple of months reflect poorly to the admissions committee?

Just briefly mention that a lifestyle change (getting married) meant you recently needed to move and find a new job. I think that if you focus on your work in the Middle East and maybe only one sizeable project in your current job, you should be able to manage this.

3) In relation to the question above, I am not comfortable asking my current supervisor for a recommendation. He doesn't know me well yet and I have two other previous supervisors can write great recs. Is that ok? Or would I have to provide an explanation?

I think that could work, although if you wait and apply in Round Two, would you be able to get a recommendation from your current employer? If the other recs are truly stronger, use them, but HBS requires three recommendations and this might mean you need one from your current boss any way. Alternatively, could you get a rec from the nonprofit roles? Your experiences as a finance coach sound unique, a recommendation from that nonprofit may be effective.

4) My work experience from the Middle East to present is all related. However, my first job out of university is totally out field. Can I just write the truth and say that I realized it wasn't for me? Do I even have to address that or is it assumed that most people's first jobs don't work out?

This might depend on the particular application's questions. However, you seem to have a lot of material to use, so see if you cannot just avoid mentioning it. Schools do not assume that "first jobs don't work out" but why would you waste your words in an essay telling them about this, right? Alternatively, if the essay or interviewer asks you to relate a personal story of "changing your course" or "changing your mind" this experience may become a valuable personal story to tell!

Good luck to you,
Jennifer

Hi Jennifer,

Thank you so much for throughly responding to my many questions. And thank you for encouraging my application to Lauder. I am excited to start essay writing (brainstorming done) and to make time for introspection, something I unfortunately don't do often.

Just to quickly address the current supervisor question, I can definitely get the Head Financial Coach at the non-profit I volunteer at to write me a recommendation. I think I feel more comfortable taking that route just because the company I am currently at very much prides itself on the long tenure of its employees. So to even hint at potentially leaving after one year of employment would be silently looked down upon.

Again, I very much appreciate your advice.

Best wishes,
Globalcitizen

Dear Global Citizen -
One more quick thought on your rec from the nonprofit point person: Sometimes these recommenders are inexperienced at doing this sort of thing and need a bit more "prep" and coaching from the applicant. Be sure to explain the key themes of your overall application, why you are going to business school. Do not be shy about engaging them in a conversation about how your contributions to their organization are skills and traits (such as communication skills, good planning and project management skill, etc.) that translate well in a business school application.
Hope this helps and good luck!
Jennifer