The Application Process

I am a last minute applicant.

Applying for LBS in R4 (April 2011)

I am studying for the GMAT and will be taking it in 2 months. Expect a 650-675 score.

Reasonable academics

6 years / Real Estate - professionally qualified Chartered Surveyor. Work within Valuation for bank lending purposes, at number 1 UK Real Estate consultancy. Associate level.

29 years old.

Have my own business as well - buying, developing and managing houses which I let to University students achieving yields of 15-20%. I currently have 48 tenants so I am strong at management, organising etc.

Any feedback?

Many thanks

Hi leigh_, if possible aim for a higher GMAT score. The average for the MBA class of 2012 was 701. Doesn't mean you have to get 700+ but scoring in the high 600s never hurts , especially if you only have "reasonable academics". Either your GMAT or your academics has to be strong.

One advantage you have is your atypical background, sounds very interesting. What do you plan to do post-MBA?

tmino - thanks for your reply.

Your not the 1st person to tell me I'm not from a typical background. At the LBS open evening last week, one of the alumni said the same thing. This should be an advantage, although R4 is obviously the hardest round to get accepted on. Is this true?

I will aim for as high GMAT as possible, I just want to be realistic.

Reasons for applying - had a relatively successful career to date but feel that I need to further myself. I've got great expertise within Real Estate (both from my professional life and also from my business), and I can share these experiences with the class.

Post MBA - I want to get into Investment Banking or Sales/Trading and without the MBA it just is not possible. The MBA will provide me with a platform so that I can fulfil these goals.

Thoughts?

Thanks again.

You are right that R4 is the most competitive round, but your atypical profile might help you stand out from other late applicants. As to career goals, you need to demonstrate in your essays how you will use your current skills to land a job in banking. That goes for any post-MBA career goal: highlighting transferable skills.

Just a thought on GMAT scores: At LBS top recruiters (Google, BCG, McK) ask for GMAT scores when you apply for internships / FT positions. I can't recall if most banks do so as well, but I wouldn't be surprised. Hence another reason to score high, it may be important not only to get into business school, but also for your career afterwards.

Great, thanks tmino.

Very good advice indeed.

Wish me luck as I've got an intense (but exciting) 3 months ahead of me prior to the R4 deadline.

Fingers crossed!!!

I'm applying R3. Finishing up my essays this week already, woohoo!

Has anyone got interview calls for Round 2? It's supposed to be announced today!

Not yet...

If you got an interview in round 2 you should check out this really good interview guide I found.

https://media.www.harbus.org/media/stora ... 0881.shtml

It's made by current HBS students with their questions and analysis from their actual interviews, and it's only $35. Which compared to the application fee totally seems worth it to me. It says that it is an HBS specific guide, but that's just because of the local info and campus map, etc. I think it servers as awesome prep for any important interview.

Hope everyone is hearing good news!

Are you the author? publisher?
You seem to love this guide, looking at the number of messages you posted to praise it

i'm super enthusiastic about things i think are worthwhile, this happens to be one of them. i also love to share information.

afterall, sharing is caring! lol.

seriously though, i just think it's worth it. helped me ace what was surely one of the most important interviews of my life.

sorry to be a nudge!

dreamysaloni: I just received the email from the admission team.
So far, so good.

Good luck for the interview everyone.

Hi everyone!

Any tips for the LBS interview (R2)??

Thanks!

Hi,

Round 2 decisions will be communicated today.
Anyone knows if we should expect a call/email?

Has any member of our communicty already received their decision notification?

Thanks a lot!