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Profile Evaluation Please

by llindah » Thu Jan 20, 2011 9:11 am
Hi Everyone,

I just finished my GMATs and wanted to get a jump start on Applications (still in the research phase) so excuse the lack of professionalism and silly hopes and dreams I may have. Could you help me evaluate my profile and see if my target schools are within target? I would also appreciate any advice you may have.

Profile:
Gender: Female
Nationality: Asian American (US Citizen)
Education: BSE in Industrial and Operations Engineering at the University of Michigan
GPA: 3.35 - I foolishly let my grades slip late junior and senior year
GMAT: 770, 6.0
Work experience at time of Entrance: 4 years Tech-Strategy Consultant for a well known firm, entered straight out of undergrad. I have a wide range of interesting experiences that should be good for crafting essays.
Age at time of Entrance: 26
Languages: English (fluent), Chinese - Mandarin (fluent), Spanish - Conversational/was semi-fluent but have forgotten much of it
Extra curricular: In undergrad I was VERY active in leadership and community service - it's probably what landed my job despite my slipping GPA. I lived/volunteered in Mexico for 2 months before starting work but post undergrad work has kept me so busy I haven't been active at all - should I pick something up?

Goal - I want to work in something challenging involving American businesses expanding into China (hence my California school selections) or settle for a cushy job in Southern California - marketing and the entertainment industry sounds interesting.

Hobbies - Snow and water sports, dance, drinking, etc

Target Program: FullTime MBA


Target Schools:
Harvard
Stanford
Northwestern
Berkley
UCLA - Mixed feelings, I want to go but the rankings seem to be slipping
Michigan - almost a safety school because of company connections and it was my undergrad
List is growing as I research..

Thanks
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by humblebee » Thu Jan 20, 2011 5:33 pm
Education: BSE in Industrial and Operations Engineering at the University of Michigan
GPA: 3.35 - I foolishly let my grades slip late junior and senior year
This is an engineering degree so a lower than 3.5 GPA is expected.

Plus you killed the GMAT so there will be no question about your ability to handle the 'intellectual vigors' of a MBA.
should I pick something up?
Not unless it fits in with the overall image/position you are trying to sell in your essays. It'll be blatantly obvious that you're trying to pad your resume if you just decide to volunteer in Africa to build orphanages.
Goal - I want to work in something challenging involving American businesses expanding into China (hence my California school selections) or settle for a cushy job in Southern California - marketing and the entertainment industry sounds interesting.
Be as concrete as you can about what it is that you want to do. These are vastly different goals. Pick one. Adcoms want people who know what they want, and hence why a MBA.

Also, why career change? What led you down that path given you were a tech strategy consultant before hand. What inspired you?

[/quote]
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by paulsbodine » Thu Jan 20, 2011 6:51 pm
llindah,

You seem to be strong with the exception of recent extracurriculars. Since you're aiming high, you'll want to address that starting right about ... now. :) Aim for a leadership role in an off-the-beaten-path extracurricular that reflects your passions, and start racking up some impact (easier said than done, I know). Based on what you've shared I'm not sure I see enough distinctiveness to make HBS or Stanford realistic but feel free to send me your resume and I look for more differentiators. You should be competitive at the other 4 schools, if you ramp up your extracurriculars.

Good luck,
Paul Bodine
Author, "Great Applications for Business School," "Perfect Phrases for Business School Acceptance," "Perfect Phrases for Letters of Recommendation"
https://www.paulsbodine.com/
[email protected]
(858) 869-1959
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by llindah » Thu Jan 20, 2011 7:24 pm
Thank you for the honest replies - I really need to dig deep and figure out how to distinguish myself to get into my dream schools then - and figure out my exact direction to take. It's also comforting to know my GPA won't kill me - it was my biggest insecurity especially since I can't change it anymore!

I have leadership 'extracurriculars' within my company - but that's all on company time and doesn't really count - right? Should I put my efforts in something along the lines of (more categories rather than doing that specific thing) starting a small business, volunteering at a humane society, getting a leadership in a local professional society.. or... any other ideas? I have almost a year until apps, no point not trying even if it looks like I'm padding - at least they know I tried?
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by paulsbodine » Thu Jan 20, 2011 7:36 pm
llindah,

Work-related leadership extracurriculars do count, just not as much as self-initiated extracurriculars. It's much, much better to have a long, intensive commitment with a single cause than multiple causes. Schools value duration and depth of involvement.

Good luck,
Paul Bodine
Author, "Great Applications for Business School," "Perfect Phrases for Business School Acceptance," "Perfect Phrases for Letters of Recommendation"
https://www.paulsbodine.com/
[email protected]
(858) 869-1959
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by humblebee » Thu Jan 20, 2011 7:45 pm
llindah wrote:
I have leadership 'extracurriculars' within my company - but that's all on company time and doesn't really count - right? Should I put my efforts in something along the lines of (more categories rather than doing that specific thing) starting a small business, volunteering at a humane society, getting a leadership in a local professional society.. or... any other ideas? I have almost a year until apps, no point not trying even if it looks like I'm padding - at least they know I tried?
Of course you can use 'extracurriculars' within your company. Why not? It shows you aren't one dimensional and just focused on work. Most people have stuff outside of work because their work doesn't offer it. As long as this extra-curricular stuff isn't one of your core responsibilities, then it is considered extra-curricular.

You should 'pad with purpose'. First decide on your end goal after MBA. Then fill in all the gaps leading up to the MBA that support the story that you are trying to sell. So if you want to go to China, do an activity which demonstrates you interests in East Asian affairs. If you want to do entertainment, do something entertainment focused. Undertake the activity in which you can have a big impact on a number of people in a very short space of time - otherwise you are merely a participant...
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