Profile evaluation

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Profile evaluation

by johkkim » Tue Oct 13, 2009 9:26 pm
Age: 26

College: University of Southern California
Graduated 2005
Major: Biomedical Engineering
GPA: 2.93

Grad School: University of Southern California
Graduated 2007
Major: Engineering Management
GPA: 3.27
* I took this right after college mainly to address low undergrad GPA and also to be on the fast track within the medical device industry, not for a career-changer like MBA.

Grad School: Johns Hopkins University
Expected Graduation Date: Unknown
Major: Biotechnology
GPA: 3.7
* Took this to prepare for a potential career in biotechnology equity research

GMAT: 670


Work:

2007-Present (will have 3.5 years of work experience by start of MBA program in Fall 2010)
Process Engineer for a Top 5 Pharmaceutical Company
Handled increasing responsibilities including project manager for couple projects that gave me a good view of how the business works in healthcare


Strengths:

Quantitative skills, project management, technical writing, passion for biotechnology


Career Goals:

Interested in pursuing a post-MBA job in finance, particularly in biotech equity research, then leverage that experience to join a venture capital firm specializing in stem cell gene therapy


What I hope to get out of MBA:

Finance training, soft skills, and the cross-functional mentality for both science and business


Leadership:

2007-Present: served in the Fundraiser position for Stanford's School of Medicine under the Associate Director of Development, on behalf of stem cell research scientist at the same school; gave presentations (oral and written) to potential donors and coordinated speaking engagements with the scientist
-Have gone around the world to assist as a Medical Missionary
-Involved with youth basketball league as a coach


Questions:

- Based on my short profile, I know the chances are slim but are Stanford, MIT, Wharton, and NYU worth a shot? If so, in what order?
- I'm currently enrolled in Johns Hopkins' part-time online program which can be completed anytime, anywhere. I most likely won't finish before I start my full-time studies at an MBA school in fall of 2010. How should I explain my situation?
1. Not mention it at all. (But I think this is a good thing to mention, because it shows I can balance work and school)
2. Explain that I'll somehow finish by the start of MBA. (even though I won't)
3. Explain that I'll delay until finish the MBA.
4. Explain that I'll take it concurrently with MBA (1 class maximum per semester), even though this might be overkill.
* I can also explain that I can treat my unique situation as a dual-degree program.

Your help is highly appreciated.

Thanks!
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by Lisa Anderson » Thu Oct 15, 2009 8:14 am
Dear johkkim,

You are correct that your 4 target schools are a reach for you with your profile. The schools are on par with one another, so your chances are about the same at all of them. However, you might have a chance at getting in with a strong, overall application. The main hurdle for you at any school you apply to will be your rationale for getting your MBA in relation to your past experience/education and future career goals. You already have 1 master's degree, are enrolled in another master's program, and now want to pursue a third. I do think you have to disclose your degree in progress and convey your plan for completing the degree. If you plan to continue taking classes towards the Johns Hopkins degree, then you need to make the admissions committees aware. This will cause a concern as MBA programs are intense and require a lot of time, so you must show the admissions committees that it will not affect your commitment to the MBA.

Good luck,
Lisa
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by johkkim » Thu Oct 15, 2009 8:57 am
Thanks Lisa,
I probably need to do a good job convincing MBA adcom's of why an MBA is justified. (i.e. jobs in biotech equity research REQUIRE an MBA and MS or PhD/MD, bc it's so specialized, hence my justification for pursuing those 2; the 1st MS degree was purely for academic reasons.)
Also, I probably will explain that I'll delay my MS program until I finish the MBA.

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by johkkim » Mon Oct 19, 2009 7:54 am
I'm now deciding between MIT and Wharton as one of my "reach" schools. Based on my profile, which do you think I have a better chance of getting in or a better fit?

Thanks.

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by Lisa Anderson » Wed Oct 21, 2009 3:09 pm
I would say your chances at Wharton and MIT are similar, so you want to go with the one that is the best fit for your career goals.

Regards,
Lisa
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