HBS 2+2 for a design student.

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HBS 2+2 for a design student.

by jtwhite14 » Sun Jun 06, 2010 4:56 am
Hey everyone!

Hows it going? First time posting here, been lurking for about a two weeks. It looks like a great resource. I'm excited to use it to help my application. I have a couple of questions, and would be very appreciative if you could help me out.

First some background on me.

21
Male
Caucasian

I'm thinking of applying to HBS 2+2 program next year (2011). I am currently an Architecture Undergrad student at top 50 IT school located in new england. My GPA by next spring should be 3.5. I am planning on studing for the GMAT throughout the fall and then taking it at the end of my winter break which is 6 weeks long. I will have this 6 weeks to really focus on the GMAT and I feel that a score of 720-740 can be reached. In highschool I was the first employee of a start-up custom wood surfboard company. While I was employed the company grew from a 35k to 300k. Then in my first summer of college I interned at a boutique architecture firm. I had direct involvement in residential and commercial projects and interfaced directly with clients throughout all design and construction phases. I went through LEED certification for one commercial project and then in turn got my LEED G.A. Accreditation this past February. Currently I am in Beijing participating in a studio that does various design projects throughout the region. I am doing research for a project that aims to help China's urban migration problem by modernizing the rural villages. I have been here since the start of may and the studio ends early July.

My questions are:

I am aware that 2+2 is looking for candidates with non-financial backgrounds. Does my design background put me to far at the end of the non-financial spectrum?

I am having trouble gauging my application versus the other 2+2 applicants that I have seen here on BTG, is it a strong or weak application?

My school does not have a great reputation, will this hurt me immensely?

My studio ends early July but I have the opportunity to stay in Beijing. I can do two different things. I can get an internship at a local architecture firm here through contacts I have made, or I can continue to work on the rural village project, and possibly apply for a grant to get the project built. If I continued to work on the project I would also find a tutor so that I could get an basic knowledge of Mandarin. What would be the most beneficial to my application?

Thank you for your time!

JT
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by soho » Tue Jun 15, 2010 5:06 pm
Just try to ensure your application is as best as it can be and not worry about the competition. Yes, the majority of past admits are from brand-name Ivy League schools, but there are many who are not. There are quite a few undergrads from top schools with near-perfect GPAs and super-high GMAT scores who did not get (some not even invited to interview, if you check the old threads).

You need to present yourself as a well-rounded individual with passion (for anything really) and desire to make a positive impact on the world. I do notice that you have not mentioned any extra-curricular or volunteer activities, which is more worrisome than the prestige of your school. If you have not already, try to focus on a smaller number of activities and show initiative and leadership in those roles.

Also consider which "story" would make for a more interesting essay read or conversation piece during your interview. It certainly sounds like you would be better off in differentiating yourself by staying on the rural design project - following through and trying to get it built would show initiative. While you are there I suggest you get involved in some volunteering efforts, such as organizing your fellow students to do community service (English tutoring? sports? soup kitchens? community gardens?) in Beijing.