Profile evaluation for a world traveler

Free advice from the world's top MBA consultants
This topic has expert replies
Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 1
Joined: Thu Sep 18, 2014 2:42 pm
Dear experts,

I would like to request your feedback with regards to my profile. I am hoping to apply to MBA programs soon and would like to have an idea of what caliber of programs I could be admitted based on my background.

I am a 30 year-old female American citizen born and raised in South America. I graduated in 2007 from a top-100 university in Boston, MA with a GPA of 3.25. My undergraduate degree is a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a double concentration in Supply Chain Management and International Business. I have yet to take the GMAT but I believe I can achieve a 650.

Right after college I began working for a well-known international apparel company. My first job was in the supply chain team working with Latin American markets. My manager quickly noticed that I had a "good business sense" and gave me broad responsibilities on this job. After two years I was promoted to a merchandising role. In this role I helped procure and place merchandise in company stores. I also helped open many new stores across the USA and even helped with some merchandise designs. After this role I was promoted to a project planning job. In this role I held supervisory responsibilities and my team managed the production planning of inventory across the world. After this experience I was again promoted into a strategic marketing role where I was in charge of developing marketing strategies for bringing products to consumers. This was a very high profile role within the company.

While working in strategic marketing an opportunity came up to move to Asia for a year. I decided to quit my job and moved to Tokyo. I traveled all over China, Korea, Indonesia and Australia during this time. My goal was to enjoy my time abroad but also learn about the culture and business practices. I had worked extensively with apparel manufactures in Asia and I knew there were opportunities to start an import/export business.

I would like to start my own company but first would like to earn an MBA. It's been a year since I stopped working formally. Because of this I am particularly concerned about the "gap" in work experience. Could you please provide some feedback on my profile and how to present this past year of travel to prospective schools? I am interested in 1 year programs that have an international focus.

Many thanks,
- WorldTraveler
Source: — Ask an MBA Admissions Consultant |

User avatar
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 212
Joined: Tue Jul 31, 2012 7:07 pm
Thanked: 32 times
Followed by:4 members

by 99Colleges: MBA Admission » Thu Sep 25, 2014 6:10 am
Hi WorldTraveler,

First of all, the industry (apparel), variety of experiences(supply chain, merchandising, opening new stores, merchandise design, production planning, and marketing), promotions, and international experience indeed give a positive pitch to your application. I hope you spent enough time in these roles to do justice to them. Nevertheless, you've a distinct profile.

Though, your target GMAT score, when juxtaposed with your GPA, is sub-par for most of the top schools. You should rather aim to touch at least 700 to make a strong case. As far as the gap in work experience is concerned, one year is long. You need to articulate the reasons for it very-very well.
Anil, MBA (Wharton)| MBA Admissions Consultant
--------------------------------------
Consulting| Contact at [email protected] for your queries on MBA Admissions
--------------------------------------
And if you couldn't make it earlier, get a free ding analysis

User avatar
MBA Admissions Consultant
Posts: 810
Joined: Thu Jun 16, 2011 1:12 pm
Thanked: 127 times
Followed by:35 members

by MBAPrepAdvantage » Sat Oct 04, 2014 9:59 am
I would not need to know the details to help you frame it. Did you work or volunteer at all?

Even if you did not work or volunteer taking a year off to travel could be positioned well provided you demonstrate insight into how you developed and grew.

You also can tie this to your goals since you are looking at programs with a one year focus. INSEAD sounds like a great school for you, but you would be aiming for a higher GMAT score.

Have a great weekend,
Michael Cohan
MBAPrepAdvantage Founder & AIGAC Board Director
305-604-8178
www.mbaprepadvantage.com

Please thank and/or like individual posts.

Follow Michael Cohan on Image Image and BeattheGMAT.
Follow MBAPrepAdvantage on Image Image Image.

For a free assessment email [email protected] your target schools, goals, resume, GPA and GMAT or fill out our Free MBA Admissions Consultation Form.