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Profile Evaluation - London Applicant

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Profile Evaluation - London Applicant

by steve_365 » Sun Feb 06, 2011 2:44 pm
Hi,

Would you mind giving me some honest feedback on my profile and concerns? Thank you.

GMAT: 680 85% V83% Q68%

Work Experience: 4 years, two IT Services firms (fortune 500) within Account Management / General Management roles. Flagged as a future leader, completed fast track graduate development programme. Moved firm in Oct to gain 1yr of US corporate experience prior to MBA, payscale in excess of average post-MBA salary.

Education: Business Degree, Dean's award for highest performing graduate

Extra-curricular: Average

Post MBA aim: Move to PE firm to work on higher level strategic turnaround projects within the tech sector.

I have already applied to Cambridge (rejected), Columbia (pending) and been offered a position at a top 50 'safety' school in the US.

I plan to apply to Harvard, LBS and Wharton this month because my career plan is geared around starting an MBA this year. I know its advisable to apply earlier when seeking visa's but how severely disadvantaged does this place me?

Many thanks for your time.

Steve
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by paulsbodine » Sun Feb 06, 2011 3:08 pm
steve_365,

Both Harvard and Wharton gently discourage international applicants from applying in the third-round but don't forbid it. HBS: "International candidates needing visas will find that applying in Round 3 makes the timing of their visa application stressful." So if you can handle the 'stress' go ahead and apply to HBS and Wharton. Neither will ding you just because you need a visa. As a general rule, the folks who have a chance in the third round are the super-strong applicants and the really distinctive ones. Not sure you are either one of those, but feel free to send me your CV for a closer look.

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 bizschoolprep » Sun Feb 06, 2011 3:10 pm
Steve,

Your profile looks good, however, a low quant score could raise some red flags. Career track sounds strong. Did you get interview calls from either Cambridge or Columbia? in GMAT

If not, there is something wrong in the way you are presenting your candidacy. Either the stories are not presented the right way or it could be just that the adcom is not getting convinced about your story linking your background with your future goals in PE industry. It is critical for a career changer like you (IT to PE) to have a crystal clean story about your goals and the why part should sound logical.

I doubt how much will applying in Round 3 going to help you. If you existing application is not successful in other two schools in regular rounds, Round 3 in HBS, LBS and Wharton with the same application is going to be even more difficult because not only most of the seats are already filled, but also because chances of admitting international is pretty low (as the decision date is pretty close to matriculation and I20, visa, etc takes time). Do consider the option of working on your application and applying in the Round 1 of your target schools during coming Fall. With the kind of career goals you have, it will surely help if you can get admission into a top school v/s a Tier 2 school!

Good luck!
-BizSchoolPrep, MBA Admissions Consultant
www.bizschoolprep.com , Know what makes us different!
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