The Application Process

Hi all,

I am pretty new to this, started to study for the GMAT two weeks ago and I am feeling very encouraged by all your comments.

I am finishing my doctoral degree in Immunology and I want to pursue a business career in the pharmaceutical company. I am feeling very confident I can score 730+ in the GMAT and I am definetely aiming for a top school (Columbia, Harvard, Warthon).

I know admissions directors look for diversity in the class and I have been told that similar profiles as mine (business oriented, Ph.D., internationally awarded) are looked for.

I would like to hear about your opinions on this, and also see if there is anyone out there in a similar situation or someone that has been admitted with a similar background.

Thanks so much, keep up the hard work!

-Adria

Hi Adria! Wow! It sounds like you have an impressive educational background.

You're right that adcoms look for diversity in their candidates and it sounds like you have some unique elements in your profile. Sometimes though, it can actually be a little complicated for people with an advanced education to get into bschool. There's a variety of reasons for this but the primary one is that the schools tend to accept people who already have a foundation of business experience. Not sure where you're at in your career or whether you've been working in the field or only in academe, but that's one factor that can be a complication. Another issue is that sometimes people go from one academic program to the next - we call them "degree collectors" (https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.p ... 0Collector). So you may have these stereotypes to overcome when you apply.

It all depends on how you position yourself of course, and you're definitely right that the immunology focus is unique. What may work well for you is to target a healthcare-focused MBA. There's a lot of them around and it seems like more all the time! Schools are certainly on the lookout for people interested in this field, given how it's growing.

Very important is that GMAT so it's great that you've found this community - awesome support here, as you've noted. Good luck with your studies!! Let us know if we can help!

EssaySnark

Thank you so much EssaySnark. Your suggestions will be surely taken into account! I have also thought about going to one of those Q&S meetings where you can talk briefly with adcoms and see what they think. Do you have experience on those? Do you think it is a good idea to shoot an email to some schools and ask for brief chatting/orientation?

Thanks for your help!

Outreach to the schools is always a good thing! They won't be able to answer the "what are my chances" type questions and they may not even be able to comment much on the issues we've raised here, but those conversations can often be useful in helping you understand what the process is about etc. And, some schools actually do invite candidates to submit a resume and go through a formal pre-application review - this is fairly uncommon but we know that schools like HEC and some programs like Duke Cross-Continent do offer this.

Let us know what you find out!
EssaySnark

Adria,
Your GMAT score and previous educational background is certainly impressive! But, I want to know more. Do you have any full-time work experience? Because the average number of years of work experience for students entering MBA programs is around 4 to 5 years, admissions committees may be discouraged if you have spent all your time in academia without any professional experience. You background is unique, however, and your highly specialized scientific knowledge in immunology paired with a general management degree would be a perfect fit for a pharmaceutical company. I really don't think you need to focus your search on those MBA programs with a healthcare focus, rather I would gear your search more towards (1)rankings/prestige, (2) geography - where do you want to work post-MBA? It will be much easier to network with those companies near where you are going to school (3) career services -- where do alumni work? which recruiters visit campus?

I hope this helps. I wish you all the best!

Hi there,

I share a similar story with Adria. I am originally a veterinarian by training, and will also be graduating a PhD in an immunology specific field. I have been lecturing for over 4 years in South Africa and I have resolved that I am not keen in becoming a core academia, as I have identified a lot of gaps in the animal health industry in Africa and will like to tap into it.

I have specific focus o work in Africa/developing countries and I see a lot of promise in Agribusiness sector. I will be writing the GMAT in a couple of months time and I anticipate to apply for MBA in any of the top schools with a focus on economic growth and development. My fear just like Adria's is regards my previous non business or management background versus the requirements of the adcoms, despite their interests in diversity.

What advice do you have fo rme?

Akin

Hi Akin - welcome to Beat the GMAT!

You'll be at an advantage in the MBA admissions process due to your background in veterinary medicine - there's not too many of those applying to bschool! Coming from Africa is also an advantage to you. Your challenge will be in showing that you have experience that makes you ready for the business school classroom. The MBA is a more practical education in some respects than what you may have studied before, and the schools rely on a robust discussion among students in the classroom and on projects where everyone brings their own knowledge to the conversation and helps each other. The adcoms will simply want to be sure that you have some experiences that will help you add value in those contexts - and also that you won't be completely lost when you have to complete an assignment using Excel or PowerPoint (just as a real basic example). And of course all the schools want to hear about how you've been a leader in different situations. The stories you present in your essays will matter a lot.

Hopefully this gives you a sense for what the schools are looking for. Your profile can be a big help for you in admissions just because it's unusual, but you also need to demonstrate why bschool is the right next step for you, and how you will make a contribution to the school community. Let us know how it goes and if we can help!

EssaySnark

Hi Acarbo, I read your post and I found quite interesting since I am completing my doctoral degree too, and - like you - I am going to apply to a number of elite MBA programs. Anyway, if you have questions or wanna share your story and profile, contact me and we can talk a little about this awesome challenge!