Profile Evaluation for HBS 2+2 (French, 710 GMAT)

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Hi :)

Since HBS recently opened its 2+2 program to graduates from Master's degree program, I will be applying for round 2.

21, male, French

Undergrad :

Top French school for political science (n°1 in France, top 5 in Europe, most certainly known by HBS) : GPA equivalent 3.7

One-year study abroad at Johns Hopkins (poli sci & international studies) : 3.76 GPA

Grad :

M.A. in International Security at the same French School, same grade (about 3.7 GPA equivalent)

Experience :

1 month summer internship at a research center as assistant to a professor (sophomore year)

5 month part-time at a corporate foundation financed by major French industrial groups, mostly from the aerospace/defense sector

6 months full-time at the leading European aerospace & defense company, within the Strategy department, working on emerging markets

MAYBE (soon to be negociated) 6 months parti-time at a consultancy firm focusing on government-driven industries (and mostly aerospace/defense)

Extracurricular :

Played European handball for 10 years at a competitive level (even national competition when I was a teenager). Team captain several seasons. Amateur level though (but I doubt HBS knows European handball that well)

Group manager for a student project. Project was for the foundation in which I later interned, and involved research, meetings, experts interviews, and an oral presentation of the final report (which I did).

In charge of everything defense-related at a student-led international affairs magazine for 1 year


Language :

French (fluent)
Russian (advanced)

GMAT : 710

Career goal/explaination for MBA : want to get into the business side of the Aerospace & Defense industry.

Essay : talking about how I think better integration/partnerships between European A&D firms will help gain competitiveness and get Europe out of its industrial and economical downfall, and how I think young leaders should have a role in this process.
A short paragraph about how I got through a serious illness and still managed to have a good academic year, and what it taught/brought me.

Thank you for your insights/evaluation !
Source: — Ask Clear Admit |

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by Jon Fuller » Mon Oct 14, 2013 12:03 pm
VdV -

Thanks for posing your questions on our BTG forum . . . I remembered seeing your same questions on the WSO forum a few weeks ago, so I've copied/pasted my response from 9/23 below. Please feel free to let me know if you have additional questions.

Regards,
Jon

Thanks for the post and for asking Clear Admit for some guidance. As you noted, the 2+2 program is now an option those who are in the process of completing a master's degree in addition to those who are in their final year of undergraduate study. The only caveat is you didn't take a full-time job between undergrad and starting your graduate studies - doesn't sound like that situation applies to you since your work experience is limited to internships.

The competitiveness to get into the 2+2 program is pretty similar to the traditional MBA application path - it's very, very selective with only about 9% of applicants being admitted through the 2+2 channel. You can see the latest class profile here https://www.hbs.edu/mba/admissions/admission-requir.... If you're able to score on the real GMAT the way you've been scoring on your practice tests, your academics will likely be right in line with what they would want to see. They'll help to show that you have the analytical strength needed to be successful in a pretty competitive and rigorous academic environment. That's just one part of the equation, though.

A significant reason why HBS instituted the 2+2 program in the first place was to enhance the diversity of its overall program. You'll need to demonstrate how your background is unique and how you will be able to contribute to the diverse perspectives the adcom wants in the HBS community. The 2+2 students are typically quite heavy in STEM backgrounds, but I think your profile has some elements that can be leveraged on the diversity dimension.

Another key element for you to bring to the forefront will be your leadership skills and experiences - you'll see the term "habit of leadership" frequently. HBS is absolutely nuts about born leaders and people who essentially want to be the future CEOs (not that you actually have to have that as a goal, mind you). Traditionally defined, formal leadership roles are ideal since they help show how you made a positive impact on your company, organization, etc., but leadership without a formal title can work in a pinch, too. Hopefully you'll be able to secure the leadership position with the international relations review, but your group manager role and handball experiences will also be possible fodder to incorporate.

Lastly, they're going to want to see that you can work in and navigate a community successfully. You can display these traits by showing how you've been an effective teammate, and I think your handball and the student project experiences will also convey your capabilities on this dimension.

So your ultimate question was about your chances of being accepted . . . I'd say (a little bit in jest) that you should probably have a greater than 9% chance! But you'll want to take full advantage of opportunities in the application to show your analytical strengths; how you can contribute to the diversity of the program; your natural leadership skills; and your ability to be a positive contributor to teams.


Jon Fuller
Clear Admit, LLC
215.568.2590

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