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Profile Evaluation : 720 GMAT, 2 years Tech

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Profile Evaluation : 720 GMAT, 2 years Tech

by nathan88 » Sat Jun 25, 2011 9:16 pm
Hi, I was hoping to get a profile evaluation.

1) Will have worked 2 yrs at a large semi-conductor company. Led cross-functional teams in support of new products.
2) Created an iPhone application that was sold to a large transit company. Application is currently in use in cities in the US and Canada.
3) 720 GMAT
4) 87% GPA University of Waterloo Software Engineering - Graduated with distinction
5) Interned at multiple cities in North America, such as Seattle, San Diego, and Toronto while performing a wide range of roles including research, program management, and software development.
6) Awarded a patent at large tech company.
7) Extracurricular - plan and budget site-wide social events at work, coach softball team, umpire games
8) Post MBA goals - Management consulting or entrepreneurship.

I was wondering how competitive my profile is for a top 10 MBA school? Would I have a chance at a school such as Harvard/Insead? Is something like Berkeley/UCLA realistic? Do you have any recommendations of schools where my profile would be competitive?
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by Cindy Tokumitsu » Tue Jun 28, 2011 5:16 am
Hello,

Your numbers are solid (great GPA, congratulations) and your work experience looks strong in terms of leadership and impact for the 2 years. I would still consider Harvard an extremely high reach - from the information provided I'd consider Berkeley and UCLA reasonable reaches, UCLA more so. I think it would make most sense to concentrate your efforts on these latter schools and others. If you have time, you can always add na HBS application after your primary group.

I think you would find helpful my free subscriber mini-report that walks you through how to select a list of schools, including assessing your competitiveness, your wants/needs, and what the schools offer: Best MBA Programs: A Guide to Selecting the Best Ones.

Best regards,
Cindy Tokumitsu
Senior Editor, www.Accepted.com
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by nathan88 » Tue Jun 28, 2011 9:14 pm
Thanks for the advice. In your opinion, would it be worth it to work for a couple more years before applying to business school? Would this help me get into a higher ranked school?
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by Cindy Tokumitsu » Fri Jul 01, 2011 8:23 am
Hello,

If you're competitive now at schools you really want to attend, then it makes sense to apply now because there is not really a downside to reapplying (except for the extra effort!). Adcoms at top schools almost all welcome reapplicants.

However, since you're on the young side, what you should NOT do is apply to schools that you really don't feel excited about, because if you're admitted, why would you want to go to them if you have a reasonable shot at a more appealing program?

Additional work experience isn't automatically good in a black or white way. It will be good if you continue to progress impressively relative to accomplished peers, if you can continue to provide leadership and show impact. Experience that just accumulates isn't going to benefit you. So part of your decision is looking ahead and weighing the options for you, the likelihood of various scenarios, etc.

Best regards,
Cindy Tokumitsu
Senior Editor, www.accepted.com
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by nathan88 » Sat Jul 02, 2011 7:45 am
Thanks!
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by tommycanuck » Sun Jul 03, 2011 7:27 pm
Hi Cindy,

Hmmm....%87 (*A* average, 4.0 gpa), 720 gmat, solid work progression in a major tech company....and Harvard is "extremely" out of reach? Really? Wow, these stats would be competitive at top law and med schools. What would make his/her profile *more* competitive for a top program, than?

Sincerely,
Tom

Cindy Tokumitsu wrote:Hello,

Your numbers are solid (great GPA, congratulations) and your work experience looks strong in terms of leadership and impact for the 2 years. I would still consider Harvard an extremely high reach - from the information provided I'd consider Berkeley and UCLA reasonable reaches, UCLA more so. I think it would make most sense to concentrate your efforts on these latter schools and others. If you have time, you can always add na HBS application after your primary group.

I think you would find helpful my free subscriber mini-report that walks you through how to select a list of schools, including assessing your competitiveness, your wants/needs, and what the schools offer: Best MBA Programs: A Guide to Selecting the Best Ones.

Best regards,
Cindy Tokumitsu
Senior Editor, www.Accepted.com
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by Cindy Tokumitsu » Tue Jul 05, 2011 5:57 am
Hello,

When someone is qualified for HBS it is still a reach. By the objective factors you are qualified. But HBS has recently been looking for a bit more experience (average age now 27). And they have taken fewer from the tech sector, even though that sector is hugely represented in the applicant pool. On the other hand, your industry straddles both tech and manufacturing, and it seems HBS is increasingly interested in mfg., so that would be in your favor. Your GPA is stellar and your GMAT is solid. But the stats of people from the high tech sector tend to be extremely high, and you'd be compared within this group. Thus these positives stand out a little less.

I would say -- HBS would be a high reach, but worth an application, emphasizing your vision gained from your unique and fascinating industry.

Best regards,
Cindy Tokumitsu
Senior Editor, www.accepted.com
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by nathan88 » Wed Jul 06, 2011 4:49 pm
Would it help to get a higher GMAT score? For instance, if I scored 760, would that significantly increase my chances?

Thanks,
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by Cindy Tokumitsu » Fri Jul 08, 2011 7:45 am
A higher GMAT, in the 760 range, would increase your chances. It would make a difference. The thing to keep in mind is, HBS is always a reach -- either reasonable or not. No one is a shoo-in at HBS. I do think that with a strategically crafted application it would make sense for you to apply.

Best regards,
Cindy Tokumitsu
Senior Editor, Accepted.com
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