Hi there,
First, thank you for all the fantastic admissions advice. I have been reading these posts with interest. Your insights are really valuable. I'll be applying for HBS (R2 fall 2010), CEIBS (R2 fall 2010), INSEAD (R1 Jan 2011) and Columbia (R1 Jan 2011) (in order by deadline). My objective for an MBA is to use it as a launching pad into strategy consulting with a focus on the green technology and sustainability industry in China.
If I were to guess, I think things working in my favour are these: 4.5 years of international experience, of which 3.5 have been with one of the largest professional services firms in the world. In my most recent position, hard work has been rewarded with rapidly increasing responsibility, scope and strategic importance. I work closely with several members of senior management. I recently completed the GMAT with a 740 and feel this should be competitive. Other the other hand, my challenges are a lower-than-average GPA and insufficient involvement in extracurricular activities!
I recognise that admissions essays will be the make-it-or-break-it part of my application. Given my profile, what areas do you think would be good to bring out?
Demographic: 28 y/o Chinese Canadian female
Undergrad -- GPA: approximately 3.1 (74%); University of British Columbia; Major: Business Management; Minor: English Literature
GMAT -- 740 (Q47; V45)
International experience
- 3.5 years at Big 4 firm (started as marketing consultant, promoted twice to deputy manager) in Hong Kong
- 1 year teaching English in Japan
- 3 years in financial journalism in Vancouver
- 1 year in arts and culture non-profit publishing in Vancouver
Recommendations -- 1. Firmwide operations partner; 2. Asia Pacific Marketing Director
Extracurricular -- dragonboating team (2 years); community theatre (1 year)
Hobbies (does adcom care? I haven't won any awards or anything)
- photography
- independent cinema
- graphic design
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!
First, thank you for all the fantastic admissions advice. I have been reading these posts with interest. Your insights are really valuable. I'll be applying for HBS (R2 fall 2010), CEIBS (R2 fall 2010), INSEAD (R1 Jan 2011) and Columbia (R1 Jan 2011) (in order by deadline). My objective for an MBA is to use it as a launching pad into strategy consulting with a focus on the green technology and sustainability industry in China.
If I were to guess, I think things working in my favour are these: 4.5 years of international experience, of which 3.5 have been with one of the largest professional services firms in the world. In my most recent position, hard work has been rewarded with rapidly increasing responsibility, scope and strategic importance. I work closely with several members of senior management. I recently completed the GMAT with a 740 and feel this should be competitive. Other the other hand, my challenges are a lower-than-average GPA and insufficient involvement in extracurricular activities!
I recognise that admissions essays will be the make-it-or-break-it part of my application. Given my profile, what areas do you think would be good to bring out?
Demographic: 28 y/o Chinese Canadian female
Undergrad -- GPA: approximately 3.1 (74%); University of British Columbia; Major: Business Management; Minor: English Literature
GMAT -- 740 (Q47; V45)
International experience
- 3.5 years at Big 4 firm (started as marketing consultant, promoted twice to deputy manager) in Hong Kong
- 1 year teaching English in Japan
- 3 years in financial journalism in Vancouver
- 1 year in arts and culture non-profit publishing in Vancouver
Recommendations -- 1. Firmwide operations partner; 2. Asia Pacific Marketing Director
Extracurricular -- dragonboating team (2 years); community theatre (1 year)
Hobbies (does adcom care? I haven't won any awards or anything)
- photography
- independent cinema
- graphic design
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!
