Hello Linda,
I have really enjoyed reading your posts and listed some information about myself and would appreciate your feedback.
I have been working in consumer lending and microfinance in Asia for the past 4.5 years. I would only consider to pursue an MBA - potentially with a dual MPP degree - if I could get into a top 10 school.
Nationality: American (Chinese ethnicity)
Age: 28 now, will be 29 if I matriculate in Fall 2011
Undergrad: Top 10 liberal arts with a degree in History and a particular interest in China. After junior year, I took a year off to do intensive Chinese language study at a top program in Beijing.
GPA: 3.47, mediocre and worried about how schools with view this. I started out college as a slacker, having even failed a course for simply not turning in any of the work, and this is reflected in my GPA, which was 3.12 after 2 years. But I made a strong rebound after I began developing a passion around History and China, and my GPA during the last 2 years was 3.79.
GRE: Verbal 730 (98% percentile), Math 800 (94% percentile).
Work experience:
Since graduating, my work experience has been entirely in Asia, in particular, China.
Travel agency in Beijing (1 year) - One of the leading sustainable, eco-friendly travel agencies in China. I worked in the marketing department during its early start-up phase and was able to travel widely around the country and utilize my language skills in a Chinese working environment.
Consumer lending Division of a Multinational Financial Services Group (3.5 years) - Started out in Thailand for 2.5 years, beginning as a management trainee rotating through the various departments of a retail bank, after which I managed a year-long bank integration project. I then asked for a transfer to China, where I was an Assistant Manager working on business development and start up initiatives in the consumer lending and microfinance space, initiatives that were cut short by the financial crisis...
Microfinance & SME Lending Consulting Firm (10 months) - Currently a consultant with a firm that advises Chinese banks and microfinance companies. We are embedded in client institutions, helping to manage their microfinance operations on a day to day basis, accompanying loan officers on analysis of micro-businesses (factories, wholesalers, restaurants, petty traders, the whole gamut...), approving loans, training staff, and interfacing with management. Very interested in furthering my career in this development finance after MBA, in a role with even larger and global impact.
Extracurricular Activities - Very involved in Habitat for Humanity in college, also volunteered for Habitat internationally in rural Mexico and rural China after graduation.
Schools I am considering applying to: Harvard, MIT, Yale, NYU, Virginia, Dartmouth
Weaknesses Summary:
- Solid top 10 liberal arts school, but not the very best
- 3.47 GPA is mediocre
- Laid off during financial crisis because my division was closed down (my firm was one of the major newsmakers during the financial crisis, although my division was not at all involved in the losses). That being said, I also bounced back quickly with a position in microfinance, the field I was planning to move towards
- Do not plan to study and take the GMAT, as work is very busy
- 29 years old upon entering
I would appreciate your candid feedback you have on whether it would be realistic for me to apply to the schools I listed, particularly in light of the weaknesses I mention. I would also appreciate any thoughts you have on areas of my resume you recommend I should highlight to the admissions committees. Thank you!
I have really enjoyed reading your posts and listed some information about myself and would appreciate your feedback.
I have been working in consumer lending and microfinance in Asia for the past 4.5 years. I would only consider to pursue an MBA - potentially with a dual MPP degree - if I could get into a top 10 school.
Nationality: American (Chinese ethnicity)
Age: 28 now, will be 29 if I matriculate in Fall 2011
Undergrad: Top 10 liberal arts with a degree in History and a particular interest in China. After junior year, I took a year off to do intensive Chinese language study at a top program in Beijing.
GPA: 3.47, mediocre and worried about how schools with view this. I started out college as a slacker, having even failed a course for simply not turning in any of the work, and this is reflected in my GPA, which was 3.12 after 2 years. But I made a strong rebound after I began developing a passion around History and China, and my GPA during the last 2 years was 3.79.
GRE: Verbal 730 (98% percentile), Math 800 (94% percentile).
Work experience:
Since graduating, my work experience has been entirely in Asia, in particular, China.
Travel agency in Beijing (1 year) - One of the leading sustainable, eco-friendly travel agencies in China. I worked in the marketing department during its early start-up phase and was able to travel widely around the country and utilize my language skills in a Chinese working environment.
Consumer lending Division of a Multinational Financial Services Group (3.5 years) - Started out in Thailand for 2.5 years, beginning as a management trainee rotating through the various departments of a retail bank, after which I managed a year-long bank integration project. I then asked for a transfer to China, where I was an Assistant Manager working on business development and start up initiatives in the consumer lending and microfinance space, initiatives that were cut short by the financial crisis...
Microfinance & SME Lending Consulting Firm (10 months) - Currently a consultant with a firm that advises Chinese banks and microfinance companies. We are embedded in client institutions, helping to manage their microfinance operations on a day to day basis, accompanying loan officers on analysis of micro-businesses (factories, wholesalers, restaurants, petty traders, the whole gamut...), approving loans, training staff, and interfacing with management. Very interested in furthering my career in this development finance after MBA, in a role with even larger and global impact.
Extracurricular Activities - Very involved in Habitat for Humanity in college, also volunteered for Habitat internationally in rural Mexico and rural China after graduation.
Schools I am considering applying to: Harvard, MIT, Yale, NYU, Virginia, Dartmouth
Weaknesses Summary:
- Solid top 10 liberal arts school, but not the very best
- 3.47 GPA is mediocre
- Laid off during financial crisis because my division was closed down (my firm was one of the major newsmakers during the financial crisis, although my division was not at all involved in the losses). That being said, I also bounced back quickly with a position in microfinance, the field I was planning to move towards
- Do not plan to study and take the GMAT, as work is very busy
- 29 years old upon entering
I would appreciate your candid feedback you have on whether it would be realistic for me to apply to the schools I listed, particularly in light of the weaknesses I mention. I would also appreciate any thoughts you have on areas of my resume you recommend I should highlight to the admissions committees. Thank you!
