25-yr-old female (26 at matriculation), Eastern European
Education: BS Economics top-tier Eastern European school GPA ~3.9 (converted). MS Finance/Economics top UK school, distinction (top 3 graduate)
GMAT: 760 (v51, q41, AWA 4.0) - 4.5 years old but technically valid for all 3 schools, GRE q168, v164, AWA 4.5 - 1 year old
Work experience: 3 years (will be 4 at matriculation) at a tier-2 management consultancy in the UK with focus on financial services - progressed from entry level to project manager; internship + 6 months full time at a top global FMCG in home country between undergrad and Master's
Extracurriculars: healthcare volunteering: 2 months ward volunteer in a hospital, ~1 year volunteer first aider, ~1 year volunteer sighted guide for blind/visually impaired people support charity (the last 2 still active). Plus a few more during undergrad.
Goal: post-MBA would like to move to healthcare/biotech (either management or venture capital)
Applying to: HBS, Stanford, Wharton (all round 2)
Questions:
1. Are these schools realistic with my profile?
2. Given that I'm international - is receiving financial aid unrealistic?
3. Is it better to use GMAT or GRE for my applications?
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Profile eval - sense check for H/S/W
This topic has expert replies
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Jon Fuller
- MBA Admissions Consultant
- Posts: 23
- Joined: Tue Aug 13, 2013 7:07 am
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*cat* -
Thanks for contacting Clear Admit for some thoughts about your profile and competitiveness. There are definitely some elements to your background that will help to differentiate you positively . . . you're female, from Eastern Europe, have a master's already, seemingly good professional progression.
Your academics are generally strong, although the lower quantitative GMAT score is likely to prove troublesome, even with a cumulative score as high as a 760. We typically recommend targeting at least a 45 to help be as competitive as possible w/HSW. Wharton is especially focused on quant. Your strong undergrad and masters will help to diminish that, but it's still likely to be something they'll consider.
Your very solid GRE performance also helps. I don't necessarily see this as a situation where you only submit one or the other - I think you should consider reporting both to your selected programs. Both generally provide positive information about you, and to an extent, the GRE quant helps address the GMAT quant.
A key to your application success will be making a clear explanation about your industry shift. Functionally, I can see how management/VC may be intuitive, but why healthcare/biotech? Your extracurriculars help to show that this interest isn't likely a passing fancy of yours, but specifics around your goals and how a HSW experience is an ideal fit is essential.
Regarding your first two questions . . . with the selectivity rates of these schools, it's a stretch for just about anyone, but I definitely think you should apply and I think you stand a reasonable chance if you apply the right application strategy and presentation of self to each school.
As for financial aid, all have loan programs available to their international students. When most candidates talk about "financial aid", they're usually most interested in scholarships/fellowships - free money that doesn't need to be repaid. Wharton's fellowships are based on merit - the more they want you to enroll, the more likely you are to receive some amount of fellowship. HBS and Stanford award financial aid based on demonstrated need, not merit, and the aid may come in the form of scholarships/fellowships and/or loans. International students are eligible to be considered for all of these kinds of aid.
If you'd like to discuss your profile further, please feel free to visit Clear Admit's website to request a free phone consultation. Best wishes to you as you make your way through the application process!
Regards,
Jon
Jon Fuller
Clear Admit, LLC
215.568.2590
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Thanks for contacting Clear Admit for some thoughts about your profile and competitiveness. There are definitely some elements to your background that will help to differentiate you positively . . . you're female, from Eastern Europe, have a master's already, seemingly good professional progression.
Your academics are generally strong, although the lower quantitative GMAT score is likely to prove troublesome, even with a cumulative score as high as a 760. We typically recommend targeting at least a 45 to help be as competitive as possible w/HSW. Wharton is especially focused on quant. Your strong undergrad and masters will help to diminish that, but it's still likely to be something they'll consider.
Your very solid GRE performance also helps. I don't necessarily see this as a situation where you only submit one or the other - I think you should consider reporting both to your selected programs. Both generally provide positive information about you, and to an extent, the GRE quant helps address the GMAT quant.
A key to your application success will be making a clear explanation about your industry shift. Functionally, I can see how management/VC may be intuitive, but why healthcare/biotech? Your extracurriculars help to show that this interest isn't likely a passing fancy of yours, but specifics around your goals and how a HSW experience is an ideal fit is essential.
Regarding your first two questions . . . with the selectivity rates of these schools, it's a stretch for just about anyone, but I definitely think you should apply and I think you stand a reasonable chance if you apply the right application strategy and presentation of self to each school.
As for financial aid, all have loan programs available to their international students. When most candidates talk about "financial aid", they're usually most interested in scholarships/fellowships - free money that doesn't need to be repaid. Wharton's fellowships are based on merit - the more they want you to enroll, the more likely you are to receive some amount of fellowship. HBS and Stanford award financial aid based on demonstrated need, not merit, and the aid may come in the form of scholarships/fellowships and/or loans. International students are eligible to be considered for all of these kinds of aid.
If you'd like to discuss your profile further, please feel free to visit Clear Admit's website to request a free phone consultation. Best wishes to you as you make your way through the application process!
Regards,
Jon
Jon Fuller
Clear Admit, LLC
215.568.2590
Stay Informed with Clear Admit!
Read our award-winning blog for daily MBA admissions updates
Use our b-schools dashboard for your MBA program research
Download our publications on b-schools and admissions strategy
Visit our MBA interview archive to read and share interview insights
Catch us on the go: Twitter - Facebook - Mobile App
