Ask an MBA Admissions Consultant

Hi Stacy/Lisa,

I have a question to ask you guys. I graduated 3.5 years ago, from a fairly good school with a GPA of 3.6. I then graduated from an internal management training program with a Corporate 500 company in Corporate Finance. I liked my first two roles, but did not enjoy the last one. So I quit. I go a part-time contract job (research assitant/in a small consulting firm) but by the time I apply (Jan) the role will have just ended.

If I am unemployed when I apply, but had good marks, very, very strong extra curricular (head of many corporate volunteer groups), and hopefully a good GMAT, will this hinder my application? What should I do?

I would really appreciate your opinion on this matter. I plan on applying to Yale, INSEAD and HEC Paris.

Sonuram

Sonuram,

Thanks for your post!

The short answer to your question is that it is never optimal to apply to business school while unemployed. While the current economic environment will certainly make this a bit more common in the applicant pool (plenty of Lehman folks applying, etc), it's by no means an ideal scenario.

Of course, if you have great grades (ideally from a good school and with a good major), a solid GMAT, excellent work experience, solid XCs and clear career plans, you should be able to overcome this sort of thing.

Having said that, I have a couple of concerns here:

1) It looks llike you quit the rotational/management training program you were a part of. As such, will you not have recommendation letters from your bosses as this firm? Did you leave on good terms? My fear is that the adcom may not view your decision to leave terribly favorably - especially without something substantial lined up.

2) I worry that you will not only be unemployed when you apply, but that you've only been working part-time since quitting your last post. The adcom will really need to understand why you made this career decision. They will also be curious to know how you are spending the rest of your time - and ideally you will have a lot of outside activities/community service to point to.

Best of luck,

Graham

Graham,

I appreciate your response, and would like to provide more information.

1. Actually both of my references will be from the company. I left on good terms, and was told if I ever want to come back, I need only ask. I stayed 4 weeks instead of the typical 2 when I left, and it was more of a career change - as I want to go into consulting. Shortly before leaving, I was offered a promotion which I didn't accept (as it was more in accounting/finance an area I was trying to leave). Should I mention this?

2. The job I am currently doing has changed slightly, and they would like to make it permanent part-time, and more of a consultant than a research assistant. I had a very good reason of leaving, as this role is more international project-evaluation work for the public sector, and I eventually want to get into management consulting. There is only the chance of going to other countries to evaluate projects. The salary is not yearly however, and you get paid a daily rate. It ends paying decently, however not technically FT, salary. I planned on doing this until I started grad school, to get consulting experience with more global projects.

Yes, I am quite involved - in toast masters, volunteering at the hospital etc...Can show significant volunteering since I was 15, and for the past 10 years.

Can you please evaluate my profile? Does the case look any better? How can I try to sell myself better?

Thanks!
Sonuram

Hi Graham,

One more thing I wanted to add:

- I have been working FT since graduating June 2005-Oct 2008.

- Changed jobs, and working PT in consulting Nov 2008 +

So when I apply Jan 09 I will only have been working 2 months, and will technically have no gaps whatsoever, and my new role fully fits into my career path.

I am worried, I should delay applying, if this causes concerns, but can well articulate, and explain exactly why I made these decisions. How do you recommend I let them truly understand my story? Should I go into details how lat role at this company was heavily accounting based, and I wanted to do more general project business project management. Because of the economic situation, our company had a global hiring freeze..and it was very hard to move...so I chose to leave, and found the perfect role, that provided opportunities for traveling..and learn more about global project management..but for now it was PT. Or is this too detailed for adcom?

Thanks again Graham! I cannot thank you enough for your advice!
So confused.

Sonuram