BREAKING: Target Test Prep releases Brand New 2026 On Demand GMAT prep course

Redeem

profile evaluation request

Free advice from the world's top MBA consultants
This topic has expert replies
Post new topic Post Reply
Previous Topic Next Topic
Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
Posts: 50
Joined: Mon Jan 03, 2011 9:22 am

profile evaluation request

by Goldfinger2001 » Tue Jan 18, 2011 10:17 am
hey there,

I wanted to know if an expert could tell me his/her evaluation of my profile:

I will apply for following b-schools (MBA) at the end of 2011 R1/R2:
Columbia, NYU, LBS, Wharton, MIT Sloan, Stanford and just to see what happens Harvard....

Age then: 26
Nationality: German
Work experience: 6 years ( 4 years during my cooperative studies at a german audit company where I got promoted to senior auditor, 2 years at a german Bank (located in Luxemburg where I live) in the finanical controlling department as a controller)
GPA: a german 2.9 equals according to wes.org an american 3.0 - 3.1 (Bachelor of Arts Business Administration)
GMAT: Will take the test soon, aiming for a 720 and will reach it.
CFA level 2 candidate
Languages: German (mother tongue), englisch (fluent), french (very good knowledge), spanish (basic knowledge)

extracurricular:
-member of local cfa society involved in working groups helping lvl 1 candidates to prepare for the exam
-assistance of gathering money for poor children in sri lanka to build kindergarten and elementary school (2 so far) and school supplies. A friend of mine launched this program 3 years ago because of diverse scandals with charity organisations occurred, this way we know what happens with the money.
- cofounder of a small company which I and a friend of mine started during undergrad. I sold my shares after 1,5 years because working full time in Luxemburg and having a business located in Germany was to much. Our website got also awarded.
- team captain of our local tennis team, other sports soccer.
- Collaboration with the organisation of the student exchange management, Institut Limayrac Toulouse (France) for 1 month / contact person for exchange students, involved in planning student trips.

Leadership experience in audit, after 2 years I was eligable to instruct new juniors and I was the first contact person for them.

I assume that my reference letters will be very good since I told my boss about my plans and he supports me. Furthermore I think that the essays will be very good since some professional will work me through the process.

My post MBA plans: Working in IBanking -> M&A, PE or asset management.
Since I have worked 4 years in audit I am a very comfortable with numbers and working out problems with CEOs, CFOs of the companies I audited.

---
Here my concerns: Low GPA, on the one side I could say I worked full time during my college on the other side it was a cooperative study where students go to college 3x6 weeks per year and the rest of the time they all have to work...

How will a top B-school think about this?

Is it positive that I am a german living in Luxemburg (very multicultural: French/English/German etc)? I am asking because I read that many students from India need to jump out of the croud because there one out of many.

For additional information, just ask...:)


Thanks for your efford in advance!
Top
Source: — Ask an MBA Admissions Consultant |
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 129
Joined: Mon Jan 11, 2010 5:48 pm
Location: Oceania
Thanked: 23 times
Followed by:1 members
GMAT Score:740

by humblebee » Tue Jan 18, 2011 3:26 pm
You're a big stretch for HBS and Stanford. Nothing about your profile that makes a person say wow. You might have really fantastic stories - but to judge you on your profile alone, I'd probably say concentrate on NYU, LBS and maybe Columbia.

Wharton is probably your best bet out of the big 3 - it's the easier one to get into out of the triumvirate. Plus they're the most 'global' so your languages and background should help.

Your GPA will hurt you - but you can obviously counter balance with a high GMAT score and explaining your circumstances in the optional essay.

Your extra-curricular activities are extensive, but in terms of deep impact - nothing stands out except maybe for the small business. All other stuff seems quite minor - "member of, assisted, team captain of local tennis team, collaboration" - these aren't really powerful leadershipy type examples.
wannabe business school consultant
Top
Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
Posts: 50
Joined: Mon Jan 03, 2011 9:22 am

by Goldfinger2001 » Tue Jan 18, 2011 9:36 pm
Thanks for your judgement humblebee, we pretty much share the same thoughts.

About the leadership point, I am always asking myself how can a 25/26 year old have extensive leadership experience?
Of course, after 2 years in audit as a senior auditor, I was responsible for working in juniors and when we were working at a clients company I was their first contact person. This of course I would mention in my essay.

But this is how it works in audit so I wouldn't consider this as a big leadership experience.
Top
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 129
Joined: Mon Jan 11, 2010 5:48 pm
Location: Oceania
Thanked: 23 times
Followed by:1 members
GMAT Score:740

by humblebee » Tue Jan 18, 2011 10:36 pm
Goldfinger2001 wrote:Thanks for your judgement humblebee, we pretty much share the same thoughts.

About the leadership point, I am always asking myself how can a 25/26 year old have extensive leadership experience?
Of course, after 2 years in audit as a senior auditor, I was responsible for working in juniors and when we were working at a clients company I was their first contact person. This of course I would mention in my essay.

But this is how it works in audit so I wouldn't consider this as a big leadership experience.
You realise leadership isn't just about leading people? It's also acting beyond your curent role. For example, I am a consultant. Like you, very hard to act as an engagement manager at the pre-associate MBA level. But I push myself to do things beyond my current level e.g. I source and write my own client proposals. I ask to structure packs and lead smaller engagements by myself. I also lead initiatives at work (i don't volunteer, I initiate)e.g. developing consultant productivity tools, developing and running training programs for my fellow consultants.

Outside of work, I do not-for-profit consulting and I founded a charity.

It doesn't sound like you're a natural leader, as in your don't start things on your own volition. Leaders start things, they don't wait to be told what to do. If you're naturally inclined to be told what to do because it's easy, you have to force yourself out of this comfort zone.

Things you can do
- offer to lead internal initiatives
- ask to do things one or two levels up from your current level
- push to expand your program for poor children into india / pakistan
- spearhead an entire fundraising effort to build one whole school - manage the process from end to end from fundraising to sourcing and overseeing construction
- make that exchange program bigger somehow?
- don't wait for someone like me to tell you what to do
wannabe business school consultant
Top
Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
Posts: 50
Joined: Mon Jan 03, 2011 9:22 am

by Goldfinger2001 » Wed Jan 19, 2011 12:19 am
Hi humblebee,

I think we are defining "leadership" a bit different.

F.e. I wrote an excel macro which saves up to 2 hrs of monthly worktime for my department without being asked or that thos would even be requested. I launch meetings to get things clear when we are working on a project where different departments are involved etc.

I would categorize this at "what makes me a good employee".

We did fundraise enough money to build a whole kindergarden and school, I myself couldn't be there locally because of a lack on vacation (cfa preperation is very time consuming), my friend did though. The school and kindergarden are now build. Furthermore we support the children so they get school material (expensive for them) so they can study, which is not "normal" in this region.

The "exchange program" thing was during college (1 month exchange) where I stood up and proposed that I could help structure the program and help german and french students orientating. I call this initiative.

I am glad that these points can be layed out as leadership, I origianally thought that only leading people within your work counts.

Thanks
Top
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 129
Joined: Mon Jan 11, 2010 5:48 pm
Location: Oceania
Thanked: 23 times
Followed by:1 members
GMAT Score:740

by humblebee » Wed Jan 19, 2011 4:35 am
Goldfinger2001 wrote:Hi humblebee,

I think we are defining "leadership" a bit different.

F.e. I wrote an excel macro which saves up to 2 hrs of monthly worktime for my department without being asked or that thos would even be requested. I launch meetings to get things clear when we are working on a project where different departments are involved etc.

I would categorize this at "what makes me a good employee".
These would make "write about a time when you went above and beyond expectations" questions. Of the two, the launch meeting probably sounds more powerful as you spoke to people as opposed to just seeing an opportunity and coding.
Goldfinger2001 wrote: We did fundraise enough money to build a whole kindergarden and school, I myself couldn't be there locally because of a lack on vacation (cfa preperation is very time consuming), my friend did though. The school and kindergarden are now build. Furthermore we support the children so they get school material (expensive for them) so they can study, which is not "normal" in this region.
Now that you've expanded on this, it actually sounds like a great story. I don't know what specific impact you had, but it sounds like it might be quite big.
Goldfinger2001 wrote: The "exchange program" thing was during college (1 month exchange) where I stood up and proposed that I could help structure the program and help german and french students orientating. I call this initiative.
This sounds like it could be another great when you went above and beyond story. But be careful not to use anecdotes older than 3 years old (because if you're strecthing that far back, it basically says you haven't done anything since then)
Goldfinger2001 wrote:
I am glad that these points can be layed out as leadership, I origianally thought that only leading people within your work counts.

Thanks
You basically need to now develop a positioning / branding story for yourself which ties all these elements together. if they dont tie together nicely, you have until R1 to work on your profile.

Good luck.
wannabe business school consultant
Top
User avatar
Legendary Member
Posts: 1255
Joined: Fri Nov 07, 2008 2:08 pm
Location: St. Louis
Thanked: 312 times
Followed by:90 members

by Tani » Thu Jan 20, 2011 11:00 am
Hello,

You have both strengths and weakness in your profile. The GPA is a problem, but an exceptional GMAT would help to offset that. Your nationality and international experience should be helpful. Fortunately for you, the European applications to US schools are not as overwhelming as those from Asia. I like that you started and sold a company. That gives you an experience base from which to contribute to discussions.

Your cooperative undergraduate experience is interesting. You need to explain that clearly in your essays so that the admissions committee can consider the business exposure value of your work periods. Your CFA is also a plus. Your extracurriculars are attractive. Keep in mind that management is getting things done through people. Leadership can take many forms, not necessarily identified by formal authority or titles. Think about times when you stepped in and led a group to take action.

For the schools that you are targeting, much will depend on your GMAT. The schools on your list are not unreasonable, but you need to recognize that most of the turn down 85-905 out of an exceptional pool of candidates. I advise all my clients to consider their goals. If you are determined to build that skills that an MBA provides, then you need to include a couple of safety schools. On the other hand, if you are happy in your career and only want to invest the time and money if you can go to a top schools, then recognize the possibility that you will not get in. Much of the decision depends on the other candidates and the school's need to balance a class. All top schools turn down many exceptional candidates that they would love to have simply because of class size limits.

I hope this is helpful.

Good luck,
Tani Wolff
Top
Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
Posts: 50
Joined: Mon Jan 03, 2011 9:22 am

by Goldfinger2001 » Thu Jan 20, 2011 11:14 am
Hi Tani,

thank you for sharing your point of view.

Of course I'd like to get a MBA from a top school, on the other hand if this is not possible the most important point for me is what school makes me attractive for companies like goldman, j.p., etc.

-What would you consider an exceptional GMAT score? Is 720 s.th. you would say is exceptional?
-What would you consider a safety school though? Cornell, Duke, Oxford?
Top
User avatar
Legendary Member
Posts: 1255
Joined: Fri Nov 07, 2008 2:08 pm
Location: St. Louis
Thanked: 312 times
Followed by:90 members

by Tani » Thu Jan 20, 2011 12:18 pm
A 720 would be very strong. Just be sure you don't take the test over and over trying to boost the score 20-30 points. That says you are focusing on the wrong things.

Cornell, Duke, Virginia should be safety schools if you GMAT is over 700. They are also exceptional schools with excellent programs.

Try working backwards. Decide where you would like to work and then see what schools those companies go to for interviews and new hires. Most schools will tell you who interviews on campus and where their graduates work.

Good luck,
Tani Wolff
Top

GMAT/MBA Expert

User avatar
MBA Admissions Consultant
Posts: 3845
Joined: Wed Feb 06, 2008 8:57 pm
Location: Houston, TX
Thanked: 442 times
Followed by:148 members

by Lisa Anderson » Thu Jan 20, 2011 12:22 pm
Dear Goldfinger2001,

I concur with Tani's comments. How competitive you are will greatly depend on your GMAT score and how well you put together your application packages. It is always prudent to have a mix of schools on your list: reach, reasonable and safety. I do not generally consider any school in the top 30 to be a safety option for anyone, so I would not consider Cornell, Duke or Oxford to be safety programs. An exceptional GMAT score, in my opinion, is 740+. With your GPA and profile, I do think you want to aim for 700+, ideally 720+ to be above the average of any school you are considering.

Good luck,
Lisa
Lisa Anderson
Consultant
Stacy Blackman Consulting

Learn more about me
Top
Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
Posts: 50
Joined: Mon Jan 03, 2011 9:22 am

by Goldfinger2001 » Thu Jan 20, 2011 12:59 pm
Tani, Lisa,

your comments help me a lot. I will try to aim for a 720+, ideally a 740 and try to get it right the first time.
This raised the bar a little but I am confident that with enough preparation this is within my capabilities.

I will also add cornell and darden as safety schools. I am refering to the ft ranking here..
(https://rankings.ft.com/businessschoolra ... a-rankings)

Thank you very much!
Top
Post new topic Post Reply
• Page 1 of 1