Could you help evaluate my profile for Harvard/Wharton

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Hello,

Could you help me evaluate my fit for the two schools I plan to apply this fall?
Here is my background:
Chinese native, female, 26
GMAT: 770 (99%) Verbal: 47 (97%) Math 50 (93%) AWA: 6.0

Academics:
attended the most competitive secondary program in China till college.
First from my area to get into Yale, class of 2007, 3.8/4.0 GPA, math&econ major, graduated cum laude
Have taken significant amount of courses in Humanity (history, etc.) to achieve a balanced education despite having no background in these subjects
Research assistant to renown scholar on Chinese history (chair of American History Association during that year)
Passed all three levels of CFA exams within shortest time possible 1.5 years while working full-time

Work Experience:
Worked at three departments at Capital One: Strategy Group (internal consulting group), Corporate Finance (M&A department) and Bank (general management, current) to get exposure to different functions and different lines of business; finally settled down in a general management role because it involves more decision-making and responsibility for immediate results.
Promoted once to senior analyst, currently on a stretch role managing cross-functional projects and manage monthly analyst forum for the consumer banking segment.
Have won department award for innovation in business strategy/methodology as part of a team
Nominated to company wide award for excellence as a team in a UK portfolio divestiture deal (~20 nominees every quarter)

Extracurricular:
Microfinance Initiative at Capital One
Followed my interest in microfinance, searched for volunteer opportunities at no avail until met a HBS alum, who set up this club at COF. Have volunteered on, managed and later arranged three pro bono projects through Accion International serving banks in Mexico, India and Tanzania respectively. Have been co-lead since 2008, manage relationship with Accion and develop new relationship with Grameen America. Enlist associate volunteers to raise fund for Grameen's new branch in D.C. Host career forums and educational events in the company.

Mentor talented Chinese students through my Chinese blog
Came across a blog kept by the mom of a very talented Chinese boy. I was concerned about the way the boy was pushed to get into a top U.S. college, so started a one-on-one mentoring relationship through which I suggested reading list and assigned weekly writing topics to make sure the child get a smooth transition into liberal arts education from the exam-based rigid Chinese education system.
Started my own blog, which has a wide readership, mentored several other students in diverse situations, all ended up in elite U.S. high school or Ivy league college.

Career Goal/Why MBA:
realized through my online mentoring experience that technology can enable an individual to change others' life from the other side of the globe. realized through my interaction with volunteers in the microfinance club that many professionals dream about a career in social business/international development but cannot afford to give up their private sector job in the U.S. I want to develop innovative and flexible business model leveraging cutting edge communication/networking technology to enable people to engage in social business any time, from anywhere.

Short term want to work for Google and Grameen Creative Lab. Both organizations are based on an innovative ground-breaking business idea, with a mission to bring people free access to basic resources and information. Both successfully established a world-wide platform and have expanded their basic business model into numerous other industries, nevertheless with the same original mission unchanged.

In the long run I want to bring companies like these two together through a public-private partnership.

MBA will help me transition into technology industry and deepen my understanding of social business. Plan to collaborate with fellow students on social business model competition and establish a solid career network in both industries.

Recommendation:
My current manager who supervised me on my recent project, also my career mentor
My previous manager who supervised me on my first assignment in the bank or my previous manager/mentor in strategy (debating between the two)
The other co-lead of the microfinance club: have worked with her on multiple projects, the best person who can comment on my extracurriculars.

Hobbies:
Figure skating (ISI level 4), Piano, Dancing

Thanks a lot!
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by Lisa Anderson » Mon Aug 30, 2010 7:24 am
Dear caterpillar,

Based on your post, I think you are competitive for HBS and Wharton, as well as any other program you believe is a good match for you. Your GMAT, GPA and work experience are all assets to your profile. Additionally, you have focused career goals and extracurricular involvement that bridges your current experience and future career goals. The outcome of your applications will greatly depend on how well you present your background and rationale for an MBA in your applications through your essays and interviews. Both schools are highly selective, so being able to positively distinguish yourself from the applicant pool is key.

Good luck,
Lisa
Lisa Anderson
Consultant
Stacy Blackman Consulting

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by caterpillar » Wed Sep 01, 2010 3:19 pm
Thank you Lisa. I really value your opinion. Thanks for answering all our questions :)