Hello,
First of all, thank you very much for taking the time to evaluate my profile. I appreciate all of the advice I can get!
Allow me to e-introduce myself...
GMAT: Female
Nationality: Middle Eastern, fluent in 3 languages, conversational in 2, grew up in 7 countries
GMAT: 660 (85% - fair split btw Q & V). In the process of studying for a 2nd attempt. I am hoping for 700+.
Undergraduate: Double Major (Economics + Political Science), 1 semester study abroad, 3.7 GPA (graduated Cum Laude) from top 25 school
Undergraduate extra-curriculars: Started a student organization, volunteer teacher at local schools
Work Experience (4 yrs)
1 Yr Total: Healthcare consulting at a boutique consulting firm -- Not my cup of tea at all.
2.5 Yrs Total: Moved to the Middle East. Helped launch a government organization, under direct supervision of the president, that provides funding to entrepreneurs to start their businesses. Worked as a business counselor there for 2 years. Was then placed on a 6 month rotation to work at a private equity fund - M&A (affiliate of government organization). The reasoning behind placing me in this fund was because the government organization wanted to start a venture capital arm and have me involved in that. This is when I discovered my passion for social enterprise/entrepreneurship relating to this part of the world
8 Months ago - Present: Left the Middle East because I got married and, as a result, moved to NYC. Started volunteering (and still do) as a Financial Coach for low-income families (9 hrs/week).
Since February 2010: Working at a Fortune 100 company in Corporate Development...I primarily work in M&A and specifically, post-merger integration. While this is interesting, my passion lies in applying these skills for economic development (i.e. private equity/encouraging entrepreneurship in developing countries helps foster economic development)
Certifications: CFA level I, Pilates instructor certification
Short-term goal: To work in a fund or a foundation that does private equity (start-up capital or further along in PE) investments abroad (preferably Africa).
Long-term goal: To use those skills to help small business development & entrepreneurship in the Middle East.
Schools I hope to apply to R1 (by order of preference): Lauder Program at Penn, Columbia (social enterprise focus - dad is an alumni), HBS (social enterprise focus), London Business School
Questions for you:
1) How much of reaches are the schools I listed above (especially the Lauder program)? In other words, how negatively affected will I be because of my low gmat score? I am fully aware that my GMAT is not up to par for those schools. And this is, quite frankly, my biggest concern. Although I feel my application may be different and my essays may make for an interesting read, I still feel like my gmat score is a crippling weakness.
2) WIll the fact that I am applying after only assuming my current position for a couple of months reflect poorly to the admissions committee?
3) In relation to the question above, I am not comfortable asking my current supervisor for a recommendation. He doesn't know me well yet and I have two other previous supervisors can write great recs. Is that ok? Or would I have to provide an explanation?
4) My work experience from the Middle East to present is all related. However, my first job out of university is totally out field. Can I just write the truth and say that I realized it wasn't for me? Do I even have to address that or is it assumed that most people's first jobs don't work out?
Thanks again for the advice!
First of all, thank you very much for taking the time to evaluate my profile. I appreciate all of the advice I can get!
Allow me to e-introduce myself...
GMAT: Female
Nationality: Middle Eastern, fluent in 3 languages, conversational in 2, grew up in 7 countries
GMAT: 660 (85% - fair split btw Q & V). In the process of studying for a 2nd attempt. I am hoping for 700+.
Undergraduate: Double Major (Economics + Political Science), 1 semester study abroad, 3.7 GPA (graduated Cum Laude) from top 25 school
Undergraduate extra-curriculars: Started a student organization, volunteer teacher at local schools
Work Experience (4 yrs)
1 Yr Total: Healthcare consulting at a boutique consulting firm -- Not my cup of tea at all.
2.5 Yrs Total: Moved to the Middle East. Helped launch a government organization, under direct supervision of the president, that provides funding to entrepreneurs to start their businesses. Worked as a business counselor there for 2 years. Was then placed on a 6 month rotation to work at a private equity fund - M&A (affiliate of government organization). The reasoning behind placing me in this fund was because the government organization wanted to start a venture capital arm and have me involved in that. This is when I discovered my passion for social enterprise/entrepreneurship relating to this part of the world
8 Months ago - Present: Left the Middle East because I got married and, as a result, moved to NYC. Started volunteering (and still do) as a Financial Coach for low-income families (9 hrs/week).
Since February 2010: Working at a Fortune 100 company in Corporate Development...I primarily work in M&A and specifically, post-merger integration. While this is interesting, my passion lies in applying these skills for economic development (i.e. private equity/encouraging entrepreneurship in developing countries helps foster economic development)
Certifications: CFA level I, Pilates instructor certification
Short-term goal: To work in a fund or a foundation that does private equity (start-up capital or further along in PE) investments abroad (preferably Africa).
Long-term goal: To use those skills to help small business development & entrepreneurship in the Middle East.
Schools I hope to apply to R1 (by order of preference): Lauder Program at Penn, Columbia (social enterprise focus - dad is an alumni), HBS (social enterprise focus), London Business School
Questions for you:
1) How much of reaches are the schools I listed above (especially the Lauder program)? In other words, how negatively affected will I be because of my low gmat score? I am fully aware that my GMAT is not up to par for those schools. And this is, quite frankly, my biggest concern. Although I feel my application may be different and my essays may make for an interesting read, I still feel like my gmat score is a crippling weakness.
2) WIll the fact that I am applying after only assuming my current position for a couple of months reflect poorly to the admissions committee?
3) In relation to the question above, I am not comfortable asking my current supervisor for a recommendation. He doesn't know me well yet and I have two other previous supervisors can write great recs. Is that ok? Or would I have to provide an explanation?
4) My work experience from the Middle East to present is all related. However, my first job out of university is totally out field. Can I just write the truth and say that I realized it wasn't for me? Do I even have to address that or is it assumed that most people's first jobs don't work out?
Thanks again for the advice!
