Profile Evaluation (Military applicant)

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Profile Evaluation (Military applicant)

by usmabama » Mon May 05, 2014 5:14 pm
GMAT 700 (49Q/36V)..studying for a retake

Education:
Academy Grad (2007)- 3.25/Systems Engineering
-GPA steadily increased over time-under 2.5 first semester (I've heard that helps -- is that true?)
-Big Brother Big Sister and Special Olympics

UTEP Masters (2011)-4.0/Leadership (tried to nullify my low undergrad GPA)

Career (Air Defense Officer):
1st assignment:
Lived in Germany for three years where I had a couple of different
leadership positions (lead 35+ Soldiers for a year and second in command of 140+ Soldiers for a year. Also responsible for 40+ million dollars worth of equipment)
3rd year- Lead officer for establishing the US's joint missile defense program with Poland
2nd assignment:
Worked as an instructor at the University of Alabama ROTC for a year
(compassionate reassignment-father was in the hospital for an extended period of time)
Currently working in DC for 6 months where I have 40 employees, both military and civilian, working on my team.

Why I'm applying with 8 years time in service (I've heard 6+ years military service is frowned upon)- signed up for a Grad School option upon graduation from West Point that extends one's commitment to 8 years. At the time I planned on staying in the Army, but my Dad's illness shaped 2+ years of my Army career and honestly put me behind my peers in regards to key jobs for promotion (not planning on explaining this too much, but that's the reason why I'm an older applicant)

Post MBA: Aerospace and Defense consultant with Bain (I honestly don't know what field I want to go into exactly, but given my background, it allows me to tell an interesting story)

Other/Hobbies:
Volunteer- Awarded the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal for starting a volunteer group that contributed to various community events in the area.
Travel/Adventure- Been to 30 countries, Running of the Bulls, River rafting down the Grand Canyon, etc.
Fitness- Completed 110 mile bike race, etc.

Target Schools: HBS, Wharton (stretch)
Kellogg, MIT, Tuck (zone)
Fuqua (safe)
chances at each school?
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by mcbMcK » Mon May 05, 2014 8:09 pm
usmabama wrote:GMAT 700 (49Q/36V)..studying for a retake

Education:
Academy Grad (2007)- 3.25/Systems Engineering
-GPA steadily increased over time-under 2.5 first semester (I've heard that helps -- is that true?)
-Big Brother Big Sister and Special Olympics

<<snip>>

Target Schools: HBS, Wharton (stretch)
Kellogg, MIT, Tuck (zone)
Fuqua (safe)
chances at each school?

Dear usmabama,

Here are a few reflections on your profile:
  1. Your profile looks solid on paper. Be prepared to share interesting examples of leadership and teamwork especially if in cross-cultural settings. That would make you a good addition to any MBA class
  2. If there is a true story that explains your lesser than stellar growth, DO NOT shy away from explaining that in your essays - if anything, it will bolster your profile more!
  3. For reasons mentioned here, I will not go into school specific evaluations. Suffice it to say however that with an improved GMAT score, you should have a fair shot at top schools
  4. The issue of post-MBA goals is an important one. You would do well to research before going head long into an MBA. Sector specific management consulting is not a very common route and something that you shouldnt bet on entirely.
Hope this helps,

Cheers,
MG (Manish Gupta)|The MBA Crystal Ball Team

Website: https://www.mbacrystalball.com
Email: mcb at mbacrystalball dot com

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by usmabama » Wed May 07, 2014 10:26 am
mcbMcK wrote:
usmabama wrote:GMAT 700 (49Q/36V)..studying for a retake

Education:
Academy Grad (2007)- 3.25/Systems Engineering
-GPA steadily increased over time-under 2.5 first semester (I've heard that helps -- is that true?)
-Big Brother Big Sister and Special Olympics

<<snip>>

Target Schools: HBS, Wharton (stretch)
Kellogg, MIT, Tuck (zone)
Fuqua (safe)
chances at each school?

Dear usmabama,

Here are a few reflections on your profile:
  1. Your profile looks solid on paper. Be prepared to share interesting examples of leadership and teamwork especially if in cross-cultural settings. That would make you a good addition to any MBA class
  2. If there is a true story that explains your lesser than stellar growth, DO NOT shy away from explaining that in your essays - if anything, it will bolster your profile more!
  3. For reasons mentioned here, I will not go into school specific evaluations. Suffice it to say however that with an improved GMAT score, you should have a fair shot at top schools
  4. The issue of post-MBA goals is an important one. You would do well to research before going head long into an MBA. Sector specific management consulting is not a very common route and something that you shouldnt bet on entirely.
Hope this helps,

Cheers,
Thank you so much for the insight!

To be clear, your comments in bullet two are referencing my dad's illness? You think it'd be smart to elaborate on that in my application? If that's the case, I'll have to be sure to word everything correctly. I don't want the adcom to think I'm trying to use sympathy points to gain admittance into their program. You think that whole situation will be something worth highlighting?

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by mcbMcK » Wed May 07, 2014 9:20 pm
usmabama wrote:
Thank you so much for the insight!

To be clear, your comments in bullet two are referencing my dad's illness? You think it'd be smart to elaborate on that in my application? If that's the case, I'll have to be sure to word everything correctly. I don't want the adcom to think I'm trying to use sympathy points to gain admittance into their program. You think that whole situation will be something worth highlighting?


Dear usmabama,

That is correct - I was referring to the illness only. If it is an important event in your life, has shaped your career choices and also changed you as a person, it is definitely something that the adcoms need to know. Most schools do want to get more than a glimpse of you as a person rather than you only as a professional. And no, it is NOT for sympathy - it is to ensure that you present the true picture of your life/profile.

Cheers,
MG (Manish Gupta)|The MBA Crystal Ball Team

Website: https://www.mbacrystalball.com
Email: mcb at mbacrystalball dot com