Age: 27 (Applying for Fall 2010)
Academics: BS Computer Science from large state school. 3.35 cumulative, 3.46 major. I was 2 courses shy of a math double-major, but had to quit for personal reasons.
GMAT: 730 (Q49/V40) AWA 6.0
Work experience: IT Systems Administrator at a small Japanese firm in Silicon Valley (4 years). I've been at this job since graduation. While I have taken on more responsibility, because my firm is small, I haven't had the opportunity to manage or lead teams. I'm literally under the VP. But I have experience managing projects and arranging company outings. My salary and bonuses have progressively increased until the recession.
MBA Concentration: I would like to specialize in corporate finance and entrepreneurship. My short-term goal is to go into corporate finance and learn the ins and outs of how finance works in the business world. My long term goal is to open my own personal finance firm, advising clients on how to plan for the future and invest money wisely. I plan to charge clients at an hourly rate, rather than sell them something they don't need just so I can receive commission. My target is the less fortunate. I'm really passionate about helping people. This is why I chose IT. I experience great satisfaction in helping others.
Q: How do you feel adcoms will view this career change? Does it sound like I'm unsure about what I want to do with my career?
Q: I chose corporate finance because I feel that it will give me the best foundation for my eventual goals of opening my own personal finance firm. Do you feel like my reasoning is haphazard?
Extra Curriculars:
A. Team Manager/player for competitive men's soccer team
B. Site admin for car enthusiast website with 500+ members.
C. Volunteer for Family Shelter once a week for 2.5 hours tutoring math and English. Also supervise children during outdoor activities.
Certifications: Microsoft Certified System Engineer 2003
Interesting facts:
* Born in Tokyo, Japan but American citizen.
* Half Japanese, half caucasian.
* I am proficient in Japanese and use it for my current job.
* I am the son of a military father, so I had to move quite a bit.
* I have spent most of my life in Hawaii. (Hawaii is melting pot, so I have experience with many culutures/backgrounds).
* Played varsity soccer in high school.
* I'm in to astronomy (probably not something I'll want to highlight to differentiate myself from the IT crowd
).Schools:
UNC <-- would love to go here
USC
Georgetown
UT Austin
Cornell <-- another top choice
CMU <-- like program, but almost the same price as HBS!
Below are schools I'd really love to get in to, but would not fret if I couldn not get in:
Duke (Reach)
Michigan (Reach)
Dartmouth (Reach)
UCLA (Reach)
How are my chances with these schools?
