"¢European, Undergraduate degree from a small school in Germany; while the school is probably not known, I got my degree in a co-op program with a top 30 German cooperation that is very well known here in the US as well (I think the program is somewhat comparable to the co-op program that GM does here in the US), highly selective intake (20 people, approx. 350 - 500 applicants), business major, though not quant heavy
"¢Graduated as best in class in the co-op program and top 10% of the graduating class at the university, GPA 1.3 (Grading scale 1.0 - 5.0), according to the Pearson translation table at the end of the GMAT equiv. to GPA 4.0
"¢Extracurricular: Student president of graduating class and student representative in the advisory board of the undergrad program, initiated and led some major changes in the program and curriculum that are still in place, significantly increased overall evaluation of program, developed and successfully implemented concept for internationalization of the program.
"¢Summer school at a Top 5 US School (2 finance classes, GPA 4.0) and at a Top 3 UK school (1 social science class, grade A)
"¢US and German High School degree (not sure if that is of any value for a Business School application. Graduated with honors in the US and best in class in the Germany (valedictorian)
"¢4 years professional work experience in media (digital media, publishing) and services (SCM, outsourcing, eCom):
"¢1 year management trainee, several business areas ranging from HR and corporate finance to controlling and M&A, then promotion to Business Development Mgr in the services and BPO division of the same company (2 years, focus on SCM and eCommerce, worked with major international media and FMCG companies)
"¢Since the beginning of the year Corporate Development Mgr at major US media firm, New York-based firm, industry leading market position
"¢References from the CEO (in fact, my direct supervisor) and a HBS alum (co-worker, though in superior position), 3rd reference to come.
"¢Avid traveler; obsessed with sports (cycling, running, soccer, marathon finisher, etc.); involved in an selective, member run entrepreneurship community
"¢TOEFL 117 (reading 30, listening 30, speaking 29, writing 28)
"¢MY WEAKSPOT: GMAT, 620 (Q43, V32), 2nd attempt to come, but I don't think the increase is going to be significant, didn't get much studying in at all
"¢Target schools, HBS, Berkeley, Insead, (well GSB would be great, and if I have to time to finish the essay, I might just apply and give it a try, but I don't think a below par GMAT will get me there).
"¢Post MBA goal: Media and/eCom Private equity (I think I can bring a lot of relevant industry insights and operational knowledge to the table; (or) entrepreneurial opportunities in the same area
"¢I have heard from a lot of people by now that got into Top MBAs with a below par GMAT, a good friend with similar career progression and background got into Harvard with 660, another friend got into Insead with a 650. I know a below avg GMAT will jeopardize my candidacy, but there is no way to get a dramatic score increase by the end of the year...
Thanks for your thoughts!
"¢Graduated as best in class in the co-op program and top 10% of the graduating class at the university, GPA 1.3 (Grading scale 1.0 - 5.0), according to the Pearson translation table at the end of the GMAT equiv. to GPA 4.0
"¢Extracurricular: Student president of graduating class and student representative in the advisory board of the undergrad program, initiated and led some major changes in the program and curriculum that are still in place, significantly increased overall evaluation of program, developed and successfully implemented concept for internationalization of the program.
"¢Summer school at a Top 5 US School (2 finance classes, GPA 4.0) and at a Top 3 UK school (1 social science class, grade A)
"¢US and German High School degree (not sure if that is of any value for a Business School application. Graduated with honors in the US and best in class in the Germany (valedictorian)
"¢4 years professional work experience in media (digital media, publishing) and services (SCM, outsourcing, eCom):
"¢1 year management trainee, several business areas ranging from HR and corporate finance to controlling and M&A, then promotion to Business Development Mgr in the services and BPO division of the same company (2 years, focus on SCM and eCommerce, worked with major international media and FMCG companies)
"¢Since the beginning of the year Corporate Development Mgr at major US media firm, New York-based firm, industry leading market position
"¢References from the CEO (in fact, my direct supervisor) and a HBS alum (co-worker, though in superior position), 3rd reference to come.
"¢Avid traveler; obsessed with sports (cycling, running, soccer, marathon finisher, etc.); involved in an selective, member run entrepreneurship community
"¢TOEFL 117 (reading 30, listening 30, speaking 29, writing 28)
"¢MY WEAKSPOT: GMAT, 620 (Q43, V32), 2nd attempt to come, but I don't think the increase is going to be significant, didn't get much studying in at all
"¢Target schools, HBS, Berkeley, Insead, (well GSB would be great, and if I have to time to finish the essay, I might just apply and give it a try, but I don't think a below par GMAT will get me there).
"¢Post MBA goal: Media and/eCom Private equity (I think I can bring a lot of relevant industry insights and operational knowledge to the table; (or) entrepreneurial opportunities in the same area
"¢I have heard from a lot of people by now that got into Top MBAs with a below par GMAT, a good friend with similar career progression and background got into Harvard with 660, another friend got into Insead with a 650. I know a below avg GMAT will jeopardize my candidacy, but there is no way to get a dramatic score increase by the end of the year...
Thanks for your thoughts!
