Profile Evaluation, Thank you!

[zonia]

Hello,

I am a big fan of HBS and Columbia, would like to know if I would get a decent chance to get into either school.

School Stats:
- Undergrad 3.1 GPA (Top 5% of the class)
- BBA, Information Systems Major
- Best honours project (Research paper) among 300 undergrad in my final year
- Postgrad A- Average (Top 3% of the class)
- MSc in Financial Analysis - Security Analysis Major
- Designation: CPA / CISA (Information Systems auditor)
- 760 GMAT (50M, 46V 5.5 AWA)

Work
- 4-year at Big 4 public accountancy firm, worked in risk advisory, audit and due diligence and currently on secondment to marketing department
- Assist on family business of wine trading, active business in france, UK, singapore and china (not on full-time nor having a "specific" position)

Extracurricular
- Active volunteer in various organization like UNICEF, Oxfam
- Founding member and EVP of a foreign student assistance club in college
- Fonnding member and Financial Secretary of a young member committee in a professional society

I would also like to know if I really wanna be admitted, is my assistance to family business a positive or I should not include it in the experience? And, if I shall include that, who I should get for a recommendation letter? Will a family member recommendation be less reliable?

Thank you so much!

Best regards
Zonia

[Cindy Tokumitsu]

Hello,

It appears that you may be qualified for HBS and Columbia. Most points seem strong. A key factor, which you don’t address, is your track record at work: did you surpass what would be a typical strong performance? A fast-track record is important for these schools, especially HBS. You should be able to show that you are a very high performer among your accomplished peers. Your essays plus your resume will be the key avenue for doing so.

I can’t comment on the family business experience because its value would be in its relation to your goals -- directly or indirectly. If it’s not directly related, then did it give you skills or knowledge relevant to your goals? What does this experience mean to your growth vis-à-vis your goals? Whether it’s a plus or minus will depend on your answers to such questions. Again, your essays are where this issue would be addressed.

Best regards,
Cindy Tokumitsu
Senior Editor, Accepted.com
www.Accepted.com