Profile eval - top 5 hopeful

[shadowsjc]

Hello,

I'm currently working on my application to HBS for Round 1, and am also looking to apply to NYU, Columbia, and possibly MIT and Wharton.

Program: Full time MBA (starting Fall 2010)
Age at matriculation: 24
Ethnicity: URM / Latino
Work experience: 2 years as an engineer/operations/sales at a small company (manufacturing). Currently unemployed as of mid Aug 2009 (not due to performance reasons, but due to financial health of company)
Undergrad: B.E. Chemical Engineering, 3.44 (tier 2 school, but highly rated engineering school)
Grad: M.E. , Engineering Management, 3.8 (obtained simultaneously with undergrad during 4 year period)
GMAT: 770 (99%); 48 Q (83%) 51 V (99%)
Extracurriculars: greatly involved in student government, also in fraternity, chem eng society, latin american society, local volunteering to a lesser extent

My main concerns revolve around my current employment status, and also how I should treat my status as a URM.

1. I used my free time to study for the GMATs, but it's difficult to find a full time job now. I especially don't want to apply to any companies that I may want to work full time post-MBA (since i'd only be there for 8-10 months before quitting to go to B-School). How should I treat this unemployment in my app/essays?

2. Should I angle my essays/application towards my URM status? Or is this looked down upon? I have received differing opinions on this, and I am pretty confused.


Thanks for any tips

[Bryant@VeritasPrep]

Anything is achievable if you couch it right and market it well. What you have going for you is your stellar GMAT, and your URM status (are you male or female? if female even better chances). Not so good will be work experience and 2nd tier undergrad school. The top ten really like to see folks coming from top schools--you could spin up a good reason for choosing a tier two undergrad, like you didn't realize your full potential academically until later in life (GMAT is good evidence of this), or either personal reasons why the school you chose had to be close to home etc... I am sure with your brainpower, there is a good reason you didn't try to go to Ga TEch, MIT, or Cal Tech. Anyway, you will definitely come across as someone who can handle b-school academically, which is the goal of the GPA/GMAT. Where you will really need to turn up the mojo will be in casting two years work experience as substantial enough to be able to offer meaningful impact to your classmates at Harvard, etc. who will all have come with an average of 5+ years of progressively responsible experience. You nailed it when you identified the "problem" that unemployment is presenting you--some schools might assume that no matter how bad the economy, if you are a valuable contributor, you would be employed, so you will need to really sell them on why you are not, and why now is the best time for you to go back to school (and "because 10 months is not enough time to go get a job" will not pass muster). If you are committed to going back next year, then simply weave your vision and story in such a way that makes a compelling case to the committee. Truthfully, though, you will be a stronger candidate if you worked a couple of more years and log some progression/advancement/management at work. Just being honest. Definitely consider getting a consultant to work with you if you move forward this year, though. Good luck.

[shadowsjc]

hi - thanks for the reply. unfortunately i'm not a woman also . i'll try and tailor my app to address my weaknesses. one thing that i found in my research was that a growing number of incoming students to HBS have less than 3 years of experience. i hope to work that fact to my advantage.


as far as my free time now, i'm looking to do some volunteer hours at a local homeless shelter. other than that, i have applied to many temp jobs, but haven't heard anything back yet. i'll definitely address this in my app though. thanks for the constructive feedback

[Brett N]

Harvard is looking for younger candidates mostly because this will increase their female population as well but other schools like to see a couple more years of experience.

The good news is that you have time to find out if you're a possible candidate by applying this year. You have a great GMAT and I think you should stress what you do well and why you're a great candidate. Everyone has weak areas of their application.

The most important thing for you to do is to tell a compelling story. If you want to know how we might help you do this, contact me directly and we can talk. I don't see why you wouldn't just go for it?

[TomV]

You can also submit your information into our free evaluation page to get a quick and easy professional response.

https://ivyappsuccess.com/advice/profileeval

[shadowsjc]

hi - thanks for the tips. after going through some more school admissions data, i now see that harvard is pretty unique among the top 10 in their push for younger applicants. it may sound backwards but i might actually have the best shot at HBS due to my age. im going to apply to a few other schools regardless. i hope to have everything sent in by this monday (deadline is wed night).

[Brett N]

It makes perfect sense. They are pushing for young students. If you want a last minute look over of your essays, shoot me an email. We have a package for that and can get it done asap.