Profile Evaluation Needed :)

[richwang]

Hi!

If it's not too much trouble for consultants such as Jessica or Stacey, I'd like to get a bit of consultation as to my ability to get into my target schools. Granted I am not expecting anything above a "REACH" or "STRETCH", but anything above 'impossible' would be a bit of encouragement. Some stats:

Undergrad in Chemical Engineering @ high-level UC: 2.9 GPA, 3.2 in last 2 years.
Lots of extra curriculars during college, including active participation in acapella group and student-run church group - all 4 years. (in hindsight, my workload + extra curriculars for my first 2 years definitely impacted my grades)

GMAT: 770: Q50 V46

Work experience @ large networking corp in Silicon Valley - 2 years. Promoted twice, once raise (the other was a title/role promotion only). Started as SW Engineer, now as an active Program Manager for multiple programs in cross functional roles.

1 course away from being Stanford Advanced Program Management certified.

Active role in recruiting for my company at my alma mater, also starting to get involved with Stanford and Haas MBA recruiting as well.

Lots of current extracurrics involving music, songwriting and performance, both for bands as well as nonprofit fundraisers and charity events.

My targets (obviously stretches) are Stanford, Haas, UCLA, UPenn and USC Marshall. Please advise! I'm hoping my improving GPA and decent GMAT will offset my low undergrad. I would also like to do round 1 apps for at least Stanford and Haas.

My long-term goals are either to work with management consulting post-MBA or possible media/entertainment business given my strong musical background.

Also, how would the role of an admissions counselor such as MBAMission or others on this board perform in my situation?

Thank you so much in advance for help!

I am definitely open to criticism and any ways I can improve my overall package.

[Jessica@VeritasPrep]

Hi Rich -

Your GMAT score definitely puts you in contention for most any program as long as you have a compelling story for why you want to attend (and perhaps an explanation for your undergraduate grads - I agree that the trend is positive but, I'd have a few concerns - you are obviously bright based on your GMAT, but, the GPA makes it seem like you might be a lazy student).

Two years of experience is on the low side but if you can demonstrate that you have learned a great deal and taken on leadership roles, been successful, etc. you may be able to mitigate this (I assume you plan to continue working which means you will have 3 full years of experience when you enroll in an MBA program which isn't that far from the norm).

I don't understand what you mean by "working with MBA recruiting" at Haas and Stanford but I assume this is from the hiring side? This could work in your favor but I'd want to understand what this means.

Anyway, I think your chances at Stanford and Wharton would improve with another year of experience. The more distance you have between applying and your undergraduate grades the better. Based on the information you provided, you probably have a decent shot at the other schools but a great deal of this depends on the quality of your letters of recommendation and how you present yourself in your application (essays/resume).


Good luck to you! I hope this helps!

[richwang]

This helps greatly - thank you so much!

The MBA recruiting is on the corporation end, dealing with events with hiring for my company.

Are there any bits of advice on how to avoid the "lazy student" assumption from the reader's perspective? Obviously, a fair share of it was a lack of discipline that I have now mastered, and another portion would be due to extracurriculars.

Any ideas on the benefits of an admissions consulting agency in aiding me in the crafting of my story?