Hello All,
I have recently decided to make the transition from the military (Army Military Intelligence Officer- Captain) to business school, and would really appreciate a profile evaluation. I am targeting programs such as Darden and Fuqua, and plan on applying to Wharton as a reach. Please provide feedback on these choices, and direction as to what other programs you think that I should research. I will be applying for the class of 2019.
I took the GMAT for the first time this week and scored a Q47/V40 and an IR of 8 for an overall score of 700. I do not have the official AWA score yet. I will potentially be retaking this to try to increase my score to make my application packet a bit more competitive.
My undergraduate degree is pre-law (decided to join the military and hold off on law school in 2008 with the collapse of the economy) and I earned a GPA of 3.4 from a reputable (Top 50) public university.
Recommendations
Recommendations will be from senior military Officers (Up to the ranks of General Officer) with whom I have worked directly for in the past, as well as another individual who has already made the transition from the military to the business world and is currently working as a consultant for one of the top 3 consulting firms.
Work Experience
I will have 84 months of work experience when I apply. I have had a rewarding career and have been fortunate to be selected to many nominative positions that have allowed me to grow as a leader. These are the highlights:
-I am currently assigned as a military intelligence detachment Commander supporting US Army Special Forces operations. I work heavily with other government agencies in order to best support multiple missions around the world. This position is nominative and required a 3-4 month interview process to be selected. I directly manage a team of approximately 15 brilliant individuals in this role.
- Graduated US Army Ranger School, which is widely considered the premier leadership school that any branch of the military offers. Other branches of the military routinely send their Soldiers, Marines, Sailors and Airmen to this school to develop leadership fundamentals designed for all military environments (both conflict and non-conflict).
- From 2013-2014, I was selected from over 200 candidates as the Aide-de-Camp (special assistant) to the Deputy Commanding General of the Division to which I was assigned. For reference, there are three Generals who are overall in charge of approximately 30,000 Soldiers and Non-military personnel in a Division.
- In 2013, I was assigned as the executive officer (second in charge) of a Company/team consisting of 180 personnel. I primarily managed the systems and mechanisms to ensure that logistical and maintenance issues were being conducted to a high level and ahead of schedule. In this job, I directly managed a team of 25 individuals.
-In 2012, I served as a combat advisor (military intelligence) to the Afghan National Police in one of the most kinetic (combat prone) provinces in Eastern Afghanistan. I received the Bronze Star Medal for this deployment.
-I earned the title of distinguished military graduate (3rd in my class of 190 military officers) among my peers from my commissioning source.
-I have consistently have rated in the top 5% of Officers within each unit that I have been assigned.
Plans for After School
Have not yet decided between consulting or general management. Would like to use the MBA as a solid transition from the military to civilian life after serving in the military for 8 years.
Thank you all for your time and feedback! And thanks Beat the GMAT for being such an invaluable resource.
I have recently decided to make the transition from the military (Army Military Intelligence Officer- Captain) to business school, and would really appreciate a profile evaluation. I am targeting programs such as Darden and Fuqua, and plan on applying to Wharton as a reach. Please provide feedback on these choices, and direction as to what other programs you think that I should research. I will be applying for the class of 2019.
I took the GMAT for the first time this week and scored a Q47/V40 and an IR of 8 for an overall score of 700. I do not have the official AWA score yet. I will potentially be retaking this to try to increase my score to make my application packet a bit more competitive.
My undergraduate degree is pre-law (decided to join the military and hold off on law school in 2008 with the collapse of the economy) and I earned a GPA of 3.4 from a reputable (Top 50) public university.
Recommendations
Recommendations will be from senior military Officers (Up to the ranks of General Officer) with whom I have worked directly for in the past, as well as another individual who has already made the transition from the military to the business world and is currently working as a consultant for one of the top 3 consulting firms.
Work Experience
I will have 84 months of work experience when I apply. I have had a rewarding career and have been fortunate to be selected to many nominative positions that have allowed me to grow as a leader. These are the highlights:
-I am currently assigned as a military intelligence detachment Commander supporting US Army Special Forces operations. I work heavily with other government agencies in order to best support multiple missions around the world. This position is nominative and required a 3-4 month interview process to be selected. I directly manage a team of approximately 15 brilliant individuals in this role.
- Graduated US Army Ranger School, which is widely considered the premier leadership school that any branch of the military offers. Other branches of the military routinely send their Soldiers, Marines, Sailors and Airmen to this school to develop leadership fundamentals designed for all military environments (both conflict and non-conflict).
- From 2013-2014, I was selected from over 200 candidates as the Aide-de-Camp (special assistant) to the Deputy Commanding General of the Division to which I was assigned. For reference, there are three Generals who are overall in charge of approximately 30,000 Soldiers and Non-military personnel in a Division.
- In 2013, I was assigned as the executive officer (second in charge) of a Company/team consisting of 180 personnel. I primarily managed the systems and mechanisms to ensure that logistical and maintenance issues were being conducted to a high level and ahead of schedule. In this job, I directly managed a team of 25 individuals.
-In 2012, I served as a combat advisor (military intelligence) to the Afghan National Police in one of the most kinetic (combat prone) provinces in Eastern Afghanistan. I received the Bronze Star Medal for this deployment.
-I earned the title of distinguished military graduate (3rd in my class of 190 military officers) among my peers from my commissioning source.
-I have consistently have rated in the top 5% of Officers within each unit that I have been assigned.
Plans for After School
Have not yet decided between consulting or general management. Would like to use the MBA as a solid transition from the military to civilian life after serving in the military for 8 years.
Thank you all for your time and feedback! And thanks Beat the GMAT for being such an invaluable resource.
