2+2

[tedqb7]

I am trying to decide whether or not to apply to HBS's 2+2 program for college juniors. I figured that with me being a air force academy cadet that my background will be different than most of the 2+2 applicant pool. I also have a very unique college experience. I would like to know your opinion on whether i have a legitimate candidacy for this new program. Thanks!

My Profile:

- Will graduate with a Bachelor in Science in Management and a commission in the Air Force in May 2009 the Academy.
- 3.46 overall GPA with a 4.0 Major GPA (BS in Management)

- Recruited to play Quarterback for the Air Force Football team (just lost to California in our bowl game). I was also the JV captain my fresh year. However, my athletic career ended in my soph year after tearing up both of my knees.

- After my athletic career came to an end, I applied and got accepted into the Academy's very selective Instructor Pilot program. I am became a TG-10B Instructor Pilot at 19 years old and will continue to teach fellow cadets how to fly until I graduate.

- I've held leadership positions at the Cadet Wing (all 4400 cadets), Cadet Group (1000) and Squadron levels (125).

-I am coaching a little league football team.

-I acted as a Combined Federal Campaign key worker. I worked to collect money for various charities around my squadron.

- I helped organize and run a 3 week space education program as the program's Group Superintendent. As the Group Supt I fulfilled all the logistical needs of 300-400 college students.

- I am currently an intern with Boeing for the summer.

I took the GMAT right after my christmas finals ended. I took several practice exams and received no lower than a 710. However, I earned only a 650 (41 Q, 38 V) on the real thing. I know the quant score is low, but my transcript might help counterbalance this:

1. Calculus I : A
2. Calculus II : A
3. Physics I : B+
4. Physics II : A
5.Stats : A
6. Astro Eng : A
7. Financial Accounting : A
8. Chemistry I/II : A
9. Aeronautical Eng : A
10. Managerial Accounting : A
11. Personal Finance & Investments : A
12. Civil Eng : B+

My GPA is lower than what it should be for several reasons: 1. I was a varsity college athlete for my fresh/soph years 2. I started majoring in a field that did not fit with my personal interests. I began as a comp sci major (a C+ and several B's) which accounts for my low GPA. since then i have achieved no lower than a 3.7.

If I do not apply for this program as a junior, do i even stand a chance a few years down the road to get into the top 10? Maybe with a higher GMAT?
Just wondering what your thoughts are thanks!

[Lisa Anderson]

Dear tedqb7,

I do think your Air Force Academy is interesting and by no means a large percentage of the applicant pool, but that alone will not be enough to gain admission. Your leadership experience is definitely on par with what schools will expect and I'm sure you have some great examples to use for your essays.

If you do apply for the 2+2 program, I think you will need to address how the timing will work with your military service obligation. While your 650 is a good score and your transcript does help to demonstrate your quantitative aptitude, I'm not sure the GMAT is high enough for the 2+2 program. Most schools that offer an early acceptance program for college juniors/seniors to start business school at a later date are looking for applicants with high academic achievement (700+ GMAT and 3.5+ GPA). Perhaps contact the admissions office to try and determine if your profile is competitive for this program?

In the event you decide to apply to schools after graduating and working for a few years, I do think the foundation is there to be competitive for many great programs in the top 40. However, you will need to try to increase your GMAT to be competitive for a top 10 as well as gain some good, professional work experience.

Best of luck,
Lisa

[smkrn]

One other thing you might want to check on is how HBS views a degree in management. The 2+2 website, as well as HBS admissions staff, state that the 2+2 is for people that are not already on a traditional business track or in traditional business majors. It seems that they are targeting students from the liberal arts, the sciences, and engineering.

Again, I don't know anything about your degree (whether it's more traditional business or more social science), but that's just my two cents.

[fgtrplt03]

I am trying to decide whether or not to apply to HBS's 2+2 program for college juniors. I figured that with me being a air force academy cadet that my background will be different than most of the 2+2 applicant pool. I also have a very unique college experience. I would like to know your opinion on whether i have a legitimate candidacy for this new program. Thanks!

My Profile:

- Will graduate with a Bachelor in Science in Management and a commission in the Air Force in May 2009 the Academy.
- 3.46 overall GPA with a 4.0 Major GPA (BS in Management)

- Recruited to play Quarterback for the Air Force Football team (just lost to California in our bowl game). I was also the JV captain my fresh year. However, my athletic career ended in my soph year after tearing up both of my knees.

- After my athletic career came to an end, I applied and got accepted into the Academy's very selective Instructor Pilot program. I am became a TG-10B Instructor Pilot at 19 years old and will continue to teach fellow cadets how to fly until I graduate.

- I've held leadership positions at the Cadet Wing (all 4400 cadets), Cadet Group (1000) and Squadron levels (125).

-I am coaching a little league football team.

-I acted as a Combined Federal Campaign key worker. I worked to collect money for various charities around my squadron.

- I helped organize and run a 3 week space education program as the program's Group Superintendent. As the Group Supt I fulfilled all the logistical needs of 300-400 college students.

- I am currently an intern with Boeing for the summer.

I took the GMAT right after my christmas finals ended. I took several practice exams and received no lower than a 710. However, I earned only a 650 (41 Q, 38 V) on the real thing. I know the quant score is low, but my transcript might help counterbalance this:

1. Calculus I : A
2. Calculus II : A
3. Physics I : B+
4. Physics II : A
5.Stats : A
6. Astro Eng : A
7. Financial Accounting : A
8. Chemistry I/II : A
9. Aeronautical Eng : A
10. Managerial Accounting : A
11. Personal Finance & Investments : A
12. Civil Eng : B+

My GPA is lower than what it should be for several reasons: 1. I was a varsity college athlete for my fresh/soph years 2. I started majoring in a field that did not fit with my personal interests. I began as a comp sci major (a C+ and several B's) which accounts for my low GPA. since then i have achieved no lower than a 3.7.

If I do not apply for this program as a junior, do i even stand a chance a few years down the road to get into the top 10? Maybe with a higher GMAT?
Just wondering what your thoughts are thanks!

You should have joined the jump team instead of being a Melvin

With a GMAT in the 700's you will be very competitive for whatever program you choose. Just my opinion as I am fighting an uphill battle with my 3.14 out of the AFA.

Blue Skies.