Hi there,
I posted this question/ask for feedback in a different forum on this site except see that it hasn't been responded to since October so am posting this here.
I am very early in my MBA preparation process (looking at starting Sept 2014) but I'd like to ask you to provide some advice on how I am to position myself as to why I want an MBA. I just want to know if this is an acceptable answer (because it is the truth and I always want to show the real me when answering questions).
But I want to share a little about myself and why I think I want an MBA.
I am currently 25 years old and will be 27 once I enter b-school. I graduated from a very reputable business program in Canada when I was 21 and am looking to apply to UCLA, Haas, UT-Austin, USC, Stanford, Harvard, Northwestern, and Booth. I have began studying intensely for the GMAT and plan on taking it in April so if I do not do as well as I would like, I can retake. My GPA is approx 3.6 on the US scale (had a 12 point scale at my school). I had 3 internships as part of my program (2 at very large multinational, well-known companies (one multinational retailer the other a multinational tech company), and one at a very small consulting company for agriculture), when I graduated, I spent a year working for my father's small business trying to help him improve his marketing efforts, then I spent a year working for one of the large companies I interned at as a marketing and communications coordinator, and for the last 2 years, have been working for a small consulting firm and work specifically for one of the what I like to call "big 3" tech companies (Apple, Google, or Microsoft). I started as a Data and Marketing Coordinator and have been promoted to a consultant and there is a very high possibility I receive another promotion by the time I enter b-school.
Now, this is what I worry that b-schools might not like. The number 1 reason why I want an MBA is because of money. I set a goal for myself that I wanted to make $100K by the time I was 30. At my current company, I know that it is impossible for that to happen and I feel like my opportunities to do that are very limited without an MBA. The second reason why I want an MBA, particularly from a US institution, is because I have always had a dream of living and working in the US since childhood. When I told my parents I decided I want to do an MBA in the States, they said they knew this day was coming. I feel that an MBA from a US institution will help me secure a job in the US. It seems to be extremely difficult for a Canadian to secure a job in the US. My company even has a US office and continues to hire people to our team in the US office but when I asked for a transfer they said unfortunately, it is impossible because they would not be able to sponsor me for a VISA. Those are the main reasons but not the only reasons. In addition, I understand the importance of education and improving oneself and I absolutely have loved school and thrived in and have wanted to go back since I graduated. Next, I know this is a great opportunity to learn from people all over the world. Lastly, I am a little unsure of what I want to do - UCLA for the entertainment/media focus seemed really exciting, but I also do enjoy the aspect of consulting and would like to continue doing that but also have a passion for money/finance so think that may be an option but it seems more likely to be a hobby and a club I join on campus.
I think that I have an interesting background/story to compete with others (assuming I do alright on my GMAT). Based on this, my question is, how do b-schools react if you reply to the why an MBA question with the focus of making more money as your number 1 reason. Obviously there are others but clearly it is to "get rich" quickly.
Based on what I've told you can you offer any feedback on anything? I would love to hear your thoughts... positive/negative anything to help better myself would be appreciated.
I posted this question/ask for feedback in a different forum on this site except see that it hasn't been responded to since October so am posting this here.
I am very early in my MBA preparation process (looking at starting Sept 2014) but I'd like to ask you to provide some advice on how I am to position myself as to why I want an MBA. I just want to know if this is an acceptable answer (because it is the truth and I always want to show the real me when answering questions).
But I want to share a little about myself and why I think I want an MBA.
I am currently 25 years old and will be 27 once I enter b-school. I graduated from a very reputable business program in Canada when I was 21 and am looking to apply to UCLA, Haas, UT-Austin, USC, Stanford, Harvard, Northwestern, and Booth. I have began studying intensely for the GMAT and plan on taking it in April so if I do not do as well as I would like, I can retake. My GPA is approx 3.6 on the US scale (had a 12 point scale at my school). I had 3 internships as part of my program (2 at very large multinational, well-known companies (one multinational retailer the other a multinational tech company), and one at a very small consulting company for agriculture), when I graduated, I spent a year working for my father's small business trying to help him improve his marketing efforts, then I spent a year working for one of the large companies I interned at as a marketing and communications coordinator, and for the last 2 years, have been working for a small consulting firm and work specifically for one of the what I like to call "big 3" tech companies (Apple, Google, or Microsoft). I started as a Data and Marketing Coordinator and have been promoted to a consultant and there is a very high possibility I receive another promotion by the time I enter b-school.
Now, this is what I worry that b-schools might not like. The number 1 reason why I want an MBA is because of money. I set a goal for myself that I wanted to make $100K by the time I was 30. At my current company, I know that it is impossible for that to happen and I feel like my opportunities to do that are very limited without an MBA. The second reason why I want an MBA, particularly from a US institution, is because I have always had a dream of living and working in the US since childhood. When I told my parents I decided I want to do an MBA in the States, they said they knew this day was coming. I feel that an MBA from a US institution will help me secure a job in the US. It seems to be extremely difficult for a Canadian to secure a job in the US. My company even has a US office and continues to hire people to our team in the US office but when I asked for a transfer they said unfortunately, it is impossible because they would not be able to sponsor me for a VISA. Those are the main reasons but not the only reasons. In addition, I understand the importance of education and improving oneself and I absolutely have loved school and thrived in and have wanted to go back since I graduated. Next, I know this is a great opportunity to learn from people all over the world. Lastly, I am a little unsure of what I want to do - UCLA for the entertainment/media focus seemed really exciting, but I also do enjoy the aspect of consulting and would like to continue doing that but also have a passion for money/finance so think that may be an option but it seems more likely to be a hobby and a club I join on campus.
I think that I have an interesting background/story to compete with others (assuming I do alright on my GMAT). Based on this, my question is, how do b-schools react if you reply to the why an MBA question with the focus of making more money as your number 1 reason. Obviously there are others but clearly it is to "get rich" quickly.
Based on what I've told you can you offer any feedback on anything? I would love to hear your thoughts... positive/negative anything to help better myself would be appreciated.
