Hi Linda,

Thanks for your valuable insight into the B-school application process.  I would appreciate your help in evaluating my chances at the following schools:

1. Stanford
2. Berkeley
3. UCLA
4. USC

Here's my profile:

Academics
* GMAT: 750 (Q49/87% V44/97% AWA6.0/90%)
* GPA: 2.9/4.0 (3.2 in my last two years) - poor GPA partially a result of extensive extracurricular involvement at UCLA (see "leadership activities" below...)
* B.S. Mechanical Engineering, UCLA

Work
* 4.5 years work experience as an airline pilot and flight instructor
* 4 summer engineering internships during college (mechanical, hydro, project, technical operations engineer)

Leadership Activities in College
* Executive Director, Dance Marathon at UCLA: lead committee of 80-students in planning $200,000 fundraising event
* Resident Assistant and held several other leadership positions at UCLA

Volunteer Activities after College
* Currently volunteer with pilot union on a committee
* Volunteer with UCLA Alumni Association

Goals
* Take airline pilot work experience, coupled with an MBA, to eventually re-enter the industry in airline consulting and management

My main concern is my weak GPA.  Will the upward trend and most notably, extensive extracurricular involvement in college help my case?  At times, these activities required 30-40 hours per week, WITH a full load of engineering classes.  Additionally, will my GMAT score help compensate for my GPA?  And will my unique work experience/industry help? 

I share your concern about your low GPA. Even the 3.2 in the last two years, while certainly respectable, will not impress the adcom at Stanford, Haas, and UCLA.  You do have a competitive profile for USC. Your GMAT score will definitely help you and shows that you have raw intellectual ability. Do you have a way to show that you know how to apply yourself and excel academically (post-high school) while juggling multiple responsibilities? That's what you need to do in b-school. Could you take some business-related courses now and earn A's in them?

Thanks for your insight.  I understand that most of my target schools are extremely competitive so your help is appreciated.

You do have a chance at all three because of your unusual career, GMAT, and activism in college, but I would say that 1-3 are stretch because of your GPA. If you can show recent A's and strong, current  time management skills, you would improve your chances at all of them.

Best,
Linda

Hi  Linda,

Can you please evaluate my profile and help me out with the following queries:-

Profile:

Gmat: 720(V: 38, Q: 49)

Work exp till date:

3 years (1 yr in software dev & 2 yrs in IT consulting for Telecom products)

Provide consultancy to one of the software startups side by side with the regular work (Major role in increasing the revenue)-1.5 yrs

Acad:

First class, BE computers, University of Pune

12th grade, 80%, CBSE, India

10th Grade, 92%, CBSE, India

Extra Curricular:

1. Dramatics at College level (Acted and Directed few plays)

2. College Tennis team member

3. Organized various cultural & Technical fests at school and college level

4. Member student council - school

5. Member social service league - school

6. Won a handful of events at National level Technical fests.

7. School soccer team member

Awards:

1. Bravo award - by one of the biggest auto manufacturers for delivering IT solution

2. Scholar award - by school for continuous academic excellence

3. Appreciation for work in current role

Community Service:

1. Volunteer for an NGO which work towards awareness about HIV and AIDS in the city of Pune, India.

2. Volunteer member - My Company’s community relations club

Recommendation:

1. My manager, current job

2. MD & Chairman, the company I provide consultancy to (part time)

3. Support Account Manager of one of my present clients

Nationality: India

Languages known:

English, Spanish (Basic), Hindi

Queries:-

1. I do not have certificates/proofs for all of the above activities. Can I still list them in my profile?

Yes. you can list them.

2. Can you please list out my chances at the following institutions (Within reach, 50:50, Ambitious):

a) LBS Stretch

b) Insead Stretch

c) Oxford Competitive

d) IE Competitive

e) Duke Competitive

f) UCLA Competitive

g) NYU sternCompetitive

h) Richard Ivey Competitive

i) Rotmans, U

Hi Linda,
I would be very happy if you could evaluate my profile and assess my chances to get into my target schools.

Profile

GMAT: Q50 V44, 770, AWA 4.5 (but I don't have to worry, do I?)
TOEFL: 113/120 (29/30 in writing, I think this should cancel the concerns that may arise from my low AWA)
Age: 33 at matriculation, I am definitely an old applicant
Nationality: French

Academic results:
undergrad in Asian languages, litterature and civilizations from the best (and probably the only one!) public school of oriental studies in France, with honors (do not how to translate this into GPA)
Master's degree in international politics and relations from the same school (top 10%, merit based scholarship)
Advanced master's degree in Strategy and international business from one of the top 3 business schools in France

I do hold two master's degrees and I think that I will have to address why I need a MBA while I already hold an advanced degree in business (basically it is because at the time it was quite hard to find a good job with language and civilization studies only, I had to build double-competences)

Work experience
7 years.
I am currently the director of finance of the subsidiaries in Thailand of a large French MNC (Number 1 worldwide in its activity). Our activities in Thailand regroup 3 companies and 560 employees. I am in charge of finance, reporting, risk management, ERP, treasury, legal for the country and a member of the local executive committee. I do manage a team of 21 (including 5 managers). I have been in Thailand for 2 years now
Prior to this I was the financial controller of the subsidiaries of the same group in South Korea during 3 years, and before that I worked at the economic department of the French embassy in South Korea for 2 years
At the time I was appointed director of finance in Thailand I was the youngest ever appointed country CFO in the group. I think that I can get stellar recos from my current and previous supervisors. I have been recently offered a promotion (last month) to become the CFO of a South American country (3 times the size of Thailand) but turned it down in order to pursue my MBA

Extra curricular and community
- I play the piano for 24 years now. Made some public performances
- in undergrad, President of the students club, organized several activities (cooking, singing classes, pictures exhibitions in national Asian art museum...)
- President of the alumni association of my business school in Korea for 4 years (social networking, participation to fairs...)
- since 2003, community work in a Korean orphanage

Languages spoken
Fluent in French, English, Korean. Good in Japanese, beginner in Siamese and in German. Travelled in 30+ countries and lived in France, Korea, India and Thailand

My objective is to switch career, I want to move from Corporate finance to Management consulting in North America (US, Canada), and later to entrepreuneurship. That's the reason why I am aiming at 2 years US schools (1 year programs seem a bit too "short" for career switcher). I am looking for schools strong in consulting and without negative bias toward older applicants.

For the time being I plan to apply to:
- Tuck (number 1 choice as I plan to go with my wife and kid and the school looks very friendly toward partners, also seems to have a very strong alumni network)
- Wharton
- Kellogg
- Chicago Booth
I will perhaps add MIT and/or Haas.
Notice: I don't want to aim too low in the rankings because I believe that below a certain level I should better stay in my current company as the MBA of a lower ranked school will be less likely to help me to succeed in my career switch.

Questions:
- Do I have a chance to get into one of my target schools?
- Is there any other schools I should consider?
- Should I go into the painful process of applying to HBS/Stanford? Knowing that with my age the odds are quite against me

Thank you very much for your help!
Best regards.

Hi Linda,
I would be very happy if you could evaluate my profile and assess my chances to get into my target schools.

Profile

GMAT: Q50 V44, 770, AWA 4.5 (but I don't have to worry, do I?) No.
TOEFL: 113/120 (29/30 in writing, I think this should cancel the concerns that may arise from my low AWA)
Age: 33 at matriculation, I am definitely an old applicant
Nationality: French

Academic results:
undergrad in Asian languages, litterature and civilizations from the best (and probably the only one!) public school of oriental studies in France, with honors (do not how to translate this into GPA)
Master's degree in international politics and relations from the same school (top 10%, merit based scholarship)
Advanced master's degree in Strategy and international business from one of the top 3 business schools in France

I do hold two master's degrees and I think that I will have to address why I need a MBA while I already hold an advanced degree in business (basically it is because at the time it was quite hard to find a good job with language and civilization studies only, I had to build double-competences)

Work experience
7 years.
I am currently the director of finance of the subsidiaries in Thailand of a large French MNC (Number 1 worldwide in its activity). Our activities in Thailand regroup 3 companies and 560 employees. I am in charge of finance, reporting, risk management, ERP, treasury, legal for the country and a member of the local executive committee. I do manage a team of 21 (including 5 managers). I have been in Thailand for 2 years now
Prior to this I was the financial controller of the subsidiaries of the same group in South Korea during 3 years, and before that I worked at the economic department of the French embassy in South Korea for 2 years
At the time I was appointed director of finance in Thailand I was the youngest ever appointed country CFO in the group. I think that I can get stellar recos from my current and previous supervisors. I have been recently offered a promotion (last month) to become the CFO of a South American country (3 times the size of Thailand) but turned it down in order to pursue my MBA

Extra curricular and community
- I play the piano for 24 years now. Made some public performances
- in undergrad, President of the students club, organized several activities (cooking, singing classes, pictures exhibitions in national Asian art museum...)
- President of the alumni association of my business school in Korea for 4 years (social networking, participation to fairs...)
- since 2003, community work in a Korean orphanage

Languages spoken
Fluent in French, English, Korean. Good in Japanese, beginner in Siamese and in German. Travelled in 30+ countries and lived in France, Korea, India and Thailand

My objective is to switch career, I want to move from Corporate finance to Management consulting in North America (US, Canada), and later to entrepreuneurship. That's the reason why I am aiming at 2 years US schools (1 year programs seem a bit too "short" for career switcher). I am looking for schools strong in consulting and without negative bias toward older applicants.

For the time being I plan to apply to:
- Tuck (number 1 choice as I plan to go with my wife and kid and the school looks very friendly toward partners, also seems to have a very strong alumni network)
- Wharton
- Kellogg
- Chicago Booth
I will perhaps add MIT and/or Haas.
Notice: I don't want to aim too low in the rankings because I believe that below a certain level I should better stay in my current company as the MBA of a lower ranked school will be less likely to help me to succeed in my career switch.

Questions:
- Do I have a chance to get into one of my target schools?
Yes. Definitely.  You have chosen them well. Either MIT or Haas would be excellent additions.
- Is there any other schools I should consider?
Perhaps both MIT and Haas.

- Should I go into the painful process of applying to HBS/Stanford? Knowing that with my age the odds are quite against me

I've been thinking about that as I got down to this question. :-) I think there is a lot going for your highly impressive candidacy that these two programs would be very attracted to. And no doubt that their strengths fits your goals. At the same time there is the age issue, and it cuts both ways. Would they say, this is the 30+-year-old that we want in our school and class? Could be, but you could only find out by applying. Then the other question is would you prefer to have classmates and a network that is on average 7 years younger than you and far less experienced than you. Would your educational experience be as rich as it would be if you are also accepted at Tuck or MIT? If you would prefer the other programs, skip applying. If you would like to have the choice and would consider attending HBS and Stanford despite the age issue, then apply. You definitely still have a chance.

Thank you very much for your help!
Best regards.

You're very welcome. If you would like help with your applications, please let us know.

Best,
Linda

I intend on applying to the following schools

Tepper (dream R2)

Mcdonough( dream R2)

Notre Dame( Reapplicant- Competitive R2)

Tippie(SAFE R1)

Rochester(SAFE R1)

 

I consider schools ranked 15 or above by business week as tier 2

 

Burberry

 

I intend on applying to the following schools

Tepper (dream R2)

Mcdonough( dream R2)

Notre Dame( Reapplicant- Competitive R2)

Tippie(SAFE R1)

Rochester(SAFE R1)

 

I consider schools ranked 15 or above by business week as tier 2

 

Burberry

Burberry,

I agree with your assessment of your chances for the schools listed above. with the exception that I wouldn't consider Rochester a safety because of your GPA. I do think that your GPA and CFA will mitigate somewhat at these schools. I am also concerned that your relative lack of FT work experience could hurt you at all the above with the exception of CMU and Rochester.

BTW, we recently posted a chat transcript for Notre Dame.

Best,

Linda

Linda

 

I was hoping you could address the questions/ concerns in my original post

 

Thanks

Burberry