Poets and Quants

Handicapping Your Shot At a Top Business School

by John A. Byrne

The most common question MBA-wannabes are asking right now: “What are my chances of getting into a top-ranked business school?”

As would-be applicants pore over the raw stats and acceptance numbers of their dream schools, they’re sizing up their own odds of getting into a Harvard or Stanford, Columbia or Chicago, Kellogg or Tuck. And they’re making the inevitable calculations to answer the question: Should I invest the time and energy to apply this year?

Do you have what might be called “nosebleed stats” likely to open the doors to a top school? Or did you goof off during your undergrad years and worry about whether your work experience offsets your low GPA? Did your undergraduate degree get stamped at the right institution for an elite grad school? And do you work for a “sexy” or “dull” company that is not a feeder into the best business schools?

To handicap the odds for various candidates, we turned to Sanford “Sandy” Kreisberg, founder of MBA admissions consulting firm HBSGuru, and asked him to analyze a half dozen composite profiles of typical MBA applicants. (If you include your own stats and characteristics in the comments, we’ll pick six of them and have Kreisberg assess your chances in a follow-up feature.)

The odds assume a serviceable application and a not damaging interview—with or without the guidance of an admissions consultant. “Consultants can teach you how to stand up straight,” says Kreisberg. “They can teach you how to stand on your toes. But at the end of the day, they can’t make you taller. What consultants most often do is protect you from making damaging mistakes while making sure your core message is delivered. The schools themselves have evolved X-ray vision about what they are looking for, although they rarely reveal those traits fully.“

Indeed, as Kreisberg’s analysis on each composite profile will show below, the schools often apply different standards to different numbers and backgrounds.

Here’s his lowdown:

Mr. Perfect

  • 750+ GMAT
  • 3.8 Grade Point Average
  • Ivy League Undergraduate Degree
  • Work experience at Goldman Sachs or McKinsey & Co.
  • Extracurricular includes alumni involvement and very active participation in an ethnic identity organization

Odds of Success

Harvard Business School: 85%
Stanford: 80%
Wharton: 90%
Tuck: 95%
Kellogg: 95%

Sandy’s Analysis: “The biggest risk this person has of not getting into HBS or Stanford is screwing up the interview, especially at HBS where the interview counts. (It does not count at Stanford in any meaningful way.) I am assuming the recommendations are in line and this applicant does not have a secret hater out there. HBS and Stanford, of course, love to reject kids like this, just so they can say they do. But they rarely do.

“Another danger, though rare, is just going a bit weird on the application through a combination of odd and unsupported goals, annoying and naïve enthusiasms, or just plain stupidity. Stanford could reject a kid like this if the ‘what matters most to you’ essay is a blatant and unreflective brag sheet.

“As to Wharton, Tuck and Kellogg, the issue is not blowing the interview and the related issue of convincing them that you are not using them as safety schools. If this kid really wants to go to Kellogg, he should apply very early. Otherwise, they will make the guess that the applicant is somehow toxic to Harvard, Stanford and Wharton.”

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  • Pattycakes

    Mr. “If I have to get a graduate degree, I guess it’ll be an MBA”

    - 650 GMAT
    - 3.13 GPA in History B.A. (Public school of no real prestige in the Southeast.)
    - 2 Years Automotive Industry (Sales, IT, Consulting)
    - Director of Family Business
    - Proficient in French
    - EC: Foster Parent, Stand-up Comedian (Have been on comedy central…guess who. I need a back-up plan, lol…), Theater Actor, Musician

    Targeting Near-Elites – Darden, Fisher, Kenan-Flagler, Goizueta, Kelley

  • AnthonyP

    Mr. “Is it too early?”

    -730 GMAT
    -3.2 GPA in Econ with strong upward trend. (Texas A&M)
    -1.5 years as Financial Advisor for MetLife
    -Average Extracurricular

    Ready to get started with MBA but don’t want to do myself a disservice by not waiting until I have enough work exp.
    Trying to figure out my ceiling for schools with my qualifications.

  • SB

    GMAT: 710
    Undergrad: 3.34 (US Air Force Academy, double major Econ and Poli Sci)
    Grad: 3.88 (Creighton U, Int’l Relations while stationed nearby)
    Work: Air Force Officer, Acquisitions/Contracting career field, working with industry partners developing weapons systems, increasing small business participation
    Extracurricular: Habitat 4 Humanity, just started CFA program

    Chicago
    MIT
    Columbia
    LSB

  • Ranjit

    Hi John,
    I would love to see an article written/profiles dissected, where you discuss about how the top business schools in the US view applications from international students. Most international students don’t fall into the ‘cookie cutter’ models of what an ideal business school applicant from within the US looks like and it would be interesting to get the opinion of a leading business school consultant like Sandy’s on the subject.

    Thanks
    Ranjit.

  • http://poetsandquants.com/members/jbyrne/ John A. Byrne

    Ranjit,

    Good point. I definitely agree. Let’s see what I can do.

  • iit_grad

    The Third kind of Indian Brother * x (x>=1000s)

    740 GMAT
    3.2 Grade Point Average in U.S. terms
    Undergraduate degree from Indian Institute of Technology
    Work experience at near Ivy Management Consulting Firm as Associate/Analyst.
    Super extracurricular Record-College President/Fest Convener

    You have to do this one as many Indian students share a similar profile. Getting good GPA in IITs is very tough, especially with great extra-currics.

    Chances at Top 5 (HBS, Stan, Tuck, Wharton, Booth etc)

  • Biz journalista

    I’ll give it a shot:

    670 GMAT
    3.3 GPA from Near Ivy Private (Northwestern)
    3.9 GPA from grad school (University in Europe)
    Non-traditional majors : Journalism/International Communication

    Work experience as a business journalist at large magazines/newspapers in NYC (3 years) and as a brand consultant for large brand consultancies abroad (3 years)

    Extracurriculars: involvement in corporate affinity groups, ethnic identity orgs and volunteer mission trips to Africa and India, tutors kids in HS

    Minority female (does that add some points?)

    Chances at:
    Top 5 (HBS, Stanford, Wharton, Columbia, Booth) and maybe Kellogg?

  • ASA

    GMAT: 700 (will not take until fall but >= is the goal)
    Undergrad: 3.25 Industrial Engineering, U of Washington
    Work: Naval officer. 6 years intense, sometimes dangerous, work experience supervising personnel, managing complex projects and driving ships. 2.5 years stationed in Japan, 1.5 San Diego, 2 Washington DC.
    Extracurricular: 2 years as after school reading/creative writing tutor.
    Personal: Grew up in Europe (4 countries and first 18 years), lived in Japan for 2.5 immediately following undergrad. Possess working knowledge of Italian language.

  • ASA

    Hi John,
    I’ll flip what Ranjit said. As an American, with a desire to study at a foreign school, I would love to see an article written/profiles dissected, where you discuss how American’s should approach the process of applying abroad, what the benefits of a foreign MBA are (for Americans), etc. It would be interesting to get the opinion of a leading business school consultant like Sandy’s on the subject. Or perhaps the opinion of a European business school consultant?

    Thanks
    Alexander.

  • Qoet5

    Mr. Tweener

    -690 GMAT
    -3.75 GPA; various honors and scholarships
    -Caucasian male
    -Undergrad degree from non-reputable University; Finance
    -Work experience at Google with strong career progression (3.5 yrs)
    -Very strong extracurriculars during and after undergrad – led Finance club during school and continues to be involved in variety of extracurricular activities

    Targets/Odds of Success?:
    -Top 10′s that are not named Harvard and Stanford

  • cme

    GMAT: 720
    GPA: 3.8 (top 20 school; English Major)
    Career: GE Leadership Development Program; off-program role in GE renewable energy business (total of 5 years)
    Extra-curriculars: leadership position in professional affinity group, co-founded Renewable Energy volunteer group, part of local chapter of Wind Energy group
    Other: plan to take econ/stats in the fall to fill gap on transcript

    Chances at top 10?

  • kathleen

    how about profiling an older (age 40) first gen with early experience w MSFT or IBM etc perhaps later self employed etc. We face different challenges including EMBA programs that will not accept you if you are not currently employed. Any suggestions appreciated. Thanks

  • http://poetsandquants.com/members/jbyrne/ John A. Byrne

    Sandy took a stab at a half dozen of these. We just posted that new story entitled “Part II: Your Chances of Getting In” here:

    http://poetsandquants.com/2011/07/01/part-ii-your-chances-of-getting-in/

  • CM

    - 680 GMAT
    - 3.65 NYU
    - White female
    - 3 years (4 years when enrolled) work experience at World Bank in Egypt
    - strong extra curricular – lots of school service/leadership experience
    - strong volunteer record

    Top choices: MIT, Stanford, Harvard, Kellogg

  • Woman

    CM, based on my friends who got into Harvard, you are definitely Havard material, but I will let John and Chioma chime in. You did World bank in Egypt? You should have loads to write on your essays, goodluck to you.

  • dogooder

    700 GMAT
    3.4 GPA
    Economics & Philosophy double major at Wellesley
    Pacific Islander Female
    Work experience: Innovation analyst in IT dept at large healthcare organization for 3 years, social media marketing and program management at 2 social enterprises (1 year each)
    Extracurricular: Volunteering (community service award in college), but nothing formal after college

    Odds of Success
    Stanford, Harvard, Sloan, Haas, Wharton, Columbia… any suggestions for a good fit?

    Thanks for your feedback

  • SureV

    Mr. Old but Ready
    Undergrad: Elec. Engg. Indian Institute of Technology
    Total Work Exp.: 9 years, including first 2+ years at a patent services startup followed by 3 years entrepreneurial stint which failed in the end and last 3+ years at the patent analytics group of a Fortune 5 oil & gas firm based in India.
    Extracurriculars: Some here and there activities
    What are my chances at top 10 US B-schools?
    Planning to take GMAT in August and targeting 720 +-20

  • SureV

    Forgot to mention above that I had a really low GPA when i graduated 9 years back. Will the 9 years of exp. and a good GMAT score make up for that?

  • Mghribiya

    The stats:
    670 GMAT [but planning on retaking]
    3.4 GPA from highly ranked liberal arts college [top 5]
    Double major: economics, language studies
    First generation college grad
    Female
    2+ years as economic consultant at good but not top consulting firm [top 25 but not top 10]
    2 years as peace corps volunteer
    speak 5 languages

    aiming for: INSEAD, Michigan, Berkeley, Harvard

    I think I could help myself by retaking the GMAT but what are my odds as they stand? Also, any thoughts on the fit for these schools? Thanks!

  • Vishal

    Hi John…
    once again thx for the evaluations….
    Here is my profile:
    GMAT Score: 700
    CPI 8.2/10 , Undergrad Mechanical Engg from a reputed univ in India
    Total work experience 3.5 yrs at a public sector Infrastructure company.
    Extra curriculars: Decent uptill college, nothing formal afterwards.
    One important criteria is Loan/funding facilitation.
    Odds of Success
    Booth,Tuck,Duke,Ross,Haas… any suggestions for another good fit?

    Thanks once again.

  • Tholo

    John,

    Thanks for the add. Keep it up.

    My stats:
    South African male, 28yrs, GPA 3.0 (American Std’s), GMAT +700(target score),Mining Engineering undergrad (South African University) , 4 years experience-worked underground for 3.5 years-supervising about 40 mine workers,daily. target schools: HBS, Columbia, Wharton, Cornell, UVA Darden and Mich Ross.

  • consulting

    Thanks for the great notes … Heres my profile:
    Age 24
    GMAT 770
    CGPA 3.1 (Purdue) – electrical engineering
    2 years work ex in a big 4 consulting firm in India (will be 3 by the time i join)
    Undergrad extra-curriculars in community service
    Current decent extra curriculars
    Decent leadership experience at undergrad and work … but not too much
    Target schools – HBS, Kellogg, Wharton , Booth, Tuck, Cornell, Columbia …

    Please let me know my chances at these schools … thanks

  • Ricky Grand

    I would love to have my profile evaluated for MBA school

    Aiming for a 700+ GMAT (taking it at the end of August)
    3.45 Grade Point Average
    Degree: BS in Business Administration from University of Oregon (Expected spring 2012)
    Work experience: Customer Service Manager for a ski resort (2 years), Mortgage Consultant (3 years)
    Extracurricular activities include Alpha Kappa Psi (Business Fraternity), C.E.O Mentor (Freshman Business student mentor), Teacher’s Assistant for incoming business transfer students, and does being a step-father count?
    First-generation college graduate as of Spring of 2012 (also a non-traditional student). I’m the youngest of 3 children and I will be the first person in my family to graduate from a 4-year institution.

    Side note:

    I started at a community college where I maintained a 3.3 GPA, but 2 years I left college to focus on work. I worked for 5 years and then decided to return. I’m now a 28 year old senior, graduating spring 2012 with the desire to attend a top 25 business school.

    My top 5 include: NYU, Dartmouth, Stanford, Yale, Cornell and/or Columbia (so maybe it’s 6)

    I’m not really sure how to assess my situation so any help would be greatly appreciated.

  • Andrei

    GMAT: 690
    GPA: 3.3 from a Maryland state school
    Extracurricular: President/treasurer of the int’l students’ club; several languages and travel
    Work experience: Analyst at a medium-sized mutual fund firm, role evolved from accounting to quasi-internal business consulting with a heavy IT flavor

    Looking at Darden, Duke, Tuck, INSEAD, Harvard (just for kicks)

  • Michael

    700 GMAT
    Mech Eng undergrad from LSU with 3.65
    Mech Eng Masters from NC State with 4.0 – #1 in class
    Internships with DuPont & Corning
    Currently working as a consultant for start-up biomed but also in the interview process with 3M
    Involved, on and off, with Habitat for Humanity for last 5 years
    Extracurr: LSU Marching band, ASME Student Gov Liason

    Interested in Harvard, Wharton, Booth, Kellogg, Anderson, & UT Austin

  • Yaman

    Hi,
    What about the Indian family business guys?
    My profile::
    Undergrad: B.E. Computer Science from PESIT, Bangalore with 69.2% (VTU)
    GMAT: 720
    Internship + 6 months work-ex at Goldman Sachs followed by family business (same as Chaitanya assisting my father) of Two-wheelers & Cement for 2.5 years now.
    extracurricular : Average (mostly college level computers related)…
    What are my odds?

  • Rupa

    GMAT: to be taken: aiming for 700 (+-20)
    GPA: not computed on the 4-point scale: 58% in English Literature (MA) from Calcutta University, India
    Experience: 2 years in publishing @ Macmillan Publishers & some years in research: PhD thesis not yet submitted
    Extracurricular involvement in art

  • Matt

    I was wondering how Sandy would rate my odds:

    710 GMAT
    3.3 GPA Undergrad at Univ. of Colorado
    Age: 26

    Work Experience:
    2 years abroad (Switzerland) as Global Business Controller- Alstom (World-wide manufacturer for Power Generation and Transport Equipement)

    2 years in Alstom’s Finance Graduate Development Program : Rotational program that was 6 months, 6 months, and 1 year in 3 different positions in 3 locations around the world.

    Other :
    Highschool in Brussels, Belgium
    Traveled extensively +25 Countries for work and pleasure
    Volunteer Work:
    Teach climbing to young kids in free time
    Interests:
    Active in Mountaineering – Climbed highest peak in Europe
    Cooking
    Skiing
    Traveling

    Schools of Interest :
    Warton
    Stanford
    Harvard
    Kellogg
    Booth

    Thanks for any feedback in advance,
    Matt

  • vinay

    My profile:
    From India
    GMAT-720
    Undergrad- Engineering from a okish government college. Result-First class.(Dont know how to convert into GPA)
    Work Ex- Cognizant Technology Solutions- 2 years
    UBS Stamford- 1 year
    Certification- Attended a summer school at Columbia Business School in Financial Accounting.
    Played cricket at zonal level.
    Not so cool in community service
    Interested School- Indian School of Business
    Columbia Business School
    NYU
    Harvard
    Wharton
    Stanford.

  • Khalique G

    My Profile:
    Indian citizen working in Qatar.

    - Four years working for a financial services cluster initiative in the Middle East, looking at financial sector development, incubating new initiatives and spin offs, working with several varied government and private entities towards achieving consensus on financial policies and programs.

    - Prior to the current experience, worked for one year in London with an academic institution developing a new post graduate program. Worked with institute program development team to present the program for accreditation to University accredititation and awards panel.

    - GMAT: 680 (V: 39, Q: 44)

    - Post grad GPA: 3.5 (Masters of Sciences in Business Administration from CCCU, a British University)

  • Harrison

    GMAT: 730
    GPA: 3.75 Econ & Finance from SEC Public
    Work: 4 years, Top 5 Consulting Firm
    CFA Certification
    White Male
    Extra: Heavy undergrad involvement, community service abroad, local volunteer on weekends, involved in local alumni chapter

    MIT, Duke, Darden, Booth, Wharton

  • Al

    Who wrote this insipid article? I’m a recruiter at HBS and this is the most ridiculous article I’ve ever read. I don’t know whether to laugh or cry. “The GMAT is way too low for Harvard, Stanford and Wharton.” Interesting since Harvard is one of the elite school who TRADITIONALLY has had a wide spread in GMAT scores since we do not believe a one shot exam truly estimates a candidates abilities. Thanks for judging us. Try some research before writing an article. I take it you didn’t go to Harvard. No.

  • Macias

    Undergrad Arizona State WP Carey in Supply Chain Management (Top 2 program) GPA 3.95
    Second generation Hispanic Male
    GMAT 720
    Professional Experience Intel Corporation 10 years, 3 years in Management
    APICS certification

    No interest in paying top tier MBA costs, so I choose Washington State.
    1) 100% prepaid tuition = no debt
    2) Salary already at 90K +20K bonus.
    3) WSU doesn’t have a name yet, J.A. Macias School of Business has nice ring to it. :)

    Total education expenses from 1995-2012 less than $500. Challenge that ROI.

    Another factor for the Warton’s, I am also banking 23% for retirement with no loans, what are the elite MBA’s doing? Yes my MBA isn’t a great brand, but I’d rather get a free MBA, save for retirement so I can stop working at 50 and feed my family over forking over 100K plus debt for just bragging rights, besides, IMO the Intel work experience is worth a lot more than a Ross or Booth MBA and sales job at the local Starbucks.

    Key take way: Living off the accomplishments of the last 10 years Yale or Duke’s class is great and all, but I find it more exciting having the chance to make a real mark at a university without the subjective brand. Let’s face it, most of you elitists are not Kennedy’s, you’re just riding on their success.

    If I was single I would take HBS, just because of the brand, but I feel the connections at Wazzu will do just fine for the working professional who plans to return to Intel and advance my career.

    All the best, jm

  • Ali N

    This is a bizarre entry and I SWEAR I’m serious and not being silly. I have a STRANGE path and am not sure what schools will think:

    700 GMAT
    3.9 Grade Point Average UPENN
    3.75 GPA USC Graduate Level
    4.0 GPA Concordia Business courses (Statistics, Macro, and Microecononmics)
    UPENN BA (Psychology/English, USC MFA (Cinematic Arts),
    Work experience: actor: Off Broadway, Hollywood, Director and CEO of a film production company
    Mixed Martial Artist
    Ishin – Ryu Black Belt
    Kung Fu Black Belt
    Muay Thai ten years experience
    Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Blue Belt
    Certified Personal Trainer and Therapist for at risk patients
    Personal Training and Martial Arts Company
    Running a non profit for the education of youth in underprivileged areas

    Odds of Success:

    So would they LOL, scratch their heads, or give someone like me a shot at these top schools?

  • gbits

    Hey Sandy /John ,
    Thanks in Advance .My Stats :
    GMAT :680
    GPA : 3.4 (in US terms)
    Masters in Mathematics and Bachelors in Computer Science from Bits-pilani (India)
    Work Ex : Application Engineer at Oracle .
    Tried running a tech start-up .. almost failed (long story !)
    Extra -curricular – Represented our state twice at National level volleyball tourney.Co-founder of sports clubs at Oracle.Member of an NGO that runs night school for the underprivileged children.
    Aiming for :Ross,Duke,Virginia, Kellogg,Stanford

  • Mr. Civilian

    GMAT: 680
    GPA: 3.4 (Undergrad from Top 25 Private University)
    3.6 (Grad from Same School in Finance)
    Work Experience: 2+years negotiating $MM defence contracts for US Department of Defense, with significant leadership experience
    Extra-Curricular: Volunteer at National Gallery of Art, Local Community Center, and in a leadership role for alumni organization

    Schools of Interest:
    *Columbia
    *Northwestern
    *Darden/Duke
    *Michigan
    *NYU
    *Georgetown
    *Dartmouth

  • Mr. Patents

    Hi,

    Could you please evaluate my chances? Here are my details

    Nationality – Indian
    Undergrad – Metallurgical Engineering (one of the top colleges of India but not IIT)
    GPA – 3.2
    GMAT – 720
    Work Ex – 4 years (till the time of admission)
    Company – an Intellectual Property Consulting Firm
    Designation – Managing Partner, Taiwan
    Extra Curricular – Organizing Committee President in AIESEC (an int’l student org), College lawn tennis team, worked in Ang Lee’s “Life of Pi”, (stand-in), and held quite a few leadership positions throughout

    Schools :-
    Harvard
    Kellogg
    Fuqua
    Stern
    UCLA
    Tuck
    McCombs

  • Jerry

    Hi Sandy, I would appreciate your feedback on the below information,

    - 3.8 GPA from H/Y/P Ivy, graduated in 2007, played D1 sport for 4 years, significant overseas experience during summer
    - 700 GMAT (Q/V, 81%/89%)
    - 2 years experience in New York working in private equity
    - 2+ years working at a venture/growth capital fund in Vietnam, started and run by a couple of HBS grads
    - Heavily involved with three portfolio companies on various initiatives
    - EC’s have been wide ranging from study of local language for about 1 year, managing a softball team in a local international softball league, various alumni association work (interviewing, college forums etc.), some volunteer teaching and college counseling work for a local company, random charity work
    - Am planning on appplying to Chicago, Wharton, Harvard and maybe Stanford this upcoming fall

    Would appreciate any feedback.

    Cheers

  • sdas91

    @jbyrne
    I am currently a Chemical Engineering Student at a state school in US.
    I plan on graduating with an engineering degree and taking GMAT/GRE sometime in the future. Based on that what would you say would be an ok /strong GPA and an ok/strong GMAT range if I am planning on applying for top B-schools (HBS, Wharton, Stanford, Kellog, Stern, Sloan)? What types of extra-curricular would you recommend? I also saw you mentioning first generation in your articles. Does that mean 1st gen. to go to college, or 1st gen. to go to college in the U.S.? What is it that HBS is looking for that makes it more competitive than Wharton, Stanford, Kellog, Stern, Sloan? You write admission percentages for each applicant, and it seems that the high GPA/GMAT applicant has a good shot of being accepted by HBS. Is this usually true? What would you say is a good chance of being accepted percent wise? Are applicants ever favored coming from an industry dominated by a different gender, or background?

  • http://poetsandquants.com/members/jbyrne/ John A. Byrne

    sdas91,

    Ideally, you want to have a 3.7 or 3.8 GPA and a GMAT above 700, especially coming from a state school and especially if it’s no Berkeley, Michigan, UVA, UCLA, or UT-Austin. But your raw scores on the GMAT or GRE and the GPA aren’t enough to get you admitted into the schools you name. You have to have a lot of other things going for you: leadership positions in campus organizations and in non-profits. You have to land a good job, preferably a well-known highly admired company. You have to execute well on your application, including your interview, and you have to receive outstanding recommendations from people who know you well. Certain applicants–due to background and gender–have slight advantages. First generation refers to the fact that you are the first in your family to go to college and get a degree. Given your engineering background and your desire at a relatively young age to get an MBA, I would seriously look into Harvard’s 2+2 program which accepts applications from college seniors for deferred admission two years later. Good luck.

  • http://poetsandquants.com/members/sdas91/ Suman Das

    @jbyrne
    How much research experience would be negative for a b-school applicant ? I was planning on pursuing REU, so I can show an employer that I have certain experience. However I’m not concerned in devoting an enormous amount of time towards research a.k.a. Ph.d-bound. Should I strive for more internships and Co-op (Cooperative Education) than research?
    Also if the undergrad. GPA falls a little shy of 3.7 or 3.8, would it be wise to go for Masters from a reputed university? I observed that many MBA candidates went for grad. school right after finishing their undergraduate degree.

  • Brian L

    Hi Sandy,

    Thanks for your feedback.

    -3.6 GPA Univ of Wisconsin – Madison
    -720 GMAT
    -4 Years work experience Allstate as Financial Analyst (promoted twice in 3 years)
    -Treasuer for greek system and own fraternity in undergrad
    -Ran marathon and completed CFA level1, various other volunteering through work

    Am planning on appplying to Booth, Kellogg, Wharton, UT-Austin, Columbia and Harvard. What are my chances?

  • Ouri

    Hi Sandy,

    I’m from Israel.

    GMAT 730
    GPA 3.3 (US Terms)
    Graduated from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel
    LLB (law undergraduate)
    29 years old
    10 years of employment experience (including mandatory military service in the Israeli army)
    3.5 years of experience as customer care manager
    3 years of experience as a lawyer from a top local consultancy

    Planning to apply to Kellogg, Ross, Duke and MITSloan.

    What are my chances?

    Thanks!

  • Michael

    Been reading each iteration of this article and am anxious to have my personal resume handicapped

    GPA: 3.7 (ME from UT-Austin)
    GMAT: 710
    Work Experience: 4+ years at large technology consulting firm
    Extracirriculars: Coach of a youth sports team, fundraising coordinator for volunteer org (200k annual budget), organized company volunteer event with 40+ volunteers, campus recruiter for employer

    Schools applying to: Kellogg, Booth, Sloan, Haas, Wharton

  • A.

    Hi Sandy/John, I would appreciate your feedback on my stats:

    Education: BA In Economics from NYU (not Stern)
    GPA: 3.43
    GMAT: 700
    Work Experience: have been working as an Analyst at a NYC-based fund of (hedge) funds for 6 years (since graduation)
    Extracurricular activities: none, I just have various hobbies, like hiking (14-ers in Colorado, etc), yoga and such.
    Misc: female, white, 29 y.o.

    I’m interested in NYU Stern, Columbia and Wharton. (Feel free to suggest other schools where I might have better luck.)

    Thanks.

  • LD

    1470 GRE
    3.45 GPA Psych major Binghamton University
    3 years education administration (1 year marketing/academic manager at tutoring center, 2 years as an assoc. director for a city university (marketing, operations…etc) – present job
    Spouse of active Stern and Johnson alum
    Flunked out of law school w/ 1.6 GPA (homeless 1L year)
    Worked full-time throughout college with various odd jobs (telemarketing, sales, customer service, census taking, admin asst, voter registration, fundraising…etc.)
    Tons of community service/church work
    First generation, inner-city Black woman
    30 yrs old

    Goal:  Attain an MBA/M.Ed. joint degree and eventually assume executive leadership in an education-related agency to improve educational services for underserved populations.

    Schools: Interested in NYU, Cornell, and Tuck. Feel free to suggest other schools that may be a good fit for me.

  • Noel

    Hey guys, thanks for writing this, I found it very interesting! If you guys would like to analyze a non typical profile, please consider mine.

    26 Year Old Latino Male
    GMAT: 660 5.0 (Second attempt)
    Undergrad GPA: 2.76 (I know this is killer)
    Post undergrad GPA: 3.65 (I have taken 5 CC classes post undergrad [Acct 1 & 2, Econ 1 & 2, Statistics] and am in the process of completing MBAMATH.com course.0
    School: UC Santa Barbara
    3+ years experience in Sales/Account Management at several mid-tier tech companies
    Extracurriculars: 2 time Ironman triathlon finisher (3rd time Ironman early next summer), Assistant triathlon Coach – Team in Training, Special Olympics Coach, Camp Counselor at Camp Ronald McDonald, Founder & President of Coed Business Fraternity (LA Chapter)

    While I know that elite schools are probably out of my reach, I will be reapplying to UCLA, USC, and UT – Austin (I was waitlisted at UT – Austin this year until the very end, and am looking at other options. Also, for what its worth, I am interested in Entrepreneurship & Marketing.

  • http://poetsandquants.com/members/sootehdel/ HN

    Dear Sandy & John,

    These two articles are indeed been the most informative articles I have read on this topic (believe me I have read a lot).

    I believe my profile is closest to the first brother from India:

    Iranian born&raised US naturalized citizen – Moved to the US in 2002

    High school valedictorian
    BS in Civil Eng. – UCLA – 3.8/3.45 (Major/Overall) in 2008
    MS in Civil Eng. – Stanford – 3.95 in March 2010
    GMAT: 730 (Q51/V38 – V is 81%) AWA 6

    Work:
    3x 3 mo summer civil eng. internships in private and public offices
    1x 6 mo fellowship @ US General Services Admin in DC during my MS + one publication
    1yr5mo @ my current job – a mid-size construction company specializing in public transportation – Work as project engineer on a $200M+ rail project
    (I admit the job is not very selective neither too challenging at least to my standards)

  • http://poetsandquants.com/members/sootehdel/ HN

    Leadership:
    Mentoring a civil eng. course + Coaching a student competition group, both @ Stanford
    Supervise 2 interns at work – will have 5-10 direct reports in a couple of months when field operations start
    TA ed 4-5 courses at Stanford
    Lead various student groups in regional and national competitions both at Stanford & UCLA

    One of my app’s soft spots will be letter of rec since I can’t tell anyone at my work. My letters will be from an Industry mentor at Stanford, Chair of Civil eng department @ Stanford and my boss from GSA.

    I am debating between getting a sexier job (large consulting firms) and applying this year. Can you please advise?

    For what it is worth, my reason for MBA is to change career path and be more on the finance side of large infrastructure projects.

    Appreciate your kindness in advance.

  • Gosh

    Thank you Al!! At least one clever answer!

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