MBA Handicapping: Can This Black First-Gen Engineer Get Into Harvard Or Stanford?

Patrick is a first-generation senior at Youngstown State University, earning his undergraduate degree in chemical engineering, where he has an impressive 3.8 GPA. He has yet to sit for the GRE which he intends to do in October. During the last two summers, he has landed research fellowships at Stanford University and Georgetown University, respectively.

And he has racked up a bunch of internships, including this past summer at a global engineering company where he is an automation engineering intern. He’s also president of the university chapter of the American Institute of Engineers and the president of the National Society of Black Engineers.

He’s aiming for a deferred MBA admissions program. Think Harvard 2+2, Stanford GSB, Wharton and Chicago Booth. At the age of 28, he will be among the few older applicants for these programs, largely because he tried his hand at several entrepreneurial ventures before deciding to go to college.

In this episode of Friday’s With Sandy, HBSGuru.com founder Sandy Kreisberg and Poets&Quants founder John A. Byrne counsel Patrick on how he should best shape his candidacy. With strong execution of his application, a compelling essay and a more succinct resume, Sandy thinks his odds at Harvard Business School could be as high as 50%. Find out why.

If you would like to participate in a future Fridays With Sandy webinar, you can contact Sandy and P&Q Founder John A Byrne here.

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