Mr. Addiction Recovery Activist

Hello Mr. Addiction Recovery Activist; this is Michael from mbaMission.

Most top programs should feel that you have the quantitative ability to succeed in the classroom, because of your GMAT score (which is around the average of all schools you mentioned aside from Yale), and your above-average GPA. In addition, schools will be impressed with your work at a hedge fund, as well as what sounds like impactful experience as a Senior Strategist. However, as you mentioned, your work experience is light, given that the average years of experience upon matriculation is five to six years. So you will have to show the admissions committee that your work experience is comparable to many applicants who have been working full-time much longer. A recent client of mine had success applying to a top 5 school, despite having fewer than the average number of years of work experience, because he was able to show significant leadership and initiative at work. So continue to take on leadership roles at work, and if possible, show that you have been successful in collaborating with your peers and mentoring/coaching others.
I do think your experience of founding the nonprofit will help distinguish you, so in your application definitely highlight that leadership experience as well. It sounds very compelling!
It is good to see that you are considering applying to other schools – especially given Yale’s average GRE score of 329 – so I definitely encourage you to apply to these other schools, as well as consider retaking the GRE.
As for your odds at Yale, I see them as a bit below its average acceptance rate of 25%, likely close to 20%.
Good luck!

Hi Mr. Addiction Recovery Activist, this is Donna Bauman with Stratus Admissions and I congratulate you in your work to help people overcome addiction. I can see why you would want to get started on your goals to scale your non-profit now—one thing that an MBA program can help you do is figure out what would be different about your non-profit. Perhaps your marketing and advertising background gives you some insight. I am really interested to hear more about what you learned from 6 months living in your car to volunteer at other non-profits! This is definitely something that could add to an interesting class discussion. I can see Yale being a good fit for you—and you likely have a strong answer to the biggest commitment you have ever made. I also think some of the other schools on your list could be possibilities and I encourage you to also add Fuqua and Booth and Haas to your school research list. Please reach out if you would like to talk more about your profile!