Mr. African Infrastructure

Hi, it’s Nisha from mbaMission. You’ve got a great track record in your young career so far, and I really admire your goal of driving the financial success of lower-income clients in Africa. I think you’d have a lot to offer GSB, so to maximize your odds I’d 1. craft a compelling narrative about what drives your career goals in micro-lending/savings – what observations and experiences (professional and personal) have led you down this path 2. ensure that you fully communicate your professional and personal achievements in your resume and application, along with the key actions that led to them and 3. secure excellent professional recommendations that attest to your strong performance, potential, and growth, particularly versus your peers (the early promotion surely will help).

I’d also consider HBS, Wharton, Booth, and Yale, given their strengths in finance (and connections in microfinance).

If you’d like to discuss your profile and story in more detail, definitely get in touch. Hope that helps a bit!

Hi, it’s Jennifer Jackson from Stratus Admissions. I really like what I see in your profile — econ major with a career dedicated to helping lower-income people in Africa with savings and investments to help improve overall quality of life. It’s great that you can show some extracurricular interest in this pursuit as well. Your GRE is on the softer side for the GSB but you’re coming an under-represented demographic and having the CFA will be helpful especially if the quant side was the lower of the two. You’re also on the lighter side of work experience with under 3 years but it’s not terribly low. Just be sure to make the case that now is the time to get the MBA because of XYZ. Be very clear also what big, bold ideas you have, as GSB seeks students who want to change the world. I give you a better-than-average shot at being admitted at Stanford but at a 6% rate I’d still say it’s fairly low just because of how competitive it is. Good luck!