Mr. DoD Scientist

Michael has offered some highly valuable advice to you, but I’m a bit more optimistic about your chances at Harvard Business School. Here’s why: You are an unusual applicant with an impressive record of early accomplishments. Your UVA degree helps get you over the hump of coming from an unknown state school in Ohio. Your raw stats are perfectly in line. You’ve put your super STEM background to good use at the DOD and your goal to become a consultant is a good one. The key to gaining an admit here is convincing admissions that you have really made what you say is a “quantifiable and well-publicized” contribution in your relatively short stint at the DOD. If you bomb out at HBS, I especially think your odds are much better at Yale and SOM would be a terrific choice for you.

Hi, this is Michael at mbaMission.
Even a top program like Harvard should feel that you have the quantitative ability to succeed in the classroom, because of your GMAT score (which is right at Harvard’s average), and your above-average GPA. In addition, schools will be impressed with your UVA graduate degree in engineering, which further illustrates your capabilities. However, your work experience is a bit light, given that the average years of experience upon matriculation is five to six years. So while it sounds like you have already had an impact at the DoD, 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 there, 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 the DoD, and if possible, show that you have been successful in collaborating with your peers and mentoring/coaching others. Be sure to illustrate your impact outside of work as well – perhaps with your STEM events involvement.
It is good to see that you are considering applying to other schools – especially given Harvard’s low acceptance rate – so I definitely encourage you to apply to these other schools. As for your odds at Harvard, I see them as a bit above the average acceptance rate, close to 15%.
Good luck!