Mr. Entrepreneurial Bassist

What a terrific profile you bring to the game and with the kind of basic stats that Stanford would love. I think your accomplishments are so unusual and so impressive that the GSB will at the very least want to interview you. If there is any doubt, it has to do with your goal to become a sustainability consultant. The big question is: Where in your profile is there a demonstrated interest in sustainbility and either work experience or extras that show that connection from your passion for this field to what you ultimately want to do with your MBA. And sure, your undergraduate school is certainly not a feeder to the GSB. But I think this is such an incredible profile that you have a real shot at a very tough school.

Hi, it’s Nisha from mbaMission. Wow, it’s not every day that I get to read the profile of an accomplished bassist! You’re clearly an accomplished musician with strong community involvement and great academics.

But the one thing that struck me about your profile – from the limited information that I have, your goals seem out of left field. Why do you want to be a sustainability consultant – over the years, what are the professional experiences, personal experiences, and observations that have led you to want to pursue this path? What are the transferrable skills you’ll bring to it, both from your nonprofit consulting days and your musical career? You’ll want to explain this very clearly in your applications and also, make a strong case for why each school you’re targeting is a strong fit for you based on its culture and resources within and outside of the classroom (and, this will require thorough research on each program, including speaking with students and alumni). But if you are able to make this case successfully, I think you will be in contention at some great programs. Of your list, I think Yale and Darden especially are within range for you – I’d also look at Fuqua, Kellogg, and Ross given their strengths in consulting and sustainability.

Mr. Entrepreneurial Bassist – Thanks for posting your profile. Susan Cera here, Director of MBA Admissions at Stratus.

You have an incredibly unique professsional background that will allow you to stand out in the application process. As you consider next steps, think about why you want to go into sustainabiltiy consulting and what impact you see yourself making. What skills and knowledge have you developed to date that you can build on during an MBA program that will set you up to acheive your goals.

Stanford is looking for students who want to Change Lives, Change Organizations and Change the World. I presume that you are already changing lives through your support of underserved Latinx youth. What vision do you have to change the world? And what steps have you taken to date to move towards that goal. My odds assessment is specifically for Stanford GSB at 6% admit rate, I think you have a better than average chance of acceptance if you can connect your past to the dreams you have with respect to sustainability.
All the best!