About | Privacy Policy | Advertising| Editorial | Contact Us
Follow Us
Subscribe | Login
21-year-old CS major interested in applying for the deferred MBA programs (2+2/Stanford Deferred). Passionate about accessible education to those who can’t afford it, especially in my home country, India.
Target School: Harvard
Considering: Stanford GSB
See More Profiles For: Harvard
Application Status: Open
Undergrad School: Top Public CS School (Georgia Tech, UT Austin, UIUC)
Undergrad Major: Computer Science
GPA: 3.74
GMAT: 710
Age: 21, Ethnicity: Asian or Indian
Extracurriculars: Created a nonprofit in India to raise money for underprivileged kids to provide them with access to educational resources, Started an on campus organization that allows upperclassmen to tutor underclassmen in similar courses in exchange for swipes to the dining halls instead of money, Creating a social media application with a team of three other members. Beta launch will occur this semester and we want to eventually approach VCs.
Title: Software Engineering Intern (Facebook/Microsoft/Google)
Industry: Technology
Company: Fortune 500
Length of Employment: 3 mos
Interned twice at a top tech company (Facebook/Microsoft/Google) as a software engineer and have a full-time job lined up with them.
I would like to continue working at a tech company to gain experience. After, I would like to start my own technology company that is built from the ground up. My most significant long-term goal is to create a philanthropic organization in India that makes access to education easier for those who can’t afford it.
Join in! Click here to assess the odds of Mr. Hopeful Philanthropist
I have to agree with Nisha and Talon. You check all the boxes for a highly successful 2+2 application with only one exception: Your below-average GMAT score for 2+2 candidates. I know it’s a time suck to go back and study for the exam again and then take it. But especially in your case, it could make a big difference. I hate even writing that because I think schools are overindexing standardized test scores in their admission decisions (though HBS lags several other schools in this regard). Because every other thing is in line, it is possible that Harvard would be okay with your 710. But why chance that? As luck would have it, HBS has extended its 2+2 deadline by two months to June …
I have to agree with Nisha and Talon. You check all the boxes for a highly successful 2+2 application with only one exception: Your below-average GMAT score for 2+2 candidates. I know it’s a time suck to go back and study for the exam again and then take it. But especially in your case, it could make a big difference. I hate even writing that because I think schools are overindexing standardized test scores in their admission decisions (though HBS lags several other schools in this regard). Because every other thing is in line, it is possible that Harvard would be okay with your 710. But why chance that? As luck would have it, HBS has extended its 2+2 deadline by two months to June 1 from April 2nd. You could submit your app and tell HBS you plan to retake the test when the at-home version becomes available. Or you could just delay your app until you get your new test score. GMAT thinks it can have an at-home test on the market in mid-April. Let’s say you take the test in early May. It’s worth a try. My odds are for you without a retake. Good luck.
Hi Mr. Hopeful Philanthropist! This is Talon Rindels, Sr. Admissions Consultant at The MBA Exchange. I love your background and ambitious career goals and I think adcoms at the top schools will too! Your strong GPA, solid company brands on your resume, and software engineering all make you an attractive candidate, in addition to the fact that you’ve done some impressive things in the community/your alma mater that are tied to your long term ambitions. If you could get that GMAT score up, I’d rank you MUCH higher… say, 40-50% if you could get ~5-10 points higher than the average (Havard’s is 730). You may also consider the GRE, as most schools’ average GRE is lower than the GMAT when …
Hi Mr. Hopeful Philanthropist! This is Talon Rindels, Sr. Admissions Consultant at The MBA Exchange. I love your background and ambitious career goals and I think adcoms at the top schools will too! Your strong GPA, solid company brands on your resume, and software engineering all make you an attractive candidate, in addition to the fact that you’ve done some impressive things in the community/your alma mater that are tied to your long term ambitions. If you could get that GMAT score up, I’d rank you MUCH higher… say, 40-50% if you could get ~5-10 points higher than the average (Havard’s is 730). You may also consider the GRE, as most schools’ average GRE is lower than the GMAT when equivalized (some top schools have as much as a 20 point gap). Either way, I really suggest you get some test prep support from an expert, as your MBA dreams are in reach with a stronger standardized test score! We at MBA Exchange have lots of great options, as do many other companies. Best of luck to you – we need more of you in the world!
Hi, it’s Nisha from mbaMission! You have some of the elements of a strong profile – a high GPA in a STEM major, strong extracurricular involvement that shows a ton of initiative, top tech internships and a full-time offer, and compelling motivations behind your goals. The one area of your concern is your GMAT score – top candidates for these programs generally have a 730+, so I strongly recommend taking it again to achieve this level.
Other than that, I think your candidacy will hinge on a well-executed application, with very strong recommendations that attest to your potential and essays that explain your passion for the education sector and make a strong case for why each target program is a good fit …
Other than that, I think your candidacy will hinge on a well-executed application, with very strong recommendations that attest to your potential and essays that explain your passion for the education sector and make a strong case for why each target program is a good fit for you based on what it has to offer. We’ve seen that it can be unpredictable which candidates make the cut for deferred program, but do know that even if these programs don’t work out for some reason, they won’t in any way jeopardize your future candidacy. There are definitely folks who ended up getting into top MBA programs a few years after college after not making it into the deferred programs. With the strengths of your profile so far, I think that you’re headed towards a successful career path regardless of when exactly the MBA happens. Best of luck!
Hi, it’s Jennifer Jackson from Stratus Admissions. There are so many great parts of your profile! The leadership you’ve shown starting a nonprofit will be music to adcom’s ears, especially because it’s perfectly aligned with your career goals. Your academic record is very strong and the GMAT is fine although I would suggest attempting a retake given that you do have time with the extended deadline and the 2+2 applicants tend to have killer stats. You’re coming from an over-represented demographic as well so getting that score up will certainly help, with any of the top schools. Make sure in the essays to really dig in to why you have this passion for improving access to education. Be specific about what you’ve seen or experienced …
Hi, it’s Jennifer Jackson from Stratus Admissions. There are so many great parts of your profile! The leadership you’ve shown starting a nonprofit will be music to adcom’s ears, especially because it’s perfectly aligned with your career goals. Your academic record is very strong and the GMAT is fine although I would suggest attempting a retake given that you do have time with the extended deadline and the 2+2 applicants tend to have killer stats. You’re coming from an over-represented demographic as well so getting that score up will certainly help, with any of the top schools. Make sure in the essays to really dig in to why you have this passion for improving access to education. Be specific about what you’ve seen or experienced that led you to where you are, and you’ll have a very compelling story to tell — good luck!
Submit My MBA Profile
Our Partner Sites: Poets&Quants for Execs | Poets&Quants for Undergrads | Tipping the Scales | We See Genius