Candidate:

Mr. Infantry Commander

About Me:

Undergraduate GPA reflects the immaturity I had as a young man. Online grad program GPA of 3.667 shows improvement I’ve made educationally. Work experience successfully leading 130 Soldiers also illustrates increased maturity. Also served as lead planner, designing, resourcing, and implementing multiple training exercises with 3-5000 Soldiers including three multinational partner forces.

Schools:

Target School: Harvard

Considering: Georgetown McDonough

See More Profiles For: Harvard

Application Status: Open

Details:

Undergrad School: Ohio University

Undergrad Major: Outdoor Recreation and Education

GPA: 3.178

GMAT: 730

Age: 30, Ethnicity: White

Other Degree/Certification: Intelligence Operations

School Name: American Military University

Extracurriculars:

Work History:

Title: Rifle Company Commander

Industry: Government / Military

Company: Army

Length of Employment: 7 yrs, 6 mos

Post MBA Goal:

Utilize the MBA experience to expand my knowledge and network to assist on future Army roles. Goal is to move into Force Management or Acquisitions to modernize the military’s systems and prevent near-peer overmatch.

Odds:

Join in! Click here to assess the odds of Mr. Infantry Commander

The Experts Rate The Odds At: 15%

See what the industry experts have to say:

John A. Byrne, P&Q Founder & Editor-In-Chief | Odds Assessment: 15%

More typically, HBS loves graduates of the miliary academies. In Harvard’s MBA Class of 2020, for example, the United States Naval Academy was represented by a dozen HBS graduates, while the U.S. Military Academy at West Point was represented by seven HBS grads. You might be wondering how many HBS grads this year earned their undergraduate degrees from Ohio University. It was zero. Add to these facts a 3.2 GPA, the fact that you would be 31 at matriculation, and some might argue that you are dead on arrivial. Not me. Since you are upfront about your earlier lack of maturity as a reason for your low undergrad grades, I buy that. As someone who has served our country for the past seven years plus, …

More typically, HBS loves graduates of the miliary academies. In Harvard’s MBA Class of 2020, for example, the United States Naval Academy was represented by a dozen HBS graduates, while the U.S. Military Academy at West Point was represented by seven HBS grads. You might be wondering how many HBS grads this year earned their undergraduate degrees from Ohio University. It was zero. Add to these facts a 3.2 GPA, the fact that you would be 31 at matriculation, and some might argue that you are dead on arrivial. Not me. Since you are upfront about your earlier lack of maturity as a reason for your low undergrad grades, I buy that. As someone who has served our country for the past seven years plus, it’s understandable that you also would be a bit older than the more typical HBS applicant or student. And your military experience is filled with real leadership challenges that show your future leadership potential. Your 730 GMAT is right on the class median. And your goal to return to the military and use your skills and knowledge gained in the MBA program to further serve our country is admirable. So I think you have a fair chance of admission, though your degree from a non-feeder school and your low GPA are clear disadvantages.

4 years ago Read the full review

The Community Currently Rates The Odds At: 3%

5% | 4 years ago
5% | 4 years ago
5% | 4 years ago

Low GPA and weak military profile for HBS.

Low GPA and weak military profile for HBS.
5% | 4 years ago

HBS just doesn't seem realistic for you. Your GMAT is in the right area, but you're old (and HBS hates that), have a very low GPA for HBS, and your military service doesn't jump off the page. Darden and Ross are reasonable targets.

HBS just doesn’t seem realistic for you. Your GMAT is in the right area, but you’re old (and HBS hates that), have a very low GPA for HBS, and your military service doesn’t jump off the page.

Darden and Ross are reasonable targets.