Candidate:

Mr. Latino Tech

About Me:

I’m applying to HBS’s 2+2 Program. I was born in Ecuador and moved to the U.S when I was three years old. Being the oldest in my family, I’ve had the opportunity to be the first college graduate in my family and work a white-collar job. I’ll be graduating this May and starting at a large financial institution. The firm I’ll be working for has a rotational analyst program where I’ll rotate between Data science, quant, and engineering teams for the first 2 years.

Schools:

Target School: Harvard

See More Profiles For: Harvard

Application Status: Open

Details:

Undergrad School: City University of New York

Undergrad Major: Computer Science and Applied Mathematics

GPA: 3.1

GMAT: 730

Age: 23, Ethnicity: Hispanic or Latino

Extracurriculars: Co-Founder of Schools Data Science/Machine Learning Club, Volunteering as a translator assisting immigrants in overcoming barriers to naturalization, helping them become U.S. citizens

Work History:

Title: Technology Analyst, Software Engineer

Industry: Banking & Finance

Company: Top Firm

Length of Employment:

Big Life Wins:

Recently I worked as a Data Engineer for a Research Foundation in NYC, spearheading a Data Automation project, essentially building their data infrastructure. Before that, I interned for a health-tech startup sponsored by LifeSci-NYC as a backend engineer creating an API. Successfully co-founding of my school’s Data Science/Machine Learning club, where I taught students how to utilize popular machine learning libraries and lead outreach/networking events around campus.

Post MBA Goal:

I’d like to become more involved with economic development in Latin and South America. Working for an infrastructure equity firm that focuses on investments in Latin America broadens my impact on a region of the world that I find close to my heart. The firm that I’ll be working for has an equities division; if accepted, during my deferred period, I’ll transfer to there Systematic Active Equities team.

Odds:

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The Experts Rate The Odds At: 12%

See what the industry experts have to say:

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

This could go either way, frankly, but my guess is that the odds are against you. Sure, you’re a STEM undergrad and that is a big positive. But you’re from a public school and HBS is an elitist place when it comes to admissions. To wit, in the Class of 2020, there’s not a single MBA studnet who earned his or her undergraduate degree from CUNY. Not one. The fact that you are the first college graduate in your family and the first to work work a white-collar job could make a difference here. But your GPA, while impressive to me in a tough subject like computer science, is well below what HBS expects in a 2+2 candidate.

This could go either way, frankly, but my guess is that the odds are against you. Sure, you’re a STEM undergrad and that is a big positive. But you’re from a public school and HBS is an elitist place when it comes to admissions. To wit, in the Class of 2020, there’s not a single MBA studnet who earned his or her undergraduate degree from CUNY. Not one. The fact that you are the first college graduate in your family and the first to work work a white-collar job could make a difference here. But your GPA, while impressive to me in a tough subject like computer science, is well below what HBS expects in a 2+2 candidate.

4 years ago
mbaMission Odds Assessment: 10%

Hi, Mr. Latino Tech. Julie-Anne Heafey here from mbaMission. You have much to be proud of — that’s a very good GMAT score, especially for a first-gen applicant, and I like your initiative and ambition. And while many HBS students boast undergraduate degrees from prestigious schools, the adcom does admit applicants from many different undergraduate institutions – last year, the class came from almost 300 different universities (137 different domestic ones)! I just did a search in the alumni directory and did find some scattered MBAs who graduated from a CUNY school (in more recent years, they mostly graduated from Baruch), so it is within the realm of possibility…but there aren’t a ton of them and the 3.1 is going to make admission …

Hi, Mr. Latino Tech. Julie-Anne Heafey here from mbaMission. You have much to be proud of — that’s a very good GMAT score, especially for a first-gen applicant, and I like your initiative and ambition. And while many HBS students boast undergraduate degrees from prestigious schools, the adcom does admit applicants from many different undergraduate institutions – last year, the class came from almost 300 different universities (137 different domestic ones)! I just did a search in the alumni directory and did find some scattered MBAs who graduated from a CUNY school (in more recent years, they mostly graduated from Baruch), so it is within the realm of possibility…but there aren’t a ton of them and the 3.1 is going to make admission even more of an uphill climb. I think an authentic story of overcoming tough obstacles could help, and agree that you should focus on demonstrating leadership and impact where you’ve been so far and articulate why you need the admission now. Good luck!

4 years ago Read the full review
Stratus Admissions Counseling Odds Assessment: 10%

Hi Mr. Latino Tech, Melisa here from Stratus Admissions. So the unfortunate news is that we have seen historically that the HBS 2+2 program admits have had higher than the overall class average for GMAT and GPA. So while 730 is a strong GMAT on on HBS’s average, it is still probably below the 2+2 average. Included in this is I have talked with many more deferred candidates this year than in year’s past, so interest is up. While your Latino background and being first generation will be a plus, it is going to be a battle. In your essays, make sure you highlight your leadership throughout undergrad and explain how you know now that you will need an MBA in 2 years. And I …

Hi Mr. Latino Tech, Melisa here from Stratus Admissions. So the unfortunate news is that we have seen historically that the HBS 2+2 program admits have had higher than the overall class average for GMAT and GPA. So while 730 is a strong GMAT on on HBS’s average, it is still probably below the 2+2 average. Included in this is I have talked with many more deferred candidates this year than in year’s past, so interest is up. While your Latino background and being first generation will be a plus, it is going to be a battle. In your essays, make sure you highlight your leadership throughout undergrad and explain how you know now that you will need an MBA in 2 years. And I never like to see a 1 program strategy – and there are a great number of other deferred programs out there – Columbia or Darden would be great additions. I think your chances are slightly below the HBS admit rate of 12%.

4 years ago Read the full review