Mr. Multinational Strategy

Hi, it’s Nisha from mbaMission! It’s great to see that you’re doing well in grad school from an academic and extracurricular standpoing, but a top MBA requires several years of progressive work experience (the average for Kellogg’s incoming students is 4-6 years of experience). Career-wise, it looks like you’re interested in pivoting to a career in investment management at a corporation – right now, that goal isn’t feasible given your background since you have no finance experience. Before thinking about business school, I recommend building up a few years of experience at a company in line with your interests, doing some deeper reflection on your longer-term goals (which will be somewhat shaped by the work experience you will obtain and what it shows you about your strengths and interests) and retaking the GRE to be closer to the top schools’ ranges (160+ on both Quant and Verbal). Additionally, after grad school, keep your community involvement strong since schools value impact and leadership – perhaps you can continue mentoring or take up another type of community involvement in the area of human rights. Hope that helps!

Hi Mr. Multinational Strategy, this is Donna Bauman, Senior MBA Admissions Counselor for Stratus Admissions, weighing in on your profile. I would say that with just a year of work experience, you face an uphill challenge for the MBA degree. I would encourage you to follow up first with your Master’s program and gain further relevant work experience before adding another degree. Right now your career goals are covering a lot of ground in mentioning investment strategy, portfolio management and then even looking at human rights abuse within the supply chain. I think until you narrow that down a bit more, it is going to be challenging to gain acceptance to a top MBA program. I suggest taking some time to start working in a multinational company—in one of the areas that interest you—and while doing that continue to study for GRE so that in 2 years you have more clarity to your career goals and deeper work experience to build upon before seeking an additional degree. That may not be the advice you are looking for, but I would first celebrate the impressive Master’s Degree that you just invested in before jumping right back to school!