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I went to an at-risk high school. Before Undergrad, I never took school seriously. I did not think I would have even gotten into undergrad. I felt that has held me back a lot in the academic and professional world. I constantly strive to succeed academically and professionally, and I want the MBA to help me in that path. I am passionate about finance, and strategy. I like learning how businesses work, specifically from a strategic perspective. My GPA would have been 3.8 if not for a motorcycle accident.
Target School: Harvard
Considering: Wharton, MIT Sloan
See More Profiles For: Harvard
Application Status: Open
Undergrad School: University of Waterloo
Undergrad Major: Accounting and Finance
GPA: 3.6
GRE: 326
Age: 25, Ethnicity: Asian or Indian
Other Degree/Certification: MSc Economics
School Name: University of Cambridge
Extracurriculars: President NFP helping connect professionals and university students.
Title: Consultant, Strategy& (PwC)
Industry: Consulting
Company: Top Firm
Length of Employment: 2 yrs
Title: Corporate Strategy Associate, Ontario Teachers Pension Plan
Length of Employment: 1 yr
After graduating from undergrad, I launched a non-profit (and for-profit) to guide university and high school students through the workplace; something I am passionate about for personal reasons. After undergrad, I joined Strategy& (PwC) in the Financial Services sector. Upon receiving my Masters I joined Ontario Teacher’s Pension Plan in the Corporate Strategy Group.
I am looking to transition into Ontario Teacher’s Pension Plan PE group before I leave for the MBA then using the MBA to break into PE in the US (at a KKR, Blackstone, etc.).
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Mr. PE Strategist, you remind me of myself in high school. I took it all for granted, not understanding the importance of a foundational education, only to find myself in college. So off the bat, just know I’m really rooting for you. The fact that you did so well in undergrad and would have done even better if not for a motorcycle accident tells me a lot about your diligence and your smarts. And then, you top that off with a degree from Cambridge. Bravo for you. Now you are knocking on a very difficult door to open, especially as someone from an overrepresented part of the pool. But since you are in Canada and an international student who should not face travel restrictions or …
Mr. PE Strategist, you remind me of myself in high school. I took it all for granted, not understanding the importance of a foundational education, only to find myself in college. So off the bat, just know I’m really rooting for you. The fact that you did so well in undergrad and would have done even better if not for a motorcycle accident tells me a lot about your diligence and your smarts. And then, you top that off with a degree from Cambridge. Bravo for you. Now you are knocking on a very difficult door to open, especially as someone from an overrepresented part of the pool. But since you are in Canada and an international student who should not face travel restrictions or student visas issues right now, I think you have slightly better chances than you otherwise might have. Sure, a higher GRE score would have helped. A 326 is right on HBS’ current average for the latest incoming class but in an overrepresented part of the pool it would help to be above average. I also think that by expressing your desire to work in PE, you may be adding another red flag to your chances. Why? Because PE jobs are very hard to get and more often than not go to people who have had some PE experience already. No school wants to admit a student who could be disappointed at not achieving their primary goal post-MBA. That’s why many applicants don’t admit what they really want to do with the MBA if it’s not a linear move from the experience they bring to school. I’m hoping you get good news on Monday!
Hi, Mr. PE Strategist, this is Julie-Anne Heafey from mbaMission. Wow, it sounds like you overcame a lot to get to where you are…congratulations on your persistence and dedication. I also love how you went beyond your own situation and launched a program to help others. I always struggle to understand the timing of these profiles – are you waiting for news, as John suggests, or looking at a R1 app? Given this uncertainty, I won’t dwell on weak points in your application, though I agree about using the optional essay for context to your undergrad performance and trying a GRE retake, especially if your quant side is lower than 70th percentile. My biggest concern is your PE goal of KKR/Blackstone …
Hi, Mr. PE Strategist, this is Julie-Anne Heafey from mbaMission. Wow, it sounds like you overcame a lot to get to where you are…congratulations on your persistence and dedication. I also love how you went beyond your own situation and launched a program to help others. I always struggle to understand the timing of these profiles – are you waiting for news, as John suggests, or looking at a R1 app? Given this uncertainty, I won’t dwell on weak points in your application, though I agree about using the optional essay for context to your undergrad performance and trying a GRE retake, especially if your quant side is lower than 70th percentile. My biggest concern is your PE goal of KKR/Blackstone – those target firms are tough, and they usually recruit superstars from investment banking. With the current economic picture becoming more uncertain, competition is likely to stiffen, so if you’re applying in the fall, you may have to rethink your future path to reflect a new picture. As for your chances, I’ll put your odds just under the normal HBS range – 10%, but this likelihood will vary wildly in my opinion if you’re applying now or in the future. If it’s for 2020 entry, the current visa uncertainties are likely to improve odds for Canadian applicants; if for 2021, you may see a tougher time with a likely rise in applications and admitted-but-deferred-for-visa-reasons international apps rolling to next year. Either way, best of luck to you!
Hello Mr. PE Strategist. I’m Lisa Cummings of Stratus Admissions, a former MIT Sloan adcomm. First off, I am sorry you had a difficult start in life but you have made incredible strides to overcome that and have achieved success while helping others do the same. Kudos to you. I see a great story in the making here, graduate of top Canadian uni launches firm to help others achieve success while working FT as a consultant. I hope I got the timing right, it seems like you did both simultaneously. Are you still involved with this group? I want to know more about it and adcomms will too.
Your stats are solid but on the low side for your target schools and you are …
Your stats are solid but on the low side for your target schools and you are applying from a very competitive demographic. That said, you have time to address what might be seen as some gaps in your candidacy. You would certainly want to talk about your GPA in an additional essay for your schools as that falls short for your targets. Your GRE is also low, do you feel you have reached your limit? If not some targeted self study or tutoring if you can swing it would help. Assuming you are applying this fall, by the time you would matriculate you would have 4.5 years of experience, just shy of the average 5 years. I would like to know a little more about your path, was your other masters full time or part time? Is the transition to PE at Ontario Teachers already in the works or is it a goal? The sooner you can make that switch the better both from an admissions standpoint and from a summer internship, and post MBA perspective. I have worked with many candidates with similar stats who, with thoughtful prep and time, have been able to put together solid, successful applications. Given how competitive the pool is, you may want expand your list- have you considered NYU Stern, Cornell, Darden, Duke or other programs? I’d be happy to chat with you about your candidacy at any time. Best of luck!
You definitely have a shot because of your strong story and your accomplishments to date. That’s why I think your chances are at least twice as good as Harvard’s admit rate.
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