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Had back-to-back tragic events in the family throughout undergrad and became a borderline nihilist. I’ve come to terms with loss and have been reinventing myself ever since. Took classes while working in biotech and then transitioned fully into data science after getting M.S. in Statistics (state school, 3.9 GPA, 70 credits). Will ED or J-term.
Target School: Columbia
Considering: London Business School, Berkeley Haas
See More Profiles For: Columbia
Application Status: Open
Undergrad School: Northwestern University
Undergrad Major: Biochemistry
GPA: 2.3
GMAT: 780
Age: 28, Ethnicity: Asian or Indian
Other Degree/Certification: M.S. Statistics
Extracurriculars: Small business owner in online sales - ~$20k revenue yearly, Amateur pianist - played in cocktail lounges and fundraising balls
Title: Manufacturing Analyst
Industry: Healthcare
Company: Fortune 500
Length of Employment: 2 yrs, 6 mos
Title: Data Scientist
Led 2 significant process improvement projects that saved the pharma company money over the course of scaling up. Studied my butt off for the GMAT and achieved a strong score. Currently a data scientist and data consultant working with many statisticians to develop primary endpoints and metrics for drug and treatment efficacy.
Network a LOT and meet like-minded people, leverage MBA to transition further in bioconsulting, perhaps shoot for MBB non-generalist positions in biopharma. Stay the course with use of data-driven analytics combined with new business acumen and old scientific background to be truly versatile in business development roles in pharma and biotech.
Join in! Click here to assess the odds of Mr. Reinvention
I think you’re wise to apply to Columbia early decision and/or go for the J-Term. The admit rates are significantly higher in both circumstances at CBS. It seems you have a very reasonable explanation for your low GPA at Northwestern. A 2.3 GPA is a very big red flag for an elite graduate school of Columbia’s caliber, and I am not sure that even your 780 GMAT and your 3.9 in a master’s degree in statistics can offset it. So you really need to devote a good amount of transparency to the setbacks that caused your poor undergraduate performance. Your Fortune 500 work experience, particularly in an area that is very hot right now in interpreting data, is really solid. So are your post-MBA goals. …
I think you’re wise to apply to Columbia early decision and/or go for the J-Term. The admit rates are significantly higher in both circumstances at CBS. It seems you have a very reasonable explanation for your low GPA at Northwestern. A 2.3 GPA is a very big red flag for an elite graduate school of Columbia’s caliber, and I am not sure that even your 780 GMAT and your 3.9 in a master’s degree in statistics can offset it. So you really need to devote a good amount of transparency to the setbacks that caused your poor undergraduate performance. Your Fortune 500 work experience, particularly in an area that is very hot right now in interpreting data, is really solid. So are your post-MBA goals. So make sure you clearly state that your 2.3 is not an accurate reflection of your academic abilities and explain it away.
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What a story! While reading your story, I could feel the grit and character you’ve shown – traits which I believe very B-school values. I’m inspired and I hope you make it to Colombia (apply in the early decision round to maximize your chances of an admit). Good luck
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