Mr. Tech Start-Up

So based on your profile, you are obviously in a very strong position for your target schools. Ivy League. JP Morgan and Carlyle. And now the founder of your own startup. If you have investors and some evidence of early success that would really complete the picture. As we often say, if you have successfully jumped over the barriers of highly selective organizations both at the undergradate and employment levels, MBA admission directors feel a lot more comfortable taking a bet on you because you have been vetted by other institutions that they admire and respect. You’ve done that three times now. So even though your GPA and GMAT score are below the HBS class averages, they aren’t low enough to warrant a red flag in light of your resume. I guess I’m suprised that you would leave the field you were in to do a startup, and I think it could raise some questions, particularly if you are bootscrapping it and there is little evidence that it was a smart move to begin with. Given your vague description of the startup, it’s hard for me to tell if that meets the test. Nonetheless, based on what we do know, I would have to give you a very good chance of an admit to HBS and certainly to Wharton.

Hi Mr. Tech Start Up, Melisa here from Stratus Admissions. Sounds like you have a very compelling story of overcoming adversity. And not just overcoming – but leading to the level that HBS, GSB and Wharton are looking for. Your stats are solid, and while your GMAT is lower than the average and problem even further lower than others with banking experience, it sounds like you have a really unique profile that schools will value. I have heard it said that HBS will blink once (at something that is lower than their average) but not twice. So if your GMAT is slightly lower all other aspects of your applications need to be strong. As you are putting together your application, be authentic, what unique perspective to you bring to the table and what impacts have you had that can be a good indication to the impacts you will have in the future. It sounds like you want to continue working on your social venture – what problem are you trying to solve with your venture, and how will an MBA help you get there. And be sure to be ready to talk about how your venture will be managed in yours absence so you can focus on leveraging your time in the program. Just because of the competition we saw this year and that I never like to see a Top 5 only strategy, you might want to look at some other schools that have strong social impact programs that can help you walk that line of for and non-profit. You might consider Haas, Yale or Tuck here. Wishing you the best of luck! Sign up for a consult if you’d like to discuss your profile further.