Ms. Future Tech Exec

Whoa. This is a super impressive profile. An Ivy League grad with two degrees in computer science and a jumbo GMAT score of 750, a white female with a STEM background and extras that show you have heart. And you are using your STEM background in banking where you have also earned a promotion at a top firm. You have what it takes. That means it is all about execution: making sure you undergo the introspection that allows you to craft the best possible essays and do well in your interview. My gut tells me you certainly will.

Hi Ms. Future Tech Exec! This is Talon Rindels, Sr. Admissions Consultant at The MBA Exchange. You most certainly have the resume/profile to get accepted at Stanford (and Harvard), so as long as you are a good “storyteller,” I’d say you are in! Typically, I’d be a little shy on a 3.4 GPA for these schools, but given it was at a top Ivy League in a challenging field and your have a stellar GMAT score, I wouldn’t even think twice about it. I also love your involvement in the community through non-profits. My advice to you is to take the time for self-reflection on your journey thus far and how that has truly shaped your long term goals. Get emotional. Get real. Be authentic. If you do these things, you are in for sure!

Hi Ms. Future Tech Exec,
This is Debbie Choy, GSB alum and Senior Consultant at mbaMission weighing in. I’m impressed by your background – strong work experience (with a promotion), solid academics (your undergrad GPA offset by your graduate GPA and strong GMAT), and active community engagement! Technology is a big industry – so as you tell AdCom about your career goals, be sure to be specific about which area you’re passionate about. What is the big audacious problem that you want to solve? How will you, as a future leader in Tech, make a difference? Your passion can help you stand out from the crowd. That said, schools are always looking for strong women in tech candidates, so your achievements and demographic make you an attractive candidate. Overall, I think you have a strong chance at Stanford where the average acceptance rate ranges from 5-7%. Telling your stories in a differentiated and compelling way will be key!

Hi, it’s Jennifer Jackson at Stratus Admissions. You have a very impressive profile! The high GMAT plus computer science degree as well as master’s, especially for your demographic, will make you stand out. Your work experience is solid and you have extracurriculars that help round you out as person. The fact that they’re concentrated on women in tech is a huge bonus because you can use these to help craft a narrative that connects the dots from what you’ve done to what you want to do. I’ve seen really strong candidates who tell a great story about what they’ve done and want to do, but there’s nothing outside of work that supports this desire so it doesn’t come across as powerful as yours should. Be sure to be personal in the GSB essay — you’ll have the words! I think you have a much better than average shot there, and at HBS!