Cornell / Johnson - 05-12-2021 | Clear Admit ApplyWire

May 11, 2021 6:42pm ET

Applying: Cornell / Johnson, Georgetown / McDonough, Michigan / Ross, Northwestern / Kellogg, NYU Stern, U. Chicago Booth, UVA / Darden

Intake Year: 2022

Pre-MBA Career: Banking / Technology

Post-MBA Target Industry: Technology, Investment Banking Companies: Citibank , Apple , Google , LinkedIn , Microsoft

GPA: 71%

Years of Work Experience: 4

Location: Malaysia

Post MBA Location: Banking / Technology

Notes:

Hi Alex and Graham, I want to express how much I enjoy listening to the podcast quickly; it has become part of my Monday evening routine (while cooking dinner!)

Background:
1. Currently working in Malaysia (as a product manager) in one of Southeast Asia's fastest-growing e-commerce platform (1 year).
2. Previous experience includes 3 years in corporate banking and M&A advisory.
3. Graduated from the University of Melbourne, Australia (Finance/Marketing) with a grade point average of 72%, which is an approx. GPA of 3.3 based on an online conversion tool. Unfortunately, due to family issues, flying back and forth from AUS to MY to visit an ill parent during my first semester, my grade point average started very low. Still, I managed to increase the average each semester that follows up until graduation.
4. First in my family to go to university.

Plan:
I started my career in finance, joining a UK-based bank as part of their management trainee program. Following that role, I joined one of the Big 4 as an M&A consultant. After 3 years in finance, I decided to pivot into the Tech sector to try something different and help struggling businesses stay afloat with various initiatives (this was during the start of the pandemic). While I enjoy my current role and the fast pace and ever-changing nature of the industry, a part of me would like to return to banking one day (more specifically investment banking). Cue my motivations to pursue an MBA! I plan to leverage on an MBA to determine which sector is the ultimate fit for me and serve as a launchpad to kick start my career of choice.

Additional Info:
Outside of work, I am an avid Brazillian Jiu-Jitsu competitor, having competed in regional tournaments in Australia and local ones in Malaysia. Pre-pandemic, I spend my nights after work coaching the beginner's class. I have a diploma in culinary arts and speak 3 languages (English, Mandarin, Malay). I just started studying for the GRE 1 week ago and scored a 315 on my mock test. I recently applied to Ross and Johnson (round 3) as I was granted a test waiver in April but was unfortunately rejected.

HELP!
I would greatly appreciate any feedback on my profile and advice on strengthening it before round 1 of 2022 applications. Part of me feels that my application to Ross and Johnson was rejected because I applied late (round 3) but at the same time want to make sure that my profile is has a firm standing before reapplying for next year. Furthermore, coming from Southeast Asia, I am not sure if I fall into the "over-represented" group category.

Thanks so much once again for all that you do. Keep up the great work with the podcast!

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Show Comments (5) Last: May 19, 2021

alexbr4 Verified User. Likes Earned: 1663 Round 3 is always going to be more tricky, so targeting around 1 next season, with a strong test score will put you in a much better position. Your current experience sounds interesting, if you can show strong impact, supported by great recs, then that will really help. Sounds like you have interesting interests outside of work, showing some diversity. It will be important to articulate a clear goal focus, short and long term. Make sure you appear committed to what you plan on doing. You do have a nice mix of target programs, assuming a strong test score, and strong work experience. (0)

anon30391 Likes Earned: 2 Thanks for the feedback Alex, if you don’t mind, I would like to get 1 more piece of advice from you. Because I applied for round 3 this year, if I choose to apply to the same schools for round 1 next year, will the admission officers assess my applications independent of each other? I.e. would I be penalised if my essays for round 1 be very similar to that of my previous application? I ask because, I submitted a video essay to Johnson this time around, and while I was rejected (probably because it was a round 3 application), I felt that the video really showcased who I am. I plan to reuse that same video again for my round 1 reapplication . Furthermore, with the whole pandemic situation going on, I doubt I can include/expand my extra curricular activities within the short time frame before the next season’s application opens up. (1)

alexbr4 Verified User. Likes Earned: 1663 Not sure I’d reuse the video, but record new content, which will have a similar theme/content. Growth over the six months can also include your perspective, which may subtly change, as a result of your round 3 efforts. Don’t worry about trying to show substantial changes, since round 3, at work, or outside of work. (0)

anon30391 Likes Earned: 2 Alright, thanks Alex! Really appreciate the advice (1)

alexbr4 Verified User. Likes Earned: 1663 More details on this candidacy in this episode of Wire Taps: https://www.clearadmit.com/2021/05/episode-162-wire-taps/ (0)