Dartmouth / Tuck - 02-15-2020 | Clear Admit ApplyWire

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February 14, 2020 2:52pm ET

Applying: Dartmouth / Tuck, Duke / Fuqua, Harvard Business School, Michigan / Ross, MIT Sloan, Northwestern / Kellogg, Stanford GSB, U. Chicago Booth, UPenn / Wharton, Yale SOM

Intake Year: 2021

Pre-MBA Career: IT audit and then tech consulting

Post-MBA Target Industry: Consulting Companies: Bain , BCG , McKinsey

GPA: 3.84

Years of Work Experience: 3

Location: Chicago

Post MBA Location: Chicago preferred, but mostly location agnostic

Notes:

I am currently researching which schools would be a good fit, and am leaning more towards those that send graduates to the Midwest. However, I have no strong preference in terms of schools size or location, except that I don't want to be in NYC. I would eventually like to work in the intersection of emerging technology (where I work now) and real estate. I invest in real estate on the side, and bought my first rental property last year. I have a strong interest in studying and/or working abroad -- I do not speak multiple languages.

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Show Comments (8) Last: February 24, 2020

alexbr4 Verified User. Likes Earned: 1693 When are you planning to take the GMAT/GRE? Make sure you prep well, push for a score 720+/325+ are you able to show impact, at work? Are you involved in other activities, outside of work? All top programs should help you get to the Midwest, but obviously Booth, Kellogg, Ross standout. All top programs should have global travel options, and exchange programs, overseas. (1)

eliot Verified User. Likes Earned: 1917 If you are interested in a focus on real estate and tech, and if you are willing to expand beyond the midwest, you might consider Berkeley/Haas and UT Austin McCombs.
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grichmond Verified User. Likes Earned: 1304 Thanks for this post! One note on working/studying abroad: given your language constraints and long-term desire to be in the USA, I think the best bet would be to go to a prestigious US program that offers an exchange with the likes of an LBS, INSEAD (as opposed to actually targeting those schools for your degree). Also, keep in mind that while Booth, Kellogg, and Ross all place very well in the Midwest, I suspect that you could very easily convince McKinsey, Bain, or BCG to place you back there even if you go to Wharton, MIT, or Berkeley. In fact, some of the Midwest offices are less targeted by top MBAs than say Boston, NYC, SF, etc., so I wouldn't worry too much about it. Best of luck!
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admitguy Likes Earned: 2 Good questions and thanks for the advice! I plan scheduled to take the GMAT in late May, but I think I'll be ready to take it in late April instead -- as such, my plan is to just take it in April and then if I don't score 730+, I'll just take it again in May. I have been studying very hard for it, but unfortunately didn't seriously consider applying for an MBA until late January. I think my work background will actually be one of my strengths. I work at a big 4 accounting firm and don't think I will have much trouble showing impact; the downside being that I am a white male and don't work in MBB or IB already, I might have trouble getting into M7. I am involved in several youth education / mentoring activities outside of work, and was very involved in college. I have Haas on my list, but I will look into Austin McCombs. I really to want to get into a consulting role as opposed to jumping right into a real estate position, and then eventually use my breadth of experience to make the biggest impact I can once I do transition from consulting to real estate. Very good point about the target locations for grads. I suppose I shouldn't limit myself in terms of location (which makes the decision even harder). Do you think if I don't score 710+ on the GMAT it's probably not worth applying to Stanford/Harvard? I should also mention that I am a CPA, so I could probably test out of many of the intro classes at Kellogg (but not Harvard obviously, and likely wouldn't do so at a place like Tuck). (0)

admitguy Likes Earned: 2 Something else that I forgot to mention is have pretty extensive experience with Blockchain/AI related topics and client work. I think that may help me in terms of standing out among a typical big 4 applicant. (1)

alexbr4 Verified User. Likes Earned: 1693 WE sounds interesting. Working with the latest tech is good. Make sure you don't overuse jargon in your applications though. RE Harvard and Stanford, they're super hard for anyone to gain access, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't try. Think hard about what might differentiate you. Think hard about your passion for your long term goals. Really stretch yourself over the next several months, both at work, and outside of work. (0)

admitguy Likes Earned: 2 Very good points. Thank you again for the help and for the awesome podcast. It is much appreciated. Feel free to ask away if you have any more questions. I'm also happy to be a test case for Wire Taps. (1)

alexbr4 Verified User. Likes Earned: 1693 More details on this candidacy in this episode of Wire Taps: https://www.clearadmit.com/2020/02/episode-84-wire-taps/ (2)