U. Chicago Booth - 07-26-2024 | Clear Admit ApplyWire

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July 25, 2024 6:49pm ET

Applying: Dartmouth / Tuck, Harvard Business School, Indiana / Kelley, Stanford GSB, U. Chicago Booth, Yale SOM

Intake Year: 2025

Pre-MBA Career: Financial Services

Post-MBA Target Industry: Consulting, Family Business, Entrepreneurship Companies: Bain , BCG

GMAT: 645

GPA: 3.6

Years of Work Experience: 5

Location: Midwest

Post MBA Location: Midwest

Notes:

Work Experience:
I am in risk management at a well-known bank and had two promotions in three years. Additionally, I have been a people manager for the last 1.5 years. I’ve also won our most prestigious award (less than 1% of employees receive it each year).
My career moves prior to my current company were short but interesting (reporting and time at a later stage start-up).
I have worked for my family business part-time for 5 years and tend to be the catch all person when things go wrong or for tasks that can be conducted remotely. This experience has served as a primer for my long-term goals.
I’d have six years experience upon matriculation and have started to wonder if I’m getting to be too old based on more young 2+2 candidates being in the classes.

GMAT
I got a 645 on the GMAT - 80Q, 85V, 81DI. I have done better on some practice tests but have often found myself doing worse on tests than broader coursework, especially for math-related courses. I'm having a very hard time motivating to re-take it but know this is my weakest link.
I also took the GRE without studying just to check it out. I got a 322 - 163V, 159Q.

Education
I have a 3.6 (HYP) in the humanities. I also have a Master's from a university that is top 2 for the field with a 3.9 GPA.
I was president of three different clubs in undergrad.

Outside of Work
I volunteer significantly with my undergrad and our local alumni club. One of my favorite parts of that commitment is mentoring current students and speaking on career-related panels.
I volunteer for a local non-profit and have held various roles (managing our budget, mentoring new members).

Long-Term Goals
I will be taking over my family business in manufacturing. While I could do this without an MBA, I would like to bring the most value possible and grow my network.

Short-Term Goals
Consulting at MBB to gain more breadth of knowledge/prepare for my long-term goal.

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Show Comments (5) Last: August 5, 2024

alexbr4 Verified User. Likes Earned: 1675 You’re not too old to have a great MBA experience, justifying “why now” always makes sense. If you think you can improve your GRE score, with relevant prep, push it to 325+, that might be worth it. Getting a good quant score will be important, assume quant coursework is not prevalent on your transcripts? Might also be worth considering MBA Math, etc?

Are you involved in activities outside of work? Any additional hobbies and interests? Assume your work record is very strong, shows impact and growth, which are key.

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grichmond Verified User. Likes Earned: 1228 Most of these MBA programs have students with an average of 4-6 years of work experience, so I don't think you should worry about having too much experience. Keep in mind that "2+2" doesn't actually mean that students have only two years of experience before matriculating; most deferred enrollment offerings (including HBS) stipulate anywhere from 2-5 years of experience prior to entry.

Your profile seems pretty compelling overall: solid undergraduate + masters - both with excellent grades, strong work experience, slightly unusual career plans for the long-term, and great ECs. The only weakness at present, given your target programs, is the GMAT, which will fall a good bit below the averages at the top schools on your list here. I'd try to take it again or work to get a GRE in the high 320s, if possible.

Best of luck!
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anon17751 Likes Earned: 1 Thanks for commenting, Alex and Graham! I have light quant coursework and was definitely a humanities gal. I had one A in a mechanical engineering course but my other three quant related courses were B-s. I have been planning on doing MBA Math for some additional comfort but don't have a firm timeframe. Activities-wise, the volunteer activities above take up the majority of my time. I have three different roles with my undergrad and co-lead a committee for the local non-profit. I enjoy weightlifting for stress relief and going to musicals for fun. I understand the score is my weak point and am working to get through my essay drafts now to potentially re-take in August to be ready for the R1 deadlines. (1)

alexbr4 Verified User. Likes Earned: 1675 Might also add Kellogg and Ross to your list of targets? (0)

alexbr4 Verified User. Likes Earned: 1675 More details on this candidacy in this episode of Wire Taps: https://www.clearadmit.com/2024/08/mba-wire-taps-373/ (0)