marla 07-22-2004, 06:26 PM I wrote on bweek.com, but i think it's an old thread.
I want to apply to b school for 2005 and really, really want to go to stanford...
Here are my stats. Please tell me what you think and any advice would be GREATLY appreciated.
I was the Director of Public Relations at very small (6 or 7 people) internet company right after graduation. Then there was really no where to go (after a raise) b/c it was so small, so I became an associate account executive (then promotion/raise) at a small (only about 10 people) pr firm for a little over a year. then i decided i didn't really like pr and now i'm the operations manager at a very small (only about 5 people) online marketing company.
The problem I see is that I don't have any big biz experience (although i interned once at citibank, where i have a boss who i've kept in touch with and become very close with ---she's a mentor and one of my recommenders..is that ok?)
Now, I want to go to b school and concentrate in information systems and entrepreneurship. Then work as a technology consultant at a large consulting firm or project manager at a large software company. After getting this experience, I would like to then start my own software/consulting company.
i have a 3.3 from university of penn (graduated 2001), 640 on gmat (but i'm taking it for the 3rd time at the end of september--is that too late or too many times??)
extracurricluars..i have a few solid ones from college, i volunteer and lead workshops regulary for the girl scouts (since 02) and play squash (thinking i should start intermural games soon)
i am currently in a pre-mba program at fordham (taking math methods and stat; econ in the fall). These are real mba classes that they allow you to take without matriculating and i am getting about 100% on every test so far.
I don't have any honors or awards or special "wows" so i'm not sure how to address that.
Any advice would be wonderful.
Thank you so much!!!
Marla
Clear Admit 07-23-2004, 10:55 AM Hi Marla,
I posted a response to your profile in the BW Forum, but I have pasted it in below for your reference.
Feel free to email us directly to set up a free phone session and discuss your case in greater detail.
Regards,
Graham
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Dear marls21,
Thank you for reading the Clear Admit thread. I have responded to your profile below:
>>if you could give me any advice on my stats below, that would be great!!! thank you so much....
>>i worked in pr ( in house )at a small internet company for a year, then at a small pr firm a year, and now i'm the operations manager at a small online marketing company. Now, I want to go to b school and concentrate in information systems and entrepreneurship. Then perhaps work as a technology consultant at a large consulting firm or project manager at a large software company. After getting this experience, I would like to then start my own software/consulting company.
It sounds like you have moved around quite a bit (3 jobs in 3 years). It will be important for you to find a common theme to weave through your experiences, while making each move sound as logical as possible in the pursuit of your goals. You obviously have the themes of technology, operations and perhaps marketing. Your goals are off to a good start, although they need to be refined somewhat. Is there a particular area of technology that interests you? Software? If so, is there a specific industry in which you have gained software experience? Keep in mind that you should ideally link your goals to your past experiences...
>>i have a 3.3 from an ivy league under grad
This should be fine, of course a 3.3 at Yale may not be viewed in the same light as a 3.3 from Brown. What did you study? Did you perform well in courses like calculus, statistics and economics?
>>640 on gmat (but i'm taking it for the 3rd time at the end of september--is that too late??)
As you probably know, a 640 is well below the average GMAT score at the top programs (710+). As such, retaking the exam is a good idea. September is not too late. In most cases, you can take the exam right up until the school's admissions deadline (since the scores are delivered upon completion of the test). Your main concern should be the score itself. What sort of breakdown have you had on the test between the two sections? How are you going about preparing for your third sitting? Are you working with a tutor? Keep in mind that you do not want to have to take the exam a fourth time.
>>extracurricluars..i volunteer and lead workshops regulary for the girl scouts (since 02)
This is a nice start. Were you active in college? Do you have any other outside interests? How will you 'translate' these interests to involvement on the MBA campus?
>>i am currently in a pre-mba program at fordham (taking math methods and stat; econ in the fall) these are real mba classes that they allow you to take without matriculating....(about 99% avg. in both classes so far--plan on all As)
Given your GMAT score, these courses are a good idea - particularly if your weakness on the exam has largely been on the quant. section. Keep up the good work and make sure that you get As in the classes.
>>and other extras from college, although not many
I would need to now more about this.
>>and what do i do about honors they ask for...i don't have any!!!
Most schools ask for honors and awards. Not every applicant has them, but many applicants tend to overlook accolades they've received. Were you ever on the Dean's list? Were you ever elected to a post in college? How did you spend your summers?
>>i'm 24..(will be 25 when i apply) and graduated college in 01. ..
You are certainly at the younger end of the spectrum, but this is not nececssarily a bad thing in the current admissions environment. I am a bit concerned about your track record of moving jobs (since the schools often like to see steady progression, promotions, etc.).
>>my dream is to go to stanford
At this point, your academics are falling a bit short for Stanford, but we'll have to see how the outside coursework turns out, along with your GMAT performance. Keep in mind that Stanford places a fair amount of emphasis on their first essay, so it will be critical for you to come up with a solid idea. It may make sense for you to set up a free phone session with us to talk about your plans. Feel free to email us if you are interested.
Best of luck,
Graham Richmond
Clear Admit
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