usluge 07-30-2003, 09:38 PM Dear Clear Admit,
I am evaluating my options for B-school, and will likely work with someone or a firm to assist me. Can you please evaluate my CV and let me know how I might compare to the applicant pool in the top schools.
Goals: High level management at an airline with MBA specifically from
Stanford, Harvard or Wharton (heavy preference on Stanford).
Current Career: 13 years as a major airline pilot. Currently a captain.
Past Career and side jobs: TV reporter for major market, world ranked athlete, publishing company start-up
Undergraduate: Stanford GPA 3.24, Communications. Fairly low tech grades
(3.0), Graduated in 1987.
Graduate: Currently getting Masters in Non-Profit Management at Regis, 4.0 average after 2 classes (degree completetion Sept 2004).
Extracurricular: 20 years of volunteer work in sports administration up to and including Board of Director level of 100mil/yr non-profit.
Age: 41
Haven't taken GMAT yet.
Looking to enter Stanford's fall class 2004 or 2005.
Questions:
Low tech grades a problem?
I will endeavor to score 700+ on GMAT. Any suggestions?
Does Stanford favor or discriminate against its own undergrads?
Does my "advanced age" help or hurt, given my goals and career?
Does my strong labor history help or hurt given a goal for management education?
Does the current classes and degree choice at Regis help, or is it a waste of time? I am taking the courses because I do so much non-profit volunteer work, but it is not to advance my professional career.
How would you work with me if I chose your firm to assist me?
Thanks
Clear Admit 08-21-2003, 11:08 PM Dear USLUGE,
Thanks for your posting. You certainly have a unique background that will make you stand out in the applicant pool. I am concerned about your age - particularly for Stanford and Harvard's programs (assuming you are considering the regular full-time programs). I am also concerned about the fact that you are earning a degree in non-profit management and applying for an MBA. I have responded to your questions below:
>>Low tech grades a problem?
No. You attended a strong ugrad program. Quitte frankly, your ugrad grades will be of limited importance, given that they from 1987. The GMAT will be used to measure your academic ability.
>>I will endeavor to score 700+ on GMAT. Any suggestions?
As an older candidate with so-so ugrad performance, the GMAT will be VERY important. I would advise that you pursue a prep course or work with a 1-on-1 tutor to ensure a high score. You will need a strong score to be competitive.
>>Does Stanford favor or discriminate against its own undergrads?
No. If anything, this will be a slight advantage.
>>Does my "advanced age" help or hurt, given my goals and career?
Your age hurts, simply because Stanford and HBS (and to a lesser extent Wharton) tend to look for students with 3-5 years of experience who have long careers ahead of them. I do see how your story could be of interest, however. given that your goals are perfectly in tune with your 13-year career as a pilot.
>>Does my strong labor history help or hurt given a goal for management education?
This will not be a factor.
>>Does the current classes and degree choice at Regis help, or is it a waste of time? I am taking the courses because I do so much non-profit volunteer work, but it is not to advance my professional career.
It may cloud the picture a bit (send mixed signals to the committee about your interests). You will need to make it clear that your sole reason for doing the degree relates to your desire to contribute more to your non-profit volunteer work.
>>How would you work with me if I chose your firm to assist me?
We help clients through the entire MBA admissions process. We refine positioning strategies, determine appropriate subjects for essays, edit essays, prepare for interviews, etc. Please feel free to contact us via phone if you would like to learn more.
Best of luck,
Graham Richmond
usluge 08-22-2003, 02:53 AM Graham,
Thanks for taking the time to respond. I am now looking at some of the EMBA programs (Hass-Columbia, Wharton) and others. They might fit my needs better in terms of peer group.
I will mull this over.
Thanks so much
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