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MBA Applywire

18
June 14, 2025 9:09pm ET
Applying: Columbia, Cornell / Johnson, Dartmouth / Tuck, Emory / Goizueta, Georgetown / McDonough, Georgia Tech / Scheller, Michigan / Ross, Minnesota / Carlson, Northwestern / Kellogg, Notre Dame / Mendoza, NYU Stern, U. Chicago Booth, U. Washington / Foster, UNC Kenan-Flagler, UT Austin / McCombs, UVA / Darden, Washington U. / Olin, Yale SOM
Intake Year: 2026
Pre-MBA Career: Strategy Analyst
Post-MBA Target Industry: Consulting, Technology
GPA: 3.5
Years of Work Experience: 2
Notes:

I’m planning to apply for MBA programs in the U.S. for Fall 2026, and I’d really appreciate your thoughts on my profile, program fit, and any chances for scholarships.

Highlevel Profile :

Education: B.S. in Mathematics with a concentration in Data Science. Graduated: Spring 23 with GPA: 3.5 (from a Private Christian university in Tulsa)

Research: Participated in two data science research groups during junior and senior years. One project was published on the Human Kinetics Journals site in December 2022.

Nationality: International student from Japan

Work Experience: Currently working as a Strategic Analyst at a lead gen marketplace startup (featured on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies), based in Tulsa, OK. I work extensively with SQL, Excel, Tableau, and occasionally do projects/work (data science) in Python and own data-driven strategies for a revenue-generating business category, translating insights into operational improvements and stakeholder decisions. Will have 3 years of full-time experience by Fall 2026.

GMAT/GRE: Just started studying a month ago. Aiming for a GMAT ~700. Haven’t taken the test yet.

Why MBA ?

Originally started thinking about grad school as a backup plan after not getting selected for H-1B. I may have another chance next year, but as I reflect more, I see this as a great opportunity to pivot more into a strategy or product-related role, expand my network, and strengthen my leadership skills.

Would love your thoughts on chances, scholarship possibilities, and any other program recommendations I should consider. Thank you!

7
June 14, 2025 7:27am ET
Applying: Dartmouth / Tuck, Harvard Business School, MIT Sloan, Northwestern / Kellogg, U. Chicago Booth, UPenn / Wharton, UVA / Darden
Intake Year: 2026
Pre-MBA Career: Pharma Consulting
Post-MBA Target Industry: Pharmaceutical, Other Companies: Amgen , Astra Zeneca , Johnson & Johnson , Merck , Novartis , Pfizer , Roche
GRE: 326
GPA: 3.58
Years of Work Experience: 5
Post MBA Location: Northeast US
Notes:

Curious about a) my candidacy for target schools, and b) if I should consider taking the GRE once more or if it's better to focus now on essays / applications

Currently in life science/pharma consulting and interested in staying in healthcare post-MBA, but working AT a life science company in a commercial role (rather than consulting), ideally in biotech at some point. Target school list focuses on programs with relatively high healthcare placement/reputation (not considering Duke due to geography, although I know they have a great healthcare program). Hoping to land in the Northeast

GRE: 326 (V164, Q162)

Undergrad @ Top 5 Public University (per US News rankings)
Major: Biology and Spanish
GPA: 3.58 (slightly lower than averages at target schools, but with STEM undergrad major)
Extracurriculars/Awards (high-level): President of academic organization, new student orientation leader, Girl Scout troop leader (volunteer), grant-funded genetic research, merit scholarship (small $amt but given to 1 student/year)

Work Experience: 5 years (FTE)
Current Role (1yr): Engagement Manager @ boutique life science consulting firm
Prior Full-Time Roles (4yrs): Consultant (2yrs) & Analyst (2yrs) @ same boutique life science consulting firm
Prior Part-Time Roles (during undergrad): Product Management & Marketing intern at life science products company; undergraduate genetic research

Current Extracurriculars
Girl Scout troop leader
Board Member of local chapter of global organization supporting women in healthcare careers
Youth running coach
Captain, co-ed volleyball and flag football team

Demographics
Female, 26 years old

10
June 10, 2025 6:46pm ET
Applying: Columbia, Dartmouth / Tuck, Duke / Fuqua, Harvard Business School, Michigan / Ross, MIT Sloan, Northwestern / Kellogg, NYU Stern, Stanford GSB, U. Chicago Booth
Intake Year: 2026
Pre-MBA Career: Engineer
Post-MBA Target Industry: Consulting Companies: AT Kearney , Bain , Booz Allen Hamilton , BCG
GRE: 337
GPA: 2.96
Years of Work Experience: 8
Location: Canada
Post MBA Location: USA or Canada
Notes:

Hi all, I’m hoping to get some feedback on my chances at M7 and Top 15 MBA programs. I come from a pretty nontraditional background and would appreciate any advice.

Background:
Male, Canadian citizen, first-generation immigrant (moved from South Asia at a young age)

First in my family to attend college

Engineering undergrad from a Canadian university (not target but solid reputation)

Certificates: Professional Engineer (PE), PMP, Scrum Master, and Certified Energy Manager

Work Experience:

8+ years of experience in municipal government (City level) in progressive engineering roles

Lead teams of engineers and unionized staff; act as liaison between public agencies and private companies

Currently a Senior Engineer leading multimillion infrastructure and sustainability projects (EV-readiness, clean energy deployment, etc.)

Personally selected by leadership to develop and lead a Diversity & Inclusion strategy for operational departments—raised engagement from 2% to 20% through targeted outreach

Extracurriculars:
Mentor junior engineers through Canada’s professional engineering association (help with licensing, goal-setting)

Lead a small team that funds and delivers infrastructure projects (wells, homes, schools) in underserved villages abroad—inspired by family roots and personal stories

Stats:
GRE: 337 (Q168, V169)
GPA: 2.9 overall ( Last 2 years/upper division: 3.5)
Age: 33

Goals:
Short term: Transition into MBB or top-tier strategy consulting

Long term: Focus on sustainable infrastructure investing or advisory—especially in equitable, climate-resilient urban development

Appreciate any honest feedback—especially around GPA and age concerns, how to frame my story, and school fit. I know I come from a nontraditional background (public sector + engineering), but I’m hoping to bring a unique perspective. Thanks in advance.

6
June 9, 2025 2:35pm ET
Applying: Duke / Fuqua, Michigan / Ross, MIT Sloan, NYU Stern, U. Chicago Booth, Yale SOM
Intake Year: 2026
Pre-MBA Career: Data and Analytics Consulting
Post-MBA Target Industry: Technology, Undecided Companies: Apple , Hewlett Packard , Lenova , LinkedIn , Microsoft , Other
GRE: 327
GPA: 3.8
Years of Work Experience: 4.5
Location: South
Post MBA Location: South
Notes:

Demographics: 26F, Asian American, LGBT

Undergrad: BS Info Systems & Stats minor from Top 5 public undergrad program

Work Experience: Pretty standard data and analytics consulting experience. One promotion. Engagements have spanned the entirety of data and analytics spectrum from master data management implementation to data visualization and descriptive analytics to machine learning. Leadership experience includes leading two workstreams and overseeing team of offshore resources on a long term engagement, technical project manager for data integration project with 30+ internal and external resources for another engagement.

Extracurriculars:

Undergrad
-Senior photojournalist for 3 years for largest news publication in the county
-Pro Bono digital transformation consulting services during for a state congressional caucus and a small business with $1M+ revenue

Post undergrad
-Team Lead for 4 years for local LGBT nonprofit. Essentially oversee planning for one of the largest Pride events in the South (200k+ visitors). Serve as main POC for 200+ vendors and lead a team of 6 people. Inaugural recipient of "Volunteer of the Year" award

Why MBA & Why Now: Want to pivot to a leadership role where I'm owning something & providing strategic direction instead of simply in an advisory role. After 4 years I've built up my skillsets in analytics and cross functional communication and am ready to use what I've learned to drive longer term value. I want to transition away from consulting and broaden my network.

Post-MBA Goals: Tech PM, PMM

MBA Livewire

June 14, 2025 11:26pm ET
Accepted to NYU Stern
Round: Round 4
Received via portal on June 12, 2025
Standardized Test: GMAT
GPA: 3.3
GMAT: 725
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Target Career: Other
Application Location: United States, Los Angeles
June 14, 2025 8:21am ET
Accepted from Waitlist to UVA / Darden
Round: Round 3
Received via phone on May 29, 2025
Standardized Test: GRE
GPA: 3.1
GRE: 321
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Target Career: Consulting
Application Location: West Coast
Note:

This was a very straightforward process for me and the school really just wanted to understand why I was applying in round three (I have a fellowship that UVA is in that has a final deadline of round two, so they knew I had applied to other schools earlier). It really felt like the school only waitlist you if they want to convert you, but they were incredibly generous with scholarship $$$

June 13, 2025 6:40pm ET
Accepted to UCLA Anderson
Round: Round 3
Received via phone June 13, 2025
Standardized Test: Granted Waiver
GPA: 3.37
Application Location: Los Angeles, CA
June 13, 2025 2:19pm ET
Applied to Other
Round: Round 1
Received via email
Standardized Test: Granted Waiver
GPA: 3.80
Program Type: One Year Program
Target Career: General Management
Application Location: USA
June 13, 2025 1:59pm ET
Accepted to NYU Stern
Round: Round 4
Received via email June 13, 2025
Standardized Test: Executive Assessment (EA)
EA: 161
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Target Career: Consulting
Application Location: United States, New York

MBA DecisionWire

UVA
June 14, 2025 5:27am ET
Enrolled: UVA / Darden
Admitted: Michigan / Ross $
$100,000
,
UCLA Anderson , USC / Marshall $
$60,000
,
UVA / Darden $
$169,000
Applied: Berkeley / Haas, Dartmouth / Tuck, Duke / Fuqua, Michigan / Ross, Northwestern / Kellogg, UCLA Anderson, USC / Marshall, UVA / Darden
Entering Year: 2025
Post MBA Career: Consulting Companies: AT Kearney, Bain, BCG, McKinsey
GRE: 321
GPA: 3.1
Location: San Francisco
Notes:

Applied to programs that would allow me to return out west, UVA really impressed me by showing up multiple times to San Francisco. Applied to 5/8 schools in r2, interviewed at 3, admit only at Marshall & WL at Fuqua. Retooled my strategy for r3 and went 3/3 including a full ride — glad I abandoned a nonviable strategies.

Yal
June 10, 2025 11:39am ET
Enrolled: Yale SOM
Admitted: U. Chicago Booth $
$50000
,
Dartmouth / Tuck $
$60000
,
Yale SOM $
$60000
Applied: Dartmouth / Tuck, Yale SOM, UPenn / Wharton, MIT Sloan, Columbia, U. Chicago Booth
Entering Year: 2025
Post MBA Career: Pharmaceutical Companies: Astra Zeneca, Johnson & Johnson, Novartis, Pfizer
GRE: 340
GPA: 3.5
CMU
June 9, 2025 11:05am ET
Enrolled: Carnegie Mellon / Tepper
Admitted: Carnegie Mellon / Tepper $
$100000
,
NYU Stern , UT Austin / McCombs $
$30000
Applied: Carnegie Mellon / Tepper, NYU Stern, UT Austin / McCombs
Entering Year: 2025
Post MBA Career: Technology, Venture Capital, Entrepreneurship
GMAT: 720
GPA: 3.44
Location: New York City
Notes:

Like that Tepper seems more focused on tech and entrepreneurship than Stern (more consulting and finance focus), and slightly more than McCombs. Tepper also gave me much more in scholarships than the other programs. Chatted with several students and faculty to come to this decision. #1 advice is a clear set of goals during/post MBA and why X school

Mic
June 8, 2025 5:10pm ET
Enrolled: Michigan / Ross
Admitted: Michigan / Ross $
$80000
Applied: Duke / Fuqua, Harvard Business School, Michigan / Ross, Northwestern / Kellogg, NYU Stern, UPenn / Wharton, Columbia
Entering Year: 2025
Post MBA Career: Technology, Venture Capital, Entrepreneurship Companies: Apple, Hewlett Packard, Microsoft, Andressen Horowitz, Draper Fisher, NEA, Sequoia Capital
GMAT: 695
GPA: 2.91
Location: New York City

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