Cambridge / Judge - 05-21-2018 | Clear Admit ApplyWire

May 21, 2018 10:26am ET

Applying: Cambridge / Judge, Columbia, Cornell / Johnson, Dartmouth / Tuck, ESADE, HEC Paris, IE Business School, NYU Stern, Oxford / Saïd

Intake Year: 2019

Pre-MBA Career: HR/Program Coordination

Post-MBA Target Industry: Other

GPA: 3.3

Years of Work Experience: 6

Location: D.C.

Post MBA Location: EU

Notes:

Foreign born dual US citizen, social science background with a NYU, MA (focus on applied research and program evaluation/data analytics), and lots of volunteer/social justice experience (past and present). International experience via research collaboration with international schools, UN intern and individual travel to 40+ countries. Current fed experience in program management/data analytics in Human Capital. Not sure which schools are realistic choices for me and what GMAT score range I would need to be competitive. Taking a course and have decided I will take the exam 2 times this summer before round 1. Any advice on a healthy score range and which schools are realistic vs. reaches. And how to highlight my diversity to read as a good candidate rather than a wild card.

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Show Comments (2) Last: May 22, 2018

alexbr4 Verified User. Likes Earned: 1577 What are your career goals, and how does the MBA fit in? It's going to be important that you have a cogent story, especially as your experience might be less traditional. I'd be interested in how you've selected these programs? For your GMAT, gaining a score of 700+ should be decent to help your candidacy with these schools. It's obviously only one data point in a holistic review, but all data points are important. Re the diversity issue, again, it's down to the career plan story. Make good sense as to how the mba fits the bigger picture for you. Show that you will thrive in the MBA program, and that you understand "fit", that you'll engage well during the tenure of the program. (0)

grichmond Verified User. Likes Earned: 1151 I agree with Alex - you will need to make a solid case for the MBA, in light of your background with NGOs, government, etc. If you are able to get north of 700 on the exam, most of the schools on your list will be in range. If you can move even higher (say 730+) you might even consider some additional 'M7' schools. Also, have you given any thought to some of the dual degree options out there in your domain (Wharton/Lauder, Wharton/SAIS, CBS/SEPA, HBS/JFK, etc.)? And finally, if you want to stay in Europe long-term, is there a reason you have neither LBS nor INSEAD on your list? It would seem that you could be quite competitive at either program as long as your GMAT is solid. Best of luck! (0)