Duke / Fuqua - 04-18-2021 | Clear Admit ApplyWire

April 18, 2021 10:51am ET

Applying: Duke / Fuqua, UNC Kenan-Flagler

Intake Year: 2022

Pre-MBA Career: Army Officer

Post-MBA Target Industry: Consulting, Entrepreneurship Companies: Bain , BCG , Deloitte , Ernst & Young , McKinsey , PWC

GRE: 314

GPA: 2.7

Years of Work Experience: 6

Location: North Carolina

Post MBA Location: North Carolina

Notes:

I am currently serving as a human resources officer in the US Army stationed in North Carolina. I will be transitioning to civilian life in 2022 and see it as a perfect opportunity to pursue a MBA. I understand that the "red flag" in my profile is my GPA (2.7), but I hope that the completion of the MBA Math course and my successful military career can counteract its impact. I currently live outside of Raleigh, NC and plan to stay in Raleigh after completion of my MBA. In that vein, I plan to apply to the three major institutions in the area Duke, UNC, and NC State. I plan to apply in the early decision round to Duke and round 1 for UNC and NC State. I also plan to retake the GRE and believe that I can raise my score by several points.

I would greatly appreciate any feedback that will strengthen my prolife and boost my chances of getting accepted.

PS: Graham and Alex I love the podcast, it makes my Monday commute enjoyable (which is saying a lot). If you are ever looking for call-in guests to share their perspective on the MBA application process, let me know.

Like (1)

Show Comments (6) Last: April 27, 2021

alexbr4 Verified User. Likes Earned: 1576 Thanks for your kind words on the podcast, and your service. Generally, programs like military candidates. Reach out to the veterans’ clubs of programs you’re applying. As you recognize, your academic profile is going to be your challenge. Completing MBA Math is great. Getting your GRE up to the 320s would also be a strong move, if you can do that. Any context around your GPA? What are yiu4 post MBA goals? (0)

anon2800 Likes Earned: 2 OP here. Context on my GPA: Early on in my undergrad I was immature and wasn’t focus on my studies. I recognized the problem and joined the national guard during my sophomore summer. After completing basic training I returned to school and was on the Dean’s and President’s list for multiple semesters, but the damage was already done to my GPA. As far as post MBA goals, I plan to pursue a consulting role for 1-2 years to gain experience and then transfer to a more entrepreneurial role, possibly through a search fund. (1)

alexbr4 Verified User. Likes Earned: 1576 I would add that explanation to your optional essay, re your GPA, then the refocus after joining the national guard. Post MBA, consulting makes sense. Make sure your longer term goal resonates well with prior experiences, etc. (0)

grichmond Verified User. Likes Earned: 1149 Thanks for your post, and your service! It's great to hear that we help make your morning commute a little more tolerable too! As to your profile, Alex's advice is excellent. I feel like if you can complete your MBA Math course and boost your GMAT up to that 320 mark, that the GPA issue will go away. The reason I feel this way is because it would set up up for a perfect "that was then, this is now" type of argument, where you can literally point to the Dean's List in your final two years, the MBA Math course, and GRE score as evidence of how you have changed and are ready for the academic challenge of a top b-school. Your goals make sense, however, it might be interesting to weave in your HR background in some way. For instance, perhaps you look at consulting roles with firms that have a strong People Analytics focus, and perhaps your long-term goals relate to something entrepreneurial in that domain? One final thought: there is a pretty big difference in caliber when you move from Fuqua or Kenan-Flagler to NC State. I know you are hoping to stay in the Triangle long-term, but I can't help but wonder if you might want to look at the likes of Emory, Georgia Tech, and Darden too, so as to spread your odds of landing at the kind of top-25 option your profile deserves. Best of luck, and we may take you up on that offer to jump on the podcast!
(1)

anon2800 Likes Earned: 2 Gents, I appreciate all the great feedback. I will continue working on the parts of my application that I can control (GRE, MBA Math, and essays) and will be sure to update my profile and entry as I move forward in the application process. Thanks for all that you do! (1)

alexbr4 Verified User. Likes Earned: 1576 More details on this candidacy in this episode of Wire Taps: https://www.clearadmit.com/2021/04/episode-159-wire-taps/ (0)