Duke / Fuqua - 10-11-2020 | Clear Admit ApplyWire

October 10, 2020 9:45pm ET

Applying: Duke / Fuqua, ESADE, IESE, U. Washington / Foster, UNC Kenan-Flagler, Vanderbilt / Owen

Intake Year: 2021

Pre-MBA Career: Corporate Recruiter at Wayfair

Post-MBA Target Industry: Technology, Consumer Goods, Family Business Companies: Amazon , Apple , Facebook , Google , LinkedIn , Microsoft , Coca Cola , Nike , PepsiCo , Proctor & Gamble

GRE: 317

GPA: 2.9

Years of Work Experience: 4

Location: Utah

Post MBA Location: Very flexible

Notes:

Hey Clear Admit! I just finished my first GRE and am looking for some insight around a realistic range of schools to apply to.
Short term career goals: Marketing manager or product manager in consumer goods or tech.
Long term career goal: Take over family business, an international training company.
Education: Studied hotel management in Hawaii. President of largest school club, very involved in school community. Low GPA due to working 30 hours a week for family business.
Work history: Hired by Marriott Hotels out of university, received 2 promotions, now working as a recruiter for Wayfair.
Volunteer experience: 25 months in Australia, serving the Aboriginal, Polynesian, and refugee communities with my church in 3 different states. Managed a team of 150 service volunteers for the last 9 months.
I currently mentor a group of 12-18 year old boys in my community 2 times a week here in Utah, coach their basketball teams.
I've listened to every episode of Wire Taps and would love to be featured! The mediocre stats community needs representation. Haha. Graham and Alex are the best podcasters on the internet!

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Show Comments (5) Last: October 20, 2020

alexbr4 Verified User. Likes Earned: 1577 Do you have any geographic preference, post MBA? As you know, your numbers are going to make things challenging. Have you taken any additional coursework? The context for the low GPA will help, but it will still be challenging. Was there any upward trend? Have you considered retaking the GRE? Work experience and ECs are likely going to be good. (1)

stocktontomalone Likes Earned: 57 Hi Alex, thanks for getting back to me! Geographic preference is wide, I would say southeast, northeast, west coast, as well as the western half of Europe would all be in play. I am scheduled to take the GRE two more times in the next 6 weeks. Will not have time for additional coursework. If I get rejected in this round, I plan on taking MBA math or HBX to strengthen candidacy for next season. There was no upward trend for GPA, but I have a professor who is willing to write letter of recommendation, explain that I was an engaged student in class and very effective in leadership, if that would be helpful. With some of the deficiencies in my profile, do I need to lower my sights to schools in the 25-40 range? I’m also wondering how Americans with mediocre numbers tend to fare when applying to European business schools? (1)

anon22776 Likes Earned: 155 To be honest, your academic profile is not as strong but I think your spread of schools are good. I pray you get a better GRE score. If that isn't the case you can still try for some Top 25 if you want. If you want a safer school target, look at Minnesota, Penn state etc. If you are like me who always shoots no matter what, think about adding Tepper, Emory, Ross and even Anderson as a serious reach. Best of luck (2)

alexbr4 Verified User. Likes Earned: 1577 Improving the GRE will help. Enrolling in MBA Math / HBX will help too, I’d get enrolled now, even if you can’t complete ahead of Round 2, it shows your willingness to prepare, self awareness etc. I would focus your recommendations on your professional career. (1)

alexbr4 Verified User. Likes Earned: 1577 More details on this candidacy in this episode of Wire Taps: https://www.clearadmit.com/2020/10/episode-126-wire-taps/ (0)