U. Chicago Booth - 08-09-2017 | Clear Admit ApplyWire

August 9, 2017 4:54pm ET

Applying: U. Chicago Booth, Duke / Fuqua, Harvard Business School, Northwestern / Kellogg, Stanford GSB, UPenn / Wharton

Intake Year: 2019

Pre-MBA Career: Big Pharma (F150)

Post-MBA Target Industry: Other

GMAT: 710

GPA: 3.8

Years of Work Experience: 4

Location: USA

Post MBA Location: Pharma/Healthcare

Notes:

White male. Undergrad at a smaller private school (think Davidson). Played and was the Captain (D1) of college sport in a Power 5 Conference. Interned and started with firm after UG; will have worked there for 4-5 years when starting b-school. First analyst to leave Corporate and take on a bigger role at an Affiliate with a smaller team. Company has a full-sponsorship program for select few financial analysts. Current extracurriculars involve creating an Early Career Professionals Group at the Affilate I am at, which is changing affiliate's culture and adding value in local community. I'm also a D1 Assistant Coach at a reputable university. Company is a feeder firm to my target schools. Strong recommendations. Hoping to apply R1 to 4-5 schools as I have time to plan ahead of time. Also, hoping I have factors that offset my low GMAT; I scored 680 the first time and bumped it up to 710.

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Show Comments (5) Last: August 11, 2017

Anon Likes Earned: 0 Lots to like in your profile. Nice ECs, and it appears you have done well at work. That you can show real impact will be great. Very good gpa, GMAT may be below average, but is decent nevertheless. Good execution of apps should place you well. (0)

DorisMBA Likes Earned: 0 Most apps I've seen include a career goals essay, so I'm curious how those will flesh out. Looks like you have plenty of leadership and quant experience to draw on, but vision is also a part of the leadership b-schools look for. Once you map out your goals, it looks like you'll have strong apps! Good luck! (0)

@Stan Likes Earned: 0 Good advice in the other comments posted here. One additional thought: keep in mind that work-related ECs aren't quite as valuable as non-work ECs - or rather, they often get lumped in as being more part of your work exp. since there is a presumed benefit to you at work for taking part. In short, be careful not to come across as being a bit of a one trick pony (all things tied to your job) and to showcase your other facets. GMAT is a stretch for H/S/W, but with a healthcare angle and a great set of differentiated goals, it might be enough to be competitive at Wharton. (0)

Anonymous Likes Earned: 0 @Anon @DorisMBA @Stan: Thank you all very much for the feedback, this is the original poster here. As far as my career goals go, I am very passionate about staying in the healthcare industry. I have spent time on the commercial side of finance, and am currently in manufacturing finance. My goal would be to take a next role in development finance to give me the full picture from a finance/business perspective in healthcare/pharma (development --> manufacturing --> commercial). Ultimately, I want to be in management/strategy at a big pharma company or even a smaller bio-tech that is on the rise. What are your thoughts on these career goals of mine? As far as my work-related EC, does it help that a big mission of the group I founded is to be involved in the community? We have really tried to be involved at big community events and non-profits. I am bummed that my 710 is considered such a major ding to my profile. I am considering trying to start back up with my studies and see if I can get a 10-30 point gain if I am lucky. It frustrates me knowing that 10-30 points could make or break my profile; that's not a very holistic view in my opinion. It is what it is! I also am considering working with an admissions consultant for my apps; what are your thoughts on that and my chances if I were to keep the 710 GMAT and run with it? Again, thank you for your time!! (0)

Anon Likes Earned: 0 As I said, your GMAT is decent. The reason it's a potential problem is simple, the rest of your application is potentially very strong, so on a relative scale, it's on the weaker side. Add 20 points and that's no longer the case. Nice that your work ECs push to philanthropy. Your goals sound well thought through. (0)