USC Marshall MBA Recommendation Questions

I hold a BCom/LLB(Hons) from the University of Auckland, New Zealand’s top-ranked university, where I double-majored in economics and finance and earned multiple first-in-course awards. My academic journey includes a strong upward GPA trajectory after overcoming a medical challenge early in my studies. I published my honours dissertation in the university’s law review and co-authored a book chapter on corporate responsibility with the Dean of the Business School. I also won a national postgraduate essay prize in law and economics (as an undergraduate), and recently completed a graded 10-week course on business and climate change through Oxford University’s Smith School with top results. I scored 695 on the GMAT Focus Edition.

Professionally, I work as an Associate at L.E.K. Consulting in Australia, where I’ve focused on strategy projects across energy, infrastructure, and climate. I’ve helped lead engagements that include a national emissions reduction plan projected to cut Australia’s emissions by 1%, a state-level plan to cut emissions by 1.5%, and a strategy project delivering $50 million in annual savings. I was selected for a global secondment to L.E.K.’s Sustainability Centre of Excellence as the sole APAC representative, helping shape the firm’s sustainability knowledge and IP. I also led our local community engagement committee where we raised ~$20k for a local charity partner, and held several pro bono projects with them. I’m on track for early promotion, and have received consistently strong reviews for leadership, execution, and initiative.

Outside of work, I’ve maintained a strong focus on impact, education, and communication. At university, I founded a social enterprise that provided free tutoring to more than 200 underserved students and also lead the university's flagship innovation and entreprenuership program which had a six-figure budget and ~40 volunteers. Since then I have created a sustainability and business newsletter aimed at demystifying the climate economy for professionals. I also built a carbon emissions calculator for SMEs, which has been used by over 500 users. Internationally, I was born in the UK, raised in New Zealand, and now live in Australia. I completed an internship in China through New Zealand's Prime Minister’s Scholarship for Asia, and have family ties to Brazil — experiences that have shaped my global perspective and deepened my commitment to climate & business.

Work Experience: Worked 1 year as a process engineer for an Aerospace and Defense company and now work as a radioactive waste management engineer working in nuclear energy with 2.5 years of experience and would have 4.5 years of total work experience by the time I would matriculate.

Goals: Did a few co-ops in water treatment and now work in clean energy and have a passion for environmental solutions. But don't necessarily enjoy technical heavy work and want more towards management side of this. Looking to pivot to strategy consulting, specializing in sustainability.

EC: Community Outreach Executive for Nuclear chapter at my work where I give speeches at elementary schools to promote STEM careers; Communication representative for my Union; some volunteer work with my local food bank and some other small community involvements.

Target: UVA / Duke / Cornell / Yale / Dartmouth
Safety: McCombs / Tepper
Reach: Kelloggs / Booth / Columbia

Does my profile have a shot at this? I have applied to Round 2 for INSEAD but outside of that, will properly apply this fall. Would love any insights/opinions/recommendations!

I am looking to apply to MBA programs with focus on energy and sustainability. I want to stay in the west coast and I am currently based out of here. Please recommend admission consultants too. The biggest caveat: I am unemployed currently (left my job in Dec 2024 to focus on my passions and figure out long term plans) and currently doing part time unpaid work as a VC scout and in a climate startup.

Profile Snapshot

Demographics: US citizen by birth but grew up in India. Indian female, currently based in SF bay area

Academics: Undergrad from top Indian engineering school (Bachelors of Engineering in EEE) (low GPA) - 6.1

Two research papers in undergrad with 40+ citations currently. Low GPA due to death in family and other problems but have strong ECs and papers in undergrad.

GMAT: 730

Work Experience (4+ years, diverse)

1.5 years at strategic analytics consulting & AI research firm in India – front-office, European clients - Medical devices and FMCG (F500). Title was imagineer (role is mix of business, data and engineering)

0.4 years at another analytics consulting firm – data engineer, FMCG client (TC: 120K) in Austin Texas

2.4 years: Series D startup Agentic AI space. Title Sales engineer in SF, California (GTM role working with enterprise Fortune 50 clients). Two unofficial promotions - no title change but got salary increase of 10k each and unofficial lead sales engineer. (TC - 180K plus options)

Currently unemployed. The AI field left me very concerned, rapid job loss and I was part of the problem among other concerns. I left since I wanted to focus and transition to the energy sector. Currently working with a cleanTech venture firm as VC scout and a sustainability startup. No money. Might start looking for jobs soon

ECs:

Founded Non-profit during undergrad. Still running in my undergrad school

Chief Marketing Officer of my undergrad alma mater in the bay area: organize events with 100k plus is revenue. Lead team of 5 and have one VP under me.

Toastmasters: was ex-VP

Passionate about animals and children education. Donate and fund multiple programs in India.

My strongest value system is giving back to my community hence I want to go into energy and sustainability.

Goals

Short-term: Work in energy startups - Go to Market in CleanTech, P&L or Development roles in public utilities, strategy role in an energy firm

Long-term: PE targeting the energy sector or VC in renewables

Dilemma
Will I get any admits? concerned about low GPA and unemployment.

Would love your views on:

Do I have a realistic shot at (M7 / T10)?

Haas is part-time. Rest are FT. Curious as what the best option is for both ROI and long-term value.

-Currently make $200k+ TC.
-BS in STEM (3.20) low rank state school
-MS in Management (3.9+) low rank private school
-Good ECs/Volunteering/Hobbies -- Founded an org that is still ongoing. On the private school's alumni relations board.
-Good story for personal statements and interviews. First-gen everything, low income.

Goals (in order of best to worst case):
1) co-founding a startup and running with it (e.g. vc funding, fellowships, etc.)
2) Chief of Staff at a start up --> Head of Dept or C-level
3) Back into another LDP in the area of interest