Odds at Top Choice

[rlebanks]

I am getting started with the process very late and only have time to apply to a few schools. I'm curious whether you think given my stats I have a reasonable shot at getting into one of these schools? or, should I really consider subbing one out for a safety:

MIT, Berkeley, Harvard, Stanford

Background:
-Top-5 Ivy League School
-Summa Cum Laude, 3.7 GPA w. steep upward trend
-Top 5 Strategy Consulting Firm
-GMAT not taken yet, aiming to clear a 700
-LGBT leadership

Some weaknesses:
-white male
-few extracurriculars outside of work due to limited time
-little time to demonstrate interest in schools, no school visits
-had a family issue (my aunt was in a paralyzing accident) that had me out of college for a semester while i helped care after her; so I took an extra semester to graduate and had a 4 month gap between graduating and starting work (as a side question--how should i deal with this gap in the app? will a quick 2-sentence note suffice or is this something i need to write a supplemental letter about?)

[mili]

Hello,

Your academic and professional dimensions will be strong - the weakness as you mentioned is really around extracurricular and community. LGBT leadership is great, but depends on the extent of it (was it only in college and the workplace?). The real question at the end of the day is how will you stand out from other white male consultants?

I don't think the semester off is going to be an issue. I would explain the semester off in an optional statement. As for the employment gap, most applications will ask you to explain a gap in employment of 6 mos. or longer (I think - you'll have to double check), so I would judge based on that. If the explanation is required for a 4 month gap, then explain it in that space. If it's only required for a 6 month gap, then I would skip it. Make sense?

Finally, I would suggest that you sub (at least) one of the schools for something safer. You have a shot at those programs, but they are far from sure bets as I don't see the differentiator/standout quality in your profile. And, even if you had that differentiator, I'd suggest adding a safety anyway - this school list is a very risky one for anyone!

Hope that helps,
Mili

Mili Mittal
Senior Consultant
http://www.mbamission.com

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[rlebanks]

Thanks. What are some schools that you would consider safer bets given my profile?

Also, I've heard Haas 3rd round (out of their 4 rounds) is just as tough as Harvard etc. Is that true?

[mili]

For what it's worth, I am a Haas alum who got in R3 (I didn't apply to HBS, so I don't have the comparison data point!). I do know it's a little tougher, since Berkeley has such a small class size, but a lot of people do apply and get in R3. I'd say go for it and see what happens!

Good luck,
Mili

Mili Mittal
Senior Consultant
http://www.mbamission.com

Read the mbaMission Insider's Guides (16 individual school titles)

Download mbaMission’s Free Personal Statement Guide

Visit the mbaMission Blog

Follow mbaMission on Twitter

[rlebanks]

Thanks!

I am a Haas legacy (my aunt went to Haas) so hopefully that helps me by 1%!