Profile Evaluation : Female/Indonesian/GMAT700/24yo

[tobipat0]

Hi!

I seek your wise advice on my chance of getting in to a top MBA program in the states.

Quick Bio:

1) Female
2) Indonesian
3) 24 upon matriculation (Fall 2013)
4) Graduated university when i was 20 years old, enrolled in expedited program in high school.
5) Graduated from University of Washington, Accounting and Finance BA. (Overall GPA 3.56/4.00, major GPA 3.34/4.00) never really like accounting.
6) GMAT: 1st try 680 (47Q/36V), 2nd try 700 (49Q/36V)
7) Passed CFA lvl 1 in Dec 2010, thinking to continue next June for Lvl 2

Working Experience:

1) 4 solid years upon matriculation
2) Current role: investor relation manager at a mini multinational manufacturing company (1000+ employees, site in Indo & China) leading a team of 5 people.
3) Previously held position: Assistant to Finance & Accounting GM, Financial Analyst
4) International work experience: not much, part time in the states doing accounting work, worked for student news paper as sales executive. But i travel a lot for business ideas and opportunities
5) Start up experience: working with a partner to create an online platform for affordable shopping for young professionals (mainly clothing items from local designers)
6) Side hobby: brand adviser, project by project basis

Extracurricular:

--> While i was in college :
1) Beta Alpha Psi VP of professional Activities, in charge of weekly meeting, BAP career fair,
2) VITA volunteer, help people do their income tax,
3) I volunteered weekly at a food bank near where i live

--> After college :
1) taught english at an orphanage for a month three times a week,
2) financed a child for her high school tuition,
3) initiated a mentor-ship program for poor children who aspired to go to college trough an organization called "sahabat anak"
4) sporadically organized an outing event with the same organization to motivate kids to stay out of the street and do good in school (I am pretty passionate about education for poor kids because my parents were once in their situation, nearly homeless)

Purpose for MBA: Career change to consulting and in the long run to start my own manufacturing company (FMCG)

Why now? because I enjoy my job too much (complacent) so i have to step up otherwise i will have more to lose ($$wise).

My target schools (applying for R2):

Farfetched --> UCB Haas, Cornell Johnson, Michigan Ross
More reasonable --> Duke Fuqua, Indiana Kelley
Even more reasonable --> Boston University, Boston College

What do you think? how do i improve my chance to get in to my "farfetched" category? Your wise comment will be much appreciated!

Regards,

FP

[mili]

Hello,

Thanks for sharing your profile. While your academic profile is average, I think your work experience is very interesting and your community work is also quite strong. The biggest weakness I see in your profile is actually your career narrative. To me, it doesn't make sense to go into consulting if you ultimately want to start your own manufacturing company! That's not a logical or believable story. Your career goals need to build upon your experience and build off each other. I also think your 'why now' answer is a little weak. Overall, I'd say if you can sharpen this story, you might have a shot at your far-fetched programs.

Best of 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