Age: 28 (applying for fall 2010). I’ll be 30.
Sex: Male
Ethnic: Asian American
Language: English
Undergrad: US Naval Academy c/o 2006
Major: Quantitative Economics
GPA:2.8/4.0, 3.0/4.0 major
Rank: now an 0-2 LTJG, then an 0-3 LT
Work: By the time I apply I will have over fours yrs experience as a Naval Officer. The first 2.5 yrs spent as a Surface Warfare Officer in Engineering Department. The next two yrs as a Civil Affairs Team Leader out of San Diego. I realize this may sound like jibberish to most people.
Extracurricular: 2yrs involvement with Engineers Without Borders San Diego Professional Chapter. Taught SAT/ACT prep course to junior enlisted sailors and qualified as Engineering Officer of the Watch (again, jibberish).
Undergrad Extra: 2006 USNA Leadership Conference Vice Chairman
GMAT: 700
Reach Schools: Wharton and Yale.
2nd tier/backup: Georgetown, Oxford, UVA, open for advice.
Clearly I haven’t been able to flex my economics degree or get any real business exoperince. I feel behind the power but I have heard they review military aps seperately. Can you tell me a little about this process?
Questions:
What are schools looking for in their military applicants?
What schools are attainable given my profile?
Reach Schools: Wharton and Yale
2nd tier/backup: Georgetown, Oxford, UVA, open for advice.
Thank you!
GMAT Forum
4 postsPage 1 of 1
- jayossola
- MBAApply
To answer your questions:
(1) They are looking for two things: first, do you have the analytical/academic aptitude (i.e. decent enough GPA/GMAT) to handle the academics at bschool? Historically, military applicants have had weaker GPA/GMATs than others, but b-schools are also more forgiving of that since for many military applicants their leadership experiences are a given and are usually stronger than their non-military peers applying. While your GPA isn't great, it was in an academically rigorous discipline, and your GMAT is strong, so your numbers relative to other military applicants shouldn't be an issue.
The second major thing they look for is your level of preparedness in transitioning from a military to a civilian career. In other words, are you able to show with a reasonable degree of confidence which aspects of your military leadership experiences are transferrable to a civilian career, and which aspects won't directly translate? Do you have a pretty good idea about what kind of civilian post-MBA career path you wish to pursue, and why? Unlike civilian applicants, as a military officer, your leadership abilities and experience are basically a given (doesn't mean you shouldn't emphasize it, but know that it will be your strength, as it will be for many other military applicants).
And yes, you will be benchmarked against other military applicants - but the primary metrics which will differentiate yourself are a combination of academic ability, level of preparedness for a post-MBA civilian career, and your overall military experience (judged through the eyes of a civilian adcom, not a military officer).
(2) The schools you mentioned are about right, although I wouldn't call Yale a stretch -- it's well within your range (Yale has a top-3 undergrad, top-3 law, etc. but it's MBA program is more a top-16 program, more comparable to UVA). All schools really value the military experience, although the three top schools that really value it are Harvard, Wharton and Darden/UVA. You may also want to look into Duke as well. If you're applying to Wharton as a reach, you might as well apply to Harvard as well - your chances given your background/profile will be roughly the same at either school.
Alex Chu
alex@mbaapply.com
www.mbaapply.com
http://mbaapply.blogspot.com
(1) They are looking for two things: first, do you have the analytical/academic aptitude (i.e. decent enough GPA/GMAT) to handle the academics at bschool? Historically, military applicants have had weaker GPA/GMATs than others, but b-schools are also more forgiving of that since for many military applicants their leadership experiences are a given and are usually stronger than their non-military peers applying. While your GPA isn't great, it was in an academically rigorous discipline, and your GMAT is strong, so your numbers relative to other military applicants shouldn't be an issue.
The second major thing they look for is your level of preparedness in transitioning from a military to a civilian career. In other words, are you able to show with a reasonable degree of confidence which aspects of your military leadership experiences are transferrable to a civilian career, and which aspects won't directly translate? Do you have a pretty good idea about what kind of civilian post-MBA career path you wish to pursue, and why? Unlike civilian applicants, as a military officer, your leadership abilities and experience are basically a given (doesn't mean you shouldn't emphasize it, but know that it will be your strength, as it will be for many other military applicants).
And yes, you will be benchmarked against other military applicants - but the primary metrics which will differentiate yourself are a combination of academic ability, level of preparedness for a post-MBA civilian career, and your overall military experience (judged through the eyes of a civilian adcom, not a military officer).
(2) The schools you mentioned are about right, although I wouldn't call Yale a stretch -- it's well within your range (Yale has a top-3 undergrad, top-3 law, etc. but it's MBA program is more a top-16 program, more comparable to UVA). All schools really value the military experience, although the three top schools that really value it are Harvard, Wharton and Darden/UVA. You may also want to look into Duke as well. If you're applying to Wharton as a reach, you might as well apply to Harvard as well - your chances given your background/profile will be roughly the same at either school.
Alex Chu
alex@mbaapply.com
www.mbaapply.com
http://mbaapply.blogspot.com
- jayossola
reply
Alex,
You mentioned "level of preparedness for a post-MBA civilian career" as a one of the key variables for military applicants. What exactly does this mean? Would earning a CPA help out? I don't exactly have the time or resources to devote to such an extensive endeavor so what else are they (adcoms) looking for?
By the way, your response was great. I appreciate your help.
Justin
You mentioned "level of preparedness for a post-MBA civilian career" as a one of the key variables for military applicants. What exactly does this mean? Would earning a CPA help out? I don't exactly have the time or resources to devote to such an extensive endeavor so what else are they (adcoms) looking for?
By the way, your response was great. I appreciate your help.
Justin
- MBAApply
It just means that based on what they read in your application and what they hear in the interview, how big of an adjustment you will have to make post-military in terms of working with people -- the work styles and norms may be different and they want to know that you're prepared for that. There aren't cut and dried things they look for -- it's more a sense based on how you present yourself in the application and interviews more than anything else.
Alex Chu
alex@mbaapply.com
www.mbaapply.com
http://mbaapply.blogspot.com
Alex Chu
alex@mbaapply.com
www.mbaapply.com
http://mbaapply.blogspot.com
4 posts Page 1 of 1