GMAT Forum
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- eoinhmckenna
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Some guidance greatly needed
...
Last edited by eoinhmckenna on Sat May 28, 2016 11:38 am, edited 1 time in total.
- mili
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Re: Some guidance greatly needed
Hi Eoin,
Wow you've done quite a bit in your life! Congrats on your success in the nutrition and fitness field - very impressive.
You are certainly right that you are a non-traditional candidate, but I do think that the admissions committees could over look some of the 'flaws' in your profile. I think you definitely have a chance at a top school if you score well on the GMAT.
You'll be 33 when you apply - and you'll have just completed your undergrad degree. Though it's an atypical path, I think it shows commitment to education, strong work ethic and also respect for the process. Just focus on getting strong grades and keep focusing on finance/accounting to demonstrate that you are taking steps towards your career goal.
You'll have a wealth of leadership stories, setback stories, etc. to draw from in your application and fantastic community and extracurricular activities/stories to include. The mountaineering treks and school building will really show leadership, commitment to community and all those good things.
All in all, I think you should focus on getting good grades in school right now and on getting a high score on the GMAT. In your essays, use your atypical background as your strength and showcase your depth and breadth of leadership and interests. The only other thing you might think about doing is to start taking up some activities/gigs that start to get you a footing in the financial services and/or real estate development area... this could really help to strengthen your career narrative and justify your new path.
Of course - it's never a certainty with top schools, so I do recommend you select a couple safety schools to add to the mix.
Hope this helps -- good luck!
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
Wow you've done quite a bit in your life! Congrats on your success in the nutrition and fitness field - very impressive.
You are certainly right that you are a non-traditional candidate, but I do think that the admissions committees could over look some of the 'flaws' in your profile. I think you definitely have a chance at a top school if you score well on the GMAT.
You'll be 33 when you apply - and you'll have just completed your undergrad degree. Though it's an atypical path, I think it shows commitment to education, strong work ethic and also respect for the process. Just focus on getting strong grades and keep focusing on finance/accounting to demonstrate that you are taking steps towards your career goal.
You'll have a wealth of leadership stories, setback stories, etc. to draw from in your application and fantastic community and extracurricular activities/stories to include. The mountaineering treks and school building will really show leadership, commitment to community and all those good things.
All in all, I think you should focus on getting good grades in school right now and on getting a high score on the GMAT. In your essays, use your atypical background as your strength and showcase your depth and breadth of leadership and interests. The only other thing you might think about doing is to start taking up some activities/gigs that start to get you a footing in the financial services and/or real estate development area... this could really help to strengthen your career narrative and justify your new path.
Of course - it's never a certainty with top schools, so I do recommend you select a couple safety schools to add to the mix.
Hope this helps -- good luck!
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
- eoinhmckenna
- Forum Guests
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Tue Jul 17, 2012 9:59 am
Re: Some guidance greatly needed
Mili,
Thank you kindly for your reply. I really appreciate it.
If I had more time I could write some stories that would either land me in jail or at very least make for good entertainment. Unfortunately living on the edge doesn't necessarily lead to success in business. Right now that is all I want to do though.
I do thank you for noting that I have a good chance if I continue with study and new ventures within finance and property.
Just finally do you think if i really polish up my story I would have a shot at a top ten? contingent on good GMAT of course
Thank you kindly for your reply. I really appreciate it.
If I had more time I could write some stories that would either land me in jail or at very least make for good entertainment. Unfortunately living on the edge doesn't necessarily lead to success in business. Right now that is all I want to do though.
I do thank you for noting that I have a good chance if I continue with study and new ventures within finance and property.
Just finally do you think if i really polish up my story I would have a shot at a top ten? contingent on good GMAT of course
mili Wrote:Hi Eoin,
Wow you've done quite a bit in your life! Congrats on your success in the nutrition and fitness field - very impressive.
You are certainly right that you are a non-traditional candidate, but I do think that the admissions committees could over look some of the 'flaws' in your profile. I think you definitely have a chance at a top school if you score well on the GMAT.
You'll be 33 when you apply - and you'll have just completed your undergrad degree. Though it's an atypical path, I think it shows commitment to education, strong work ethic and also respect for the process. Just focus on getting strong grades and keep focusing on finance/accounting to demonstrate that you are taking steps towards your career goal.
You'll have a wealth of leadership stories, setback stories, etc. to draw from in your application and fantastic community and extracurricular activities/stories to include. The mountaineering treks and school building will really show leadership, commitment to community and all those good things.
All in all, I think you should focus on getting good grades in school right now and on getting a high score on the GMAT. In your essays, use your atypical background as your strength and showcase your depth and breadth of leadership and interests. The only other thing you might think about doing is to start taking up some activities/gigs that start to get you a footing in the financial services and/or real estate development area... this could really help to strengthen your career narrative and justify your new path.
Of course - it's never a certainty with top schools, so I do recommend you select a couple safety schools to add to the mix.
Hope this helps -- good luck!
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
- mili
- Forum Guests
- Posts: 401
- Joined: Thu Jun 28, 2012 3:47 am
Re: Some guidance greatly needed
Hi Eoin,
Yes, I do believe you have a shot at a top ten school if you polish your story, score well on GMAT and do well in school, but I also think you should apply to a range of schools (including some lower tiers) -- you're a bit of a wildcard applicant, so it's difficult to say which way it would go!
Good luck,
Mili
Yes, I do believe you have a shot at a top ten school if you polish your story, score well on GMAT and do well in school, but I also think you should apply to a range of schools (including some lower tiers) -- you're a bit of a wildcard applicant, so it's difficult to say which way it would go!
Good luck,
Mili
- eoinhmckenna
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- Posts: 3
- Joined: Tue Jul 17, 2012 9:59 am
Re: Some guidance greatly needed
Excellent Mili thank you
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