Chances at HBS & Columbia

I'm not trying to insult you (nor any other "chance me" people) but I doubt anyone on here would have any idea where you stand for these schools. Your GPA looks bad, your GMAT looks good, and no one here knows who your recs are nor have they read them. The class profile is available on these schools' sites and with that said, you are at the high end of the 80% GMAT range and maybe low end of the 90% GPA range.

You seem like you might have a good story to spin but no one here is going to be able to tell you if you can get into 2 of the hardest, most "prestigious" business schools in the world. I know when I apply to B school I will be spreading out my applications to far more than 2 schools.

That said, I would choose Columbia over Harvard but for no logical reason other than I've always loved the feel of Columbia since I visited in highschool.

Try asking here:

http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forums/ask-alex-at-mba-apply

This guy will more than likely be able to give you a more accurate answer than anybody else here.

Thanks for the honesty, just trying to get some feedback, obviously there's an huge X factor in the essays and recommendations.

I loved Columbia when I visited in high school too.

Also:

http://poetsandquants.com/

they have a feature wherein they handicap (allegedly) real applicants chances at various elite B-Schools.

buena suerte

You CAN get into both.. Don't worry too much about any one application criteria. It really depends on you story and how good you convey it to admissions as to how you fit into the schools incoming class.

I highly recommend Columbia- FYI I'm a Columbia MBA grad under your same circumstances of high gmat/ low engineering gpa when I applied.

You can definitely get into both. If you had a poor GMAT too, you'd be in trouble, but with one of two stats really strong, and one really weak, you'll at least get looked at. Someone has to make up those low ends of the admit stat spectrum, and it's exactly people like you - really interesting life thus far, not the typical background / set of experiences, tough undergrad major, significant upward trend in the last two years, which are arguably more difficult than the first two, overseas experience, MBB name brand, another language, etc.

You've got a pretty awesome narrative, and that will make or break your app more than the GPA, given everything else you've got going for you.

There's a decent chance that they are wondering, given you spent only a year at MBB and then went to a non-profit, whether you were fired or else don't like / can't handle a corporate environment. That is certainly what employers ill be wondering.

Sorry to take over your thread but in terms of age, I have heard that HBS is not receptive to older students - i.e. 29-30. Is that true? If so what schools are more relaxed with age constraints?

Congratulations on the stellar GMAT score. Best of luck.

Check out HBSguru.com - I've never used him, but it might be worth your time to speak to him.

How many letter of Recs do you need for HBS?

Hello, I am curious what the people here have to say about my chances for getting into the HBS/Stanford full time MBA program. (Note: I already have admits to exec programs at both these schools, GMP at HBS and Sloan program at Stanford, but hoping to get into a full time program).

I am 35 years old, average GPA from US school ranked 40, Average GMAT (710), No significant extracurricular other than working on working on new ideas and projects, Indian National. Published 6 papers, hold 15 patents. Over 10 years of experience as a computer engineer, last 2 years as a co-founder and majority stake holder (70%) of a small company that is currently being sold for $25M to a major US firm. Have an offer to join its senior management (non executive role) with an option to do an MBA and return after 2 years.MBA expenses will be paid by acquiring firm.

Anyone with a GMAT 770,acceptable GPA, work experience in MBB - has a decent chance at H/S/W

Once you have some money, its all about the experience. I don't think selling a company for $25M at my age will be a head turner at HBS or Stanford. In fact, my profile will be a dime a dozen among kids 4 to 6 years younger than myself. I only applied to Wharton this year to test my chances and got in. Deferred a year. If I don't get into Stanford of HBS, I will attend Wharton.