How do I increase my chances to get into Harvard MBA with an unusual profile?

Hi guys,

I am at a point where I am unable to decide how to put up my profile in a way so as to increase my chances to get into HBS. My profile includes: 1. BSc in Applied Accounting, GPA 2.9 2. Association of Certified Chartered Accountants (ACCA) 3. Chartered Financial Analysts (CFA) Level 2 candidate 4. GMAT: 700 5. TOEFL: 110 6. Currently working as a corporate finance Analyst 7. Previously worked as a Finance Trainee (10 months) What concerns me the most is my low GPA (2.9) in my undergrad and my professional work experience of only 1.5 years in the field. However, I have worked as a volunteer (social service) at three different organizations and my combined voluntary experience makes a total of 5 years. Now because I want to pursue a career in investment banking, how do I show to the admission committee that I possess a good profile which is sufficient to get me into HBS and ultimately achieve my career goal of becoming an IB analyst.

Looking forward to your responses.

17 Comments
 
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800 GMAT is the only thing I can imagine that would give you a greater than 1% shot. It really isn't happening...the perfect profile McKinsey/3.7/750 types probably only have a 1/3 shot.

all 800s get rejected by HSW.

only thing that helps is IMPACT. otherwise it's hard.

 

Dang yea..hate to be the bearer of bad news but i dont see Top 7 without more than 2 years experience and above 3.0... This is why i am not applying to any top 7 hahaha

I say either gain a couple years experience or something... 700 is a good score...but not harvard good... Based on ur stats you could still get into a lot of top 50 programs...why not Boston College??

 

Sorry to say but with that profile HBS is a very long shot. Your stretches should be Tuck/Haas and your targets should be programs in the 10-15 range, all of which will give you a good shot of getting into IB.

 

FYI my profile was quite similar. GMAT was the same, GPA was the same. I had an Ivy undergrad degree and 4 years+2 promotions at a T3 consulting firm (think Alvarez, FTI, Huron, etc). I got into Ross and Johnson and went to Johnson. I also didn't get an interview at a single M7 (I applied to 3 which was stupid of me and a waste of time).

 

Wharton, Kellogg (I had an interview since they interview everyone) and Booth. I should have just chosen one and used that as my stretch, but I didn't spend enough time researching the process beforehand.

 

Your chances at Harvard are infinitesimal. Get some 'branded' work experience to be even considered at decent MBA programs. (something like a Big 4 job, since you're from accounting)

 

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