Q&A: Kellogg admit, 30+ URM candidate with 2.6 GPA from low tier state school and consulting background

Been a longtime member but haven't posted much, so I wanted to give back. As the title says, I graduated from a small state school in the northeast with an awful GPA, then re-positioned myself these past 5 years with a plan and goal of going into MBA business schools">M7 -> MBB. I am URM, so I can also answer any questions related to applications/support systems as well. I have been fortunate enough to carry out my plan while traveling North/South America on the company dime, so I can offer perspective for the younger guys looking to travel a bit. Oh, and I used Natalie from Accepted, so maybe I can answer any questions you may have a bout working with her.

 
Best Response

I've been fast-tracked at my firm, which does continuous improvement/operational consulting. 2.5 promotions in 5 years helped show that I can deliver when given the opportunities, and it helps that a lot of our work involves leading teams in initiatives directly related to a financial benefits case. I was specifically involved in growing the business in LatAm and was staffed/led a few high-profile Portuguese-speaking and Spanish-speaking engagements involving reporting directly to C-level executives. Essentially, I got in based on proven leadership experience/teamwork. My GMAT wasn't great, 690, but I did take a few quant- based courses at Cal-Berkeley in order show that I can handle the coursework.

When I decided that I wanted into consulting, I applied to over 50 firms on the Vault list and caught on with a small "bottom-feeder" firm by basically promising I would do anything to get some experience and contribute -- and they made me earn that shit. I also come from an immigrant household to which I've been contributing financially to since I was 13, as that's when I began bussing tables to help pay bills.

 

they take pretty much anyone into Kellogg these days - the school is losing it

J/K current student here - welcome aboard!

 
  1. How exactly did you reposition yourself?

  2. How did you get into consulting with a 2.6?

  3. How much total WE do you have?

  4. What were your extracurriculars?

"Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there" - Will Rogers
 

1 - I answered this below, but I think what sold me was the proven success when placed in a position to contribute.

2 - Consulting isn't exclusive to MBB, or strategy for that matter. I begged my way into a small operational consulting shop and just took any opportunity they gave me, soaking as much as possible along the way. But there are a TON of firms out there if you're willing to do the work to research and interview well. I actually used Management Consulted at the time to shape my resume. My thing was that I would take any consulting shop so long as it wasn't IT, as IT usually is pigeon-holed.

3 - Relevant WE? About 7 years, 5 in consulting.

4 - Not much, Boys & Girls Club member since they would allow me in the door and National Society for Hispanic MBA's

 

I have a pretty similar background but my WE is not consulting. I've done 4 years at a F10 tech FP&A (one promotion + made team lead during my first 2 years). Currently at a small bank working in Risk as AVP. GPA was 2.5 and will take the GMAT next month.

Wondering how you overcame the low GPA and what you think were the things that set your app apart?

 

I overcame the low GMAT by demonstrating ability in other ways. For example, I had taken an Accounting and Statistics course at Cal-Berkeley online and aced both. I showed how I use quant. analysis on a day-to-day at work, and also showed that I was working towards getting better up until enrollment by taking MBAMath.com courses, etc. Natalie helped me a TON to position myself well. I cannot recommend a good admissions consultant enough, and I saw that when I asked her to help me. I had used one prior to her who left a lot to desire.

To study for the GMAT I used Manhattan. To give you an idea, I worked my way up from a 530 in my initial pre-course CAT. And I only got to 690 from there, with a heavy verbal lean.

What set me a part was my ability to demonstrate my desire by SHOWING what I did and how I went through the 5-year plan I made for myself, adjusting as new obstacles came up. I went into my first consulting job with a plan and willing to do anything to get where I wanted to go, and this was the end (for now). Also, I had a proven track record of results-based leadership, and exposure to C-level executives in 3 different countries/languages (I'm LatAm-born). My point is that you don't need to be gold-plated, you just need to show that you're all-in, a proven winner, and passionate about it.

 

Frankly? Use me as an example of what a well-executed plan and motivation can do for you, even if you're starting late. You won't be the majority, but there is always a way to get there.

My advice is simply SHOW your passion and drive, and maximize the skills you bring to the table to get you to where you want to be. I did it by learning the core skills at work that made a great at what I did, leveraging that to get into an optimal position working in Brazil, my home country, while traveling on the company dime, and crafting a "different" story. For background, my family emigrated from Brazil when I was in elementary school, and it was a goal of mine to be able to go back and spend time working/traveling there as well as shaping up my business/professional Portuguese. If I understand correctly, I am also better-shaped to appeal to MBB due to my ability/willingness to work at a Brazilian office, if necessary.

 

Thanks!

I hit the Consortium hard. My business was used as the cash for my application/consultant fees, so I wanted to make the most of what I had worked my ass off for the past 5 years. I applied to the Tuck/Yale/Stern/Darden/Emory/Ross. I ultimately got into Emory and got WL at Ross (awful interview), but declined by the others due to profile. The Consortium money is great to have in your back pocket, but there's a discernible difference between Emory and Kellogg (M7), and I'm after the brand name. They DO allow you to go to their networking orientation program if you're accepted but enroll in a stronger program, though, so I am doing that to take advantage of the opportunities.

I was WL at Booth, then denied, and accepted to Oxford Said as well. Last year I was declined at INSEAD with the stipulation that I'd get an interview if I got to 720 on the GMAT, but I had used a different admissions consultant (which may have hurt me as I didn't feel they were nearly as strong as Natalie, who opened my eyes to applying to Kellogg in the first place).

 
egsc:

Thanks!

I hit the Consortium hard. My business was used as the cash for my application/consultant fees, so I wanted to make the most of what I had worked my ass off for the past 5 years. I applied to the Tuck/Yale/Stern/Darden/Emory/Ross. I ultimately got into Emory and got WL at Ross (awful interview), but declined by the others due to profile. The Consortium money is great to have in your back pocket, but there's a discernible difference between Emory and Kellogg (M7), and I'm after the brand name. They DO allow you to go to their networking orientation program if you're accepted but enroll in a stronger program, though, so I am doing that to take advantage of the opportunities.

I was WL at Booth, then denied, and accepted to Oxford Said as well. Last year I was declined at INSEAD with the stipulation that I'd get an interview if I got to 720 on the GMAT, but I had used a different admissions consultant (which may have hurt me as I didn't feel they were nearly as strong as Natalie, who opened my eyes to applying to Kellogg in the first place).

I've seen it said not to list more than 4 schools in your rankings for the Consortium. Did you receive interviews to all those you applied for?

 

Thanks!

I had interviewed 2 other companies prior to using her and actually used one of the other two for my INSEAD application. I have absolutely nothing but the best things to say about Natalie. She helped me put my "package" together in a way that played to my strengths and appealed to the programs I applied to, and, most importantly, she knew the ins and outs of each program, including who to seek out for advice or networking opportunities both as admissions/program staff as well as current students.

She was very honest in telling me what my reaches were and when I was over-reaching in regards to expectations, and she was the one who actually even told me Kellogg or Booth would look at me -- something I didn't even think was possible. Again, if I was asked to give her a 1-10 grade, she'd get a 12. I'm having this conversation with you because of what she was able to do for me.

 

I think I missed the second part -- I definitely would recommend Manhattan GMAT (if you've got the money to spend), but there are other services out there that can help as well if you're looking or a cheaper route -- gmatclub forums provides reviews for all of the different services from the folks that used them. To me, Manhattan's practice CATs were the clear best -- if anything, that's the one thing I wouldn't skimp on. I was all in, though, I used any service which I thought could help put me in a better position. I don't regret using GMAT prep help or Natalie whatsoever. I only wish I had met her sooner, as my first admissions consultant left a lot to be desired.

 

Thanks.

I've heard that, but I also have heard that it's not as far-off as it seems. I have significant relevant experience, and I'm not aiming for high-demand offices. I've been told that going internationally will make it a bit easier, and I've already networked with several people through personal channels and asked these questions. But you're right -- it won't be as easy as the conventional applicant.

 

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