How do I get into Harvard MBA in two years with my background (McKinsey, LSE..)?
Hi,
i am 23 yo and just started working as a consultant for McKinsey in Germany and would like to do a Harvard MBA during my leave in about two years.
There is still some time to go but I would like figure out my chances and also already try to use the next two years to maximise my odds of getting in.
My background so far:
> Undergrad: B.Sc. Business Administration and B.A. Politics - both from University of Munich (two independent degrees)
> Graduate: M.Sc. Accounting and Finance - from London School of Economics (LSE)
GMAT: 710 (unfortunately 70% Quant and 95% verbal, this is the GMAT i used for the LSE master)
> Extracurriculars: Funded a non-profit charity organisation a year ago, tangible success story
My questions are:
1) Based on my profile so far, what are my chances of getting admitted to HBS in about two years?
2) Besides the good but not awesome GPAs (which I cannot change anymore), I think the low quant score in my GMAT could be a problem. How problematic do you think this will be? Should I take another GMAT in two years but risk screwing it up as I would have to do it in parallel to my job now?
Thanks! Appreciate your help!
How much prep did you do for your GMAT? If your verbal score came naturally, I would focus on sharpening your quant score and retake it - you have plenty of time. Quant is actually easier to learn, but might take longer because there is a lot to know.
McKinsey is def a feeder to Harvard. Use the next two years to strengthen your EC's.
Why did you do the LSE MSc?
I prepared a bit more than 2 weeks fulltime for the GMAT. Verbal came quite naturally but I am far less gifted in Quant.
In contrast to the US, it is very unusual in Germany to start working after a Bachelor.
Not an expert on HBS, but your GMAT score (albeit nice) reflects that you slacked a little bit on the quant part. I guess that if you were able to do 95% verbal, folks would like to see something like 80% math at least.
Resume looks good, have to do good in McK for sure, think people are ranked when performance review comes, so make sure you are top 20% or something like that.
And if your family has money, great, HBS loves that! Not sure how to convey that during the application process though?
Donate some?
Thank you..
What do you think about 4) - will it be a strong story regarding why I want to do a MBA to talk about how I want to take over our family business in Germany?
.
You might want to put the note about the German GPA system before you state your GPA.
The schools understand the German GPA systems - they've been admitting (and denying) German students for years. Not necessary to explain. They also ask for class rank, so that should cover it if there's any question. As for the GMAT, honestly, it is getting harder and harder to get over 80% on quant, isn't it? Now a 49 is 81%! 50 is 89% last time I checked. Anyway, if you feel you want to take it over, that might be worthwhile. If you are a non-native speaker and getting in the 90th percentile on verbal, I am impressed
If you really are taking over the family business, why on earth wouldn't you write about it? Authentic=good.
Seriously?
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