Oct 07, 2019

Non-traditional background for M7/T10 schools?

Looking to get some advice and opinions on my chances - and whether I need to lower my target schools - mainly concerned because of my non-traditional work experience. Not sure if this is the right place to post this, if not sorry!

Background

Work experience:

1 year in procurement as a buyer for a provincial cancer research genomic centre
1 year as a cancer research scientist - with my lab post-MSc
8 months as an assistant to a doctor - after graduation from UG prior to MSc - time spent to see if career in medicine was for me

Master's of Science: - thesis-based - majority of time is spent in the lab doing research on my own project (usually 10+ hrs/day)

2.5 years as a graduate student cancer research scientist - lead of my own project as well as co-lead of a separate project - both projects led to first author and co-first author publications in decent/good journals

  *   Project included collaborating with scientists across Canada and the US (think Hopkins, Mayo clinic, etc), and managing roles of lab technicians, and undergraduate students for my specific projects - I was not their supervisor in general, only when it came to tasks for my projects

  *   Projects both focused on Cancer - my skillset involves genetics, bioinformatics and statistics - one project led to changes in screening guidelines for the specific type of Cancer in some Canadian Hospitals as well as local news coverage - the other was a discovery of a new potential risk-gene for one of the most lethal cancers

Extra curriculars: I am currently studying for CFA level 1

I currently volunteer as a research assistant with my MSc lab - doing statistics and data analysis - this is done remotely after work
MSc - mentored undergraduate students in the lab
MSc - 1 year - sat on student research committees responsible for organizing seminars and fundraisers for cancer research at the hospital

UG - 1 year - leadership role in marketing for a tutor student organization - led team of around 10 volunteers.

         *   1 year as a tutor - seminars for 15-20 freshmen/sophomores

         *   Team lead for one of the summer outreach trips to Latin America (2 weeks)

UG - 1 year - founding president of a volunteer student club - recruited team of execs (~10 people) and raised awareness for healthcare disparities in developing countries on campus - as well as organized volunteer opportunities in community and outreach trips

Undergrad school/major: Top 10 Canadian university (think Queens, Western, Waterloo, etc) - double major in Biochem/MedSci

Other education/coursework: Research-based Master's of Science - 4.0 GPA - specialized in Human Genetics - at a top 3 Canadian university (think Toronto, British Columbia, McGill) - multiple scholarships and awards

Race/nationality: Asian Canadian

Age/Sex: 27 Male

Stats

GMAT Score: 740 (44V, 48Q, 8IR, 6AWA)

Undergrad GPA: 3.68 - graduated highest standing in Biochem Major (probably ~100 or so people in my major - and top 10% of my overall class)

MBA Info

Goal of MBA: transition into healthcare investment banking role

Target schools:

Dream Schools - Harvard, Stanford, Wharton

Target Schools - Stern, Columbia, Booth, Haas, etc

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5 Comments

O

4y

JoYe.

I have a question before I respond. Is the one year of procurement experience what you have now, or what you will have when you start business school (hopefully) in the fall?

Thanks.

Linda Abraham President, Accepted | Contact Me | Admissions Consulting

JoYe

IB

4y

Thanks for the reply! That is what I currently have. It would be 2 years at matriculation.

O

4y

Most Helpful

That's good. Thanks.

You're assessment may be a little optimistic, but not much at all. I'd put Haas in the stretch category. However, I think it makes sense for you to apply to these programs. Your education to date and work experience are related to what you want to do -- except you don't have formal business training, which the MBA will take care of so it hangs together.

In describing your work experience focus on the leadership, management, and teamwork aspects of your work to date both in your current position as well as in past positions. Certainly the two major achievements of your projects should be proudly included, but the schools will be looking for the qualities I mentioned.

Go for it! If you'd like help presenting your experience effectively, please see if Accepted can't be a resource for you.

Best, Linda

Linda Abraham President, Accepted | Contact Me | Admissions Consulting

JoYe

IB

4y

Thank you Linda for the detailed response.

I am definitely considering the use of an admissions consultant for my essays and resume and will look into Accepted.

As a follow up question: Besides the quality of my essays and resume (which obviously is incredibly important), would an extra year of WE be highly beneficial for my chances? As I'm thinking of applying to only a few schools this year, and then if I don't get in, I would apply more broadly the following year.

Also, would you say Yale is more within my reach?

Thanks again, I really appreciate it!

O

4y

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Linda Abraham President, Accepted | Contact Me | Admissions Consulting

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