Age: 25
Ethnicity: African (Born in U.K. thogh both parents are from Africa)
GMAT: n/a plan to take it soon praying that I get 700ish
Location: Canada

Target School (s): HBS, HBS anddd Hmmm o yeah! HBS! ( I suppose Stanford and Wharton are good too :P)

Undergrad GPA: 3.8 <-- Graduated from Richard Ivey School of Business (One of Canada's Best B-Schools), Major in Finance

Did my CA after undergrad so I have a Finance + Accounting Backgrounds

Currently Working for PWC

University EC's (quick glance):

- Member Student Council
- Founded Tennis Club (President)
- Spent a summer in Africa with a development network.
- Volunteered @ Hospitals from 11th Grade - 2nd Year
- Participated in Various Other Clubs and Activities

My work experience has not been very impressive so far. < 1 yr of experience...

References: Honestly, would probably be mediocre at this point... I'm hard working, ambitious, etc but they still see me as a rookie.

Now I realize my chances of getting into one of the top B-Schools next year are SLIM, but I'm interested to hear your thoughts & impressions on my current situation and wheather or not I'de have a good chance in the future.

I may return to the motherland (Africa) in the next few years, as I am interested in starting my own ventures there and I plan on working with development networks...


Anyways, Thanks for taking the time to read this.

It really comes down to three things:

(1) Your GMAT. 700+

(2) Extracurriculars -- you need some significant extracurriculars (doesn't have to be do gooder nonprofit -- just organized group activities in the arts, politics, social causes, religion, nonprofit, sports, etc.). It's got to be more than just *involvement*, but significant accomplishments you've achieved as a leader.

(3) Timing -- schools are getting younger, and there's a "best before" date for consultants and bankers -- which is around 5 years. In other words, you really need to apply before you've hit the 5-year mark of your post-college career as a consultant. The optimum time is 3-4 years of experience upon matriculation.

Alex Chu
alex@mbaapply.com
www.mbaapply.com
http://mbaapply.blogspot.com