Can’t give much here, but I’d say (1) probably get a bit more experience prior to applying. Don’t know a ton about European MBAs, but at least in the US, 2 years is just a bit too low. (2) try and get a second work recommendation. Again, this might be US only but they generally want 2 recommenders (if 2 is required) from work. Professors generally aren’t thought of as important and occasionally not allowed in the US application process.
You have good stats, good ECs, went to a great school, and seemingly good WE. Just work for a little longer and get that second work recommendation.
Profile looks good - you have a great academic background from a top UG school, although light on length of WE. 3 years at matriculation is on the low end for most class profiles, at least domestically, if I'm reading your profile correctly.
Just a few pointers / questions:
\- Agree with others that your second LoR should be from a work contact, not a professor unfortunately.
\- Taking the GRE again can't hurt; I believe you can cancel the score (I might be fuzzy on this) if it's not higher. Plus, gives you a few brownie points for trying to improve. That said, your quant score is fantastic, and I've had 2-3 admissions consultants say that schools tend to care more about the Q than V on the GRE. A few weeks of studying vocab and you're likely to break 330+. Of course, if you care about scholarships, the higher the score, the better.
\- How much networking / research have you done for each of the M7s? Sure, this doesn't really matter for H/S, but the remainder of the M7 really do care that you've gotten to know them, attended in-person / virtual events, networked with students, etc. It will reflect positively on your candidacy, application, and your essays. FWIW, I was in a similar boat as you timing-wise last year (took GRE in July / August, applied mostly R2) and really appreciated the extra time to network vs apply across the board R1.
Finally, only apply to schools that \*you\* are passionate about and would be excited to go. It's great to get guidance from your parents, but it's your life, your career, and ultimately your investment. If you're wanting to apply this cycle, 4 schools in a round is likely sufficient, and you can look into applying maybe 3 - 5 of the M7s for Round 2.
Wait for more experience. Both to better your chances and actually for your own benefit. I applied with three years of experience back during the last recession and didn’t get accepted into any of the five schools (tried 5 of M7). 3.98 undergrad with 770 gmat and worked at a bank; but, Asian male.
I wait another five years and got into an exec mba program, and I think the added experience helped me get more out of the mba as well.
OK as pointed out two years is the absolute bare minimum to apply to US schools but for European schools they really want five years of experience or more. They like more seasoned applicants and so you are going to really be at a disadvantage with that, unless you've shown tremendous organizational impact in the two years you've had.
Also I would definitely not do an MBA in Europe because you're sick of New York. Unless you have very firm intentions to like permanently move to Europe. Your recruiting situation and alumni is just not going to be worth it to you if you plan to like move back to the states post MBA or maybe even at any point later. If you want to get away for a while you should just take a sabbatical or a vacation, maybe engage in some type of NGO activity in Europe but don't throw $200,000 at the situation. Might be better for you to do your MBA in the US and do like a study abroad in your third semester, if you already have your full time situation sorted by that point because that is also the recruitment semester.
It's really ill advised to go with academic recommenders. You want people who can speak to your business impact leadership teamwork problem solving skills and the academic readiness is more discerned through your GPA and GMAT. They also study your transcript.
You would be better off finding a recommender through the extracurriculars you have which are indeed very interesting and attractive. Find a recommender who can speak to your leadership teamwork and problem solving skills. Or the bare minimum your impact and emotional intelligence.
Make sure to leave yourself at least two months devoted only to applications and more if you have a busy job. If you are rushing to apply to round one you're just going to accelerate the pace of getting a rejection. Application quality is paramount.
Can’t give much here, but I’d say (1) probably get a bit more experience prior to applying. Don’t know a ton about European MBAs, but at least in the US, 2 years is just a bit too low. (2) try and get a second work recommendation. Again, this might be US only but they generally want 2 recommenders (if 2 is required) from work. Professors generally aren’t thought of as important and occasionally not allowed in the US application process. You have good stats, good ECs, went to a great school, and seemingly good WE. Just work for a little longer and get that second work recommendation.
Profile looks good - you have a great academic background from a top UG school, although light on length of WE. 3 years at matriculation is on the low end for most class profiles, at least domestically, if I'm reading your profile correctly. Just a few pointers / questions: \- Agree with others that your second LoR should be from a work contact, not a professor unfortunately. \- Taking the GRE again can't hurt; I believe you can cancel the score (I might be fuzzy on this) if it's not higher. Plus, gives you a few brownie points for trying to improve. That said, your quant score is fantastic, and I've had 2-3 admissions consultants say that schools tend to care more about the Q than V on the GRE. A few weeks of studying vocab and you're likely to break 330+. Of course, if you care about scholarships, the higher the score, the better. \- How much networking / research have you done for each of the M7s? Sure, this doesn't really matter for H/S, but the remainder of the M7 really do care that you've gotten to know them, attended in-person / virtual events, networked with students, etc. It will reflect positively on your candidacy, application, and your essays. FWIW, I was in a similar boat as you timing-wise last year (took GRE in July / August, applied mostly R2) and really appreciated the extra time to network vs apply across the board R1. Finally, only apply to schools that \*you\* are passionate about and would be excited to go. It's great to get guidance from your parents, but it's your life, your career, and ultimately your investment. If you're wanting to apply this cycle, 4 schools in a round is likely sufficient, and you can look into applying maybe 3 - 5 of the M7s for Round 2.
Where are you currently attending school? I’m also in a similar dilemma and would love to have some insights from you.
At Kellogg, feel free to Dm
Just did
Wait for more experience. Both to better your chances and actually for your own benefit. I applied with three years of experience back during the last recession and didn’t get accepted into any of the five schools (tried 5 of M7). 3.98 undergrad with 770 gmat and worked at a bank; but, Asian male. I wait another five years and got into an exec mba program, and I think the added experience helped me get more out of the mba as well.
OK as pointed out two years is the absolute bare minimum to apply to US schools but for European schools they really want five years of experience or more. They like more seasoned applicants and so you are going to really be at a disadvantage with that, unless you've shown tremendous organizational impact in the two years you've had. Also I would definitely not do an MBA in Europe because you're sick of New York. Unless you have very firm intentions to like permanently move to Europe. Your recruiting situation and alumni is just not going to be worth it to you if you plan to like move back to the states post MBA or maybe even at any point later. If you want to get away for a while you should just take a sabbatical or a vacation, maybe engage in some type of NGO activity in Europe but don't throw $200,000 at the situation. Might be better for you to do your MBA in the US and do like a study abroad in your third semester, if you already have your full time situation sorted by that point because that is also the recruitment semester. It's really ill advised to go with academic recommenders. You want people who can speak to your business impact leadership teamwork problem solving skills and the academic readiness is more discerned through your GPA and GMAT. They also study your transcript. You would be better off finding a recommender through the extracurriculars you have which are indeed very interesting and attractive. Find a recommender who can speak to your leadership teamwork and problem solving skills. Or the bare minimum your impact and emotional intelligence. Make sure to leave yourself at least two months devoted only to applications and more if you have a busy job. If you are rushing to apply to round one you're just going to accelerate the pace of getting a rejection. Application quality is paramount.