<p>I graduated from Upenn Engineering with a 3.60 gpa. I got 710 in gmat and will retake it and probably score around 740-50.
I am from Turkey and I have been working in an investment bank in Turkey for 2 years. I plan to apply to MBA programs next September. What are my odds in these schools?
(I will have 2 recommendations from the partners of my company and one from a finance professor from Wharton)</p>
<p>-Wharton
Harvard
MIT
Stanford
Columbia
Yale
Northwestern
Chicago
Michigan Ann Arbor</p>
<p>I would say ur in at almost all, your gpa is up there for an engineering major. Also given that you went to upenn and got a 3.6 you should be fine </p>
<p>thanks for the encouraging reply.
i know that undergrad. schools gives importance to extracurricular activities. Does the same apply for MBA applications?</p>
<p>I find that reply quite irresponsible. First of all, it’s impossible to say whether someone will be accepted to a top school without looking at the whole package; the most you can say is that he/she has a good chance at being admitted. Secondly, the schools the OP has listed are all top schools. How can you say that someone is guaranteed a spot at HBS or Stanford? That’s just ludicrous. Thirdly, there’re many, many applicants with similar qualifications as the OP. The schools will be looking for something that sets him/her apart from the rest of the pack. In my opinion, I’d say the OP has a decent shot at some of the schools, but some of them are definitely a reach.</p>
<p>and which schools do you think will be a reach? i know it is impossible to predict if someone will be admitted even with a 4.0 gpa, but I was just asking if I am dreaming or is it worth applying?</p>
<p>I think he’ll be competitive at all of them. Based on some anedotes, I think that internationals have easier time to get into the top MBA programs (the reverse is true for college admission). MBA programs like to show how global they are and being an international is sorta a hook. The OP is likely more savvy than most other foreign applicants in terms of how to present himself because of his prior experience with college admission and education here.</p>
<p>I think ua87 has a good shot at all of the schools, and will definitely get in at least 1. It all boil down to how well he presents his application. I would not worry to much about that raising your GMAT score. Top schools aren’t going to be more impressed with a 750 vs. 710.
Sam Lee’s comment on being foreign helps is true only if you come from an underrepresented country, which is the case from ua87.
I think the question comes down to what you want to do post-MBA, and narrow your schools. Applying for 9 schools is doable but very taxing on you and your recommenders. MBA programs have different essay questions and recommendation questions. If you want to stay in IB, I would suggest:
-H/W (high reach)
-Columbia/Kellogg/Booth (reach)
-Stern (target)</p>
<p>thank you all for your encouraging and useful comments.
i know that for most of these schools the average work experience is around 5 years. by the time, i make my applications i will have only around 2.5 years of experience and 3 summer internship. Should I wait a year or two to increase my chances. and if I get rejected the first time I apply would that affect my future applications to the same school. </p>
<p>Lastly, my cousin had her MBA in Harvard a few years ago. Would that help my application to HBS?</p>
<p>we are talking about a boutique M&A advisory firm with 14 people. (6 of which are partners)
I am currently an analyst and will promote to senior analyst in a short term. </p>
<p>ın Turkey, the international banks such as Jp Morgan, Goldman etc. are not very active and finishes 1 transaction in a year or so. my firms is currently the most active M&A firm and is ranked number 1 in terms of deals completed. In terms of my responsibilities, I work directly with the partner/director in about 4-5 projects all in different sectors.</p>
<p>I think you are a strong candidate and your work experience will certainly help.</p>
<p>I don’t know what the other posters think, but in your role as an analyst do you interact with clients very often? I wonder how compelling a recommendation from one of your clients would be (in addition to the Prof at Wharton and one of the partners in your firm).</p>
<p>i do interact with clients all the time (the owners, CEO’s, CFOs etc). and I may ask for recommendations from a couple of them, since I have good relationships (one of them is a graduate of Harvard Business School maybe he can write one)</p>
<p>another issue, i would like to get your ideas; is it a good idea to apply to Columbia as early decision. (to help increase my chances and to reduce the time I spend on apps.)</p>