The University of Chicago MBA 2007 taking questions

mxf288

First of all, machinegun, thanks for starting this thread for our GSB class2007. Hopefully we can provide some insights about the school to other prospective CDers.

I went to the admit weekend and met some of the future classmates from Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. I would say a lot of us come from different industries, like myself from architecture, a girl from health care, a guy with IT background. Chicago GSB is trying very hard to diversify its admit student profile so that it would be more representative. Wharton's admission director, Rose Martinelli, just came to GSB as the Associate Dean of Student Recruitment and Admissions. One of her main task is to attract more women and minorities to join GSB.

Adding the number tallied by machinegun, I would estimate about 20-30 chinese admitted this year. This number is largely consistent with last year's. I also notice almost half are women!!!

Hope this helps,

tuxiaoyang

Machinegun，

Thanks for the prompt response.

People from engineering background are not necessarily career changers though. An engineering or manufacturing company requires good managers too. I would like to think that a MBA degree from a good school can help someone who wants to take such career path. So if there isn’t a lot of Chinese applicants with engineering background to begin with, and like what mxf288 said, “Chicago GSB is trying very hard to diversify its admit student profile so that it would be more representative”, I actually think that Chinese from engineering background may actually be unique in some aspects. I hope I did not draw this conclusion just to make myself feel better, hehe

tuxiaoyang

mxf288,

I think it is great news that there are actually 20-30 Chinese admits this year. I do have a question about the number. Are they all full-time students that come from mainland China? As far as you know, how many of them had previous US experience? Do you think the Adcom would like to see more Chinese applicants with engineering background (in light of the diversity focus they have), or do you think engineering applicants will have to try harder in justifying their qualification simply because they lack the formal business education/training?

Although I hope diversity takes precedence over background, I can totally understand why school would have certain concerns about engineers. In terms of benefit/risk ratio, “engineers” represent a greater risk for the schools that don’t consider general management or operation management their forte. In other words, an engineer who wants to be an investment banker but simply cannot find such a position is, in fact, a liability to the school. And this is why I am pounding this question over and over again. Although I like Chicago for a number of reasons, I need to determine the fit.

Could you please share your thoughts? Thanks in advance.

soundtrack

hi machinegun,

I saw your posts earlier, where you put a bracket for investment before banking. "The majority of the students in Chicago GSB are from business background, including but not limited t (investment) banking, consulting, marketing... "

Are you saying that all these banking people are from investment banking? Or you actually wanted to combine people from non-investment banking, say commercial banking, and investment banking together?  It has always been my concern: whether applicants from commercial banking and investment banking are put into the same applicant pool...Do you have any idea as to how many people are from commercial banking in your class? i mean mainland chinese students. and how about these commercial bankers' profile?

Really appreciate your time

david_he

hi machinegun,

I saw your posts earlier,

“I have to subscribe to your understanding of school preference. The majority of the students in Chicago GSB are from business background, including but not limited t (investment) banking, consulting, marketing... The applicants with IT or engineering background are all career changers, most of whom are Indians. And it is conceivable that it is pretty taxing for career changers to succeed. Therefore, in your application, you should present the adcom people a convincing and logical story that you are determined, you are a fast-learner, and you are ready. “

I am IT background and working in Commercial bank.My previous experience is IT project management and IT strategy planning, my concentration is general management/consulting,and my short term goal is a consultant for financial industry to be exposed to as many business cases in financial institution as possible and long term career goal is a CIO in financial institution. I know Chicago welcome career changer ,but I don't want a career change to finance. I study the Chicago GSB in business week and feel somewhat that I did not match with Chicago. Chicago is strong in finance, not in  general management and tech innovation.

So, 1.Can you provide something about chicago in general mgmt, commercial banking, and tech innovation?

2. How can I combine Chicago GSB's strength and value with my previous experience, short term career goal and long term career goal in a reasonable and streamlined way?

3.I like Chicago's fame ,lots of Mainland Alumina and good network in China accumulated for many years, and amicable to Mailand candidates. But should I stop if I still hold on my concentration and career goal? How about the success rate of my application? If I mismatch with Chicago, I will change school as earlier as possible. Tell me frankly ,don't mind and recommend some other school.

4.Can you leave your mail or other contact way to me by short message or hk6585@yeah.net, and I will send my application strategy for your further advice .

5.mxf288'a guy with IT background' is similar to me, can you help me to contact with him and share some insights from him?

Really appreciate your time and kindly help.

David

machinegun

Soundtrack,

The majority of the students in Chicago GSB are from business background, including but not limited t investment banking, commercial banking, consulting, marketing...

And you will see our admits with commercial banking background to answer your questions. Good luck!

victoriahuyue

Hi, machinegun

My case is quite unique. I've 8 years of working experience in a university, specializing in the teaching of business courses and in the management of MBA programs in our business school. I have got Tofel 650 and GMAT 720. Do you think I have any chance to be considered as a candidate by the ADCOM, since my background is not so common.

machinegun

David_he and Tuxiaoyang,

I mentioned in my previous posts that "IT applicants are ALL career changers." I was not so right at this point  and that might be a gloss, probably because I have seen many Indian applicants with IB career aspiration...Sorry for that.

1.Can you provide something about chicago in general mgmt, commercial banking, and tech innovation?

What I want to say is that Chicago GSB is so famous for its finance education that the reputation overshadows its fames in other fields, such as general management and marketing, which are second to none.

2. How can I combine Chicago GSB's strength and value with my previous experience, short term career goal and long term career goal in a reasonable and streamlined way?

I think you will have no problem to convince the adcom people and your future employer that your interests are in commercial banking, since you do have financial background. Chicago GSB will definitely give your unprecedented exposure to the positions in commercial banking. And you cannot get over one fact that you will have some competitive advantages since many students are interested in IB jobs rather than commercial banking, which is your desired destination.

3.I like Chicago's fame ,lots of Mainland Alumina and good network in China accumulated for many years, and amicable to Mailand candidates. But should I stop if I still hold on my concentration and career goal? How about the success rate of my application? If I mismatch with Chicago, I will change school as earlier as possible. Tell me frankly ,don't mind and recommend some other school.

David_he, you are very greedy... :-) Do you really think that I can give you the success rate? To be frank, you should show your commitment, love and passion in your GSB application, and you can achieve this only when you convince yourself that the school deserves your efforts.

Good luck!

machinegun

victoriahuyue,

Your case is unique, but not that unique,,,:-)

In 2004, Chicago GSB admitted an award-winning children's book author, and she interned in PepsiCo. Her case, I think, is very demonstrative that no matter how unusual your background is, Chicago GSB will admit you as long as you can effectively, and honestly, exhibit your personality, academic strength, career potential, and most importantly, a logical and a reasonable career path. You should link your past working experiences with your future career goal, and show them that you can fulfill your goal with the MBA education.

In your case, you should first answer the question that adcom people will probably wonder: why will you want an MBA when you are teaching in an MBA program? You should answer that question very eloquently to touch off understanding. You TOEFL and GMAT score is ok. Concentrate on your story and keep the faith!

Good luck!

soundtrack

以下是引用machinegun在2005-6-25 23:04:00的发言：

Soundtrack,

The majority of the students in Chicago GSB are from business background, including but not limited t investment banking, commercial banking, consulting, marketing...

And you will see our admits with commercial banking background to answer your questions. Good luck!

thanks a lot machinegun! i'm a lot relieved

May I have the contact of your classmates who are previously commercial bankers? Or...you'll kindly bring them here to this post?  thanks again and again...