Ask Jon Frank- P69-Q&A:WHY MBA? 7 OVERLOOKED REASONS TO GET AN MBA

JonFrank

Hi Jon,

I just decided to apply for MBA programs this year (I hope it's not too late cuz I haven't even started any essay yet~). My stats are: GMAT 770 (1st try 650) and TOEFL: 110.  My undergraduate school is not a top school in China (GPA about 3.5),  I got my master's degree in Finance at a UK top ten (GPA about 3.0).  I worked at big 4 (tax-transfer pricing) for nearly 5 years and left as a tax manager. I've been out of job for a year because I accompanied my husband to the US. He is studying here.  


My career goal is managerial finance in an industry. Will it sound less ambitious for an MBA application? I find that everyone is so into IB/consulting these days. In this case, should I avoid certain schools famous for its finance or marketing programs? I'm thinking of applying to Cornell. Do you think I stand a good chance? And do you have any suggestions regarding my target schools?


Thanks in advance!

-- by 会员 tylorliu (2010/11/15 0:34:10)

Hello my friend.  Gosh, great profile.  Love the big name work experience of course, the TOEFL is up to snuff, and the GMAT is stellar.  Yes, you will have a GREAT shot at Johnson this year.  If you can ACE your essays, I like your chances very much indeed.  Remember, Johnson is VERY big on the Why Johnson angle.  HBS for example KNOWS that you wanna go there.  J  Johnson, you will need to convince us… GOOD LUCK!


Jon Frank

chengya

Jon,

I found Haas has 4 rounds admission. If I want to catch up the 3rd round, is it similar as the submission of the 2nd round of other schools (since other schools only have 3 rounds)? Just don't want the 3rd round is actually too late and affect application in anyway.

BTW, I took your advice and decided to apply for HBS, Wharton and Duke (since both wharton and duke has health care management) instead of only HBS.   ... considering haas too if I have time.

Thank you.

pureme831216

Hi Jon,
I'm wondering whether a program from 11 to 20 is suitable for me?
Below is my background.
Education: B.A. in International accounting
Qualification: Certified General Accountants of Canada
W/E: Auditor (3 years in Big Four and 1.5 years in local firm)
Gmat: 770    Toefl:105(but my speaking score is only 20)
GPA:3.2/4.0

Besides, I have a relative who used to be the Chief Commander of the Chinese Navy, should I mention this skillfully in my essay or should I avoid mentioning this background?


Thank you for your help!

Vivian

SuperJackie

Hi Jon, how to address essay question as follows,

"What have you learned about yourself and your careergoals in this period of economic crisis?"

JonFrank

Jon,

I found Haas has 4 rounds admission. If I want to catch up the 3rd round, is it similar as the submission of the 2nd round of other schools (since other schools only have 3 rounds)? Just don't want the 3rd round is actually too late and affect application in anyway.

BTW, I took your advice and decided to apply for HBS, Wharton and Duke (since both wharton and duke has health care management) instead of only HBS.   ... considering haas too if I have time.

Thank you.

-- by 会员 chengya (2010/11/16 22:16:23)

Hey there—this is such great news!  J  I am so glad that youre considering more programs.  Now, at the end of the process, you should have some nice options.  And that is what we like.  The answer to your question is that YES, round 3 for Haas is similar to Round 2 for other schools.  Not as good as an early app, but still a reasonable option.  So pursue it if you can—plenty of great healthcare facilities out in the Bay Area, as you know.  So glad to hear your progress—congratulations, and good luck!


Jon Frank

JonFrank

Hi Jon,
I'm wondering whether a program from 11 to 20 is suitable for me?
Below is my background.
Education: B.A. in International accounting
Qualification: Certified General Accountants of Canada
W/E: Auditor (3 years in Big Four and 1.5 years in local firm)
Gmat: 770    Toefl:105(but my speaking score is only 20)
GPA:3.2/4.0

Besides, I have a relative who used to be the Chief Commander of the Chinese Navy, should I mention this skillfully in my essay or should I avoid mentioning this background?


Thank you for your help!

Vivian

-- by 会员 pureme831216 (2010/11/16 23:00:40)

Hey there!  Schools ranked 11-20 would be a great place for you to shoot.  You should absolutely do it!  While 105 is a bit low, the 770 should overcome that problem for you.  Not for a top five program, but schools in the 15-20 range should be right in your range.  And yes, I would try to find a graceful way to work in the fact that you have some very connected relatives.  But only if it is relevant, somehow, to your career goals or one of your stories—perhaps even in one of the “why is your background unique” stories.  That could be a neat couple sentences.  Great job—and keep up the good work!


Jon Frank

chengya

Jon,

What are the programs' brands for Wharton and Duke MBA? I know HBS is "leadership", but not sure what kinds of qualifies Wharton and Duke really care about? Could you please let me know the detailed info about that.  Thank you so much.

Chengya.
P.S.  Thanks a lot for answering my previous questions and your insights are amazing! hope you enjoy your trip in China.

SuperJackie

Hi Jon, there are too many questions for you. Hope you won't ignore this one
How to address essay question like this, "What have you learned about yourself and your careergoals in this period of economic crisis?" Thx!

JonFrank

Hi Jon, there are too many questions for you. Hope you won't ignore this one
How to address essay question like this, "What have you learned about yourself and your careergoals in this period of economic crisis?" Thx!

-- by 会员 SuperJackie (2010/11/20 23:35:11)

Hey there!  And sorry Ive been missing for a few days—it has been an amazing tour, here in China!   We have met with folks in Shanghai and Beijing—amazing stuff.  Now.  The key to this essay is to identify what your goals were prior to the crisis, and what they are now.  erhaps your goals haven’t changed dramatically.  And that is okay!  But you need to indicate that you have seen the changes across the world, and that you recognize how these changes affect your future.  That is, perhaps your goals haven’t changed.  You still want to be a banker, or consultant, etc.  but the WORLD has changed—so at the very least, the nature of your work will change somewhat.  Hope this helps!


Jon Frank

JonFrank

Jon,

What are the programs' brands for Wharton and Duke MBA? I know HBS is "leadership", but not sure what kinds of qualifies Wharton and Duke really care about? Could you please let me know the detailed info about that.  Thank you so much.

Chengya.
P.S.  Thanks a lot for answering my previous questions and your insights are amazing! hope you enjoy your trip in China.

-- by 会员 chengya (2010/11/18 8:46:00)

Hey there!  Happy to offer up some thoughts here.  Wharton and Duke are both VERY international.  So we can talk about that.  Also, Duke is known for its Teamwork approach to…everything.  And some GREAT non-profit work as well.  Wharton is known for both finance, real estate, and entrepreneurship. So…plenty to talk about for both.  Especially for our Chinese friends!  J  Hope this helps, and good luck!


Jon Frank