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

zzvincent

Hi Jon, thanks for your detailed analysis. Given my background in comptuer science and technical finance , what do you think should be my career goal in my essay that will help me to boost my chance of admission?

Product Manager in IT companies ( especially finance IT )

or Consultant in IT consulting companies such as Accenture

or business development in IT companies ( especially finance IT ).

Thanks

Hi Jon,

can you help me to evaluate my profile for 2012 MBA application?

BS of computer science, Top 15 school in China, GPA 3.2-3.3 ( our school is known for low GPA ), class rank 2/71, leadership expericence in some student union department, numerous awards for academic performance and extra curricular activity, excellent graduate of province ( 4%)

MS of computer science, TOP 4 school in China, GPA 3.3, 4 research papers ( 2 of them are top tier international conferences ), some awards for academic excellence, volunteer experince for an internationl conference in shanghai

Master in computer science ( Quitted my phd program in second year ), a well-known campus of university of california ( not Berkeley or UCLA ), GPA 3.97 , one research paper,  teaching assistant, School fellowship,  China earthquake Relief effort volunteer

so far, 2 and 8 months working experience in headquarter of a world leading finanical software company in NYC ( No.1 brand in industry) , software engineer and project manager for critical projects in our department, fast promotion, excellent award certificate for "siginficant contributions" to company (  5% ), CFA level 2 candidate

GMAT: 740+5
GMAT: 1460+4.5 ( expired )
TOEFL: 647+5 ( expired )

since my current salary is higher than average salary of first-year top MBA graduate ( you know IT engineer is overpaid in USA ), I would only try top 10 schools. If I can not get into top schools, I will staty in my current company.

However, I have very obvious weakness:

1) age: almost 30 now ( almost 31 when I start my MBA study )
2) two master degrees ( I need to explain why I quitted my phd program , otherwise I am at risk of being considered as a degree collector )
3) tech background not welcomed by top schools
4) no volunteer experience after I came out of school ( plan to add some volunteer experience this year )
5) working experience ( 2 and 8 months so far ) is not long compared to other applicants

My career goal is to become an executive in an IT comany or return to China to start my own company  in a couple of years. Jon, can you give me some suggestions on my application ? Should I also try harvard/stanford or just focus on other top 10 schools ? Thanks.

-- by 会员 zzvincent (2011/6/12 0:39:03)

Hello my friend.  To be honest, you don’t seem to need much guidance from us—you know all the answers already!  J  You have identified the challenges in your candidacy: age, IT industry (which is tough from China), limited extra-currics, and the two degrees.  I am not worried about your 3 years of work experience.  And we will address the two degrees in your Optional essay—that will be critical.  But so that leaves the age issue, which we will have to address (carefully, and subtlely) in your essays.  You DO have a chance here—and as you apply, don’t focus exclusively on “top ten” programs.  Why?  Well, did you know that CMU is the second best IT program in the US?  And that UT Austin is also in the top five?  Same with Stern…so as you look at schools, don’t get too stuck if you would on the “top ten” aspect.  The world of IT is unusual, and the best management programs are not always the best programs for IT…


Jon Frank

-- by 会员 JonFrank (2011/6/12 12:42:06)

JonFrank

Hi Jon, thanks for your detailed analysis. Given my background in comptuer science and technical finance , what do you think should be my career goal in my essay that will help me to boost my chance of admission?

Product Manager in IT companies ( especially finance IT )

or Consultant in IT consulting companies such as Accenture

or business development in IT companies ( especially finance IT ).

Thanks

Hi Jon,

can you help me to evaluate my profile for 2012 MBA application?

BS of computer science, Top 15 school in China, GPA 3.2-3.3 ( our school is known for low GPA ), class rank 2/71, leadership expericence in some student union department, numerous awards for academic performance and extra curricular activity, excellent graduate of province ( 4%)

MS of computer science, TOP 4 school in China, GPA 3.3, 4 research papers ( 2 of them are top tier international conferences ), some awards for academic excellence, volunteer experince for an internationl conference in shanghai

Master in computer science ( Quitted my phd program in second year ), a well-known campus of university of california ( not Berkeley or UCLA ), GPA 3.97 , one research paper,  teaching assistant, School fellowship,  China earthquake Relief effort volunteer

so far, 2 and 8 months working experience in headquarter of a world leading finanical software company in NYC ( No.1 brand in industry) , software engineer and project manager for critical projects in our department, fast promotion, excellent award certificate for "siginficant contributions" to company (  5% ), CFA level 2 candidate

GMAT: 740+5
GMAT: 1460+4.5 ( expired )
TOEFL: 647+5 ( expired )

since my current salary is higher than average salary of first-year top MBA graduate ( you know IT engineer is overpaid in USA ), I would only try top 10 schools. If I can not get into top schools, I will staty in my current company.

However, I have very obvious weakness:

1) age: almost 30 now ( almost 31 when I start my MBA study )
2) two master degrees ( I need to explain why I quitted my phd program , otherwise I am at risk of being considered as a degree collector )
3) tech background not welcomed by top schools
4) no volunteer experience after I came out of school ( plan to add some volunteer experience this year )
5) working experience ( 2 and 8 months so far ) is not long compared to other applicants

My career goal is to become an executive in an IT comany or return to China to start my own company  in a couple of years. Jon, can you give me some suggestions on my application ? Should I also try harvard/stanford or just focus on other top 10 schools ? Thanks.

-- by 会员 zzvincent (2011/6/12 0:39:03)

Hello my friend.  To be honest, you don’t seem to need much guidance from us—you know all the answers already!  J  You have identified the challenges in your candidacy: age, IT industry (which is tough from China), limited extra-currics, and the two degrees.  I am not worried about your 3 years of work experience.  And we will address the two degrees in your Optional essay—that will be critical.  But so that leaves the age issue, which we will have to address (carefully, and subtlely) in your essays.  You DO have a chance here—and as you apply, don’t focus exclusively on “top ten” programs.  Why?  Well, did you know that CMU is the second best IT program in the US?  And that UT Austin is also in the top five?  Same with Stern…so as you look at schools, don’t get too stuck if you would on the “top ten” aspect.  The world of IT is unusual, and the best management programs are not always the best programs for IT…


Jon Frank

-- by 会员 JonFrank (2011/6/12 12:42:06)

-- by 会员 zzvincent (2011/9/7 15:27:56)

Hey there—now THIS is an easy one.  Accenture, if you ARE focusing on top ten programs, is NOT the sexiest career path.  Go into product management dude—it wouldn’t even NEED to be in an IT path, could be something with just a hint of tech to it, and there could be a nice fit there.  But IT consulting is NOT what HBS, Stanford etc. wanna hear.  You’re gonna wanna avoid IT consulting, from their point of view for sure.  McKinsey recruits at HBS dude, not Accenture…


Jon Frank
HBS 2005

leosunic

Hi Jon,

Want to check with you about my application. Below is a quick re-cap about my background:

1. Top University in China, B.S. GPA: 3.4/4.0, M.S. GPA: 3.9/4.0
2. Work for Auto Big Three as a project engineer for 2 yrs
3. Move to U.S. for another M.S.: GPA: 3.86/4.0
4. Work for leading industrial company as an project engineer, just promoted to be a Senior engineer (Hard to move up in the career ladder as an engineer), 4 yrs exp
5. GMAT: 740 5.0.  

My target school is Sloan. Maybe Kellogg and Ross. Can you share with me some of your thoughts regarding my application? Appreciate it.

Leo

Hello Chase Dream!  This is Jon Frank, HBS Class of 2005.  As many of you know, I have started to post here on ChaseDream, and we are so delighted that many people have been following our posts.  I founded my company  in 2005, and ever since then we have been working with many MBA applicants to get them into the business schools of their dreams.  About 50% of our clients are international,and about half of our international clients are Chinese.  As you can imagine, Chinese are our fastest-growing demographic.  Last year, our Chinese clients attended Stanford, HBS, Wharton, and others!

We are an agency, and we work with hundreds of paying clients everyyear.  But here on ChaseDream, all of our advice and guidance is 100%free!  ?  We understand that many people can not afford us, which is why it is our pleasure to help everyone 100% free of charge here on ChaseDream.  A former Chinese client (now at Fuqua) recommended that we start to post here, and it has been a great idea!  So we have friends who help us with thetranslation, since my Chinese is so bad.  ? And we are always here to help you!  It is our pleasure to help.

So please, feel free to ask me questions on this board, and I will do my best to answer all of your questions.  We have interacted with many people here online, or through private emails to my HBS email address below.  And you can all find our company’s website by simply googling Jon Frank+HBS, and the name of our company .There is much more information—all great, free information, on ourwebsite.  And we update it daily.

Thank you again for your warm welcome into the fabulous ChaseDream community, and good luck to everyone!  I hope I can be helpful to many of you, this year.


JonFrank

-- by 会员 JonFrank (2010/9/18 13:02:13)

leosunic

Hi Jon,
I think I miss some info about my background:

Male/30/
Two years in Auto Big Three: Working location: China
Four years in Leading industrial company: Working location: US.

Look forward to your advice.

Hi Jon,

Want to check with you about my application. Below is a quick re-cap about my background:

1. Top University in China, B.S. GPA: 3.4/4.0, M.S. GPA: 3.9/4.0
2. Work for Auto Big Three as a project engineer for 2 yrs
3. Move to U.S. for another M.S.: GPA: 3.86/4.0
4. Work for leading industrial company as an project engineer, just promoted to be a Senior engineer (Hard to move up in the career ladder as an engineer), 4 yrs exp
5. GMAT: 740 5.0.  

My target school is Sloan. Maybe Kellogg and Ross. Can you share with me some of your thoughts regarding my application? Appreciate it.

Leo

Hello Chase Dream!  This is Jon Frank, HBS Class of 2005.  As many of you know, I have started to post here on ChaseDream, and we are so delighted that many people have been following our posts.  I founded my company  in 2005, and ever since then we have been working with many MBA applicants to get them into the business schools of their dreams.  About 50% of our clients are international,and about half of our international clients are Chinese.  As you can imagine, Chinese are our fastest-growing demographic.  Last year, our Chinese clients attended Stanford, HBS, Wharton, and others!

We are an agency, and we work with hundreds of paying clients everyyear.  But here on ChaseDream, all of our advice and guidance is 100%free!  ?  We understand that many people can not afford us, which is why it is our pleasure to help everyone 100% free of charge here on ChaseDream.  A former Chinese client (now at Fuqua) recommended that we start to post here, and it has been a great idea!  So we have friends who help us with thetranslation, since my Chinese is so bad.  ? And we are always here to help you!  It is our pleasure to help.

So please, feel free to ask me questions on this board, and I will do my best to answer all of your questions.  We have interacted with many people here online, or through private emails to my HBS email address below.  And you can all find our company’s website by simply googling Jon Frank+HBS, and the name of our company .There is much more information—all great, free information, on ourwebsite.  And we update it daily.

Thank you again for your warm welcome into the fabulous ChaseDream community, and good luck to everyone!  I hope I can be helpful to many of you, this year.


JonFrank

-- by 会员 JonFrank (2010/9/18 13:02:13)

-- by 会员 leosunic (2011/9/11 4:25:44)

JonFrank

[quote]
Hi Jon,
I think I miss some info about my background:

Male/30/
Two years in Auto Big Three: Working location: China
Four years in Leading industrial company: Working location: US.

Look forward to your advice.

Hi Jon,

Want to check with you about my application. Below is a quick re-cap about my background:

1. Top University in China, B.S. GPA: 3.4/4.0, M.S. GPA: 3.9/4.0
2. Work for Auto Big Three as a project engineer for 2 yrs
3. Move to U.S. for another M.S.: GPA: 3.86/4.0
4. Work for leading industrial company as an project engineer, just promoted to be a Senior engineer (Hard to move up in the career ladder as an engineer), 4 yrs exp
5. GMAT: 740 5.0.  

My target school is Sloan. Maybe Kellogg and Ross. Can you share with me some of your thoughts regarding my application? Appreciate it.

Leo

-- by 会员 leosunic (2011/9/11 4:41:10)

Leo, your app is STRONG dude.  I like it very much, and you DO have a great shot.  Make sure to look at the Kellogg MMM program, it might be a good fit for you.  Id also consider Haas frankly, and perhaps even Stanford.  I mean…why not?  J  Make sure to get your apps in R1, and be sure to play up your international experience.  You have a LOT going for you—if you nail your essays dude, you will be in great shape this year.  GOOD LUCK!


Jon Frank
HBS 2005

welcometoryan

Hi Jon, May I ask your advise about my application? I’m 30 y/o with over 8 years W/E in SCM. GPA3.3, T102, G760. Do you think I should try to take T again, though personally I’m not that interested in it. Or should I just go ahead to work on the application package now because I heard that to catch the 1 round is very important. And do you think I have the chance to target at the schools ranked at around 20th? To tell the truth, I’d love to get a job in banking related after MBA. Thank you very much if you can give your enlightening instructions.

leosunic

Jon,
Thanks for the encouragement.
You read my mind. I do plan to apply MMM and Tauber (UMich). For MIT, the LGO is just way too competitive for internationals. I will keep Haas and maybe Tuck in my back pocket just in case I fumbled in the above three.  
Again, thanks for your insight and advice.
Leo

[quote]

Hi Jon,
I think I miss some info about my background:

Male/30/
Two years in Auto Big Three: Working location: China
Four years in Leading industrial company: Working location: US.

Look forward to your advice.

Hi Jon,

Want to check with you about my application. Below is a quick re-cap about my background:

1. Top University in China, B.S. GPA: 3.4/4.0, M.S. GPA: 3.9/4.0
2. Work for Auto Big Three as a project engineer for 2 yrs
3. Move to U.S. for another M.S.: GPA: 3.86/4.0
4. Work for leading industrial company as an project engineer, just promoted to be a Senior engineer (Hard to move up in the career ladder as an engineer), 4 yrs exp
5. GMAT: 740 5.0.  

My target school is Sloan. Maybe Kellogg and Ross. Can you share with me some of your thoughts regarding my application? Appreciate it.

Leo

-- by 会员 leosunic (2011/9/11 4:41:10)

Leo, your app is STRONG dude.  I like it very much, and you DO have a great shot.  Make sure to look at the Kellogg MMM program, it might be a good fit for you.  Id also consider Haas frankly, and perhaps even Stanford.  I mean…why not?  J  Make sure to get your apps in R1, and be sure to play up your international experience.  You have a LOT going for you—if you nail your essays dude, you will be in great shape this year.  GOOD LUCK!


Jon Frank
HBS 2005

-- by 会员 JonFrank (2011/9/15 19:57:18)

windmaple

man, you'll have 4 master's by the time you get out of MMM@Kellogg ....

知行

Hi jon!  my back ground is as follows:
1. education: bacholor degree majored clinic medicine in top10 University in China   and also the master degree in healthcare managerment  in the same school.
   During the education, I take part in serveral The national natural science funds and Also The national social science funds programs
   And have four papers published in SCI journal.  
2. work experience : sales in German BAYER health care for four years.  last year, I have been promoted as senior sales.(not good promotion, I guess) .  also top sales in 2010,  get praised in the  bayer annual meeting in 2010.  

GMAT 720.
I decided to continue in pharmaceuticals industry after the MBA. so based on my background, is there chance for me to target on top 16 MBA?  my dream school is DUKE, TUCK and also Cornell University。 I would be appreciate to get you advices.
THANK YOU!

Kb24

His name is Jon, not Jone....... LOL