| Topic Name: |
Do I Fit In, Stand Out, or Neither? |
| Message Name: |
Question about background |
| Date Posted: |
11/15/1999 |
| Message: |
I would like to move into consulting with a top firm, am now applying to many top B-schools, and would just like others' opinions. I understand that my work background (4 years) is both typical and atypical for B-school apps: I work as a research associate at the Center for Business and Economic Research at the University of Kentucky. We do "consulting-type" work although convincing B-schools of that may be a challenge. We do most of our work for government agencies and some work is more research-oriented than consulting-related, but we have actually beat out other top firms for contracts. I am not so deluded that I expect my work experience to be viewed the same as a McKinsey junior consultant, however. I got to work directly on all of our projects and have a detailed knowledge of statistics and econometrics, both in theory and in practice. As for my other details: BA in History and MS in Economics (while working full-time), both from Univ. of Ky., 3.84 GPA, 760 GMAT, scholarships, a few (not a lot) community service activities.....SO, my question is, how do you think the top schools would view my application and my desire (chances) to move into a top consulting job? I know my big weaknesses are lack of work in the private sector and education at a lower-level state university and I know the essays will be key to demonstrate to schools that I have had many responsibilities and have advanced over time (became senior research associate in 1998). I want to believe the schools when they say they value diversity: they want people with different work experiences (such as non-profit/education sectors) and from different parts of the country (top schools only get about 10% of applicants from South/Southeast) but the jaded economist in me tells me otherwise?
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