Stats for Harvard, Wharton, or Kellogg MBA?

Question

I currently have a degree in marketing from Howard University. I graduated with a 3.9 GPA. I speak fluent Russian and Italian. My GMAT score was 690, I have held one business internship, and one White House internship. I have been developing my own company for the past year and a half since I graduated, and am a dedicated volunteer at the American Red Cross, which has also contributed to my professional development. I plan to apply to a marketing/public policy dual degree for the Harvard MBA; marketing for the other two. How do my stats hold up with these programs' selectivity, you think?

Answer 1

You will have some great opportunities.  

I assume that you are Black (though my best friend from high school is white & has a degree from Howard).  The top private MBA programs are thirsty for qualified Black students.  Many of the top schools will accept promising Black students who meet most of their admissions requirements but may be lacking in one area.  Most of the top public schools are not allowed to consider your race -- but I think you could get into most of them anyway.

About half the black MBA students that I have seen at top schools come from top undergraduate schools, and the other half come from HBCUs -- which provide an interesting environment but are not usually ranked very highly.

You have a great GPA, your GMAT is close to the average score for top schools, you went to the HBCU that is most respected for its academics, and you have interesting work experience.

In short, you are a near perfect candidate for the top MBA programs.  I don't say that to a lot of people.

The three schools that you mention will certainly be interested in you.  From your question, it is unclear to me how much work experience you have.  

You should have two concerns.  The first is that there is a possibility that you will be rejected now from these schools because you don't have enough work experience.  They may even tell you to reapply.  I know several people who have been told this.  

The second thing to consider is money.  You may or may not be offered a fellowship at these schools.  However, I think that there are several schools just below these that are likely to give you a full ride.  If I were you, I would also apply to Duke, Tuck, and Columbia.  Personally, I would put Harvard below Wharton, Kellogg and Duke for marketing.  Duke, in particular, has a very highly rated Marketing department and one of the best Public Policy programs in the US.

Answer 2

You seem to be doing great!