Well for me specifically I know exactly what I want to do with my life. I have an undergrad from a decent US school, plus did an advanced study at London School of Economics for a year. After school I went to Wall Street and was a top performing analyst at MS for two years.
I made the decision in NYC that I wanted to be a real estate developer. I quit my job, headed west and have been developing thousands of SQFT of office/industrial product in Denver, Phoenix, and Vegas. Im only 27 and I've pretty much risen through the RE community in my area.
Now I am focusing on sustainable development and looking internationally. I think schools would like me b/c I had good grades, and have accomplished something unique. Plus I'm a girl which doesnt hurt
There are very few women real estate developers out there.
Someone my mom knows was on the admissions committee at Sloan a few years ago. I met with him this past week and he told me I was a shoe in for
HSW. The only problem is my GMAT. A 550 is terrible and they wont even get to my resume. However a high 600s would be doable I guess. Stanford and Wharton have dual MBA/RE programs so those are my top.. however Harvard would be pretty cool I have to admit
He told me that the one thing schools like to see is a decisive applicant. Everyone wants to be an ibanker or consultant.. however they see so many of those folks it gets boring. If you have something unique and different and are incredibly passionate about it they will see it as a breath of fresh air.
I do a ton of volunteer work and am also the owner of a successful consulting company.. I think thats kinda cool for someone my age.
Who knows