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CaliforniaKid · 10-15-2007, 09:57 AM

My 2 questions:
1. What are my chances at HBS and Stanford coming straight out of college? I’m 21, currently a senior at UC Berkeley. I’m applying 2nd round at HBS and either 1st or 2nd at Stanford.
2. How would you package the gambling (see below) or would you even mention it at all?

Knocks against me:
1. My grades are relatively low (~3.5 as a Political Science major, which is pretty easy at UCB, although in my defense my GPA has gone up substantially every year) and I haven't really challenged myself that much academically since I've always had so much other stuff going on.
2. Little to no real work experience. I had one I-banking internship, which I hated, and that's about it. I've always been too busy wheeling and dealing on my own, which I found much more rewarding.
3. As of now, I have one, maybe two people who can write me a legitimate letter of recommendation. Like I said, I haven't been in the habit of dealing with Profs much outside of class.

Things I have going for me:
1. I’ve started two of my own businesses, and I know that I want to be an entrepreneur. I care passionately about creating my own way, and I had enormous success running a sneaker business in high school, and I’m starting my second project (a political news site) right now.
2. I got a 790 on the GMAT, 51Q 51V. I was actually surprised that I didn't get an 800, but I haven't gotten my official score yet so maybe there is some weird procedure about 800s or something that I'm not aware of. I found the test pretty easy, and I could get an 800 if I wanted to take it again, but it’s not worth it.
3. I have a lot of leadership experience. I am the president of the largest and most active fraternity on campus and I was the VP of the inter fraternity council as a sophomore.

Variance: I actually devote an enormous amount of my time to a college football algorithm that I wrote, which has been doing extremely well, and also to poker. Through a sample size that is large to an extremely significant degree, I can say with confidence that I could easily make 150-300k a year gambling, if I chose to do it 8 hours a day, 5 days a week… and that’s assuming that I wouldn’t improve dramatically, but rather that I would continue to win at my current rates. However, that lifestyle really doesn't appeal to me and I really want to go to business school and then become an entrepreneur. The question is this: it’s something that I’m extremely proud of, extremely good at, and (in my mind at least) extremely translatable to the business world. Is it too risky to discuss on an application? Will I get dismissed as a degenerate by people who don’t understand the industry? Does the fact that I have a 790 on the GMAT make it more believable?

Also, I’m only applying to HBS and Stanford, because I figured that I would have a great chance to go to a top 5 school after working for 2-4 years, so I’m just trying to fast-track myself. If I don’t get into either school, I will have no problem going to work (although I have no clue what I want to do in terms of getting a real job) for a few years and then reapplying.

What do you think my chances are? I can’t find any numbers for acceptance rates for kids straight out of high school, but they can’t be very high… I was hoping for a 10-20% shot, but I don’t know if that’s realistic.

GMATbong · 10-15-2007, 01:09 PM

No point on looking at acceptance rate since people at your age for both school is so small and they are , well, statistical insignificant. so just apply away and see what happen.

My feeling, even if you could get in, they will ask you to defer and get some WE.

Let me give you some prespective on what Harvard and Wharton were looking for since I don't know Stanford enough.

For Harvard, their targeting pool for fresh grad are those student who will be going to Law and Med schools so this will give you a sense who are your competitor. And most of time, once admitted, HBS will ask them to defer.

For Wharton, there is a few (like 10 per year) submatriculate undergrad but those ppl were "asked" by the MBA admin to apply. You can't just apply and get in.

BTW, since you are at berkerly already, why don't you ask Hass and see how easy or hard to get in there for fresh grad? This will give you a better sense.

CaliforniaKid · 10-15-2007, 07:20 PM

Thanks for the advice. I'll go talk to some people at Haas (not Hass) and see what they think. I don't want to apply to Berkeley right now, since I've already been here for 4 years and two summers... I feel like I need to get out for at least a few years as much as I love it here.

I'm not really as interested in Wharton, but how do I go about making myself visible to the admissions programs and getting 'asked' to apply? It seems a bit late for that, no?

GMATbong · 10-16-2007, 03:04 AM

I am not asking you to go to berkerly but just a sense of the admin process for fresh grad ended up there. Perhaps meeting and sizing them up.

Each school has different processes and useless you are in that school, say stanford or harvard, you probably will not get that invitation.

In any case, since you are applying anyway, just hand in your app and see.

haddy74 · 10-19-2007, 02:34 AM

In 2006, a friend of mine (to keep the record straight, I only know him from this forum not personally), U of Chicago fresh graduate, 22, 3.8 GPA (Econ major), 790 GMAT, decent extra, a lot of leadership activities at shcool, got into Stanford. You have a strong chance at Stanford as Bolton loves high GMAT scores and prestigious undergrads....

CaliforniaKid · 10-19-2007, 07:01 PM

"So you're saying there's a chance...."

At least I know that much, thanks for the input.

josepucp · 10-19-2007, 08:00 PM

Let's try INSEAD in France or CEIBS in CHina

haddy74 · 10-20-2007, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaliforniaKid

"So you're saying there's a chance...."

At least I know that much, thanks for the input.

Well no one can predict your chances but frankly speaking, with a state school undergrad, weak GPA and that too in a very soft major in conjunction with relatively weak leadership activities (gambling is good but it is not exactly what a top B-schools look for), I really don’t see HBS happening. Stanford/Wharton may be. 790 in GMAT is good but it is just a small piece of a bigger puzzle. Good luck.

going4it · 10-22-2007, 01:28 PM

California Kid,

I am actually applying RD2 Harvard straight out of college. If there is one school that is willing to take students from college, its harvard. They are focusing on getting "up and coming stars" rather than "veteran leaders." There is evidence to my claim as they just opened up the 2+2 program, specifically desgined to attract younger applicants. I also met this guy that got in straight from college into hbs. Its very doable. Its about proving that you will contribute to hbs. Good luck, and maybe i will see you next fall.

10-15-2007, 09:57 AM	#1 (permalink)
CaliforniaKid Trying to make mom and pop proud Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 18	What are my chances at HBS/Stanford straight out of college? My 2 questions: 1. What are my chances at HBS and Stanford coming straight out of college? I’m 21, currently a senior at UC Berkeley. I’m applying 2nd round at HBS and either 1st or 2nd at Stanford. 2. How would you package the gambling (see below) or would you even mention it at all? Knocks against me: 1. My grades are relatively low (~3.5 as a Political Science major, which is pretty easy at UCB, although in my defense my GPA has gone up substantially every year) and I haven't really challenged myself that much academically since I've always had so much other stuff going on. 2. Little to no real work experience. I had one I-banking internship, which I hated, and that's about it. I've always been too busy wheeling and dealing on my own, which I found much more rewarding. 3. As of now, I have one, maybe two people who can write me a legitimate letter of recommendation. Like I said, I haven't been in the habit of dealing with Profs much outside of class. Things I have going for me: 1. I’ve started two of my own businesses, and I know that I want to be an entrepreneur. I care passionately about creating my own way, and I had enormous success running a sneaker business in high school, and I’m starting my second project (a political news site) right now. 2. I got a 790 on the GMAT, 51Q 51V. I was actually surprised that I didn't get an 800, but I haven't gotten my official score yet so maybe there is some weird procedure about 800s or something that I'm not aware of. I found the test pretty easy, and I could get an 800 if I wanted to take it again, but it’s not worth it. 3. I have a lot of leadership experience. I am the president of the largest and most active fraternity on campus and I was the VP of the inter fraternity council as a sophomore. Variance: I actually devote an enormous amount of my time to a college football algorithm that I wrote, which has been doing extremely well, and also to poker. Through a sample size that is large to an extremely significant degree, I can say with confidence that I could easily make 150-300k a year gambling, if I chose to do it 8 hours a day, 5 days a week… and that’s assuming that I wouldn’t improve dramatically, but rather that I would continue to win at my current rates. However, that lifestyle really doesn't appeal to me and I really want to go to business school and then become an entrepreneur. The question is this: it’s something that I’m extremely proud of, extremely good at, and (in my mind at least) extremely translatable to the business world. Is it too risky to discuss on an application? Will I get dismissed as a degenerate by people who don’t understand the industry? Does the fact that I have a 790 on the GMAT make it more believable? Also, I’m only applying to HBS and Stanford, because I figured that I would have a great chance to go to a top 5 school after working for 2-4 years, so I’m just trying to fast-track myself. If I don’t get into either school, I will have no problem going to work (although I have no clue what I want to do in terms of getting a real job) for a few years and then reapplying. What do you think my chances are? I can’t find any numbers for acceptance rates for kids straight out of high school, but they can’t be very high… I was hoping for a 10-20% shot, but I don’t know if that’s realistic.

10-15-2007, 01:09 PM	#2 (permalink)
GMATbong TestMagic Guru Verified Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 1,417	No point on looking at acceptance rate since people at your age for both school is so small and they are , well, statistical insignificant. so just apply away and see what happen. My feeling, even if you could get in, they will ask you to defer and get some WE. Let me give you some prespective on what Harvard and Wharton were looking for since I don't know Stanford enough. For Harvard, their targeting pool for fresh grad are those student who will be going to Law and Med schools so this will give you a sense who are your competitor. And most of time, once admitted, HBS will ask them to defer. For Wharton, there is a few (like 10 per year) submatriculate undergrad but those ppl were "asked" by the MBA admin to apply. You can't just apply and get in. BTW, since you are at berkerly already, why don't you ask Hass and see how easy or hard to get in there for fresh grad? This will give you a better sense. Last edited by GMATbong : 10-15-2007 at 01:26 PM.

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10-15-2007, 07:20 PM	#3 (permalink)
CaliforniaKid Trying to make mom and pop proud Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 18	Thanks for the advice. I'll go talk to some people at Haas (not Hass) and see what they think. I don't want to apply to Berkeley right now, since I've already been here for 4 years and two summers... I feel like I need to get out for at least a few years as much as I love it here. I'm not really as interested in Wharton, but how do I go about making myself visible to the admissions programs and getting 'asked' to apply? It seems a bit late for that, no?

10-16-2007, 03:04 AM	#4 (permalink)
GMATbong TestMagic Guru Verified Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 1,417	I am not asking you to go to berkerly but just a sense of the admin process for fresh grad ended up there. Perhaps meeting and sizing them up. Each school has different processes and useless you are in that school, say stanford or harvard, you probably will not get that invitation. In any case, since you are applying anyway, just hand in your app and see.

10-19-2007, 02:34 AM	#5 (permalink)
haddy74 Within my grasp! Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 204	In 2006, a friend of mine (to keep the record straight, I only know him from this forum not personally), U of Chicago fresh graduate, 22, 3.8 GPA (Econ major), 790 GMAT, decent extra, a lot of leadership activities at shcool, got into Stanford. You have a strong chance at Stanford as Bolton loves high GMAT scores and prestigious undergrads....

10-19-2007, 07:01 PM	#6 (permalink)
CaliforniaKid Trying to make mom and pop proud Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 18	"So you're saying there's a chance...." At least I know that much, thanks for the input.

10-19-2007, 08:00 PM	#7 (permalink)
josepucp Trying to make mom and pop proud Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2	Let's try INSEAD in France or CEIBS in CHina

10-22-2007, 01:28 PM	#9 (permalink)
going4it Eager! Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 42	California Kid, I am actually applying RD2 Harvard straight out of college. If there is one school that is willing to take students from college, its harvard. They are focusing on getting "up and coming stars" rather than "veteran leaders." There is evidence to my claim as they just opened up the 2+2 program, specifically desgined to attract younger applicants. I also met this guy that got in straight from college into hbs. Its very doable. Its about proving that you will contribute to hbs. Good luck, and maybe i will see you next fall.

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