Admitted with $100,000 scholarship to launch a career in consulting (despite 311 GRE!)

Husband and Wife launch new careers in the US through the Michigan MBA

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Carlos and his wife both got into Michigan, despite challenging test scores

Client name changed for confidentiality
Representative client image (AI-generated)

Before MBA Protocol

Before working with MBA Protocol, I came from the insurance sector in roles related to strategic planning and internal consulting. Since I had worked in the insurance industry for several years, I wanted to leave such a small niche and make a transition into financial services companies or fintechs, specifically into companies related to electronic payments.

I wanted to make this change because I felt I was in a sector that was lagging in innovation compared to others in the financial sector. Also, since the sector is so niche, there weren't many opportunities for the growth and international exposure I wanted to have.

Why MBA, why now

Now I want to make a pivot toward consulting that will allow me to acquire the necessary skills to implement the changes I want to make within the insurance industry in Colombia.

I chose this path because I realized that despite being frustrated with the lack of innovation in the sector, I found that it is an industry I am passionate about and one where I want to help my country progress, as it has great opportunities for improvement. Additionally, MBA Protocol helped me realize this through the various You Discovery exercises, which gradually showed me the path I truly wanted to take.

I tried to make the pivot by applying to fintechs and consulting firms in the past, but I had not been successful.

Getting into a top MBA was important to me because it was the most natural way to make the pivot I wanted. For the market, it turns out to be much more reliable to choose someone who is part of a top program globally than someone who applies individually. In other words, my chances of making the pivot increase thanks to the MBA and its focus on consulting. Likewise, for quite some time I wanted to live outside my country for a while, whether to study or work.

Because of this, an MBA was perfect for me, as it would allow me to do both and gain exposure to more developed companies with a global vision and impact.

Why MBA Protocol

MBA Protocol welcomes you with open arms, regardless of your academic and professional background.

Even though they know exams are important, they also understand that they aren't everything and because of this, they empower you to bring out your best in every part of your application.

I really liked the flexibility and methodology of the MBA LFG program, where each person sets their own pace and each stage guides you through the entire application process. It helps you to do a deep evaluation and understanding of your strengths and weaknesses, set professional goals in the short, mid, and long term, build a tier of potential programs to apply to based on the previously mentioned factors, and much more.

Also, since I applied with my wife, it was important to find someone who not only would root for us but also help us identify and apply to the programs where our chances of being accepted would be higher.

The work we did together

First, I understood what my chances were of being admitted to my dream programs using MBAmo and was able to focus my efforts.
MBA Protocol explains in great detail each stage of the application process, depending on the date you enroll in the program. This allowed me to create a clear work plan, prioritize tasks, focus efforts, and reduce uncertainty and stress.
With tools like You Discovery, Career Game Plan, and others, I was able to identify strengths, unique qualities, and my goals during and after the MBA. Thanks to this, I understood the true appeal I had as an international candidate, which boosted my confidence in myself and my application to the dream MBA.

With tools like You Discovery, Career Game Plan, and others, I was able to identify strengths, unique qualities, and my goals during and after the MBA.

Likewise, the program guided me step-by-step in building genuine stories that demonstrated why I should be part of each MBA, showing myself as a bold candidate, yet humble and proud of my international background.
Finally, during the interviews, the material provided by MBA Protocol was key to preparing each session according to the style of each university.

Coach Notes

My coach was Heather, and what I most highlight about her is that she is your biggest fan throughout the process. She is someone who genuinely believes in you and your potential, which also boosts your self-confidence and allows you to push past your self-imposed limits.

Her methodology was perfect for me because she is someone who, after you do the work of self-discovery, helps you shape all that information into unique stories, with which you feel identified and proud. Likewise, it gave me clarity about the programs I should apply to, which diversified the risk and increased the chances of being selected for a program with my wife.

She is a person who stands out for her commitment to each of her clients. She was always very available for my wife and me, whether it was reviewing essays, preparing us for interviews, or just having a therapy session and venting frustration.

MBA Admission Results

Facing the GRE, I received a guide on how to approach the exam and what methodology to use to improve my score, both in the verbal and quantitative sections, which helped me raise it over time.
Writing genuine essays that truly represented me, with which I obtained 3 interviews out of the 4 programs I applied to.
Of these 3 programs, I was accepted into 1 with a total scholarship of $100K, while I was waitlisted at the other 2 universities due to my GRE score. Not only was I accepted to this university, but my wife was as well.
Upon being accepted into this program, I understood much of the work done with MBA Protocol and was grateful for having done it, because it allowed me to have clarity and originality when presenting myself as an international candidate.

Advice to other pivoters

Clearly define whether the pivot is your Plan A or Plan B within your career.

Understand what a post-MBA person does in the industry you want to switch to: for this, have interviews with people who are in the desired sector.

Then, determine if your strengths and professional background work in your favor or against that transition. If not, look for ways to strengthen your appeal in your application and in front of the industry you want to join. Also, if the university has resources to support this process, use them and, in this way, have the support of experienced people in this type of career change.

Finally, and most importantly, apply and trust in yourself.

Carlos’s Success Statistics

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