Hello, I plan to apply for CBS 2024 intake and here's my profile. Would love to know: 1)how good are my chances at CBS and 2) given my profile which round should I apply for? Thanks in advance!
Background- Mainland China, Male, 25 years old (born in 1997)
Undergrad Info- BA in Journalism (Advertising specification), Top3 university in Mainland China
- GPA 3.25 out of 4.0
- Low GPA because during my sophomore year I realized that I don't like the courses and I don't want to work in the journalism field given the situation of press in China. Instead, I started to look for opportunities in business field and devoted a lot of time into internships in consulting and banking because at least I would get a better paid job after graduation. Actually even though the overrall GPA is low, I got straight As in all business related and "international" courses including Business English, Academic English (Management Science), Cross Cultural Communication, etc.. This was what really happened behind my GPA but I'm not sure if it sounds legit enough to the admission officers.
Test Scores- GMAT 730 (Q48, V42, IR 8), retake scheduled in May, aiming for a 750 plus to compensate for my GPA but if doesn't go well may just go with the 730
- TOEFL 110
Internships- a total of 6 months at 2 Tier-2 consulting firms (think OW, RB, Kearney, Monitor)
- a year at a boutique financial advisory firm (top5 in China)
Full time Work Experience- Got return offer from the mentioned financial advisory firm, been working for it for 33 months now. Will be 48 months by Aug 2024 matriculation.
- Typical investment banking junior work. Focus on private placement transcactions in consumer goods, logistics and advanced manufacturing.
- Highlights: I acted as the leader of a RMB100m fundraising for a famous consumer brand. The manager of deal team left the firm soon after the deal was kicked off so I, as only an Analyst then, took the initiatives to lead the deal. The deal was closed in only 1 month and considered a star deal in the industry of that year.
- Promoted twice, currently an Associate; three pay raises; top ratings for 3 consecutive years; "Star Staff of 2021" with most bonus months.
- I think this "journalism → financial professional" switch and my performance at the firm may help me stand out a little bit but I still need to work on the story.
Community- During undergrad: volunteer home tutor for a kid living in poor neighborhood for 1 year
- After undergrad: 1) community volunteer during Covid lockdown, mainly helped old residents "group purchase" food when the food supply and delivery capicity were extremely scarce due to lockdown; 2) volunteer at the biggest AIDS health promotion organization in Shanghai, organize various kinds of group activities, pack and give out HIV test kits, etc.
Target SchoolsM7 + Stern. Want to go to CBS the most because I love NYC and I have two colleages who are CBS alumni.
Post-MBA Goals- Continue to work in banking or PE/VC