sdd996 wrote:
Age/Gender: 26/M
GMAT Score/GPA : 700 (Q48/V38) / 3.49 in Math, private New England school
Work Experience: [industry/years] Finance - Hedge Fund, Back Office / 5 yrs (at matriculation)
Location: NY/CT
Schools applied to: HBS, Wharton, Booth, Columbia, NYU, Duke, MIT
Any consulting services used: [Yes/NO, Who?] No
#Interviews: Duke
#WL: Duke
Optional:
Which ding hurt the most and why?: The Duke ding hurt because I felt that my interview went really well. Just visiting and spending the weekend got me really excited about the program. CU and NYU also hurt a lot, as NYC would be my top location. I also did my NYU app as one of the last, and felt it was the best app I submitted. My recommender was also a Sterm alum.
Why the lack of success? I think it must have been my essays/story. My GMAT wasn't great, and I should have had it 10-20 points higher, but I find it really hard to believe that was the deciding factor. I know my essays were written well, because my gf edited them and she's a professional editor. I think my story was too high level and just a verbose representation of my resume. Also, I'm sure that coming from back office finance (even from a decently well known 5-10bn hedge fund) and wanting to go IB throws me into a bucket against all the kids who did IB right out of school, which can't help.
What next? I'll be reapplying this year. I've beaten myself up over this plenty, and I'm sure I will straight through this app season. It's tough, but I know I want/need to go to school, so I have to push through. I've revised my list slightly, dropping MIT and HBS and replacing them with Kellogg and Darden. I refuse to go any lower because I want to get into IB, so a lower caliber school won't do it. Also, schools like Tuck, Cornell or Michigan are in locations that I don't want to be. My professional growth should be strong, as my boss is 100% behind me in this process and doing all they can to help me in the process. I retook the GMAT, but unfortunately hit 700 again (Q50/V35) with my AWA up to a 6 from 5.5. I was averaging 730-740, so I was very disappointed, but I doubt I'll retake it. Also, looking back, I think my resume could use a rework. I pitched myself there and in my essays too much as a technical, hard worker, and not enough as a leader. I'll also most likely hire a consultant for 1-2 schools, but I'm still in the process of deciding which consultant and for which programs, as reapplicant apps are very different (and often much shorter) than regular ones. My CBS app will be going early decision, and submitted as early as I possibly feel it's ready. My Duke will go EA. NYU will also go early. Hoping that helps.
Overall I think I just need to get my mind back into it. Like I said, I took this pretty hard as I'm not used to failing, especially not this spectacularly. I know in the end that I'm a more than qualified applicant, and that I just need to 'play the game' better when it comes to the apps. I can't decide if I should stick with my IB goal, which is 100% my real goal, or adjust it to something more along the lines of a consultant or a future CFO, since that better aligns with my specific experience. I hate to think this is factored in, and I know you're supposed to be honest, but I can't help but feel that wanting to go IB w/o front office experience hurt me.
You sound like you have a real good head on your shoulders man. Good luck.