Hi
cbsdreamer2020,
Thank you for your post and congratulations on the stellar GMAT score. Here are a few observations and responses:
- Generally speaking, ratings agency experience (e.g., S&P) is viewed is solid but not outstanding. But what you do and have done there matter greatly, too. Showcasing your advancement, impact, successes, teamwork, learning experiences, and leadership potential via your resume, essays, and recommendations will be critical.
- I would not count the Johnson and Johnson co-op experience toward your official full-time work experience tally. (It's a "cooperative education program," after all, and would be thought of more along the lines of an internship.) But because it was a fairly deep experience, it would likely warrant a little more attention on your resume than a typical summer internship. Still, I'd view you as someone applying with two years of experience to enroll with three. (Maybe "two-plus" to enroll with "three-plus" in a qualitative sense.)
- That places you on the lower end of the spectrum with respect to work experience. The average for students at the programs you've mentioned is five, and the middle 80% range at Columbia, for example, is three to eight. It's great that you were promoted once already at S&P, but you're only going to have two years of experience to draw upon when writing your essays and telling your story. It will be harder for you to show advancement of responsibilities, leadership, and impact compared with other, more seasoned applicants. Plenty of folks do it, and plenty get in, but I typically find that candidates who apply with two years of experience (to enroll with three) underperform relative to where they could potentially get in if they were to apply a year or two later.
- Your GMAT score is very strong, so congratulations again on that. It is the most noteworthy element of your profile. Several other elements feel okay but not spectacular. Your GPA, for instance, is a little below average for top programs at a "solid but not spectacular" range of university. You seem nominally involved in extracurriculars, so I'd tag that as "okay but not spectacular" as well. Long story short, I don't quite see major differentiators beyond your GMAT score.
- For the reasons described above, a strategy that focuses exclusively on Wharton, Booth, and Columbia feels too aggressive to me. Whether applying this year or next (with another year of work experience), I'd encourage you to diversify. When you do decide to apply, I think Columbia ED is definitely a worthwhile thought.
- As you prepare for that, I encourage you to develop your career goals and research / engage with programs, especially Columbia if you think you might apply early. On the career side, it needs be more than just "transition to the buy-side." What role do you want? At what firm(s)? In or covering what sector(s)? Why? How does who you are what you've done to this point PLUS the MBA get you there? What knowledge, skills, and experience do you have that are already relevant? What knowledge, skills, and experience are you missing and therefore need to acquire via the MBA?
- How exactly will you acquire them at XYZ program? Which courses, clubs, extracurriculars? What about that program's culture and community and career opportunities make it right for you? What unique perspective can you bring to the class? In what ways can you uniquely contribute? What's your "passion and purpose" and how does that align with the program? In short, continue to research programs that align with your goals, broaden your list of targets (e.g., NYU Stern?), attend events, chat with current students and alumni, and visit if you can.
I am happy to chat via a Free Consultation. There are other things you can do inside and outside of work to enhance you profile, especially if you apply next year. But it's hard to capture everything via a response like this (which is already quite long!). So please feel free to sign up to chat:
https://www.avantiprep.com/free-consultation.htmlBest Regards,
Greg