Crimea - really appreciate the thoughts and comments. I've decided on Wharton as well and can't wait - I'll PM you so that we can connect during next weekends admit day as well.
In regards to the VC path, you are absolutely correct that one of the main paths is being a successful entrepreneur, exiting and then transitioning over into VC. There are a couple of other paths that include a pure finance route, a successful startup career (not as a founder, but as early employee), and the post MBA associate/rise up to partner route as well.
I'm definitely open to continued entrepreneurial activities (and I'm really excited about possibly participating in the VIP Wharton program for a year post graduation with some of my colleagues) but want to make sure I've kept my options open (and maximized them) for a potential transition into VC as well.
At the end of the day, the Wharton brand (both in the US and globally) is top notch and will definitely go a long way.
crimea wrote:
Hey Cyrez,
First -- congrats, this is a great problem to have.
Second -- I come from a mixed finance/startup background in both NYC and SF, and I chose to apply only to Wharton EMBA (got accepted and am starting in May). My reasoning was based on two factors: solid finance core and a fantastic network across both Venture Capital and Private Equity communities. Think about it: a great VC/PE professional is someone who has extreme mastery of valuations. This is what Wharton is famous for! Entrepreneurship classes are meant to *complement* a solid finance core, as they focus on various stages of a startup, raising series Seed, A, B, etc, hiring, scaling, and so on.
On a separate note, I think great VCs and not hired out of B-school. They start companies, become successful, and join as senior partners, or start their own investment firms. I believe your Wharton network will be tremendous to do just that. If you have any doubts about this point, do yourself a favor and read pp. 6-8 of this book before you make up your mind:
Either way, best of luck!