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09 Mar 2017, 18:26
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Hello:
I will be applying for a US MBA program later this year for the fall 2018 class and would like to seek your insights on what my chances are for getting into one of the top MBA programs. All your comments and advice will be highly appreciated!
My profile:
Age: 26 Chinese male
GMAT: 730 (96th percentile, exam took in late 2014)
Undergrad business degree (honors) with a 3.77 GPA and double majors
Undergrad college: Indiana (Kelley)
Work experience: ~5 years by summer 2018 (one year at Deloitte Consulting in the US in a technology consulting role, one year at a boutique IB in China with cross-border M&A experience, and 2.5 years at JPM China in an IB-related role with specialty in metals and mining)
Leadership experience including serving as the president for a local alumni chapter, hosting one of JPM China's annual dinners, and serving as a leadership team member of a volunteering group at JPM, teaching underprivileged children economics in the US etc.
My post-MBA goal is to transition to a China-focused buy side role with a focus on cross-border M&As.
My biggest concern is that since the position I have at JPM is an offshore program (JPM has no investment banking license in mainland China) and has an unusually long analyst tenure (2 yrs junior analyst+3 yrs analyst), I will probably still be an analyst by the time of my application.
That said, I wonder which US MBA programs I should focus on to optimize my chances to get in in the first round.
Thanks in advance!
I will be applying for a US MBA program later this year for the fall 2018 class and would like to seek your insights on what my chances are for getting into one of the top MBA programs. All your comments and advice will be highly appreciated!
My profile:
Age: 26 Chinese male
GMAT: 730 (96th percentile, exam took in late 2014)
Undergrad business degree (honors) with a 3.77 GPA and double majors
Undergrad college: Indiana (Kelley)
Work experience: ~5 years by summer 2018 (one year at Deloitte Consulting in the US in a technology consulting role, one year at a boutique IB in China with cross-border M&A experience, and 2.5 years at JPM China in an IB-related role with specialty in metals and mining)
Leadership experience including serving as the president for a local alumni chapter, hosting one of JPM China's annual dinners, and serving as a leadership team member of a volunteering group at JPM, teaching underprivileged children economics in the US etc.
My post-MBA goal is to transition to a China-focused buy side role with a focus on cross-border M&As.
My biggest concern is that since the position I have at JPM is an offshore program (JPM has no investment banking license in mainland China) and has an unusually long analyst tenure (2 yrs junior analyst+3 yrs analyst), I will probably still be an analyst by the time of my application.
That said, I wonder which US MBA programs I should focus on to optimize my chances to get in in the first round.
Thanks in advance!
VantagePointMelody
Joined: 19 Apr 2016
Last visit: 26 Jun 2024
Posts: 203
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 1
Schools: CBS '13 (A)
Expert reply
10 Mar 2017, 09:37
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Hi Marvin,
Thanks for sharing your profile! There's a lot to like here! I think that some of the top 10 schools should be within reach for you. It sounds like you have some upside in your GMAT score, so I would advise re-taking the test as soon as you're ready so you can get it out of the way. That will pair nicely with a strong track record from undergrad, solid EC's, and some interesting, international work experience. I would love to learn more about what you do at JPM because that will be somewhat indicative of how realistic your “buy side” post-MBA goals are.
On the topic of career goals, just a few pointers for you to start thinking about…the “why” behind your goals is just as important as the “what”. So clearly articulating why you want to move to the buy side and how an MBA will help you get there will be a key part of your application. In addition, don’t lose sight of the long-term! Communicating a vision for your career in the long-run and how you want to make an impact on the world can really help you set yourself apart in a competitive applicant pool.
Re: your question about a long-standing analyst title, don’t sweat it! It’s not abnormal for companies to have different hierarchy structures. Just make sure that your resume shows a trajectory of increased responsibility, leadership, and impact between your “Junior Analyst” and “Analyst” role. It may also be something you decide to include in an optional statement/essay in your application.
So back to your question on school selection, you should definitely apply to some of your top choices among the M7 but also consider hedging your bets with one or two top 15 programs (where you may have a higher likelihood for scholarships as well). When you say “buy side”, I assume you mean private equity? If so, hands-down Wharton is going to be the obvious first choice. Columbia and Chicago Booth are right up there as well, as are NYU and Tuck. Would you also consider LBS? (HBS and GSB are noticeably missing from this list and it’s not that they wouldn’t be great options – they are – but they’re reaches for everyone so they should be included in a balanced school selection strategy.)
I hope that helps give you a sense of where you stand! If you’d like to chat further, feel free to reach out! You can sign up for a free consultation with me here.
Best of luck to you!
Kindly,
Melody
Thanks for sharing your profile! There's a lot to like here! I think that some of the top 10 schools should be within reach for you. It sounds like you have some upside in your GMAT score, so I would advise re-taking the test as soon as you're ready so you can get it out of the way. That will pair nicely with a strong track record from undergrad, solid EC's, and some interesting, international work experience. I would love to learn more about what you do at JPM because that will be somewhat indicative of how realistic your “buy side” post-MBA goals are.
On the topic of career goals, just a few pointers for you to start thinking about…the “why” behind your goals is just as important as the “what”. So clearly articulating why you want to move to the buy side and how an MBA will help you get there will be a key part of your application. In addition, don’t lose sight of the long-term! Communicating a vision for your career in the long-run and how you want to make an impact on the world can really help you set yourself apart in a competitive applicant pool.
Re: your question about a long-standing analyst title, don’t sweat it! It’s not abnormal for companies to have different hierarchy structures. Just make sure that your resume shows a trajectory of increased responsibility, leadership, and impact between your “Junior Analyst” and “Analyst” role. It may also be something you decide to include in an optional statement/essay in your application.
So back to your question on school selection, you should definitely apply to some of your top choices among the M7 but also consider hedging your bets with one or two top 15 programs (where you may have a higher likelihood for scholarships as well). When you say “buy side”, I assume you mean private equity? If so, hands-down Wharton is going to be the obvious first choice. Columbia and Chicago Booth are right up there as well, as are NYU and Tuck. Would you also consider LBS? (HBS and GSB are noticeably missing from this list and it’s not that they wouldn’t be great options – they are – but they’re reaches for everyone so they should be included in a balanced school selection strategy.)
I hope that helps give you a sense of where you stand! If you’d like to chat further, feel free to reach out! You can sign up for a free consultation with me here.
Best of luck to you!
Kindly,
Melody
11 Mar 2017, 08:08
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Hi there,
Thanks for sharing your background with us. How many times have you taken the GMAT? If only once, it may be worth prepping for a few weeks, taking another practice test, and if you are scoring in the 740-760 range, I would retake. Don't get me wrong, your 730 isn't bad, and it puts you in the conversation at an M7 school. This is all about maximizing every aspect of your application to put your best foot forward.
I like your work experience a lot. While you still might be an analyst, you've progressed in your career over the past few years, and it sounds like you've earned at least a promotion or two. Another component is going to be your leadership capacity - both formal and informal. It would be great to learn more about your key accomplishments at JPM as well. From what you shared, your involvement is decent, so that will be an area I'd like to explore further. Finally, I think your story aligns quite well. Your post-MBA goal makes a lot of sense given your current role, international experience, and global network.
I like CBS, Wharton, and Booth for you as well Stern and some other schools that you might be a stand out for but will still help you reach your goals. If you'd like to chat more about your upcoming application or about how we can help, feel free to sign up for a free consultation below - we'd love to chat! In the meantime, take a look at some of our free resources as you think through your upcoming applications.
Thanks for sharing your background with us. How many times have you taken the GMAT? If only once, it may be worth prepping for a few weeks, taking another practice test, and if you are scoring in the 740-760 range, I would retake. Don't get me wrong, your 730 isn't bad, and it puts you in the conversation at an M7 school. This is all about maximizing every aspect of your application to put your best foot forward.
I like your work experience a lot. While you still might be an analyst, you've progressed in your career over the past few years, and it sounds like you've earned at least a promotion or two. Another component is going to be your leadership capacity - both formal and informal. It would be great to learn more about your key accomplishments at JPM as well. From what you shared, your involvement is decent, so that will be an area I'd like to explore further. Finally, I think your story aligns quite well. Your post-MBA goal makes a lot of sense given your current role, international experience, and global network.
I like CBS, Wharton, and Booth for you as well Stern and some other schools that you might be a stand out for but will still help you reach your goals. If you'd like to chat more about your upcoming application or about how we can help, feel free to sign up for a free consultation below - we'd love to chat! In the meantime, take a look at some of our free resources as you think through your upcoming applications.
