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MrPink78
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Profile Evaluation - 26y/o Male - Corporate Finance Updated on: 18 Feb 2009, 15:45
Originally posted by MrPink78 on 13 Feb 2009, 21:02.
Last edited by MrPink78 on 18 Feb 2009, 15:45, edited 1 time in total.
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Thanks!
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Profile Evaluation - 26y/o Male - Corporate Finance 15 Feb 2009, 06:55
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I think you have a great profile and should have a chance as long as you have strong work leadership experience (professional and extracurricular). I think 700 is a good score, slightly lower than the average of some schools you are applying to and because you are in a popular demographic (white, male, finance) I don't think it would hurt to try for a higher score if you have the time.

H/W/S really depends on your essays and how you are able to really sell yourself to them. Research to see what those schools are specifically looking for and write your essays towards that. Your second and third group are also very competitive, and again essays are key. Because there are so many applicants from the finance industry it's important to make sure you make yourself stand out from others in your applications. I think your extracurriculars can help you stand out as long as you write about them in such a way to do so - being a triathlete is a plus!
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Profile Evaluation - 26y/o Male - Corporate Finance 16 Feb 2009, 09:27
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When I looked at your profile and thought about your chances at H/S, the first thing that came to my mind was ‘close but no cigar’. Everything falls a little short for these schools, especially given your background/demographic.

Don’t get me wrong. Your profile is strong but just not exciting enough for H or S. Your tri-athlete bit is interesting but unless you’ve had a top 5 finish at a respectable event, I don’t think it’s going to help much. Keep in mind that whenever your GPA and/or GMAT are below a schools median, you have to bring something extra to the table for them to accept you.

Having said that though, I think you definitely stand a chance at all of the other schools. I’ll talk about your chances at each school.

Wharton – You stand a chance right now if --- your GMAT has a (48Q (+/-1) and 38V (-/+1) split, your GPA has an upward trend (ideally) and obviously your essays show maturity, self-awareness, et al.

Columbia – I think that your best bet is to apply in the ED round. Apply as early as possible. A lot of people with a 700 get in this round. Also, CBS is a very good fit for you given your asset management/IB career goals. It would be tougher for you in the RD round.

Kellogg – I’m not sure why you’ve picked Kellogg given your goals but Kellogg is one school that can be very difficult to predict.


All the other schools (including Chicago) - I think that if you stay on track and put in a reasonably strong application, you should get in. Customize your essays a little to include stories/anecdotes that go well with each school’s values. These applications are for you to screw up.

Lastly, just wish to point out that a HF/PE job will be incredibly difficult to get even at H or S. Most people don’t realize this but the people who get those jobs at H/S or anywhere else usually have relevant experience in those fields. You could get lucky but in the current economic climate, your chances are slim. You might be better off pursuing an inv management role or IB role and then moving to a HF or PE group respectively.

Also, if you’re GMAT isn’t balanced, I would definitely recommend taking it again especially if you can cross 720 (740 would be ideal). Unfortunately, with the huge increase in applications over the years, 720 is the new 700.
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Profile Evaluation - 26y/o Male - Corporate Finance 17 Feb 2009, 12:21
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Many thanks Olive and Legend,

If I am not planning on matriculating for a year or two would you say there is anything I could do in the meantime to strengthen my profile?

Thanks again for the thorough and detailed responses.
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Profile Evaluation - 26y/o Male - Corporate Finance 18 Feb 2009, 04:56
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I honestly think that you are better off applying this year. Your profile is strong and there really isn’t much you can do because the weaknesses in your profile are things you don’t have control over.

What I meant when I said ‘close but no cigar’ is:

If your GPA were 3.6+ and not 3.4
If you went to UC Berkley (or similar school) and not Cal Poly
If you worked for a Large Cap Fortune 100 ( Fortune 50 ideally) and not a Mid Cap Fortune 500.
If your GMAT were 720+ and not 700 (this is something you do have control over)

If you could change all of the above things, something you obviously cannot (except the GMAT) then you would have had more of a shot at H and S. HBS is more likely to take a chance on you though if you can spin some GREAT story for them. It would help if you placed well in some respectable tri-athlete tournament. There are way too many people with a 3.6+ top school + high GMAT and similar (or better) career progressions at better firms applying to those schools. It’s tough for you to truly stand out.

As I mentioned earlier, what matters is that you are able to land a job in your desired field. Columbia, Chicago and Wharton (slight reach) are all just as likely to get you there so you don’t HAVE to attend H and S to get that kind of job. A HF/PE job is unlikely for most people no matter where they go, especially in this environment.

Besides applying later to H and S are only going to hurt you because they clearly dislike older candidates so any good you accomplish in 2 years (unless its SPECTACULAR) will be offset by your age. If you’re really certain that this is what you want to do, APPLY THIS YEAR!