Profile evaluation

Question

Hi,
Im a 25 year old Indian looking for some feedback on my chances of cracking my dream schools - Wharton, Chicago and Insead.. My profile is as follows:

GMAT - 720 Q 49 , V 40
Chartered Accountant (May05) - All India Rank 46 
(36 months internship in a local CA firm)

WE
9 months in family CA firm which provides its SME clients statutory and internal audit services and tax related advice
35 months in Ernst & Young 
- 17 of which was in the risk advisory division where i worked primarily on process reviews and implementations where ive worked across with clients in varied industries such as Metals & Mining, Oil and Gas Upstream E&P, Banking and FMCG
- 18 months in due diligence for M&A and PE deals both on the buy and sell sides with deal valuations USD 20 - 200m and across industries such as real estate, port services, IT, logistics and Metals.
As I've progressed in both these profiles I've demonstrated the ability to work well in teams and was also rated highly on leadership skills. This resulted in an accelerated promotion upon probation in the risk advisory profile and I expect to be promoted soon in my current profile.

Ive also been actively involved in extra curriculars. I was the lead singer of a local rock band and also play the guitar. 
I have also won several medals at the college and school level in sports such as cricket, basketball and volleyball.

I would be grateful if you could let me know whether my profile would be a fit at schools such as the ones I've listed above and was also wondering whether i would even have an outside chance of cracking H / S if I were to apply to them. Which other schools would you recommend I apply to given that I am looking at an MBA to progress into high end finance profiles such as PE / IB. 
Look forward to hearing from you.

PaulBodine · Answer

satyr2K,

Your profile looks strong, though not unusual enough IMO to make Stanford or HBS realistic. The extracurricular leadership looks a little weak for Chicago, Wharton, and INSEAD, and the fact that your work-related leadership roles don't appear to be formal (I infer this from the way you described your professional career) doesn't help your chances. Finally, though you do not fit the "Male Indian IT" category (which is an 'oversubscribed' applicant pool) being a male Indian applicant doesn't help you in terms of standing out or making a case as a diversity applicant. So by all means apply to Chicago, Wharton, and INSEAD as longshots, but given your goals, also consider the following schools--all top ranked in finance--where I think you'll be more competitive: Cornell, Duke, Virginia, CMU, UNC, Indiana, Texas, Georgetown, among others.

Hope this helps,

satyr2k · Answer

Hi Paul,

Thank you so much for your feedback. I guess my description of my leadership skills in the earlier post was indeed hazy. Well, Ive led teams at every stage in my career - while at my family firm, in E&Y's risk advisory and in my current job in due diligence where a promotion to senior associate is imminent and reflective of my leadership abilities. Ive always intended to progress to Investment Banking as my long term goal is to setup a corporate advisory practice that compliments my family's audit and taxation firm. Not having an MBA has proved as a hurdle so far in gaining entry into this coveted field. I desire to pursue an MBA as it would also help me in honing my entrepreneurial skills and this would help me in expanding my family's recent foray into the Indian realty development business. Despite a significant price correction, we still possess a land bank with a significant valuation and look to explore and exploit opportunities as they emerge.

Would my entrepreneurial goals and aforesaid leadership skills fortify my case to make it to the schools that you deemed as "longshot" ?

Look forward to hearing from you

Regards

PaulBodine · Answer

satyr2k,

Yes, your goals are distinctive, which will help you stand out, and I'll take your word for it that your leadership strong (the more direct reports the merrier). So, yes, your odds look better at those longshot schools.

Good luck,

Blayze · Answer

Paul, it sounds like the inference you're making (with regards to work-related leadership roles) is that younger finance/m&a guys don't really have the opportunity to lead. As a private equity guy myself, I would agree, and I think it would be a stretch to spin an analyst/associate role at any IB/PE shop into some sort of "leadership angle" because the reality is that as hard as these jobs may be to attain, at the end of the day they are still analytical grunt roles.

Having said that, what advice would you give for "m&a guys" such as myself and the original poster, to differentiate ourselves through our essays with regards to work experience in this field? I am really trying to avoid having to talk about building models, conducting due diligence, creating presentations etc., but the fact of the matter is, this is 95% of the job in these roles.

I understand that given the one dimensional nature of our job, we will have to emphasize other aspects of our application (ie: extra curric), but when talking about our jobs, how do you suggest we make ourselves "unique"?

Thanks!

PaulBodine · Answer

Blayze,

To differentiate yourself given your roles, I recommend (aside from being able to demonstrate excellence in your role) demonstrating leadership outside of work in whatever way possible. I also recommend defining some expertise niche for yourself (even if it's only expressed in terms of your post-MBA goals) to help yourself stand out. I also taking some creative chances with your essays to show that while your work may be "grunt work," you are actually a lively, engaged, interesting person. Finally, if your IB/PE firm has some specific niche itself, I recommend accentuating that to emphasize that you are not a "typical" IB/PE guy.

Hope this helps,

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