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Hi BonesMBA, my comments in the lines below.

Hi everyone,
I’ve typed out a somewhat lengthy and detailed profile review below. I would love to hear some feedback on what areas I can improve and what schools I’m in range for. I’m going to be applying in 2020. Thank you!


ACADEMIC:
• GPA – 3.55
• School: Temple University
• GMAT: Taking in fall/winter of this year. Would love to hear how my chances would change if I got a 700 versus a 740. I’m fully committed and will retake a few times if needed.
• Other: CFA L1 passed, taking L2 next year (will have results before applications are due)

[MBA Prep Coach] GPA is good for just about any program, reputable school, I imagine you majored in finance? Your chances would be massively improved with a 740 as a male banker, especially if you are white, given that group of folk is overrepresented in application pools. Not to say you couldn’t finesse your way into Duke or maybe better with a 700 but a 740 would open up good odds for a top 5 program. I’m happy to see you passed CFA L1; this assures adcom that you can do math and it takes a bit of pressure off the GMAT situation. Still would like you to get 49+ on quant, but you’re mostly covered on that front.

WORK EXPERIENCE
• 2 years in a project management/internal consulting role at a BB (GS/JPM). Involved rotating into a new team every 6 months to work on a big project for that team. Mostly interfaced with back office, middle office, risk, and tech individuals. Slightly glorified operations role, but did manage teams and had to make sure project milestones were met.

[MBA Prep Coach] Operations. Do you improve any processes? Do your best to identity anecdotes that illustrate problem solving, process improvement and of course teamwork and leadership if possible. Maybe think about anything you did to improve compliance and what that meant in terms of the mess averted.

• 2 years (at time of application in 2020, 3 years at time of planned matriculation in 2021) in private banking at the same BB. Moved to a regional office that growing rapidly (20%+ revenue growth year over year). Lateral move but was one of the few who managed to make a move from the operation program I was in to a front office role. Directly interface with ultra high net worth clients and provide investment and wealth planning advice.

[MBA Prep Coach] There might be some fan-dancy ways to show this on your resume, that this was a growing office. Get the % of people who move from ops to client facing or front office to show the exclusivity on that.

• One of my major concerns about this is that it was a lateral move, as in I stayed an analyst and did not get promoted to associate. Is this something that I should be concerned about? The role involves a lot more responsibility, increased pay, and is also client facing.

[MBA Prep Coach] Is there any way you can negotiate for a better “working title” for resume purposes? Like today one of my clients approached his boss about putting Project Manager on his CV and Linked In and she was like that’s cool even though internally she wants him to stick with Senior or Lead something something. Maybe for you, can you negotiate for Lead or Senior blah blah? get more descriptive, just figure out a way to spice it up a bit to show progression or client facing blah blah.

EXTRACURRICULARS
• In college, involved in several investment funds where I researched specific industries and made investment recommendations

[MBA Prep Coach] Under college, indicate all college leadership shiz. Any winners here for the investments, any leadership ops or awards?

• During project management role, was the elected regional head for the firm’s Global Analyst Development Committee (planned events, came up with initiates to improve the program, organized senior speakers, etc.)

[MBA Prep Coach] This is strong experience, would leverage this in personal statement type questions if this had some transformational quality

• Member of my city’s “Volunteer Leadership Group”. We work with local charities (food banks, cleanups, financial literacy programs, etc.) to help get additional support or additional volunteers for them and also participate in the events ourselves.

[MBA Prep Coach] all the volunteer positions are good, but over the course of the coming year, would strongly recommend that you GET ON THE BOARD somewhere (like ASAP) and make high-impact contributions that will help them out. This will really strengthen your chances. (HBS looks for: habit of leadership, analytical aptitude, community service). Strong contributions at one of these places will be better than a smattering, from an application standpoint.

• Volunteer for the American Suicide Prevention Foundation. I help with a handful events annually but overall involvement is light. Prior to officially volunteering, I organized some smaller scale support events in my home town after a close friend committed suicide.

• Volunteer for a “tech awards committee” in my city. This involves researching companies who are locally based, building a case why they should receive an award, interviewing with the CEO or other exec of the company on behalf of the awards organization, then submitting a write up to the awards organization. Nominations take place in Jan-Mar, interviews take until June, write ups are due in July, and awards are given in the fall.

[MBA Prep Coach] Is this a vertical you want to work on for Investment Banking? Might be an argument for Stanford.

RECOMMENDERS:
• Going to be asking bankers from my current wealth management role who I’ve worked with my entire time in this role. Haven’t decided exactly who yet, but their titles range from VP to MD and will likely be receptive to helping.

[MBA Prep Coach] This sounds good but PLEASE DO NOT choose someone based on title. Choose someone who knows you very well, will make time for you, champion you, and has observed you modeling leadership/teamwork/problem solving. Someone who can describe from a first hand perspective and can add color and flavor about you that helps adcom feel closer to you.

• Will not be asking anyone from the 2 years I spend in project management. Due to the rotational nature of the program, I never got very close to a lot of the people I worked with.

GOAL OF MBA:
• Transition into investment banking. During my time in wealth management many of the clients I worked with were in the process of planning for an IPO or an acquisition in the tech space. While working with those clients, I was able to sometimes interact with the investment bankers they were using and learn more about the deals in general. I know I need to work on fleshing this out, but that’s the basis of why I want an MBA.

[MBA Prep Coach] Good that you have first-hand experience as to why this interests you. Apply that research to introspection about you; why is this your goal? Who are you and how is this a match?

TARGETS:

[MBA Prep Coach] NYC location is good of course, but I am not sure you will get the tight knit alumni group dynamic at Stern; not sure about CBS (would recommend living at international house at CBS to get that experience!) If your GMAT is high enough and you get a board position, I really think you should shoot for schools in the top 5.

• Top picks: Columbia, Stern, Tuck, Darden

[MBA Prep Coach] Because of locals attending there, would not say Stern is the best for tight alumni bonds unless you really set out to achieve that with clubs and stuff. CBS is not generally known as warm fuzzy either but I get the location advantage of course.

• Also considering: Johnson, Wharton, Fuqua, Yale, Booth, Ross
• I want a school that is known for a strong culture and tight knit alumni group, as I did not get that experience from my undergrad.

[MBA Prep Coach] if your GMAT ends up being closer to 700 than 740, or if you get a great GMAT and want a scholarship might consider Cornell, small tight knit program focused on IB. 2nd years with FT offers in hand mentor first years.

https://www.johnson.cornell.edu/programs/full-time-mba/two-year-mba/curriculum/immersion-learning/investment-banking/