highyieldcredit wrote:
Hi - thanks for taking the time. I'm submitting this profile evaluation request to kick-off my business school application process.
GMAT: 710 (45 Q, 41 V), 6 AWA, 8 IR
Undergraduate: Economics major at a top three public university (U.S.); graduated almost a year early if that's of any significance
GPA: 3.66
Work experience: Two years at a top, but niche, investment banking group; two years at a leading high-yield credit fund; fund has a track record of sending associates to Harvard (and Columbia, to a lesser extent)
Other information: 26 years old (at matriculation); male; extracurricular activities include guest lecturing at my alma mater and mentoring underprivileged high school students
Post-MBA goal: Strategic finance role at a major tech firm (e.g., Google, Apple, Amazon) or a global retail/apparel company (e.g., Nike, LVMH)
Schools considering: Harvard, Stanford, Columbia; round one for all schools
A few questions: How realistic are the schools I'm considering? Would applying to Columbia via early decision drastically improve my odds? What other schools should I be considering with my profile and post-MBA goal?
Thanks so much.
Hello there!
Great to hear from you and happy to be around for your kickoff.
So overall, your profile is very good. Top school, good grades, early graduation, the right industry and a good firm. I'll assume you have performed well in your time there to make things easy
I don't have a clear idea yet of your volunteer work, ECs, but as long as those are relatively solid you should be fine.
The main issue I think with your current idea is your goals - from IB to corporate finance in It. It's a pretty strange jump. Meaning one that I don't see how it can help your application. Of course once you actually get into B-school, sure go ahead do it. But for the moment I don't yet see how it makes sense with your past (other than the fact you want it).
The other thing that could be improved (if indeed it can) is your GMAT. A 710 is excellent, but not as amazing as it once used to be. So if you are sure you can get higher, go for it. If not, then it's fine. You can get into a top school with a profile like yours with a 710. Its just a question of making it easier for them.
Finally, a few thoughts about your schools. First, is that if you are comping from IB and go to Columbia, the chances are pretty low that you will end up in corporate finance in It. Just because you will be surrounded by NY finance people, and there will be your opportunities.
Stanford makes more sense (in terms of your REAL goals, if they remain so). As would Haas or MIT (even if a bit lower ranked). Now, I always tell people to go to the best school they can get into, and no different here. But if you have very specific goals, it's not a bad idea to be a bit flexible at least at the application stage. For Columbia, you can apply EA, but think hard and long if you want to lose the money. Meaning if your firm consistently sends people to HBS and you write a good app, you have a real chance at HBS with your profile, so you might be throwing away money. On the other hand, yes you get higher chances. It's up to you as to how much those better chances are worth (and also what and how many other schools you will ultimately apply to)
I hope all this makes sense, and if you have any followup questions, don't hesitate.
Best,
Jon