eagle20 wrote:
Hello!
Thanks in advance for your insight. Appreciate your thoughts on how I stack up on schools listed below or any others to consider. While I am coming from finance background, would I be bucketed with Investment bankers from a grouping perspective? Or with a different group of applicants? Any insights on best way to differentiate myself based on the info below?
Currently considering: Wharton, Booth, Kellogg, Sloan, Ross, Haas, Fuqua, Darden
Plan is to apply to Wharton, Booth, Kellogg and Ross and maybe one other in round 1, plan on another 4 for round 2 as needed.
Profile: US Citizen White male, 26 years old with currently 4 years of work experience in corporate finance (5 years WE by matriculation)
Work experience: 2 years at Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac in finance analyst rotational program. 4 six-month rotations across finance including Economic capital planning roles, accounting, and general FP&A. Left after rotation program ended and took role as Senior Financial Analyst at leading bank/credit card company (think Chase, Capital One, Citibank) in Corporate Finance role. After 1.5 years, promoted to lead analyst on the same team and have currently been in that role for 5 months (and will be in same role by application deadlines). Have trained and mentored 3 other analysts who joined the team (although do not have any direct reports or direct managing responsibilities). Involved with heavy financial modeling and sizing financial impact on various scenarios and strategies that have material impacts on the business. As lead analyst, I am primary Finance point of contact on my team for major projects and working with the business and treasury departments
GMAT: 730. Q49/V39 IR: 8 AWA: 6
College info: top 5 public university (Berkley, Michigan, UVA). 3.5 GPA overall in Economics and History (double major). Only one C+ in Macroeconomics class, otherwise all Bs and As with decent amount of B+ or higher in intro calculus, economics, and statistics courses. No big trends either up or down in grades. Worked 4-6 hours per week on campus from sophomore through senior year. Heavily involved with social fraternity (rush and judicial committee) and intramural sports
Extracurricular post college: Mentor and tutor through leading "Family Services" non profit in the area for the past 3 years. Lately have primarily been working with adults going through the non-profit’s workforce program to reenter workforce, sometimes tutoring children of those parents. Taken active role in job preparation, conducting mock interviews, etc. Most of the individuals involved in the program are from South America/Africa and use English as a second language so big focus is reading and writing skills, specifically in business environments.
Career goal: Switch from pure corporate finance role to a strategy based role – either management consulting or corporate strategy role. Probably within financial services industry to make the link with previous work experience (have enjoyed financial services, but want to take on role driving strategy). Ideal path: top tier consulting firm for 2-4 years and then return to industry as a leader within a business unit or general manager/director.
Hey dude,
Good to hear from you!
So the quick answer: You're juuuuuust fine. Great school with great GMAT and great job in great industry + great GPA. You have some ECs, your career goals make perfect sense... what can I say? you're golden!
Send in strong essays and resume, and LORs, and that's that.
You are fine with your school list, and have a pretty good plan.
So whatever it is you are doing, just keep on doing it.
Best,
Jon