Profile Evaluation Request

Hi edma90,

Thank you very much for your note, and apologies for the overdue reply.

Avanti Prep experienced record levels of applicant demand this application season. As a result, my work with clients was super-active from R1 applications, through R1 Interview Prep, into R2 applications, and most recently through R2 Interview Prep. I naturally had to prioritize my work with applicants over the Forum, so I apologize for not getting back to you earlier.

In any case, I think you have a solid GMAT score, CFA, good academic results in finishing first in your class during the bachelor's and master's degrees (even if it was at a lesser known university), and strong work experience in a field that often serves a precursor to your post-MBA goals. The real question becomes whether all of this is "strong enough" for the schools you've listed.

U.S. SCHOOLS

On the U.S. side, Harvard and Stanford are Harvard and Stanford. All applicants should be aware of how difficult they are and familiar with the often "platinum" academic / professional and super-unique community / leadership experiences we often find among their admitted students. As long as you realized that those schools are reaches (as they are for essentially anyone), you are certainly welcome to give them a shot.

The counter-point, however, would be that if you want to apply to about six schools total, you might consider swapping out one of Harvard or Stanford for either (1) a school like Booth or Columbia, which are still hard but more realistic, or (2) a school from the next tier of U.S. programs, if you wanted to hedge a little more among your U.S. schools.

LBS AND INSEAD

LBS and INSEAD feel more achievable than the U.S. programs you've listed, in part given the fact that your GMAT score becomes more of a plus score at the schools, whose GMAT averages are usually in the lower end of the 700s. On the goals side, too, there's more natural synergy and clarity as to where each career step will leads, presumed / potential familiarity with markets in which you want to invest, etc.

GOALS, WHY MBA, WHY XYZ SCHOOL

You'll still need great applications and recommendations, of course. I encourage you to read through the following blog post for some of the most overlooked elements of the MBA application process, specifically as it relates to the specificity of your career goals (must be highly specific), your "why MBA" (how does who you are and what you've done to this point, plus the MBA, equal / lead to / enable your goals), "why each school," and the quality and specificity of your MBA recommendations: https://www.avantiprep.com/blog/the-mos ... on-process

YOUR INTERNATIONAL QUESTIONS

Having interesting international experience is better than not having it, but I am not super worried about it for you, either. My sense is that there could be more there than you are considering. Is it truly zero international exposure? Has any of your work touched countries or parties outside of Italy? What about the companies you cover... do any of them do business by extension outside of Italy? If you are advising these companies, then that matters. Have you ever taken a course outside of Italy? These are some things to consider.

Even if you don't have these elements, you might consider weaving in some mention of personal travel outside of Italy (so that even if you don't have international exposure academically or professionally, you can thus show the personal and cultural element). And you might consider playing to the Italy-centric nature of your investment banking experience so far (e.g., is there something unique about what you've learned or dealt with in Italy that can be extrapolated or applied to other markets where you want to work or invest post-MBA).

FREE CONSULTATION

I hope this helps, and apologies again for the delayed response. Please rest assured that when working with clients, everything is super prompt and responsive (as my client reviews attest, and which was the reason I was not able to tend to the Forum for the past few months)!!

If you would like to continue the conversation via a Free Consultation, please sign up here: https://www.avantiprep.com/free-consultation.html

Best Reviews,
Greg