Profile evaluation-thank you in advance for your time

Question

I, similar, to one of the previous posters am also interested in gauging my chances for future acceptance to b-school

Targets: Top 5 (It will take work, but the commitment and dedication is there)

I'm a recent graduate of a small liberal arts school in the Midwest; well known in the Midwest, but not known outside.
Age:23
Sex: M
I was originally born in the Ukraine and am Jewish
-Undergrad GPA was 3.88/4.0
-I studied for a semester in an Australian University and got a 4.0/4.0
-I love travelling: I've been to Europe, Israel, Australia and hope to go to South Africa for the '10 World Cup
-I am fluent in Russian and English and am currently learning Mandarin

EC in undergrad: 
-Was part of 2 honors fraternities, in which I did not hold a position but was still chosen based on my grades and recommendations
-Was one of 10 people chosen to represent the student body in a board of directors meeting (based on teacher recommendations)
-In my social fraternity I served as the head of the Senior Advisory committee-oversaw a 7 person committee to build inter-fraternal relations. Also played a large part in organizing our campus's largest food drives for 2 years in a row: 260,000 lbs raised in 07, and 220,000 pounds raised in 06
-Was on the fundraising committee- worked in a team of 20 to raise close to $300k for various activities
-Played football for a year(separated my shoulder and "retired")
-Volunteered at a Child Advocacy Center in town

Experience:
-Currently serving as an M&A analyst at a small boutique investment bank (looking to change firms currently-stay either in i-banking or transition to a small private equity firm)
Internships include working on the trading floor/investment banking department for a large financial brokerage house, a financial representative for a large life insurance corporation.
-Have various licenses; trading license (Series 7), CFA levels 1 and 2 (should pass 3 by the time admission comes around), Real Estate
-Started a "website" geared towards college students; still in the works

My question is this. I am worried that my "no-name" school and maybe not a well known investment banking firm/private equity firm (since I came from a non-target school, it's been hard to land top jobs in the field) will keep me out of these schools? Also what kind of EC activities should I take up between now and 2 years from now when I apply; I know volunteering, but is there anything else I should strive to do?

Thank you so much in advance. I want to start preparing myself now.

Best,
Mike

starwars · Answer

I forgot to add that a GMAT of 720+ is doable for me

jallenmorris · Answer

What UG did you attend? I too went to a small liberal arts university in the midwest.

Accepted.com · Answer

Mike,

Your no-name is not a major negative factor in your chances of admission. Far, far more important will be the depth, range, and frequency of your leadership. You seem to have some, but it doesn't look strong enough for top 5 schools. They also like candidates who are "unusual" (in whatever way) for its own sake. You seem to have some distinctiveness but not a lot. So the top 5 seem like longshots to me at this point.

The nature of the extracurriculars you get involved really doesn't matter so much as the level of responsibility, leadership, and impact you have in that extracurricular (you also get points if you've been involved in it over several years). IMO there's a bigger payoff in terms of standing out from other applicants if the EC you choose is unusual. That is, B-schools see plenty of Habitat for Humanity and Make-A-Wish applicants, so try to be more creative.

Hope this helps,

starwars · Answer

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply. As mentioned, I have a couple years before I apply and will surely try to find some unusual activities that will make me distinctive. Thanks again!

Accepted.com · Answer

You're welcome.

Profile evaluation-thank you in advance for your time

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