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munislayer
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Joined: 25 Mar 2018
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Schools: Cnsrtm-Tuck '22 (S) Darden '22 (S) Cnsrtm-McCombs '22 (S)
Schools: Cnsrtm-Tuck '22 (S) Darden '22 (S) Cnsrtm-McCombs '22 (S)
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- Updated on: 13 Jan 2020, 15:27
Originally posted by munislayer on 05 Mar 2019, 13:09.
Last edited by munislayer on 13 Jan 2020, 15:27, edited 1 time in total.
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MG4MBACrystalBall
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- 05 Mar 2019, 23:40
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A few thoughts on your profile munislayer:
  1. The undergrad brand and GPA are good. The GMAT score range however can prove to be an issue also given the fact that that can be a consideration for your future recruiters too. So try to overreach on your current range and push really hard there.
  2. The nature of your work is interesting. However, the transition is an uncommon one and would need to be explained. Startup work can be great, but brand tends to matter quite a lot at the top programs. Do your best in highlighting the overall startup reach/potential/scale apart from your work alone.
  3. The Volunteer work sounds interesting. The scale and impact will however eventually decide how much browine points that earns you.
  4. For reasons mentioned here, I am afraid we don't speculate on school selection. That being said, with the right GMAT score and a coherent story, I don't see why you shouldn't have a pretty decent shot overall!

Hope this helps some.

Cheers,
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PersonalMBACoach
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- 07 Mar 2019, 05:44
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munislayer
Hi all,

Thank you for taking the time to read this and hopefully helping me gather a list of schools that I would be qualified to attend/apply for a full-time MBA program.

Background
I have a total of 3 years work experience (4 by the time I would enroll). The first year and a half was spent at an investment bank and the other year and a half was spent at a startup, which has since been acquired.

I started at a large bulge bracket bank after college (Morgan Stanley), but I left after a year and half because I wanted to pursue something a bit more dynamic. At the startup I'm on the product team, meaning most of my day to day is spent thinking about and implementing strategic initiatives. I've been promoted once at the startup, but I'm still at the analyst level despite having direct reports. Strategy is the part of my job that I really enjoy, which is why I want to pursue a career in management consulting.

Extra curriculars

For the past year, i've volunteered with at-risk students through a structured program in order to help with the college application process.

Undergrad school/major
The University of Texas at Austin - Majored in Finance

Demographics
25 Year Old Male - Hispanic/Latino

GMAT Score
I've been getting around 650-660 on my practice exams. Realistically, I think I can get a 680, but the 700 score range has been elusive.

Undergrad GPA
3.60

Goal of MBA
I want to transition into management consulting.

Target schools
This is where I need some guidance. Realistically, what kind of schools should I be looking at? Do I have a shot at the top 15 or so? What are some schools that would be targets given my stats and background?

Thank you!
Show more

Hey munislayer,

Thanks for posting! Let's break it down:

Academics: 3.6 at UT Austin is solid and places you in the median range for GPA at many top-15 schools. Did you have any EC in college or programs you were involved in?

Work Experience: I'm assuming you were an IB analyst at MS (and not ops or back office). If you were front office, this will give your application an extra kick, back office is still ok but won't have the same impact overall. Skill set you bring to the table is very different.

EC: Can you tell me more about anything else you have been involved in? Can either be work-related or any hobbies/interests you may have.

GMAT: As an URM, a 660-680 won't kill you, but as you know anything over 700 will be a great boon to your application. Can you be competitive with a 680 at a top-10 school? Sure! But I would aim between now and the application period to work as hard as possible to try and score over 700 which will enhance your chances greatly at a t-12 or t-10 school.

Some school with strong general management programs you could start networking with are Ross, Fuqua, CBS, and Anderson. Do you have a geographic preference?

Regards,
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munislayer
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Location: United States
Schools: Cnsrtm-Tuck '22 (S) Darden '22 (S) Cnsrtm-McCombs '22 (S)
Schools: Cnsrtm-Tuck '22 (S) Darden '22 (S) Cnsrtm-McCombs '22 (S)
Posts: 36
Kudos: 13
- 07 Mar 2019, 13:45
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PersonalMBACoach
munislayer
Hi all,

Thank you for taking the time to read this and hopefully helping me gather a list of schools that I would be qualified to attend/apply for a full-time MBA program.

Background
I have a total of 3 years work experience (4 by the time I would enroll). The first year and a half was spent at an investment bank and the other year and a half was spent at a startup, which has since been acquired.

I started at a large bulge bracket bank after college (Morgan Stanley), but I left after a year and half because I wanted to pursue something a bit more dynamic. At the startup I'm on the product team, meaning most of my day to day is spent thinking about and implementing strategic initiatives. I've been promoted once at the startup, but I'm still at the analyst level despite having direct reports. Strategy is the part of my job that I really enjoy, which is why I want to pursue a career in management consulting.

Extra curriculars

For the past year, i've volunteered with at-risk students through a structured program in order to help with the college application process.

Undergrad school/major
The University of Texas at Austin - Majored in Finance

Demographics
25 Year Old Male - Hispanic/Latino

GMAT Score
I've been getting around 650-660 on my practice exams. Realistically, I think I can get a 680, but the 700 score range has been elusive.

Undergrad GPA
3.60

Goal of MBA
I want to transition into management consulting.

Target schools
This is where I need some guidance. Realistically, what kind of schools should I be looking at? Do I have a shot at the top 15 or so? What are some schools that would be targets given my stats and background?

Thank you!

Hey munislayer,

Thanks for posting! Let's break it down:

Academics: 3.6 at UT Austin is solid and places you in the median range for GPA at many top-15 schools. Did you have any EC in college or programs you were involved in?

Work Experience: I'm assuming you were an IB analyst at MS (and not ops or back office). If you were front office, this will give your application an extra kick, back office is still ok but won't have the same impact overall. Skill set you bring to the table is very different.

EC: Can you tell me more about anything else you have been involved in? Can either be work-related or any hobbies/interests you may have.

GMAT: As an URM, a 660-680 won't kill you, but as you know anything over 700 will be a great boon to your application. Can you be competitive with a 680 at a top-10 school? Sure! But I would aim between now and the application period to work as hard as possible to try and score over 700 which will enhance your chances greatly at a t-12 or t-10 school.

Some school with strong general management programs you could start networking with are Ross, Fuqua, CBS, and Anderson. Do you have a geographic preference?

Regards,
Show more

I did have some EC's in college, but nothing to write home about. In terms of hobbies, i've recently started running and boxing, but not at a competitive level.

In terms of work experience, yes it was a front office banking role. I don't have a strong geographic preference. The one thing I will say is that I have no interest in living in the midwest. Would CBS, Darden, Fuqua and UNC be a good starter list based off the info I provided?
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PersonalMBACoach
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Personal MBA Coach Founder
Joined: 11 Sep 2010
Last visit: 21 Apr 2026
Posts: 3,805
Own Kudos:
372
Given Kudos: 11
Status:Boutique MBA Admissions Consulting from a Wharton graduate - Helping applicants get into top global business schools since 2008
Affiliations: Wharton, MIT
Location: United States (NY)
Overall Client Admit Rate: 96%
Expert
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Posts: 3,805
Kudos: 372
- 10 Mar 2019, 13:52
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munislayer
PersonalMBACoach
munislayer
Hi all,

Thank you for taking the time to read this and hopefully helping me gather a list of schools that I would be qualified to attend/apply for a full-time MBA program.

Background
I have a total of 3 years work experience (4 by the time I would enroll). The first year and a half was spent at an investment bank and the other year and a half was spent at a startup, which has since been acquired.

I started at a large bulge bracket bank after college (Morgan Stanley), but I left after a year and half because I wanted to pursue something a bit more dynamic. At the startup I'm on the product team, meaning most of my day to day is spent thinking about and implementing strategic initiatives. I've been promoted once at the startup, but I'm still at the analyst level despite having direct reports. Strategy is the part of my job that I really enjoy, which is why I want to pursue a career in management consulting.

Extra curriculars

For the past year, i've volunteered with at-risk students through a structured program in order to help with the college application process.

Undergrad school/major
The University of Texas at Austin - Majored in Finance

Demographics
25 Year Old Male - Hispanic/Latino

GMAT Score
I've been getting around 650-660 on my practice exams. Realistically, I think I can get a 680, but the 700 score range has been elusive.

Undergrad GPA
3.60

Goal of MBA
I want to transition into management consulting.

Target schools
This is where I need some guidance. Realistically, what kind of schools should I be looking at? Do I have a shot at the top 15 or so? What are some schools that would be targets given my stats and background?

Thank you!

Hey munislayer,

Thanks for posting! Let's break it down:

Academics: 3.6 at UT Austin is solid and places you in the median range for GPA at many top-15 schools. Did you have any EC in college or programs you were involved in?

Work Experience: I'm assuming you were an IB analyst at MS (and not ops or back office). If you were front office, this will give your application an extra kick, back office is still ok but won't have the same impact overall. Skill set you bring to the table is very different.

EC: Can you tell me more about anything else you have been involved in? Can either be work-related or any hobbies/interests you may have.

GMAT: As an URM, a 660-680 won't kill you, but as you know anything over 700 will be a great boon to your application. Can you be competitive with a 680 at a top-10 school? Sure! But I would aim between now and the application period to work as hard as possible to try and score over 700 which will enhance your chances greatly at a t-12 or t-10 school.

Some school with strong general management programs you could start networking with are Ross, Fuqua, CBS, and Anderson. Do you have a geographic preference?

Regards,

I did have some EC's in college, but nothing to write home about. In terms of hobbies, i've recently started running and boxing, but not at a competitive level.

In terms of work experience, yes it was a front office banking role. I don't have a strong geographic preference. The one thing I will say is that I have no interest in living in the midwest. Would CBS, Darden, Fuqua and UNC be a good starter list based off the info I provided?
Show more

I think those schools would be a good start! At this point, I would look to create 3 separate lists - reach, target, and safety. Reach out at [email protected] if you are looking for a bit of guidance.

If you haven't begun networking with the admissions departments I would start now. Find out when they are hosting an event in a city near you (or taking part in an MBA fair) and introduce yourself. Often times, you can get 1-on-1 time with an adcom, which is especially important at smaller schools or those that worry about yield.

Regards,