munislayer wrote:
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?