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Hi everyone - I'm in the middle of applying to schools, and although a lot of people I have talked to/worked with have said I should be okay, my constant self-doubt about my application has inspired me to ask more people to see where I stand. My GMAT score constantly stresses me out as not good enough, but I'm out of time for a retake and need to apply R1. I'm very curious at my odds for NYU and Johnson specifically, given I want to go into IB.


MBA Info

Why I want an MBA: Transition into investment banking

Why I want one now: Through working with clients from a private banking perspective, I was able to work clients whose companies went through different types of M&A activity. While working with them, I started becoming very interested in the deal making side of the business. As I am up for promotion next year and will need to begin developing my own book (as opposed to owning one jointly with a senior banker), I felt now was a good time to make the transition...also I'm 28 so hitting the later end of average ages for MBA.


Work experience:

2 years in a rotational operations program at a BB (GS/MS/JPM). I would join a team for six months and be assigned to lead a project team there and get a project completed by the time I left the team. Most notable project I worked on was implementing a complete overhaul of the client performance system used by the firm's private bank, I personally oversaw a team of 4 that worked through this change.

2 years (will be 3 at matriculation) in front office private banking (wealth management for individuals with at least 10MM liquid, but preferred 25MM+) at the same firm. Using connections from my rotational roles, I networked my way into a front office position in the private bank, a relatively rare transition. I joined a team in the fastest growing market for the private bank at the time, with the reasoning that it would give me more direct exposure to clients. It did, and I directly advise several clients on my own. Day to day work consists of advising clients on any questions that might come up, working on pitchbooks with senior bankers for bigger relationships, developing investment strategies, executing brokerage trades for clients, as well as handling some of the more mundane paperwork needed for new clients.

NOTE: I did NOT receive a promotion for this switch. It was a large salary increase and a lot more responsibility, but my title remained analyst. I will be an associate next year (in June), but not before I apply. One of my recommenders (a senior banker who I support) has told me they stressed the fact that I function like an associate, with how I interact and advise clients.


Extra curriculars and other experience:

Tech Incubator Volunteer: I help a tech incubator with their annual awards process. It involves researching nominees, selecting interesting companies for each category, contacting them, then conducting interviews with the CEO/founders. Afterwards I create a detailed write up on the company and submit to the judging panel.

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Chapter Member: My roommate in college committed suicide, and since then I have been involved with AFSP, particularly around helping with their annual Out of the Darkness walk. The year my friend passed, I organized a team and raised over a thousand dollars in my friend's name. Since then, my involvement has been just helping out annually with the event.

Global Analyst Committee Lead: I was elected to be the committee lead for the global analyst population for 1 year during my time in operations. I organized networking events, came up with ways to improve the training process, organized senior speaker series, and hosted other events to try and keep the analyst population engaged

Volunteer Leadership Group: I work with local charities and organizations and help organize other volunteers for events. I have led three academic decathlons for high school and middle school students, as well as two fundraisers for veterans. I have also participated in many other events, including beach clean ups, resumé workshops for underprivileged individuals, and helping local food banks.

Undergrad school/major: State school, majored in Finance
Other education/coursework: CFA level 2 candidate (test was supposed to be in June but was postponed due to COVID)
Race/nationality: White
Sex: Male

Stats
GMAT Score: 710 / 47Q / 41V / 8IR
Undergrad GPA: 3.55 (Cum Laude)

Round 1 Schools:
Reach: CBS
Target: NYU, Johnson, Fuqua

Round 2 Schools:
Reach (if successful in R1): Wharton, Booth
Target (if OK in R1): Darden, Tuck
Safety (if complete strikeout in R1): Georgetown, maybe Tepper