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18 Dec 2019, 17:22
Kudos
Bookmarks
Hello - can you please help review my profile?
Age: 27
GMAT: 710 (Q48 V39 IR8) - taking again because my practice exams were 730
Background: USA, white male, can check Native American box
Education: 3.4 GPA, BBA Finance, non-target - Top 50 school but Top 25 undergrad business. Taking CFA Level 3 in June
Experience:
1.5 years in a Finance rotation / Leadership Development Program at F500 (not GE)
2 years at small, no-name boutique investment bank (M&A)
1.5 years in M&A at middle market investment bank (think SunTrust / Raymond James / Piper), ranked top analyst against peers
Currently at lower middle-market private equity fund ($2bn AUM), high degree of responsibility, very hands on with companies and management teams
Volunteering: Junior Achievement - mentor for students as they launched a businesses (semester project), educating students on financial literacy, etc.
MBA Goal: Back to PE - would like to expand my overall business skills vs. current finance focus. Probably need to improve my story here
Target Programs: Columbia, Booth, Kellogg
Swing-for-the-fence: Wharton
Where do you think I stand now? Anything I can do to improve my candidacy? Worth re-taking the GMAT?
Age: 27
GMAT: 710 (Q48 V39 IR8) - taking again because my practice exams were 730
Background: USA, white male, can check Native American box
Education: 3.4 GPA, BBA Finance, non-target - Top 50 school but Top 25 undergrad business. Taking CFA Level 3 in June
Experience:
1.5 years in a Finance rotation / Leadership Development Program at F500 (not GE)
2 years at small, no-name boutique investment bank (M&A)
1.5 years in M&A at middle market investment bank (think SunTrust / Raymond James / Piper), ranked top analyst against peers
Currently at lower middle-market private equity fund ($2bn AUM), high degree of responsibility, very hands on with companies and management teams
Volunteering: Junior Achievement - mentor for students as they launched a businesses (semester project), educating students on financial literacy, etc.
MBA Goal: Back to PE - would like to expand my overall business skills vs. current finance focus. Probably need to improve my story here
Target Programs: Columbia, Booth, Kellogg
Swing-for-the-fence: Wharton
Where do you think I stand now? Anything I can do to improve my candidacy? Worth re-taking the GMAT?
18 Dec 2019, 23:17
Kudos
Bookmarks
Hello and thanks for your post.
The application process is truly holistic, and committees will look at your stats (GPA and GMAT), work experience, and extracurriculars.
Your GPA is strong, so that is a good start. Your GMAT is also strong, though it is probably a bit below the average of the 4 schools you listed. So yes, I would I suggest taking it again, and probably up to 3-4 times. You have nothing to lose since schools will only look at your highest score. And even a slight increase can boost your profile. You may still want to illustrate to the schools that you have the academic ability to succeed in the classroom. You could showcase your quant ability in your resume, your recommenders could do the same in their recommendations, or if you aren’t applying until next year, you could even take a supplemental course such as stats or calculus.
It is hard to gauge your work experience without knowing your accomplishments and impact you have made there. But from what you have written, it sounds impressive. Regarding extracurriculars, make sure to really emphasize your leadership roles you have taken on. Your Junior Achievement work certainly sounds great too.
You do have a chance at some of these schools, but they are extremely competitive, and each school simply does not have the room to admit all the world's qualified applicants. For that reason, I suggest apply to another school or two as well. I like to advise applicants to apply to several schools, including reach, target and safety.
If you would like to discuss your story or anything else in greater detail, please sign up for a free consultation.
Good luck!
The application process is truly holistic, and committees will look at your stats (GPA and GMAT), work experience, and extracurriculars.
Your GPA is strong, so that is a good start. Your GMAT is also strong, though it is probably a bit below the average of the 4 schools you listed. So yes, I would I suggest taking it again, and probably up to 3-4 times. You have nothing to lose since schools will only look at your highest score. And even a slight increase can boost your profile. You may still want to illustrate to the schools that you have the academic ability to succeed in the classroom. You could showcase your quant ability in your resume, your recommenders could do the same in their recommendations, or if you aren’t applying until next year, you could even take a supplemental course such as stats or calculus.
It is hard to gauge your work experience without knowing your accomplishments and impact you have made there. But from what you have written, it sounds impressive. Regarding extracurriculars, make sure to really emphasize your leadership roles you have taken on. Your Junior Achievement work certainly sounds great too.
You do have a chance at some of these schools, but they are extremely competitive, and each school simply does not have the room to admit all the world's qualified applicants. For that reason, I suggest apply to another school or two as well. I like to advise applicants to apply to several schools, including reach, target and safety.
If you would like to discuss your story or anything else in greater detail, please sign up for a free consultation.
Good luck!
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