Hi, and thanks for writing! You have a well-rounded profile. Based on your professional experience so far, I think corporate finance at a major tech company makes a lot of sense as a post-MBA. With BizOps, companies sometimes (though certainly not always) want consulting experience.
I think Anderson and Stern are good target schools. Haas and Sloan are a reach, but not out of reach with well-executed applications that make a strong case for why each program is a strong fit for you and fully communicate your professional and personal impact. Kellogg is another school I'd consider given its connections to companies across so many different industries/geographies and its strengths in finance (it is stereotyped as being a marketing/consulting school but actually has a terrific finance program as well). Also look into UVA Darden if you're open to a school in a non-urban environment.
Hope that helps a bit - best of luck!
bart180 wrote:
Hi there!
Like many, I'm exploring options to advance in my career and think an MBA could be beneficial. That said, I likely wouldn't bother applying if I don't stand a meaningful chance at getting into a full-time program at a top ~15 school as I think my time would otherwise be best spent in the workforce. I am considering waiting until next year to begin the process given the current environment + my work experience.
Background
28 Y/O White American Male, 5 years W/E at matriculation
Work Experience:
1.5 yrs at Big 4 Audit. Knew audit was not for me, but wanted to acquire the work experience necessary to achieve my CPA license
1.5 yrs at a Boutique Investment Bank as an Analyst. Worked on a variety of real estate focused M&A deals that totaled $1B+ in EV. Fairly standard I-banking stuff (models, pitch books, comp sheets, diligence calls, etc.), just at a shop run by ex-BB bankers. Busy with work pretty much 6 days a week, but had exposure to C-suite at both small and large companies
2 yrs (inclusive of matriculation) at a medium size SF tech company as a Financial Analyst. Was promoted to Senior Analyst after 10 months. The work is varied, with a combination of traditional FP&A and business strategy. I work pretty closely with the CFO, President, and at times, CEO. BIG representation of M7 alumni throughout the company
Education:
Bachelors and Masters in Accountancy (combined program) from a Midwest university (think Michigan, Illinois)
GPA:
3.75 Undergraduate GPA
3.94 Graduate GPA
GMAT:
730 (46Q/44V). 6 AWA. 8 IR. Taken June 2017
Extracurricular Activities:
Served as fraternity president, among other positions when younger, to a 160+ person chapter during undergrad
More recently I volunteered as a financial advisor to an SF non-profit for ~6 months. Was responsible for board reporting and effectively acted as the interim controller while the director tried to hire someone on a full-time basis
Currently volunteer at a food bank on a weekly basis. This has been ongoing during the COVID crisis and I have no plans to stop anytime soon
Other:
I am a licensed CPA
Served as a graduate teaching instructor during university. Luckily I was an actual teacher in a lab environment and not sitting on the sidelines during lecture. I taught a class that covered Microsoft VBA for Excel
Post-MBA Goals:
Accelerate corporate finance trajectory or pivot into a more strategy focused role (e.g. BizOps) at a tech company or F500. Not interested in IB or consulting
Target Schools:
Would love some advice, but currently thinking along the lines of Anderson, Haas, Stern, and Sloan (I realize some of these are stretches )
I appreciate you reading my post and look forward to hearing any advice the team has to offer!