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25 Aug 2025, 00:51
Kudos
Bookmarks
TL;DR
Stats
Target Schools
What I’m looking for input on
Any candid advice or experiences from current students/adcom/alumni would be hugely appreciated. Cheers!
- 26M from India, PGDM (MBA equivalent) from a top-5 Indian business school, ~2.5 years finance experience (3.5 by matriculation). Closed a $100M tech deal at 22 and a $37M skyscraper debt deal at 23; now JPMorgan M&A analyst on multi-$B deals. GRE 329 (163Q/166V)
- Aiming to pivot into hedge fund/PE roles in the US/EU (ER/IB as stepping stones); long-term goal is to run a long/short hedge fund. Concerned about second-MBA stigma, short-ish experience, and standing out in a crowded Indian male applicant pool
Stats
- Age/Sex/Nationality: 26M, Indian. Former national-level U19 swimmer (college team captain)
- Education: PGDM (MBA equivalent) from a top-5 Indian business school. Sub-par GPA, 60%
- Work Experience: ~2.5 yrs by application (~3.5 by matriculation). Started at a boutique investment bank (6 mos); originated a $100M deal for a ~$4.2B e-commerce firm at 22, and structured a $37M real estate debt deal for India’s tallest skyscraper at 23. Now at GS/JPM/MS (M&A team), working on multi-billion dollar deals (top-bucket analyst)
- Test Scores: GRE 329 (Q163, V166). No GMAT yet – sticking with GRE for now
- Extras:
- represented state at U19 National swimming competitions
- founded a small long-only fund at 19, generated 35% alpha
- community service - taught underprivileged kids
Target Schools
- Target: Chicago Booth, Columbia, Kellogg, MIT Sloan, Haas, Stern, Yale SOM
- Dream: Harvard, Stanford GSB, Wharton (my absolute north star)
- Europe: London Business School, INSEAD
What I’m looking for input on
- How do top programs view applicants going for a second MBA? What strategies have worked for others to frame this as a strength rather than a red flag?
- Is ~2.5 years of work experience (even with big deals) generally enough to compete at my target schools, or should I consider gaining more experience?
- Given my profile (Indian male in finance), what unique aspects can I highlight to differentiate myself? Does being an ex-national swimmer/captain or my deal track record help?
- For breaking into HF/PE, which of my target schools would be the best fit? Any insight on M7 vs LBS/INSEAD recruiting for someone with my background?
- I’m an Indian male aiming for finance – a very common applicant profile. In such a crowded pool, how do I stand out? Are my deals/achievements enough to avoid being “one of many”?
Any candid advice or experiences from current students/adcom/alumni would be hugely appreciated. Cheers!
06 Sep 2025, 01:32
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Bookmarks
Thanks for posting. Here's our assessment.
• You're in good shape for Booth, Columbia, Sloan, Kellogg, Stern, and Yale. HSW feels like a stretch right now with just 2.5 years of experience and that 60% from your first MBA program. But LBS and INSEAD? You're looking strong there.
• A second MBA makes sense if you position it right: you're after global buy-side recruiting channels, deeper public markets knowledge, and US or European networks your first MBA couldn't provide. Show what you gained from the first MBA, then explain exactly what gaps each school will fill.
• Having 2.5 years now (roughly 3.5 when you start) works for most schools. Want better HSW chances? Add another year and get your name on some major deals as the lead.
• Your GRE 329 with Quant at 163 is weak for hedge funds or PE. Push that Quant to 166-168 on a retake, or switch to GMAT. Also grab a graded quant or Python course and use the optional essay to explain that 60% grade. Also PE by itself is hard for internationals so you will another route to get in post-MBA (maybe IB again).
• That "35% alpha" needs context to be believable: what benchmark, what timeframe, how much money, worst losses, position sizes, and throw in two solid stock pitches.
• Your swimming background is gold: talk about the discipline, leading the team, bouncing back from losses, and how those skills now drive your research and risk management.
• For buy-side jobs, Columbia, Wharton, Booth, and Stern are your best US bets. Sloan works if you're into the data side. In Europe, LBS dominates for hedge funds while INSEAD opens more PE doors. Plan on investment banking or equity research first, with hedge fund internships during the semester.
• You're in good shape for Booth, Columbia, Sloan, Kellogg, Stern, and Yale. HSW feels like a stretch right now with just 2.5 years of experience and that 60% from your first MBA program. But LBS and INSEAD? You're looking strong there.
• A second MBA makes sense if you position it right: you're after global buy-side recruiting channels, deeper public markets knowledge, and US or European networks your first MBA couldn't provide. Show what you gained from the first MBA, then explain exactly what gaps each school will fill.
• Having 2.5 years now (roughly 3.5 when you start) works for most schools. Want better HSW chances? Add another year and get your name on some major deals as the lead.
• Your GRE 329 with Quant at 163 is weak for hedge funds or PE. Push that Quant to 166-168 on a retake, or switch to GMAT. Also grab a graded quant or Python course and use the optional essay to explain that 60% grade. Also PE by itself is hard for internationals so you will another route to get in post-MBA (maybe IB again).
• That "35% alpha" needs context to be believable: what benchmark, what timeframe, how much money, worst losses, position sizes, and throw in two solid stock pitches.
• Your swimming background is gold: talk about the discipline, leading the team, bouncing back from losses, and how those skills now drive your research and risk management.
• For buy-side jobs, Columbia, Wharton, Booth, and Stern are your best US bets. Sloan works if you're into the data side. In Europe, LBS dominates for hedge funds while INSEAD opens more PE doors. Plan on investment banking or equity research first, with hedge fund internships during the semester.
hwsm7
