What are my chances at H / S / W?

Question

I know this is a hard question to answer, so I appreciate any honest attempts to gauge my chances.

Demographics:

28 years old 
Caucasian male

Education:

BA in English Lit top 10 state school, 3.6 GPA (3.8 major) graduation with honors
CFA Charterholer (3/3 in 18 months)
I have almost no quantitative course work as an undergrad, but I am hoping the CFA program (which is very quantitative) will make up for this
Paid my own way through college by working (I took a year off to earn money)

Work experience:

2.5 years at a regional brokerage firm as a junior equity analyst covering retail, technology, and manufacturing. I learned the basics of the capital markets and how to value companies.

2.5 years at a top-tier small cap hedge fund as a Senior Analyst. Experience includes evaluating over 500 companies and investing across the capital structure, personally meeting or speaking with CEOs / CFOs of >250 companies, extensive domestic and international travel. My current project is launching and helping to manage an international hedge fund -- market evaluation, understanding cultural nuance, creating a target list of equities, hiring personnel, everything. This is a post-MBA role with significant responsibility.

Extracurriculars:

After graduating, led a local non-profit organization of >20 members, managing a $1M portfolio of assets (equity and debt). Grew the portfolio organically for two years (beat the S&P 500 both years) and by personally raising $250K through private donations. Produced a budget of $40K annually, evaluated local children's charities for funding, paid budget to deserving charities.

During college, won two significant scholarships based on leadership for some educationally-focused groups I founded to benefit other students. Used this money to travel abroad, where I studied leadership, languages, taught English, and volunteered.

GMAT:

I have not taken the GMAT, but my practice scores using the official practice exams suggest that 700-750 is not unreasonable (practice scores with no prep are clustered around 720-730 after a few attempts).

Essays:

I know what I want to say and have a clear message, so these should be easy. Having majored in English Lit should give me an advantage here.

Why MBA:

I have succeeded in business with no formal business education to date, but I would like to learn more about management principles, with a specific focus on non-profit management. I would like to fund social entrepreneurship programs by managing assets and deciding where to "invest" those assets. Basically, I am envisioning a hybrid finance / non-profit role at a charity or foundation that leverages both aspects of my unique background. I believe that b-school would help me make this career transition via established recruiting channels, and would also give me the education I need to succeed in such a role.

Realistically, what are my chances at H / S / W? I have seen profiles of admitted students and believe I am competitive, but please give me a reality check if I am in la-la land. Thanks!

PersonalMBACoach · Answer

Good morning, thanks for the post.

Overall you have a nice profile with a decent chance at these schools, though they are very competitive so things like What undergraduate did you go to will be important. Your GPA is good but not amazing, and given it was a state school, 3.6 is not the most impressive. Undergrad quant work does not matter, CFA does not even really matter but it doesn't hurt you.

Your jobs are good, having a post MBA job helps applicants, and I weave some great leadership stories into my clients' apps who have post MBA jobs. (It is not all that uncommon though, so keep that in mind, others will also have post MBA, Senior Analyst, Associates at banks, sometimes higher).

These schools will like the HF job, more so if it is a company that recruits MBAs from their programs. Since the HF jobs are sought after, they like to keep relationships going, and its clear it is an impressive job (without knowing the firm name right now of course)

You are older than average but I don't see that as a huge issue, we can explain around that. The nonprofit after school though you would want to think through. You definitely have the experience and the proof, but it is a big change so just make sure it fits into your overall app.

I see your best shot at W, Stanford would be tougher, they don't love guys like you quite as much. Harvard also tougher mostly due to your age, they like a younger class. (though they need the HF connections since W places many more kids into these jobs post MBA)

Contact me if you want more specific advice or if you are thinking of working with a professional coach for your apps. I am very familiar with your type of experience and have placed applicants like you in these top programs this year.... good luck

-Scott
[email protected]
www.personalmbacoach.com
--Free application strategy discussion & initial essay review
--Insider tips and mock interview preparation

moment · Answer

Thank you for the feedback. Could you please elaborate on what you mean that Stanford doesn't love guys like me that much?

PersonalMBACoach · Answer

I meant relative to Wharton, i.e. you have a better chance with your profile of getting into Wharton, not just because it is a little easier, but your profile matches. Stanford has students like you but not as high a percentage of the class.

-Scott
[email protected]
www.personalmbacoach.com
--Free application strategy discussion & initial essay review
--Insider tips and mock interview preparation

What are my chances at H / S / W?

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