Profile Evaluation - 740 GMAT, Banking / Music experience

Question

Jon, huge thanks in advance for any feedback on the below. I feel I have a peculiar story to tell, but would like to understand any potential weaknesses in my profile, especially for applications at top US schools.

Male, Italian, currently 28. Lived in London since 2008.

GMAT 
740 (Q49/V41), IR 8, AWA 6

Education 
1) Bachelor in Management of Public Administration (taught in Italian) at Bocconi University, top Italian business school.
GPA: 4.0. Final Result: 110/110 cum Laude. Graduated in 2006.

2) MSc in Finance (taught in English) at Bocconi University.
GPA: 4.0. Final Result: 110/110 cum Laude. Graduated in 2008.
Awarded with 'Scholarship for Outstanding Students' (50 scholarships vs 2000+ students), with full exemption from MSc fees.

Exchange Programs: 3 months in a high school in South Africa in 2002 with American Field Service; 1 month at Shanghai’s Fudan University in 2005; 4 months at Copenhagen Business School in 2007.

Extra-curricular Activities 
• 5-year volunteering with American Field Service (Intercultural Programs), 2003-2008. Appointed President of Milan's Local Chapter in 2006-2008, managed 25+ volunteers across all activities of the association. Invited by Italian Secretary General to be part of the national Committee for 3-year Strategic Plan in 2008.
• Wrote, played and produced (voice, guitar/bass, keyboards, drum programming) 3 albums between 2007 and 2011, distributed physically through e-commerce store and digitally on sale on iTunes and other retailers.
• Led a 3-piece cover band in 2009/2011, performed several acoustic gigs in small London venues.
• Studied Russian at London's main Russian-culture centre since 2011. Become a member of the association, and organised 2 events focusing on Soviet rock music.

Work Experience 
Over 6 years of experience in London.

1) Morgan Stanley: my career started with a Summer Internship in 2006. Received full-time job offer, but decided to pursue MSc, thus converting the offer into a 2nd internship in a different division in summer 2007. Started full-time job in July 2008 (M&A Real Estate). Tough working conditions, partly due to the financial crisis that started back then, made me soon realize that banking career was not the one for me. I took the most difficult decision of my life and resigned in December 2008, with the dream of pursuing a heartfelt career in my true passion, music.

2) Universal Music: hired in March 2009. Rapid and consistent progression across 2 divisions (International and UK). Promoted from Analyst, to Manager, to Head role in less than 18 months. Involved in several key projects, and currently leading (i) analysis of existing business partners (ii) commercial negotiations for distribution of digital rights in the UK, dealing with wide range of partners (big tech companies, ISPs, supermarkets, music startups, etc.). Currently managing 2 analysts. Various examples can show a profound impact on the worldwide organisation, through leadership, innovation and adaptation of strong quantitative skills to specific industry challenges.

Why MBA Now, and Goals 
I am very happy with my job, and I would like to raise the game in 2015. MBA would provide me with a wider angle on several industries and let me refresh/learn management principles I am currently not exposed to.

Short term: slight industry change. The aim is to get a directing commercial role at a top global Technology company, either in the US or UK. 
Long term: relocate to Italy with a senior exec position in a top global Technology company. My ideal goal would be to contribute to the development of Italian tech/digital industry – I could welcome involvement in the public sector at a later stage.

Target Schools 
1R at Stanford, Columbia, MIT, Harvard, London Business School. US school would be preferable.

Admissionado · Answer

Hey there good sir,

Firs of all man, you have a FANTASTIC profile. I mean it. (and I don't say it often). I mean how often do I see a totally PERFECT GPA in both UG AND Masters?? Let me tell you dude, it aint often. Your GMAT only confirms that you are one clever fellow.

Beyond that, what I am really impressed with is two things:
1. Your internationalism - Exchange programs on three continents, and work experience in a foreign country. Looks very very good. And if you have some languages to boot (which I assume you do) you get bonus points
2. Music - How few Bschool applicants come with something that is BOTH a true passion and a job. From playing to producing and selling your own music, to your job at Universal. Super interesting stuff (And great fodder for your essays!)

Other than that, your regular career seems not too shabby.

Your goals could be good ones, but I do have a few questions for you here: 1. Why Tech? How does this connect to your past? To your dreams? To your passions? 2. What type of Senior exec position? And how will you draw off your previous experience to get this position and succeed in it?

But these are things you can work out as you prepare your application.

Otherwise, looks awesome. You are a Top 10 candidate, so your school list is fine, although maybe you could add one or two more that you liked (especially since HBS and Stanford are always a bit of a stretch even for excellent candidates such as yourself).

Good luck!!!

NandoParrado · Answer

Jon, thanks so much for your kind words and enthusiasm. It's encouraging to see that the traits you noticed emerge from a super-quick snapshot of my path so far. I will specifically bet on those during my application.

Thanks for your questions too. Golden feedback! I have felt in my bones the need for an MBA for quite some time, but I have started working on a precise goal definition for a week at most, after taking GMAT in early Jan. So my elevator pitch is not there yet, buy there's plenty of time to finesse it.

1) Why Tech? My industry definition was vague - I specifically refer to Digital Content/Internet Services. I have the usual 4 big names in mind, currently all partners of my employer in different shapes or forms, but I am open to other options as well. The industry in 2017 might look pretty different after all. As much as I love my job, I suffer from not having any influence whatsoever on the 'product' , i.e. the music we sell, which depends on A&R investment. I maximise opportunities for the distribution of our repertoire, but that is a given "abstract" entity that has nothing to do with me. What excites me most is contributing to the definition of product/marketing/distribution strategy for our partners, especially companies with a cutting-edge vision that can positively impact the lives of millions of people. On top of this, the most rewarding projects in the last few years have been related to direct-to-consumer digital products that my company has developed (I can't provide specific examples on a public forum!). I felt my creativity thrive, similarly to when I recorded my own music, and at the same time I made the most of my quantitative skills, in order to develop a solid business plan.

2) What types of Senior Exec position? If I pictured a successful version of myself in 10 years, I would be in charge of the Italian market for a global company in the mentioned industry, across all functions of the key product line(s). I have already started cumulating precious experience across several functions (Operations and Commercial so far, plus background in Finance), but I need to get more exposure to other key ones (e.g Marketing, Strategy) on a theoretical and practical level, and to build on my innovation and leadership skills. I would aim to develop this competencies, plus a deeper knowledge of the target industry, through my MBA and post-MBA work experience.

Since realistically I won't be able to submit more than 4 applications in R1 - which business schools would you recommend? After a quick research, I was thinking of Stanford + Harvard (I know chances are slim for both, but I don't want any regret!) + MIT + Columbia. And let LBS slip to R2 if need be.

Thanks again.

Admissionado · Answer

Hey there,
Well, what can I say? You have an enthusiastic profile. As for your goals, what you wrote me here makes sense. Just keep working over it over the next half year, talk to a few people in your target industry and get an understanding of who they hire. It'll make your story a lot more tight when it comes to writing to the Adcom.

And four schools R1 + 2-3 R2 is perfect. For the extra schools, the one that makes most sense to add is Haas, given your goals and its location. Other than that, all and any of the Top 10 schools would be good, and I'd suggest that you choose more on "fit" and "Feeling" than any difference in ranking. You can probably go away from any Top 10 program and reach your goals, but if you go somewhere where you really fit in and love, it will make the whole thing just more pleasurable (and probably successful).

Sooooo, maybe a little trip around Bschools in spring semester? Can be a lot of fun too.

Best,
JF

Best, JF

NandoParrado · Answer

Thanks again Jon, I will closely follow your advice. And I am indeed planning a trip around Easter time to visit Bschools. Unfortunately, I will probably only make it to the East coast, so I can visit HBS/MIT/Columbia - potentially Wharton, although I am not convinced I should apply, for the very reasons you outlined above. I don't think I'll make it to Stanford, but visiting 3 out of 4 target schools would be already a great inspiration for writing essays. Will let you know how it goes.

All the best!

Admissionado · Answer

Awesome, Sounds like you got a plan, Have fun at the schools, and if you got any other Qs, you know where to find me

NandoParrado · Answer

Dear Jon,

I just want to say "thank you" a year later. I was admitted to both Harvard and Stanford, and chose Stanford.

The post above was the beginning of my MBA application, and your words helped boost my confidence and shape my application.

All the best!

Admissionado · Answer

HBS AND Stanford!

My my....
Well, have a great time. I have no doubt it will be a fascinating time for you.

Best,
Jon

Profile Evaluation - 740 GMAT, Banking / Music experience

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