Profile Evaluation Request - NYC

Question

First off let me just say thank you so much for your willingness to do all this - truly helpful. I was wondering if you could tell me if I am at all on basis with my target schools and what my odds would be of getting in.

Here are my stats:

Target date: Fall 2013
Schools: HBS, Wharton, Columbia, Chicago, and Yale SOM

Caucasian male, 25 (will be 26 at matriculation)
GMAT: 740 (Q48 V42)
GPA - 3.63 from University of Utah - Honors Finance

Current job - Associate at PE/VC Fund in NYC - $500m AUM - top decile returns for our vintage - lots of very brand name investments with good stories to tell on their returns and how I was involved. I have been working at this job for almost four years now. Out of college I was lucky enough to get both offers from investment banks (bulge bracket in NYC) as well as the PE firm I am at now. I was able to start at the associate position right out of the gate.

I had a ton of work experience in college:
I spent three years working for the largest student run venture capital fund
I worked for the University of Utah Endowment
I interned with UBS special situations group (research on public equity for buyside clients)
and I worked for a private equity arm of a family office
Also while in college I helped run the student investment fund
I also helped produce some data and run some analysis on a best selling book (Breakthrough).

While working I have also spent some time volunteering - doing consulting for small businesses as well as doing some charity races. In addition I have also run a small fund (of family money) on my on for the past five years that has nicely beat the market.

I spent some time growing up in Japan (3.5 years) otherwise I have lived stateside.

I ultimately would like continue along in the alternative asset management industry maybe making a bit of a switch by focusing a little more on public equity rather than private equity. One day I would like to run my own fund which would have an opportunistic mandate (i.e. I can invest in both public and private, debt and equity).

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks again.

mbaMissionBrianE · Answer

Hello u0422811, thanks for your question.

I have to say right off the bat that I cannot accurately handicap your odds of admission at any programs! I will give you my honest opinion, however.

You have strong professional experience, which I would think puts all of those schools in reach. Worth a shot applying, but you might pick another program or two like Yale to mitigate some risk.

My only suggestion is to really nail your motivation or impetus to get an MBA. Many business school students get an MBA to get your current position!

In terms of your post-MBA goals, paint a picture that cohesively ties together your past, present, and future. Demonstrate to the admissions committees that your desired career path truly necessitates an MBA. Identify the specific gaps that stand between you and your short- and long-term goals (knowledge, skills, experiences, network, etc.) and show how business school would directly address those gaps.

I hope this helps.

Best of luck,
Brian

Profile Evaluation Request - NYC

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