nw61352 wrote:
Hi,
I need your help in deciding where to apply for b-school and what are my chances at some of my ideal business schools (NYU Stern, Columbia, Harvard, MIT, Duke, Northwestern, and Stanford). I am 25 and was hired into a top investment bank through a program started for high potential college students where I worked 20 hrs/wk in my last year and was offered a fulltime position afterwards (in technology as a programmer/analyst). In the 3.5 years that I have been with the company, I have had roles ranging from an intern to an interim project manager (2 individuals managing project with 15 resources when the manager left the company). Currently, I am a team lead responsible for managing part of the project and 6 resources. I consider my analytical, interpersonal/communication skills, enthusiasm, and ability to bring people together as my strong points. Outside of work, I am involved in participating in many volunteer initiatives and leading/initiating them as well (i.e. leading/initiating volunteer events where employees teach financial lessons to elementary school students, clean parks, and am leading a subcommittee within the leadership and professional development committee at a company employee network. Also, I am always setting up initiatives at work to bring the team together and provide training to all the individuals to get everyone up to the same level). As far as my academics, I have attended school in the US (elementary school to college) and have a GPA of 3.71/4.00 from an engineering college in NJ where I majored in computer engineering with minors in engineering management and economics. I received a 680 on my GMAT (50M, 31V) and will be retaking it soon and expect my verbal to be between 37 and 40. Lastly, I would like to concentrate in finance and management and potentially join a leadership program or investment bank after my MBA. Sorry for the long post, but I would really appreciate any input you can provide.
Thanks,
nw61352
nw61352,
I would say your odds at HBS and Stanford are slim but marginally higher at CBS and Northwestern. I think you might have a shot at MIT, you definitely have a shot at NYU Stern, and I would put money on you for Duke. Your leadership looks good to excellent, which is important. Your current GMAT will hurt you at many of these schools, and for schools like HBS and Stanford I don't see the kind of unusualness or superhuman quality that you need. It's very likely that if I got to know your profile better I would raise my odds a bit, but I'm answering based on what you told me.
Good luck,