Got Dinged from 1 of my 2 Top Choice programs! What do you think are my chances for LBS MFA?

Hello there everyone! So ever since I started my undergrad I have been wanting to get into: HEC MIF & LBS MFA, so in the past years I have worked my ass off to get the best CV I could. My goal is to break into Investment Banking. Tell me what you think. Alright, here's my profile:

EDUCATION:

  • Italian student. Not Bocconi. Top 10 uni. GPA 30.11/30. Took me 4 yrs to finish rather than 3. Had to do that to maintain my GPA. Compensated for it with a second internship in M&A.
  • GMAT 700. Bit of a bummer this one. I had initially scored 750 but they invalidated my score.
  • Exchange in top 5 business school in Europe. Excellent GPA there, 18/20.

WORK EXPERIENCE:

2 internships in M&A. First ongoing, small boutique in Milan. Second will start shortly, Big 4, also M&A. (I managed to get this second internship the week after I had had a meeting with a recruitment officer from LBS in Milan. The only thing she mentioned about my profile was that I could have had greater chances with a second internship, and so I found it)

  • Lot of experience in the family business (non finance)
  • Founder of a profitable real estate start-up. 50K revenue in 7 months of operation.

EXTRA CURRICULAR ACT.:

  • Founder of the biggest finance-related club in my uni. Helped a bunch of people with getting internships in high finance.

C2 in English

- Completed Wall Street Prep modelling course


As for the LBS essays I put a great effort into crafting them (almost 2 months). Moreover, to increase my chances I attended some events and spoke to a bunch of alumni/admission officers. I mentioned that obv. Joining LBS would be my dream.


Today, I received my rejection from HEC, without an interview....that seems a bit odd to me.  What do you guys think?! What are my chances for LBS?

 

Thanks a bunch for the comment!

God only knows why... I have a theory. While I was doing the Analytical Writing bit, my mom came and knocked at the door (she assumed I was done with the exam, as I had started later than scheduled), she slowly started to open the door and I had to mumble "no" to prevent her from entering the room....I think that's why. 
 

When I spoke to the admission officer she said the GMAT was nothing to worry about, and that the average GMAT score of admitted candidates last year had gone down to around 690 something....she said it wouldn't make nor break my application. But I understand that that is my weak spot.

I have only applied so far....interview decisions will be in next week.  

 

GMAT is not your weak spot at all man.
Without reading your essays it is impossible to say whether they were the cause of your rejection.
Also, no Bocconi in your CV is a malus if you are Italian + high GPA doesn’t really matter if it took you 1 extra year to graduate.
I’m sure you’ll be fine, just don’t give up and keep pushing!

 
Most Helpful

I'd say you have a fair chance, especially if you'll have the big 4 internship on your CV by the time you apply, but ofc there's a very large element of luck involved with the LBS app as with any other.

The extra year to finish shouldn't have much of an impact. Also, not to discourage you, but the vast majority of Italians (plus quite a few internationals) at LBS have either studied in the UK or at Bocconi (I think only like 5 across all programs haven't). This might be due to asymmetric info or something but LBS definitely likes Bocconi as a feeder.

In bocca al lupo!

 

Hey there! Thanks for the comment. The results will be in tomorrow! And yes I applied with "incoming M&A intern at Big 4" in my CV. I guess we shall see. I have toiled so hard in the past years to achieve this that being dinged by both would feel a tad disappointing. Ahahah these schools love to boast about diversity but god forbid they let in a student from a different background than the ones that come from Bocconi. I truly hope LBS is different!

 

Enim nihil unde commodi rerum aperiam magnam et. Sit amet accusantium necessitatibus ut. Similique velit ea aut asperiores. Qui non vel aut vero. Eos autem omnis voluptas excepturi. Sint soluta facere assumenda provident.

Eum ad et id numquam sit. Amet magni nihil quibusdam odio et eum consequatur. Quo impedit ut ut saepe est corrupti sunt. Sapiente odio ipsum doloribus mollitia quasi.

Corrupti eveniet et sed debitis dicta amet quasi. Nulla animi reiciendis numquam consequatur laudantium repellat exercitationem. Incidunt et necessitatibus facilis est. Odio ut ut laborum a.

Dolores qui adipisci enim molestiae dolorum delectus. Quibusdam voluptatem reprehenderit nostrum voluptate sunt.

Career Advancement Opportunities

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. New 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 04 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (20) $385
  • Associates (88) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (67) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (146) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
9
Kenny_Powers_CFA's picture
Kenny_Powers_CFA
98.8
10
numi's picture
numi
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”