Olympic Athlete- MBA application

I've just started researching MBA programs and will really appreciate any feedback about my profile. I served in the military for a couple of years before being recruited to a varsity team in a Big Ten school and a had a very successful collegiate career and even competed in the Olympic games. I graduated with honors with a 3.7 GPA in engineering and currently working in technology in one of the BB banks. I've been working for about a year now and haven't taken the GMAT yet but assuming I score in the 700 range do you believe I have a strong enough profile to apply to an MBA business schools<br /> ">M7 MBA program?

I'm looking to move from Technology/operations to IB or PE.

 

I'm not someone who swings from the proverbial MBA jock strap and normally a back office/tech roll would be a hindrance to a top MBA or getting into IB after it, but you have military experience, were recruited into a Big 10 Varsity sport, went to the Olympics and had a 3.7 in engineering? I'm going to say your story is pretty unique and would look awesome.

Just so you're not leaving something out, did you also happen to pull the trigger on Osama?

 

Back office job will not be a disadvantage if you're coming from a top MBA. The fact that you have BB experience (even though Tech is nothing like IB) can be spun to your advantage. You have industry experience and won't be coming in blind. One of the main things those recruiting IBD Associates worry about most in potential candidates is not fitting in culturally and not fully understanding how much work it will be. You'll be able to dispel that on some level.

 

What about work experience? Most places I've read day the avg. Work experience is 4 years. Any thoughts on that? Will my chances be lower if I apply after 2 years of working?

 

Yes, you're post-undergrad experience is on the lower side in terms of years and post-college work experience is typically what MBA admissions look for.

However, they'll factor in your enlisted military experience even though it was before undergrad. So let's say you have at least 4 years of enlisted experience + made NCO. That'll back up your 2 years of post-undergrad. Just wondering, how many years of military experience did you have?

Typically, military vets -> M7 MBA are/were officers, but enlisted get into these programs too; ones who served prior to and after undergrad. Add in Olympian + Big 10 Athlete + Engineering Major + 3.7 GPA = competitive profile for any M7. I'd say you have a good shot at HBS or Stanford as well.

 

I dont think your chance will be lower--actually they like them young as long as they're developed, mature and flexible to changes that elite MBAs will bring to them

but if you enter M7, you'd look like a HBS 2+2 graduate or GSB deferred seniors (~2 years of work then MBA). They just locked into a MBA program 2 years early, but they'd enter MBA at the same time as you (if you get in)

I heard that 2+2/deferred grads sometimes have difficulty with recruiting, because they're surrounded by high-performing peers with longer experiences---some recruiters would try to chase them first. That may be a good thing to consider.

 
Best Response

I've seen a number of people who have competed at the Olympic level. The undergraduate degree in engineering with a better-than-average GPA is a huge plus. To be able to perform both academically and in a highly-competitive sport simultaneously is what leaders are made of. And you are military. It just gets better. As long as you show the same leadership skills on the job as you did during undergraduate days, you should be a very strong candidate.

AndyLouis re HBS -- many Olympians with MBA aspirations apply to HBS. So the standards for that elite bucket are actually quite high. However, the OP is interested in investment banking -- not entrepreneurship -- so that's actually another positive

Betsy Massar Come see me at my Q&A thread http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forums/b-school-qa-w-betsy-massar-of-master-admissions Ask away!
 

Deleniti consectetur ipsum suscipit error repudiandae vitae dolore. Animi in eius voluptates eum aliquam.

Blanditiis quod ea ut harum ut expedita est. Sit laboriosam a saepe eos illum. Quia impedit ad alias repellat perferendis quia.

Atque sint voluptatibus ex esse et itaque. Ducimus similique sit quaerat dolor quo quibusdam hic.

Career Advancement Opportunities

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. (++) 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

March 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

March 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

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (86) $261
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (13) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (202) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (144) $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

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...”