Hey all. I currently am working as a financial analyst in a f500 conglomerate business unit. Working in more accounting type stuff now and have been for only about 6 months, but about to move into a more operational finance role. After this role, I'm going to gun for a strategy analyst role and then taking the GMAT in a few years (after extensive test prep, I think I could crush it, Got a 36 on ACT Reading and 34 on Math). Went top a top 15 bschool for undergrad.
Think these credentials could land me at a top 5 bschool (outside of HBS/GSB) or am I being too ambitious here?
The goal then being a good consulting firm or potentially smaller PE firm after bschool. Or would the transition be possible Pre-MBA?
I had an extremely similar background to you. Top 15 undergrad, top brand name company, Corp dev and finance, 3.4 GPA, 740 gmat. No interview at Wharton or HBS. Booth -> Waitlisted then in. CBS and MIT in (Small scholly at CBS).
And PE isn't happening without IB/PE experience.
You could prob get T2 consulting as an experience hire if you network. Also, it's my understand that in order to get PE post MBA you need some PE experience pre-MBA.
Thanks for the responses! PM'ed you AllDay. As far as PE goes, could I try and get a top consulting shop, then try and get into PE from there? I realize I will have no deal experience and that is an extremely big downside, but would it possible to make the move after consulting or does deal experience matter more at the associate/higher level in PE?
It happens, but it's uncommon and extremely hard (you have to have been staffed on the right projects, with the right people, and impress them). It's uncommon with post MBA banking, as well, but more common than consulting.
I have a similar background as well. Boutique IB for 1.5 years --> Corp Dev Analyst for 3.5 years. 3.6 from a top liberal arts school, 760 GMAT.
I think HSW will be a stretch (assuming you aren't URM). I was dinged at Wharton and Kellogg R1, in at Darden with a scholarship. Will apply to HBS and Tuck in R2. My lessons from R1 is that branding is incredibly important on your apps and you need to appear focused and realistic with your career goals. I think you risk sounding naive by mentioning PE as a post-MBA goal.
Well I guess the good news from the above, and something I only thought about after posting is that I'm looking to go to school probably somewhere in the Southeast/Midwest (preferably south) and it seems as if my best options are Emory, Duke, UNC, Vandy, and to lesser extent UVA (if placement in Atlanta or other regional cities in the south is the goal). Thoughts on the above, A. am I right on those schools being the best for southern US? B. if aiming for the above mentioned schools, are scholarships more likely to be given, not really sure what the scholarship application process is for MBA programs, similar to the admissions, in that a stronger app (work exp, test scores, undergad gpa) = more money I'm assuming?
And to the above, sounds like PE is out, which is ok, because I'm more interested in the strategic side of business than the financial structuring portion. Which it seems to break into PE, understanding financial structuring and how the process works is just as important as what changes to implement after the portfolio company is bought?
I think Darden is stronger in the South than you think, and not sure what your thoughts on Texas are.
Regardless, you're right on the scholarship application process. It's not separate, so they award based on strength of app.
I was solely basing the above on the percent of students going to each region based on their last employment report, so you very well may be right, because I assumed their presence was stronger in the south. Last year may have just been an anomaly. Also, the more I think I about this path, and considering that I have student loans, I might try and lateral to a Tier 2 consulting shop, like mentioned above Pre-MBA and then reassess the situation in a few years. Thanks for all of the input.
And yes I am a straight white male, hooray for diversity
No offense, but that's a dime a dozen profile for Top 5, especially if you're a straight white male.
Chances would increased with a few more years of work experience, especially if you switch to another good company and increase responsibility
be careful with these "Strategy Analyst" positions -the ambiguous term leaves wiggle room for some BS responsibilities.
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