Hello monkeys,
I was wondering what makes an exceptional candidate profile when applying for business school. Apart from your school, GPA, work experience/internship, leadership experience, EC, skills and activities, what else can you put down that is both suitable on a resume and sets you apart from the rest?
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If your dad is Lloyd Blankfein
800 GMAT.
Dad is 'W'.
Although I actaully read an resume where the guy said his dad was XYZ... with all this experience. In the interview I really wanted to ask why shouldn't we just hire your dad then? He ended up getting a summer position as a favour to his dad.
If your dad is Antonio Cromartie you could earn extra points on multiple fronts.
Guess you can aslo fumble away your interview eh? (Ok. That was bad. I'll show myself out)
Q: What hardships have you had to overcome in your life?
A: Well, for starters, my Dad still can't remember my name....
life stories like growing up in projects and your mother being in rehab for alcoholism and anorexia 2/3 of ur life before she died at 11 and then being on ur own since 17
This + having 2-3 siblings to support while attending college.
Say hello to GS IBD.
Undergrad going into consulting: How can I stand out to b-schools? (Originally Posted: 10/26/2011)
I am an undergrad at a top 15 university with a 3.99 GPA, majoring in Econ. I am going to go into consulting next year, either at MBB or a well respected tier 2 firm. I know its a few years down the road for me, but I have a couple of questions about MBA admissions:
1) I am planning on taking a very light course load next spring so that I can study for the GMAT. How closely do MBA programs scrutinize transcripts? Will they care that I took easy classes my last semester, given my track record of academic success (including in many hard classes)?
2) What can I do to stand out? Obviously, I am going to do my best to excel in my 2-3 year stint as a consultant, as well as build my network. I am very interested in any tips and hints on how to do this, as well as unique or innovative ways to improve my chances. How do b-schools differentiate between the many consultants who apply with good undergrad GPAs, strong gmat scores, polished essays, and the same 2-3 years of consulting experience?
midwest?
Typical finance -> Bschool path, how to stand out? (Originally Posted: 02/23/2013)
So say one is following the well travelled BB -> Buyside -> Bschool path, what is the best way of making yourself stand out from other IBD candidates? The vast majority of them will have target schools, stong GPA and GMAT in the bag. Is there anything one could do, given the little time of work a BB analyst has?
just to paint the picture: 1st year analyst at a top BB, planning ahead...
Be a combination of not white, not asian, and not male.
Lol, I think it's true everywhere in the US.... which is fucked up.
I'd say that the "vast majority" target w/ strong gpa -> banking -> buyside get into the top schools so its not too much of a concern.
Be the world champion of something or change 1,000's of people's lives.
Outside of fudging your ethnicity as others stated above, the world champion or life changer labels would really be the best. I think if you can show that you are in finance but you have bigger and better plans and that you are mobilized and working on those plans, that can help. So running some sort of side business/start-up, no matter how small, shows you have ambition and aren't a worker bee drone...a label many finance guys get stuck with.
So the 'world champion' label would work well, because it showcases some stellar talent/skill/ability, and the further outside of finance, probably the better.
The 'changing lives' label can also do wonders. As I mentioned above, showing the school you are more than a carbon copy of the other 200 IB applicants is paramount to getting the edge in the process. If you spent some of your vacation time administering vaccines in a terrible part of the world, or starting a non-profit to help tutor or mentor inner city students, etc. this shows that you are executing on ideas bigger than yourself all while successfully working a demanding career.
Ultimately, schools want grads that are going to be exceptionally successful in life. Top schools don't want to graduate thousands of mid level executives that make good money and live comfortable lives. They want people that have news articles and books written about them and that do noteworthy things that bring credibility and recognition to the university...after all, it's a business.
Obviously the chances you have done any of that by the age of 26-28 is slim, so you need to show them that capability on a smaller scale, thus the 'world champion' or the 'mini Bill Gates' theme.
I actually have a buddy that started a 'foundation' in his own name, who has committed to funding the foundation with $10k a year...he's an associate...and providing a grant to a couple kids from his hometown that want to attend college. I think over the years he will grow his personal commitment, but he's doing a charity poker tournament in a couple months to help raise money for the foundation. Chances are it's not going to raise a ton of money, maybe a thousand bucks, who knows, but it's something. Clearly $10k a year isn't substantial enough to change a 1,000 lives, but it shows the school you are serious about doing good and changing the lives you can.
Something like that seems like a relatively cheap way of boosting your b-school application...plus you've done some good along the way.
Regards
Do Hispanics/Latinos/AAs/PIs have a leg up then?
Which will make me more competitive for BSchool? (Originally Posted: 07/30/2009)
Hi all,
I have a long way to go for Bschool (about 4-5 years), but I want to have a good idea of what will make me competitive for a top 15-20 school. Few things I have considered:
What other things do Bschools consider when evaluating an application?
It's not specifically a "what can I do" as in, it's not cookie cutter - it's more a matter of passion and interest, coupled with good experience. Think of it this way - if what you are doing is domething that you are passionate about, have a strong interest in, ties in nicely with one of your long term goals, and will offer you sound experience and the ability to possibly take on a leadership role, then run with it. Regarding your option, either 2 or 3 would be fine - it's just a matter of which satisfies the previous fields to the greatest level. If you are passionate about the non-profit, will have the time to step up, and can write passionately about it, then go for it. If the new company is something you are really excited about and plan to pursue the field/entrepreneurship in the future, that would be fine as well. Do a self evaluation and pursue whichever will provide the greatest benefit to and the most talking (writing) points regarding leadership, and enthusiasm in the future.
The preface here, would be starting a business while working FT could be seen as a hobby, depending on the level of engagement and drive towards it - so I'd be careful there. The non-profit is a great idea, if you are truly interested in the cause - otherwise it could easily come off as insincere - or, just as bad, you won't have much to really talk about in your essays at least much you can speak to from the heart.
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Had lots of these kinds of threads and Alex, Dosk, BankonBanking, certified/star users have all said exactly the above.
if you are going to start a business you better do it full time or else it will just come off as a hobby. I personally went from working in a BB to running a business full time. Supplemental to my business I have also started a non profit organization based on a hobby of mine.
Here are a few links to some advice you might find useful
Your Roadmap to a Successful MBA Application - http://bit.ly/UNlts Business School Essays that Get You In - http://bit.ly/Xw4LR
Gotta Mentor www.gottamentor.com The Advice and People You Need to Achieve Your Career Goals
For someone that is a business major (ie I got a BBA in entrepreneurship) is it worth mentioning in your business school app that you have done well with Futures and Equities investing in your personal account based on your researched investment strategies ?
I also run a finance related blog for fun, is that really worth a mention?
I ask this because I currently run 2 businesses and a non profit and I am afraid it may look like I am trying way too hard.
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