What are the chances of getting into an M7 following this route? Assuming a 720+ GMAT, 3.9+ non-target UG GPA, non-URM. Do they look at these applicants as second-tier or do they like to take people interested in MM careers?
Also, do MM PE shops generally sponsor MBAs?
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Anecdotally this is not true given the exits I know from alums at my school and at the firm (MM) that I work at.
OP, take a step back and chill out - it'll be fine. Do you really think the M7 only takes people w/ megafund and BB experience? No.
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Your overall background has way more weight than your aspirations when applying to these schools.
Jesus, this post reeks of desperation. Who the fuck cares what an adcom thinks, go for the best opportunity you can and run with it. MBAs want to admit people that will fortify their brand, the business is built around this self-fulfilling prophecy.
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MM IB --> MM PE --> What tier MBA? (Originally Posted: 07/29/2014)
I've done a little searching, but didn't see much.
What kind of MBA schools would a candidate like this have a decent shot at?
3.9 GPA from large state school (tier below UM/UVA/Cal) MM IB - good deal experience but not well known or mentioned often on this site Lower middle market or middle market PE - let's say not super well known either 700-720 GMAT Average ECs
Is this profile a longshot at a Chicago or Northwestern? Would shooting for schools like Duke and UVA be much more realistic? Would going to corpdev or another route at a F500 instead of PE give me a better shot at top 10 schools since I don't have any name brand full time experience?
I know that's a lot of questions but any input would be appreciated.
My guess is that something like corp. dev could help, but it's more important to align your work with your post MBA goals than to do a job to get you in. If you have an amazing story that makes you stand out in another way (ECs etc), you may have a shot. Although your GPA is solid etc., there are probably too many people applying to a place like Chicago with your stats but a "higher level" (target school, BB IB, upper MM to MF PE etc) to make you super competitive there (without any additional info/activities etc).
I may be wrong but perhaps the applicant profile at NW (probably not as many IB ----> PE candidates applying there as compared to Chicago and other M7 schools) would make you more competitive at NW than Chicago etc.
Wait, so are you currently in PE or not? your post is unclear as to what is current and what is future.
Might be a good idea to ask @compbanker. From what I remember he did MM IBD and then PE and is now at Booth. I'm sure here can give you some insights into how he felt him MBA application process went.
From my limited knowledge of B School I would think that you're a big reach at H/S/W, a reach at Chicago, ok chance at Colombia, Kellogg, Tuck type school, and would be pretty solid for a Duke, Darden, NYU. A lot depends on your essays and how you present yourself though.
I think it is possible given your stats. I had similar ones (just a bit higher GMAT) and made it into one of the top three schools. I didn't have any off the wall story, I just networked a ton with students and alumni and I think that helped to put me over the edge. I don't think that doing a corp dev role after PE would help your chances. Most IB > PE guys are all the same 4 to 6 years of experience. I wouldn't want to delay my MBA another 2 to 3 years to do corp dev when I knew it was what I wanted to do. That can be part of your story as to why you are going to school.
You should pursue the career path that you are most passionate about. This passion will come through in your essays and interviews, and it will create a more compelling story to connect your pre-MBA experience and post-MBA goals. Don’t pick a path just because people tell you it will set you up better for MBA admission...you would just be crafting a story based on what other people say instead of what you truly want.
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