See below for a little bit on my background, followed by my ultimate question:
_Overview:_
- Graduated from Penn State in 2013 with my BS in accounting, and 2014 with my masters in accounting
- Active CPA as of October 2015
- Almost 6 years of working experience. Around 2 at KPMG, and the last 3.5 at Salesforce. Have been a top performer the entire time at Salesforce
- Undergrad GPA of 3.41
- Will have Harvard CORe (https://online.hbs.edu/courses/core/) class (MBA prep class) completed by early June
- Have not taken the GMAT yet, but shooting for a minimum of 700
_Why MBA?_
- Have the accounting, sales, tech background - want to fill in knowledge gaps to be well rounded
- Eventually want to be on the operating side of a VC firm that advises on high-growth tech companies. When I see those that work there now, they all have consulting (usually MBB) and MBA background (usually top 10) - would be hard to crack in otherwise, and I don’t have any personal connections in the space
- Can expand network of driven individuals
*Post MBA goals*
- Management consulting, MBB only - would want to be there 2 years and then make the move to VC/PE on the operating side (not investing). I’d look at anything other than MBB a failure, as theres a chance with my current background I could just pivot to T2/T3 consulting firms as an experienced hire
_Why Columbia?_
- Would stay in NYC, the city I want to be in
- M7 / prestige
- Good consulting reputation
- Would be open to other schools in the top 10
_Current compensation _
- 150k as the minimum - 200k+ in good years - 250k+ in great years. This number will only continue to go up
With all of this said, am I better off going full time to get my MBA (along with go into debt and forgo 1.5 years of income) knowing my end goal? I am torn between doing this and getting my MBA part time at NYU Stern, where I could continue to work and expense part of the cost (only 5k-10k a year depending on the company I would be with at the time) over 2-4 years. It seems a little risky, considering I am putting the bar at MBB - but wanted to get a second opinion
Think you are on the right track. Definitely need a higher GMAT than 700, especially if you are a white male. I would shoot for 730 minimum to get into CBS or any other M7, given your so-so GPA and undergraduate prestige. CORe is a plus but a relatively small one.
Work experience is good. They will like the shift from KPMG to Salesforce.
Saying you only want to work at 3 firms or bust will not look good to CBS adcoms. Just say MBB and leave out what you think your chances are at T2/T3. There are even people who go to HBS who do not get MBB and have to settle for those firms.
For your long term goal you should narrow a preferred industry focus. Sounds too broad as is.
If you take the above advice into consideration and you do Early Decision at CBS you have a great shot. If you are MBB or bust do not even bother with a PT program. There are literally hundereds of people from Stern PT going to the MBB sessions and anywhere between 0 to a nmumber you can count on your hand will actually get hired. I would say if $$ is really important I almost wouldnt go at all and just go for T2/T3 directly becuase you will be making the same in your first Post-MBA role coming out as you did going in.