2+2 Chances — Corporate Strategy background?
Hey all. I am a current senior in college and will be starting FT in Corporate Strategy/Corporate Development at a very well-known firm (think Disney/Google/LinkedIn) as an analyst in 2021. I have a high GPA (>3.8) in a technical major, internships in F100 companies, and multiple on-campus leadership experiences.
Given my background, what are my chances for 2+2 MBA at H/S/W? How receptive are these schools to students pursuing careers in Corp Strat/Dev right out of undergrad?
I am particularly concerned about not having something “super special” to my background - i.e. I am not a startup founder, have not cured cancer or won Olympics - is having something of the sort a requirement for getting into a deferred admissions program at one of the aforementioned schools?
thanks WSO!
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What level of school?
H/S will be tough for sure - largely depends on other factors of your background like if you're in a diversity category, but without anything super special it's tricky for sure. You're more likely to see incoming STEM people like chemical engineers or programmers get into this program, since the STEM emphasis is very much salient. All of that basically means that they allocate a very small number of their class to the super exceptional traditional kids. Also, what school? I'd honestly say it's actually easier to get H/S from a very aggressively non-target school than from an Ivy or top-25 school even, given their emphasis on untraditional backgrounds.
Wharton is more attainable for people with "traditional" business paths for sure - this year was the first time they ran a deferred program outside of Penn undergrads and the class largely consists of incoming consultants and bankers with relatively ordinary backgrounds. Corp Dev is a bit less common for sure, but if you articulate your career plans very clearly then it's definitely not something that will discount you. As long as you do well on the essays, get a couple solid reference letters and kill the GMAT, you should be able to land a Wharton interview.
Disagree with 2+2 being easier from non targets - I'd say solid 2/3 if not more come from schools where i-banking/consulting firms come to recruit. Both H/S love Disney/Google/Linkedin. I think it's a major misconception that you have to win the gold medal or do something insanely exceptional. I think it definitely helps, but I can think of several solid, but not exceptional people from target schools who were accepted. Besides, you have almost a full year to do something "cool" to increase your chances. I'd say definitely give it a shot - I feel like you might be in the running.
Thanks a lot for your comment! I guess I'll give it a shot regardless - I'm just trying to see if my background is interesting enough to compensate for the lack of any mind-blowing achievements. I am a STEM major, and had a few research experiences, but would rather not disclose the school I went to.
Do you think it would help if I were to get a research assistant position? Or what do you think is something attainable for me to do in the next 3-5 months to increase my HSW admission chances?
More than anything, I'd recommend hiring a consultant to help with your application and essays as you approach the deadline. Your accomplishments are good on paper, but some of these people can really help make you stand out more. Obviously these things tend to be pricey (and arguably super financially exclusionary for lower-income students, etc.) but they can definitely be worth it for someone like yourself who's on the border in terms of stats.
Thank you - SB'd! Really helpful advice now and in previous comments.
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