quick recap:
Work at a fortune 5 oil company. Got hired into an FLDP type program....worked in 3 different jobs in less than 3 years. Planning to have 3.5 yrs at matriculation. Current job is FP&A for an oil trading group. I also do ad hoc fundamental analysis for the global head of this trade group. Have been in this current role for almost a year now.
Upper level GPA (Finance) was 3.3 at a state uni that feeds heavily into the O&G industry but not a finance target. Lower level was done at a community college with a 2.8 GPA. I had medical issues that I continue to deal with, this really contributed to me not giving two shits about school or about life in general. I got this under control eventually and now I think I'm a fairly competent guy who wants to be successful. I also, at times, worked 2 jobs during college to pay for it myself. I'm also a first generation college grad.
Took 2 classes with UCLA Extension to mitigate the low GPA, got an A in the corp fin class and should be getting an A in the statistics course I'm taking now.
Taking GMAT next week, judging from my practice scores I should score between 680 to 720.
I volunteer for a non-profit business counseling firm and help the senior conselors with clients. I volunteered for 6 months at a refugee middle school in my city, worked with kids that spoke languages I never even knew existed. I also teach english classes from time to time to minorities who need the practice (I do this through a United Way org). I also volunteered, for a few weeks, to build a home for a family in a Brazilian slum.
If you got this far, I really appreciate it. What school does this profile belong to? Looking to get into banking after MBA. The 5 schools I'm aiming for are Chicago, Columbia, UCLA, Stern and UT.
Note: potential MBA applicant here
-What's your post MBA goal? -What do you really want to do? -Are you planning to apply this year? -What ethnicity are you?
I think the schools you listed are fine, albeit stretches. It depends on how well you execute your story. FLDP looks good on the resume but what else can you bring to the schools?
FWIW, I think this is a pretty bad time to make a post like this. You're a week away from GMAT so you should focus on that :)
oh trust me I know :) I just took the test a couple months ago (then retook it again) so that feeling is uber fresh.
Since app season is just around the corner I am a bit stressed. I think I can squeeze in 2 more attempts after this attempt if I don't get the score I need before 2nd round deadlines.
I'm south asian but an American (not sure if being American makes a difference or not). I'm clearly not an IT guy from India though.
My goal post-MBA is to be in IBanking. I'm planning to apply second round this year, maybe first round if I can knock the GMAT out of the park on my first attempt.
I agree with West Coast Analyst's assessment. Let us know how you do on the GMAT as I think that could be a meaningful swing factor for you.
You think Columbia and Chicago are stretches even with a 720 and a story that can somewhat explain the low GPA?
Just another factor: one guy who worked in a very similar role to mine is starting his FT at Chicago right now BUT his undergrad was from a better ranked school AND he worked in Big 4 Advisory for 4 years before coming to our company. Another girl who worked in pure accounting roles at our company (controllers office, inventory accounting etc) just got into Wharton. She went to the same undergrad as me but she had like a 3.9 in undergrad and had about 1.5 yrs of more experience than I will when I matriculate. I'm just kinda screwed because of my low GPA
I think your best bet is UT with UCLA as a decent stretch. Unless you destroy the GMAT I doubt you will have a shot Booth, Columbia or Stern (really low acceptance rate b/c in NY). This does not mean you shouldn't try if those are your goals but I think they will be long shots. I'd probably recommend expanding your applications to the schools in the 10-20 rankings, while keeping Booth/Columbia as stretches. It might be playing with fire if you don't - unless you'd rather risk going no where than to those 5 for whatever reason, which is fine. Though its hard to say without an official gmat.
This was tough feedback to process man lol.
With the given info, what weakness do you see that will get me dinged easily at Booth/Columbia/UCLA?
Is it the GPA alone or do you see a combination of things? Of course the GMAT will play a critical role but let's say I'm able to get a 700+...
I think it's worth pointing out that at Booth and CBS a 700 or 710 puts you below average. If you have a poor GPA scoring below average on the GMAT is not going to help you out, even if that score is a 700. In order to make up for a weak GPA you really should be targeting a GMAT score that is above the average.
I actually think you're fine, as long as you get in the upper range of your GMAT (710+ with a good quant split). I've been filling out these apps the past few weeks, and even though I only sent to one school, I think they only ask for your GPA at each specific school. That way, it should say that your GPA at the 4-year, state U is a 3.3, which is on the lower end, but definitely not a deal breaker. You'll need to explain away the Community College and low GPA, but that should be pretty easy to understand if your explanation is legit (sickness and two jobs). You clearly show an upward trend, and I assume (don't know this) that for rankings, they'd only have to report that 3.3. You also show solid effort and foresight to take classes at this point, and aptitude by getting A's. Finally, first generation college is bump.
FDLP programs at big companies are also good feeders for B-school. They're not a top PE shop or MBB, but they definitely don't hurt you, and you could even have far more differentiated experiences than others applying. No reason to think that your goas of IBD are out of line either, although I would start to hone in on those immediately after taking the GMAT. Probably want to relate it to your current industry, maybe to go back long term as a finance executive in Energy (or something, I know nothing about the industry). Would consider getting a consultant to help you nail down these goals.
Chicago and CBS are definitely reaches, but not insane reaches in any way. UT sounds like a good fit for you for all reasons, and would give you good access to Houston/Dallas IBD. Stern and Anderson are probably near your wheelhouse. Like your profile for Stern, since I don't think they're geting as many oil and gas types as some of the other schools. I would add in one or two more schools that could fit for you: maybe Ross (Michigan). which has a higher acceptance rate and still gets guys in IBD and Kenan Flagler (UNC), which has underrated placement. How set are you on going this year? That could mean add another safety (Rice, SMU, Georgetown, somewhere else that could sneak you in the backdoor at a bank).
Your profile hinges on leadership experiences and recommendations. You have decent extras, but not clear if any of those were in a leadership capacity. Same with work experience. Again, I would get a consultant. You're very fringe, but if your story is told right, I think it could be solid. It will hurt you at CBS not to apply early, so if you knock out the GMAT, I might get going on that (you have a month).
Good luck. In the same boat as you, although with a very different profile.
Hey man thanks for the feedback. I think you really helped me out quite a bit here with the GPA question.
I'm definitely tyring to get in for Columbia ED but it's all dependent on this GMAT next week.
As far as consultants go, do you have any recommendations as to which one I should choose? There are so many out there...
I would ask people you know and trust who they used. Assuming they had a positive experience, they would be a great place to start (that's what I did). After that, just talk to a few. I talked to a bunch, and one really resonated with me. Don't know if that means she is better or if I just liked her, but the relationship has been great so far (we'll see if I get in somewhere...).
hey pacman,
don't be discouraged. at the end of the day, we're not the ones making decisions :)
I think just from what you've told us, you sound pretty plain vanilla and nothing "sexy" is popping out (and that's not necessarily a bad thing; you just need to craft your story better). that is also the reason why we suggest you check back in with us because a 750 and 700 can mean the world for a candidate in your current profile. you're going to have to work extra hard in your essays to make sure your story (whatever that may be) is getting across. for example, you could really take the first-generation college grad thing far if you really want to go down that route.
as for consultant, you should talk to everyone that you can speak with and just make your decision afterwards. There are a few that are actually active on WSO (Alex and Betsy come to mind) as well as the big firms (Stacy Blackman, Clear Admit). It really is a personal preference thing.
The whole point is that they're a fallback in case he doesn't get into UT. Completely agree with the general premise, which is why I asked before that quote "how set are you on going this year". If not dead set on going, I would not apply to one of those schools, at least not the first go around.
The bottom line is, though, that if he doesn't get in to UT or better, those schools still offer a chance to achieve his goals.
apply via the consortium since you help underprivileged URM kids. high chance of a ful lride, Rank UCLA first then UT
i dont see your GPA being too much of an issue -- use that optional essay. if the first part was a 2.8 and you still had a 3.3 that means you did damn well in your last two years -- UCLA mainly cares about your last two years as do UT and MOST other schools. showing that you finished strong and now have the two As will put you in pole position
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