Chance met at UPenn Wharton Full-Time MBA

Top 20 US News, 3.7 GPA Big 4 Accounting - two years experience Looking to lateral into sexier job for next two years before applying (any ideas on what will help?) 700 GMAT Tons of volunteering and sitting on non-profit boards White Male

Thoughts? What can I do to improve my profile? Should I just settle for an EMBA from Wharton in a few years?

16 Comments
 

You're almost definitely not getting into Wharton with that profile. You're W/E is below average, GMAT is below average, and you're in an over represented demographic. You need at least one of a much higher gmat or a better job for a few more years for Wharton.

That said, I'm not sure why you talk about settling for the Wharton EMBA. What are your goals? Why not retake that gmat and apply broadly? You could have a good chance at the 10-15 schools with a good essay and a slightly higher gmat. Wharton is a great school, but there are a lot of great schools that can help you reach your goals.

 

If I were able to lateral to a MM IB for two years and get my score up to a 730, would that put me in the running?

And I've heard brand is everything so I'd rather get the EMBA from Wharton in my late 20s than some other MBAs. I also don't necessarily see an EMBA as "settling" - except my first choice would be full-time

 
Best Response
"anonymous9191" If I were able to lateral to a MM IB for two years and get my score up to a 730, would that put me in the running?

And I've heard brand is everything so I'd rather get the EMBA from Wharton in my late 20s than some other MBAs. I also don't necessarily see an EMBA as "settling" - except my first choice would be full-time

Yes that would make you competitive.

Re: "brand is everything"... I mean, I guess this somewhat true. But EMBAs have shitty brands, regardless of where they are from, at least in terms of recruiting and getting a job. A full time student at Stern or Fuqua has a better chance of banking than any EMBA student without experience at any school. It's just not the same, at least in terms of how it's looked at with recruiters.

 

sorry but you essentially have no shot at wharton or other M7s as your profile stands currently. a 740+ and some IB experience and you'll have a chance at cracking the M7

 

problem is your profile looks dime a dozen. Think of unique competitive advantages, or else you don't have a chance.

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I agree with many of the posters here and probably have an even more pessimistic outlook. I had the same GPA, a 760 GMAT, and six years of experience in MM IB / MM PE. Wharton rejected me (twice!). There are obviously many factors at play but my personal experience would suggest an uphill battle for you even if you got a couple years of IB experience.

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Ok. I kind of am pessimistic. I mean I have a good undergrad/GPA/GMAT, but those are a dime a dozen. Maybe the EMBA would give me a better shot

 

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