Chances at HSW and Other M7

Hi,

I am getting ready to apply for an MBA and am hoping to get some perspectives on my chances at HSW and other M7 schools.

Quick background:

  • Undergrad: Non-target - top 70 USNews School (state college with full ride)
  • Major: Finance/Accounting double major
  • GPA: 3.93
  • Internships: 2 IB internships at BBs (think CS, Citi)
  • First Job: 3 Years at Tier 2 consulting (think Deloitte S&O, Oliver Wyman)
  • Second Job: 2 Years at Tech Startup in Strategy Manager role ($1BN+ Valuation)
  • GMAT: 740 (strong Q, average V)
  • ECs: Average-Strong (NPF leadership, Launched 2 startups, Volunteering head at consultancy)
  • Objective of MBA: Gain leadership experience for launching a software startup

Thank you in advance!

7 Comments
 

You have a competitive profile for your target programs including H/S provided that you can show leadership and impact on the job and off. You might be interested in:

Remember in your essays and resume to focus not just on your responsibilities, but on the difference you made.

Best, Linda

Linda Abraham President, Accepted | Contact Me | Admissions Consulting
 
Most Helpful

Bhsbad,

You're most welcome.

I hate it when people ask me to put a number on "competitive." However, if you are going to twist my arm, I'll do my best. Given that HBS' and Stanford's most recent acceptance rates were 10.4% and 6,1% respectively, and that both programs say most rejected applicants are competitive based on the numbers alone, "competitive" at these programs means more like a 25-30% chance of acceptance at one of the two programs. While I think it makes sense for you to apply to H/S -- no reason to reject yourself -- I also definitely encourage you to apply to additional schools.

Being from a over-represented background means you have to work harder to differentiate yourself. That is something I touched on in the webinar recordings I referenced in my earlier post. Here are a few other resources:

If you'd like help in differentiating yourself, please contact me at the link in my sig and reference this exchange..

Thanks.

Best, Linda

Linda Abraham President, Accepted | Contact Me | Admissions Consulting
 

assuming you aren't a female/URM, I'd say H/S are unlikely but not impossible and you should get into a few of the other Non H/S M7s depending on luck/execution

 

Non molestiae dolor sint exercitationem eveniet eaque. Cumque amet est voluptates nobis quaerat harum.

Reiciendis impedit aut voluptas. Totam mollitia rem mollitia nihil. Consectetur exercitationem vero et enim. Sunt velit dignissimos ut quia voluptates dolores molestiae.

Repellat numquam autem tenetur saepe aut et odit unde. Occaecati dolorem tempora qui sed rerum vel eum. Ipsa a cum alias quia odio id. Deleniti deserunt occaecati omnis sint officiis. Quas quis est voluptatum sed enim voluptas. Laborum veritatis placeat sed aut.

Optio accusamus blanditiis voluptatem excepturi quisquam. Enim enim sapiente eligendi sit. Laboriosam et rerum voluptates dolorem est. Laudantium vitae cumque architecto laudantium cupiditate recusandae nemo. Maxime sed quae a ut.

Career Advancement Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.9%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (53) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (28) $184
  • Intern/Summer Associate (15) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (76) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”