How to curate 2+2 application

Freshman here, looking for any specific tips on how to curate the best 2+2 application possible? I don’t have anything super interesting going for me (econ major going into finance), but beyond GPA, what are the best ways to optimize for 2+2 admissions to H/S beyond things like high GPA? Does name brand for internships outweigh interesting things? I’ve been considering term time hedge fund work, but also thinking about how that might limit the time I can spend engaging with clubs, what matters more? Any advice appreciated for a traditional candidate super interested in 2+2!

4 Comments
 

Aside from optimizing for GPA and name brand, there isn't much else you can do as a traditional applicant. 2+2 programs are designed for students who don't fit the typical IB summer -> IB FT -> PE path. Especially H/S, they take such few candidates for 2+2 that they almost exclusively are looking at non-traditional candidates. If you are a freshman interested in finance that wants to be competitive in these programs, I suppose I'd recommend trying to get into finance entrepreneurship on some level. Join your school's venture club or start-up community. Try to also get involved in your school's community. Leadership and community-giving are two things that the programs all tend to look for

 

Interesting, makes sense. The reason why I'm most interested in them is candidly as a fall back. I want to get into a hedge fund right out of undergrad (not too keen on grinding in banking though might do PE) and I understand that it's a riskier career path that gives less exits. I feel if I get in to the deferred programs, I'll be able to take the career risk, potentially kill it at the hedge fund and never look back, but still have a great thing to fall back on and potentially pivot to a more traditional, slower path. Would this story still work for applying regularly (obviously would not say slower career path)?

 

What do you mean by "work as in applying regularly"? As in if you go into the HF space after school and aren't doing well? I suppose, but that's a common story, i.e., the career pivot, that most MBA programs are designed for in the first place. It wouldn't hurt or harm your applications.

If you want the 2+2 as a fallback I don't think that will win over any ad-coms, as it will likely come across in your essays. Do some research and see if they are truly beneficial for your career, and if they aren't then just do what you can to maximize success at the HF roles you want to get.

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