M7 Chances for Non-Traditional Background
Hi everyone,
I am looking to enter an M7 program (specifically targeting Columbia and Wharton) and wanted to get opinions on my odds. I'm planning on working to get into the hedge fund industry post-MBA, specifically a fund with a long/short, value-oriented approach.
Undergrad 3.6/4.0 non-target state school in the southwest
Professional Experience 3 years economic consulting, 1 year corporate finance with bank/credit union
Extracurriculars Member of a student investment fund during undergrad, CFA
GMAT 760
Non-traditional Piece Between the work experience I went back to school for a year-long Master's in Finance (4.0/4.0, but non-target, relatively new program) and then took approximately 6 months off to travel and independently develop my skills as an investor (I realize that this sounds like a BS phrase...truly did spend hours on end reading investment books, teaching myself modeling, practicing taking a company and performing a valuation...any way to frame this better?).
Obviously, I lack the background in IB/PE that makes a post-MBA hedge fund opportunity more realistic, but want to get a sense of my options. Any and all feedback and advice is greatly appreciated.
WW
Your stats and work experience are solid. You will need to tell a great story as to WHY you need an MBA. It seems that your post-MBA goal is IB/PE. Right now, your goal should be to land a seat in a top MBA program that will offer the opportunity for you to develop the knowledge, skills and relationships to get to the IB/PE job.
You didn't mention anything leadership or involvement outside of work.
With a 760 GMAT, I would get that you have a really solid shot at CBS if you were to apply ED (binding).
There are three questions that you will need to nail: - Why MBA? (especially since you already have a Masters) - Why now? (why not directly from economics consulting?) - Why THIS School (you'll need to do your research!)
Check out https://stratusadmissionscounseling.com/5-reasons-pursue-mba-along-cfa/</a">5 Reasons to Pursue an MBA Along with a CFA .
Feel free to connect for a www.stratusadmissions.com/consult</a">free profile evaluation .
Thank you for your detailed comment susan.cera, I appreciate the feedback and direction.
In regards to leadership, most of the experience is within the workplace. Overseeing and coordinating tasks on projects, implementing a new system for an organization. Outside of work, not so much leadership involvement, but am getting associated with the local CFA Society and attempting to take on a leadership role helping city libraries (both parents taught high school English/Shakespeare).
I believe I can answer why [School X], and why I’m pursuing the MBA vs the MsF...but I need to think more about why now. My response would be that despite attempting to network (secondhand connections and cold-calling/messaging) I have not been able to get into the industry. I have the passion for it (CFA good concrete example), and I know it’s what I want to do, and I believe the opportunities at a top MBA program (both intellectually and socially) will facilitate the process. In your opinion, would that reasoning and thought process be persuasive to an AdCom?
Adcom will want to understand what your goals are - both short and long-term and how their MBA program will put you on track to reach your goals. Just wanting to go into IB/Hedge Fund isn't really enough. You'll need to clearly articulate what knowledge, skills and relationships you are looking to develop during an MBA program.
Glad to hear you are involved in your local CFA society (my husband is a CFA and used to teach prep courses). You may want to use the next few months to step up your leadership in ways that align with your passions and interests.
Wishing you the best on your MBA application journey! Susan
Thank you again, Susan! I'm taking note of that and will be planning on connecting my vision and goals to the opportunities afforded from the MBA.
Hi WW,
You have a competitive profile for CBS and Wharton. A few more thoughts:
You might be interested inhttps://reports.accepted.com/mba/why-mba</a"> Why MBA?, our free guide.
Linda, I appreciate the additional commentary. Also glad to hear you believe I'd be competitive for those schools!
For the reasons on pursing the MBA, do you believe that connecting with current/former students (especially in the IB/HF fields) would be a helpful step? I could use some of their experiences to reinforce my decision on a specific program, and then convey that in my essays. For example, specific courses that would be beneficial to career development, and organizations that would allow me to expand my network.
You're welcome.
Yes, definitely. Connecting with current students and alumni is a great way to do the homework necessary to have the solid reasons for an MBA and these particular programs that I'm talking about. Meeting those people would also help you create a network that could lead to interesting projects while in business school and potential internships/jobs later.
FYI, you may also want to consider Booth and LBS.
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