Currently on the fence between rushing M7 apps this R1/R2 or waiting a year to strengthen my app. Post MBA goals include equity research, a public markets buyside shop, or one of these up and coming hybrid quant/fundametal/macro startup research shops/funds. I fully understand that the latter 2 goals are difficult. My formative/undergrad years were weak and thus my current stats are pretty mediocre. I have a good GMAT and decent ECs if I let them mature a bit. My dilemma is that I think waiting another year could give me the time to make up for my weak profile thus far and let me structure my apps/essays/LoRs more. the issue is that I feel behind compared to my peers (I'd be entering B school at age 28 if I waited vs the ~26 of my peers). Ideally aiming for HSW/C/Booth/MIT for recruiting purposes.
Profile:
- 3.3 engineering gpa from well-regarded state school, class of '22
- work in Big 4 non-strat consulting, on/early track promo timelines, good year ends and sales #s
- various nonprofit (think consulting/impact investment/fundraising) ECs throughout the years in the cities ive been in.
- 775 GMAT focus
- (in progress/if I waited) building a portfolio of both public market investment theses and evaluating other misc private investment funds/offerings in slightly novel ways.
- (if I waited) would attempt to jump to a startup by next calendar year but not sure exactly what yet. ideal would be a small research shop or one of those interesting trading startups.
I would really appreciate any perspective here. Am I missing something in how I'm looking at this?
