MBA Admissions, Break into IB, Credible Goal given my Background?

Hello, I am considering applying to full time MBA programs for the 2015 intake, and am currently preparing my story.

3.85 GPA in Economics from the top school in my country.
GRE equivalent of a 650 GMAT (taken once in 2013)
I currently work at the central bank of a caribbean country and specialize in imports and exports of natural resources.
3-5 years of experience at the bank, one promotion, and several publications to my name (about metals).
My goal is to transition into an IB associate role at an Oil&Gas or metals and mining group.
I am not a US citizen.

Are my background and goal aligned / will it be credible enough for BSchool admissions?
Is my profile remotely competitive for non H/S/W top schools?

Thanks for your insights.

4 Comments
 

Thanks for the reply. My ECs include community service through a Rotary International local club, Doing stand up routines (one time I assembled 100 people and got paid for my performance), and volunteering for the central bank volunteer association. Nothing too fancy, though I have excellent leadership / teamwork stories from work and two recommenders that love me (including current supervisor).

Will the GRE score be a deal breaker? I heard they place less emphasis on GRE since it doesnt affect their rankings, though, I would rather be safe than sorry.

 
Best Response

Yeah GRE will be a huge dealbreaker. Firstly, MBA admissions committees prefer GMAT to GRE anyway (and I've heard/read that since that's public knowledge, they look less favourably on GRE test scores as compared to GMAT), and secondly your GMAT equivalent is not good enough for M7 schools (in most cases). You have interesting work experience, a great GPA etc, but I don't think your application is unique or strong enough to overcome a bad GMAT.

Take the GMAT and do well on it (700+ at the least), and my best guess is you'd be competitive for M7 schools (not sure about H/S/W though).

 

Provident molestiae possimus quae aut quo a quis. Eum qui neque eum alias. Aspernatur nostrum quia magni a porro voluptatem excepturi. Ullam non a placeat autem libero. Labore velit id sint doloribus repellat. Aut ut id animi pariatur. Laudantium consequatur accusantium fuga. Nesciunt maxime inventore libero dolor libero.

Suscipit in assumenda suscipit doloribus amet facere ipsam. Alias cum praesentium aut odio deserunt et. Magni quisquam laborum dignissimos et et.

Placeat mollitia impedit aut autem rerum. Sed ducimus soluta minus deserunt. Velit expedita in blanditiis quam molestiae neque quidem. Voluptatum repudiandae laudantium impedit reiciendis aut officiis. Doloremque veritatis reprehenderit dolor eum. Molestiae pariatur architecto aut.

Excepturi hic porro sint libero quo cum eligendi. Laboriosam quia commodi iste eum natus. Voluptatem unde sit mollitia. Quo eos et nam animi illo maiores quisquam.

Career Advancement Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

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

Overall Employee Satisfaction

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 03 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 06 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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
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...”