MBA Decisons
For my background, UG - Target/Semi Target (pending where you read it), Double Major, GPA 3.5, GMAT 660, CFA, CAIA (3.5 years MM banking, and 6 years PE), unconventional background prior to college. I am from the Midwest and want to end up back in the Chicago area.
2 years ago I decided to go to B-School and applied and was accepted to McCombs ($), Mendoza ($$$$$), Stern ($$), Johnson (nothing), Tucks (nothing), CBS (nothing), SOM ($), Fuqua (nothing), and waitlisted at Kellogg. Interviewed at Booth R1 and did not get in. Booth and Kellogg were my top choices.
My firm at the time had a ton of turnover/issues at a satellite office. I was asked to stay on and move until the firm got its footing in that office but they would financially compensate me very well, which they kept their word and have been more than generous in terms of salary increase, bonus, carry, and have more than made it worth the wait.
I am now reapplying to B-School this year. I was told I would have a role at my current firm after B-School, but debating that because I want to end up in Chicago. We are heavy in the Northeast with some satellite offices in various markets where we have a large portco presence.
I really liked Mendoza and the Notre Dame experience. They where generous with money, but at this point it's not an issue for me to pay and live out of pocket. My issue is ranking, placement, and small alumni base. I liked Kellogg but was waitlisted and I liked Booth and got rejected R1. McCombs my issue is it's heavy Texas, and Stern is heavy NYC. I liked both though.
A few partners went to HBS and want me to apply. I have a very unique background can't elaborate as to not dox myself, but they think the lower GMAT will be fine. I took the GMAT once without studying so I could prep and get it up, but I don't want to. I have not spent much time in Boston. One guy in my office went to Wharton and has encouraged me to look into Wharton again. I visited and have a ton of friends who went there but just was not feeling it. I also do not like Philadelphia.
Any thoughts?
You got good outcomes with a low GMAT, which suggests you must have decent experience. I think the chance you get into a better school with current GMAT is very low. Get above 710 and you may have a better shot at schools you mentioned. In your current situation, I’d chose Tuck or maybe Stern. But otherwise I’d wait, bump GMAT, and try for better
Issue is I do not have that much time to dedicate to study. I took it back in 2021, just winged it on a random Saturday. At the time I was doing the CFA Lvl III. I could probably wing it again and do better.
In terms of work experience I have been deal lead on a few IPOs and sat on multiple boards of portcos ranging from tech, industrial, consumer, etc. I've worked hand and hand with portco CEOs, and was interim CEO of a portco for a year. Long story on that one, but it is a large reason why I was asked to stay.
I have a highly unconventional and unique story, which makes for an interesting interview. When I interviewed at Booth we went massively over the time because the person was really intrigued with how I ended up at Point A to Point Z.
what are your post-MBA goals?
Goal is to move back to Chicago same type of role. I'm from the Chicago area. I lived in New York for 5 years banking and my current role before being asked to relocate. My current firm does not have a Chicago office, which is why they knew I probably will not come back post B-School. I have made it pretty clear I want to go back home post B-School.
If you want Chicago PE then both B/K have great networks across MM funds
CBS / Tuck place into PE, but mostly in the northeast. The other schools generally don't place into PE.
How are you thinking about CBS? I went to one of the Chi schools, but a CBS offer in hand seems tough to turn down here. I've seen some CBS grads at MM firms in Chicago, so there are some touchpoints, but obviously fewer than B/K
Is your GMAT score based on legacy GMAT or GMAT FE?
Legacy, I got a 6 on the writing. I took it back in 2021.
As mentioned above, if you could score the same on GMAT FE as on your legacy GMAT, you could have better shot at higher-tier school. Even better if you could score 700+ on GMAT FE, thought conversion-wise it's 750+ on legacy GMAT.
dude you got waitlisted at Kellogg and rejected at Booth before with the same profile
Notre Dame isn't gonna get you anywhere for PE in Chicago, you really need one of the 2
bite the bullet and study for the GMAT, get over 700, and Kellogg will let you in
Yeah true, but my experience is significantly better now. Sit on board of portcos, and manage a team. Before I was an associate. I might have to bite the bullet and take it again.
Stern or CBS
I went to Stern and loved it. New Hampshire / Vermont is beautiful though. Tuck could be a nice change of scenery before going back to city life.
Dude, don't be that guy. I am sorry but you come on here asking for advice, but then in the same breath say "I took the GMAT once without studying so I could prep and get it up, but I don't want to." That is just a bad attitude to have when you are seemingly so close to getting your top options.
You got a 660 on the GMAT just winging it and were waitlisted at Kellogg while being accepted to some other good schools. If Chicago is your end goal then Kellogg or Booth are your best options. Seriously, spend some time studying and you will likely score high enough to get into one or both, maybe even HBS if your pre-college background is as impressive as you say it is. Its not that hard to set aside a couple hours a week to study, a lot of people set aside much more, but that is likely all you will need.
Not to make myself something special but its incredibly unique, which is why I was shocked Booth and Kellogg dinged me. Interview went well over the time. I did not apply to HBS before because of the lack of time spent in Boston. At the time I was pretty set on CBS.
I might bite the bullet and have to retake it but my career experience is much better at this point.
To echo everyone else - retake the GMAT. Or try the GRE if non adaptive tests are more your thing. I went to Kellogg and heard directly from the former dean Kellogg they over-rotated towards test scores to improve their ranking.
If trying to get back to Chicago than booth / Kellogg is the clear path.
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