MBA: Where should I be applying?
Here are some of my stats:
3.5 undergrad GPA from large SUNY school, financial analyst major concentration
2+ years as a financial advisor at a large global insurance company
2+ years as a telecom consultant for small-medium sized companies ( think b2b sales with emphasis on leadership, i ran my own team of 5-15 reps at certain points during my stint there)
2+ years as a trader at a prop desk in NYC
I also project getting a 700+ on the GMAT (ample study time since I wont be applying until later this year)
I will have 2 hopefully very good recommendations from a current employer and a past employer, and already have a good idea of what I'm going to write for the essays.
I didn't necessary go to a target undergrad but the business program is well respected as far as a state school goes (There are quite a few alum who have went on to MBA business schools">M7 mba programs, and BB IBD right out of undergrad)
I want to get into banking and eventually PE/REPE or possibly a hedge fund. (I regret not going for IBD after undergrad)
Where should I be applying?
Ideally I'd like to go to Columbia or Stern since I'm from NY but location isn't a deal breaker.
What do you guys think?
If I'm not MBA business schools">M7 material now, any advice on what would make me a better candidate?
You read more like a 8-15 candidate, not M7 (Which is fine for getting into IB...PE/HF with no prior experience is almost impossible, even from HBS).
You went to a below average school (in regards to M7...most went to a top ~25 school, although there are plenty of people from lower ranked schools), got an average GPA there, and have below average work experience (in regards to average student you find at the M7).
what you can do from here....rock the GMAT, if you get 750+ your possibilities increase. At 720ish I see you as being a good candidate for a Darden level school (Which does fine in IB recruiting).
So you would say NYU Stern is a stretch?
kill the GMAT and apply to columbia ED. you may get lucky. stern, yale, ross, darden, fuqua are good fits. kellogg and booth may be worth a shot too if you get a 730+ GMAT.
assuming you can get into 700+ range, previous comments seem reasonable to me.
having said that, i think you'll need an air tight story about why you want an mba. not sure if your work exp is listed in order, but it reads as being very jumbled. FAdv to telecom consultant to prop trader...seems pretty random. Additionally, 2 years a pop isn't much time to show progression in those various roles. if i were an adcom, would be concerned that you didnt have any direction and just decided getting an mba might be a good idea.
This is just something to think about as you put together apps - make sure you come up with some sort of arc that ties it all together.
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