Olympic Athlete- MBA application
I've just started researching MBA programs and will really appreciate any feedback about my profile. I served in the military for a couple of years before being recruited to a varsity team in a Big Ten school and a had a very successful collegiate career and even competed in the Olympic games. I graduated with honors with a 3.7 GPA in engineering and currently working in technology in one of the BB banks. I've been working for about a year now and haven't taken the GMAT yet but assuming I score in the 700 range do you believe I have a strong enough profile to apply to an MBA business schools<br /> ">M7 MBA program?
I'm looking to move from Technology/operations to IB or PE.
that's a great profile assuming you really do get something in the 700 range, you'll have no problem
just use it to your advantage. you sure have a diverse profile to start with.
Most PE VC people have 2 years of Bulge Bracket and/or MBB (McKinsey, Bain, BCG) experiences though
Shoo in.
Don't mind shuang19, he's the village idiot.
have you ever heard of similar situations to mine? Also, can an MBA guarantee a transition from a back office/technology role to a front office/IB type role?
I know right? that's why your first name is that way
sounds like HBS potential to me
Do you think my work experience in a technology/ back office puts me in a disadvantage vs. other candidates with a rich tenure in finance?
I'm not someone who swings from the proverbial MBA jock strap and normally a back office/tech roll would be a hindrance to a top MBA or getting into IB after it, but you have military experience, were recruited into a Big 10 Varsity sport, went to the Olympics and had a 3.7 in engineering? I'm going to say your story is pretty unique and would look awesome.
Just so you're not leaving something out, did you also happen to pull the trigger on Osama?
Isn't anybody else concerned he only has 1 year post-undergrad experience?
it isn't really a problem (1) the 2015 MBA rounds are already over. when he attends MBA in 2016 he'll have 2 years (2) unique experiences in Olympics gives advantage
Back office job will not be a disadvantage if you're coming from a top MBA. The fact that you have BB experience (even though Tech is nothing like IB) can be spun to your advantage. You have industry experience and won't be coming in blind. One of the main things those recruiting IBD Associates worry about most in potential candidates is not fitting in culturally and not fully understanding how much work it will be. You'll be able to dispel that on some level.
What about work experience? Most places I've read day the avg. Work experience is 4 years. Any thoughts on that? Will my chances be lower if I apply after 2 years of working?
Yes, you're post-undergrad experience is on the lower side in terms of years and post-college work experience is typically what MBA admissions look for.
However, they'll factor in your enlisted military experience even though it was before undergrad. So let's say you have at least 4 years of enlisted experience + made NCO. That'll back up your 2 years of post-undergrad. Just wondering, how many years of military experience did you have?
Typically, military vets -> M7 MBA are/were officers, but enlisted get into these programs too; ones who served prior to and after undergrad. Add in Olympian + Big 10 Athlete + Engineering Major + 3.7 GPA = competitive profile for any M7. I'd say you have a good shot at HBS or Stanford as well.
I dont think your chance will be lower--actually they like them young as long as they're developed, mature and flexible to changes that elite MBAs will bring to them
but if you enter M7, you'd look like a HBS 2+2 graduate or GSB deferred seniors (~2 years of work then MBA). They just locked into a MBA program 2 years early, but they'd enter MBA at the same time as you (if you get in)
I heard that 2+2/deferred grads sometimes have difficulty with recruiting, because they're surrounded by high-performing peers with longer experiences---some recruiters would try to chase them first. That may be a good thing to consider.
Shuang is an idiot, you are a lock candidate with a good essay. You will get into IB no problem stay humble.
I think you're as stupid as I am. he already works in BB banks.
Yeah he works in a BB, but he works in Technology, which is what banks call their IT/BO divisions. It's a respectable line of work but it's not the same as IBD.
I've seen a number of people who have competed at the Olympic level. The undergraduate degree in engineering with a better-than-average GPA is a huge plus. To be able to perform both academically and in a highly-competitive sport simultaneously is what leaders are made of. And you are military. It just gets better. As long as you show the same leadership skills on the job as you did during undergraduate days, you should be a very strong candidate.
AndyLouis re HBS -- many Olympians with MBA aspirations apply to HBS. So the standards for that elite bucket are actually quite high. However, the OP is interested in investment banking -- not entrepreneurship -- so that's actually another positive
Michael Phelps, is that you?
Shuang is the new Beny23.
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to Beny23.
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