Profile Analysis and Seeking Some Application Strategy Advice

Hello Everyone,

Curious to see what you guys think of my chances are at an HBS, Stanford or Wharton.

GMAT: 740 - 49/41 GPA: 3.95 accounting from a decent state school Age: 26, 27 Jobs: 2 Years I-Banking (brand name but not bulge) - promoted, 3 Years Corp Dev. highly acquisitive company - promoted twice ECs: Solid at minimum, Chairman of YL Board of small NFP, President of Social Frat in college, mentorship programs, started Volunteer programs in foreign country Post-MBA Goal: Financial Services PE.

Now, I'm concerned that since I don't have prior PE experience, the schools will think I'm a long shot to get a PE job and ding me for not having realistic career goals. But having worked in M&A in IB and Corp Dev, I think it should be still a compelling case. What do you guys think? Should I shoot for a consultant role to increase my chances? Would that even increase my chances?

Really appreciate the feedback.

2 Comments
 

UAccrete,

You have a competitive profile for these programs and they are appropriate for you to be applying to. At the same time, don't apply exclusively to H/S/W . Also consider Kellogg, MIT Sloan, Booth, CBS, and Haas. Or apply only to H/S/W this year and widen your net if you aren't accepted.

FYI, I'm giving a webinar, Get Accepted to Wharton, on Wednesday . You (and other WSOers) are invited.

Linda Abraham President, Accepted | Contact Me | Admissions Consulting
 

Ut quaerat tempora quas et. Omnis sunt et facilis facere non.

Unde quis sequi et nobis recusandae vel dolor. Eligendi omnis eum voluptatem. Nisi voluptatibus impedit labore repudiandae ad repellendus. Excepturi minus quia tenetur. Illo tempora numquam saepe minima quidem sapiente.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 08 97.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.2%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.2%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (23) $182
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (82) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $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
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
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...”