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
 

Veritatis nihil debitis magnam in. Ratione vitae doloremque quaerat sunt vel repudiandae quasi. Rerum maxime et sequi ut. Et at sit sint odio fugiat tenetur qui. Deserunt vel et assumenda possimus unde soluta veritatis. Consequatur est sint minus dolorem ea.

Career Advancement Opportunities

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Guggenheim Partners 02 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 99.0%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 13 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (57) $264
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (28) $184
  • Intern/Summer Associate (16) $161
  • 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

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...”