I'm applying this fall to a number of MBA programs I feel would be a good fit - would appreciate any feedback on my profile. Highlights below:
Education: Cornell undergrad, 3.7 GPA, non-quant major
WE: 2 years as an IB analyst at a BB product group, 2 years as an investment associate and a lower middle market PE fund (received a promotion to senior associate after only 1 year due to strong performance), 1 year as CFO & COO at an early stage tech startup (I was the 3rd employee hired, 9 employees total, about $500k in seed funding, limited revenue)
GMAT: 760
EC's: Only have one activity, but it's something I spend a lot of time doing (and it's something I'm truly passionate about). For the last 6 years, I have been a volunteer first responder with a major New York City agency (think NYPD/FDNY). Have received one promotion, have been appointed a field training instructor (I am responsible for training new recruits who join my division), and I have received numerous awards and recognition for my service, including an award for exemplary service performed both during and after Hurricane Sandy.
My Top Schools: HBS, Sloan, Wharton, Columbia, Tuck, Booth
Would Consider: Kellogg, Haas, Yale
While I do have a BB brand on my resume, my concerns are that both the PE fund that I worked at and the tech start-up where I currently am are not well-known, so I may face an uphill battle there. Would appreciate any feedback you all have!
I like your profile, and you seem like an interesting person (that's huge, in admissions, don't kid yourself). But I have some questions.
First, let's get the worry part out of the way -- I am impressed with the first-responder activities. You presented it in a funny way "only have one activity" and as soon as I read that, I thought, "uh oh, two-dimensional" but in fact, you are not. And being truly involved with something from the inside out, and not because you check the box, is the only way to go with elite schools. I mean, most of the military guys I work with don't have extra curricular activities while they are doing service, it is a fallacy to assume everyone has to be part of a million volunteer activities. Some entrepreneurs I know are also just too flat out to do anything but nurture their people and their business. So don't fret about that one. And I also like your non-quant major. That always makes for the "more interesting" candidates.
I am curious about your career trajectory. It looks like you started in investment banking, then went to a PE firm and now in a startup. You'll need to explain your most recent career move -- the first one is understandable if you were in a 2-year program -- and you'll also need to explain your career goals and why you need an MBA at this point. These are not insurmountable hurdles, but you will need to be very clear on them, simply because you've done some moving around.
As for which school, it's really where you feel the best fit, and I think that you would do well to take the next few months and visit the schools that interest you in the spring, when students are happy and securing jobs. You will get more insight on specific paths open to someone with your background, and you'll have a better chance of seeing where you feel you belong. Don't get too caught up in brand brand brand, since each school has a very different personality, and you may find that you hate one school and love another, even if they are both ranked in the elite top 3 or 5.
And thanks for your service!
Betsy - thanks for your response, your insight was very helpful.
To answer your question about career trajectory: I worked on several tech companies during my 2 years in PE, many of which were established and had several years of operating history behind them. The companies I found the most interesting were the ones that were more venture stage, where we were essentially taking a gamble - I liked this because it forced us to use intuition and really understand the management team. In other words, we couldn't put anything into a spreadsheet and analyze it - we had to utilize "soft skills" and I loved that. I had always planned on business school, but before going I decided I wanted to get inside an early stage tech company and "see things from the other side." I thought I could utilize my experience as an investor to get my hands dirty doing early stage finance and operations work for a tech start up and help the business grow. Many of these early stage companies lack individuals with these types of skills and that's where I saw the opportunity.
I want to get an MBA because I want to transition into a finance, operations, and strategy role at a growth-late stage FinTech (Financial Technology) company. I feel an MBA is necessary because I lack the product and marketing skills that many individuals in the tech world have. Also, in the FinTech world, to enter a later stage company an MBA is highly desirable (unlike traditional consumer product tech companies where an MBA is often not needed/not seen as an asset).
Let me know what you think - there is probably a better way to articulate the above.
Let me Ponder and get back to you. I'd be interested in hearing thoughts from others...@Compbanker? you usually have some good insight.
FBI_34,
Your story is certainly different and somewhat unique. The biggest issue that I think you'll face is the one that Betsy pointed out: Why did you make such a significant career move so recently and where are you looking to be in the near- and long-term???
You run the very real risk of being classified as a lost soul who doesn't really know what he wants but is talented enough to succeed in his current objectives. Personally, I think this sort of classification hurts you a lot more than it helps you for MBA admissions. The top schools are full of people with different capabilities, backgrounds, and challenges overcome. It is NOT a collection of the smartest / most accomplished young professionals. I recommend you develop an iron-clad story about why the career moves you've made are the perfect fit for your post-MBA goals (and that the MBA is a well-thought out component of this career path).
In terms of which schools to apply to, that's a bit tougher. I think you'll struggle with HBS and Wharton. HBS because their PE ranks are filled with so many uber talented individuals and Wharton because they appear to be very attached to brand-name shops (Cornell / BB helps but your recent experience may turn them off). I believe Columbia could be an excellent fit. Booth may be a fit as well in terms of stats and career goals -- many of the PE guys here are looking to transition out of PE and into tech / marketing / industry. I know the other schools on your list less-well, but Haas and Kellogg may work. I personally wouldn't recommend you apply to Yale unless you have a very compelling reason to go there. The program is obviously good but I think you are well-qualified for other schools that are a better fit for your career objectives.
I think you have a really great shot to get into an M7 school. Just make sure to craft a compelling story in your essays and you are good to go.
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