If you're not from a BB or megafund are you screwed for M7 MBA programs?

With a 710 GMAT and 2 years analyst stint at a respected regional MM bank in an industry group think (Harris Williams/William Blair/Raymond James/BB&T) is it pointless to even try competing against the guys from BBs and mega-funds at the top MBA programs?

Will the admissions committee laugh at the MM IB experience even with top recommendations from VPs/MDs? Should I focus on tier 2 MBA schools instead?

My top choices are Harvard/YSM/Columbia or INSEAD/LBS but I heard those guys only recruit from Goldman/MS/CS/JPMorgan/BlackRock.

 

Will the rest of your application separate you in any way from those "other guys?" If so, then do it. If not, well, still do it. I highly doubt anadcom is going to laugh at your middle market bank and above 700 gmat score, unless of course your entire attitude is "well I consider myself mediocre. take me?"

Commercial Real Estate Developer
 
Best Response

Where did you go for undergrad and what was your GPA?

Also: White/Black/Asian/Hispanic/Other? Male/Female?

These things make a difference too.

710 GMAT | 3.7 GPA from target school | Black Female | regional middle market bank = pretty good chance at MBA business schools ">M7 MBA

On the other hand, 710 GMAT | 3.3 GPA from non-target, big state university | White Male | regional middle market bank = going to be tough for MBA business schools ">M7 MBA, especially since you are going to be competing with the people who have profiles such as:

770 GMAT | 4.0 GPA from target | White Male | Goldman Sachs TMT (2 years), KKR (2 years)

 

Ya, I don't see the trolling aspect of it. Seems like a pretty ordinary question.

"I know you think you understand what you thought I said but I'm not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant."
 
CorpFinanceGuy:

Then its a dumb question. Of course you'll be competitive. You're a big reach at H/S, mostly because of gmat score and anyone who isn't a URM is a reach anyways. I don't see why you wouldn't have a good shot at Columbia. This site makes it seem like everyone who goes to an MBA business schools ">M7 is some form of deity.

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