MBA and B-School Diversity Organizations
Hi everyone, I am currently a senior at a non-target state school with very little alumni presence. I am a double major with a 3.9 GPA, am taking CFA Level 1 as soon as I graduate, have a FT offer from a BB in a top group, and am extremely involved on campus with all sorts of organizations. My plan is to finish CFA in 3 years, take GMAT, and then apply to B-School. I am not really worried about the ranking of the B-School but want to do a 12 to 18 month program that is either outside of the U.S or is very international business oriented.
I have recently discovered that because of my background I qualify as a diversity candidate (did not get internship or FT offer from diversity) and want to use my background to my advantage with setting myself up for success with B-School admissions. I know that there are organizations like SEO that exist for undergrads but I am unsure of what organizations exist for diverse students looking to get into B-School.
I did Google it beforehand but was unsure of what resources are actually useful and which ones are complete BS.
Any reccomendations about diversity organizations or about what I should focus my time on from now until I apply would be helpful.
Couple questions:
Why do you want to take the CFA? What do you want to do after MBA? What do you mean you're not worried about the ranking?
Those will guide a lot of answers, as it seems a bit hasty to be talking about B school apps before you've hit the desk. If you're going 2+2 to MBA back to PE sure, but don't you want to wait to see what you want to pivot to?
Anyway, beyond that, schools put on many of their own diversity weekends and events. If you signal through interactions (submit forms, MBA fairs, etc.) that you are on this list you will likely be invited to these and be placed in that bucket. Also look into the Forte Foundation and the like.
Hey thanks for answering. I want to take CFA because I have a real interest in understanding the Finance industry and how capital not only moves around the world but why it moves. I have always gotten stellar grades in Finance, Stat, Econ, etc not because I am a nerd, but because I actually really enjoy the topics and want to know everything about them be a world-renowned expert.
After MBA, I want to work in Finance but work on something benefitial to the world either in the U.S or a developing nation. Ideally, I would like to be a part of some VC firm focusing on the third/developing world, Economic committee to shape policy or businesses to bring people out of poverty through education and financial literacy, organization that helps those impoverished around the globe, or ESG team where I can be happy knowing that the investments my team is making is making world a better place.
When I say I am not worried about ranking, I read a lot of posts on this website and everyone cares about prestige and the glorified/romanticized PE industry. I could not care less about prestige or working in PE as long as whatever I am doing is fulfilling and achieves the end goal of making society better for all. With regards to MBA ranking, based off my background, stats, and work ethic, I believe that regardless of where I go to school I will succeed on my own merit, not the name of the institution on my resume. I am not denying that prestige/quality of an institution is a good thing, I am saying that I do not want my MBA decision choice to be influenced heavily solely from the exit opps and ranking of a school. I want to spend 1-2 years at an institution that will truly change the person that I am every day that I spend there.
Thank you for telling me about Forte Foundation. I really would like a list of other organizations like that to look in to. I am currently a senior so if there any other undergrad organizations, pre-recruiting organizations, or general IB/PE organizations for diverse students please let me know.
2 years of BB with or without a CFA > IFC Investment Analyst Program for 1-2 years (diversity background will help a ton here and they have multiple coverage groups Tech/Industrials/e.t.c) > Top MBA > Work in U.S. or Emerging/Frontier markets in areas you like..
Thats the best way to go.. look up IFC program
...
I'd be curious to know what kind of diversity background is so vague that you only learn later that you're a diversity candidate. Sounds like one of those classic 1/64th Cherokee situations.
I am Hispanic but I am white as fuck. Both my parents are dark skinned but I look like a white guy straight out of the midwest. At my current job and over summer I got put into the Hispanic and Latino internal networks and was basically told that I should apply for more Diversity organizations. I was born in the U.S but grew up in Bolivia until I went to the US for college.
Plenty of opportunities out there for diverse candidates, especially when it comes to MBA programs. You should look into Consortium. Toigo Foundation, MLT and JumpStart. Coincidentally, I know people from Bolivia that work in IB. Feel free to PM and I can put you in contact with a few of them. Good luck!
Ducimus reprehenderit dicta sunt fugit et voluptas possimus. Quisquam eum et delectus et nemo id. Quo natus quos excepturi voluptatibus assumenda aliquid.
Itaque possimus sed qui qui nesciunt sit. Voluptas ad nihil blanditiis eos qui. Eum magni sit placeat est accusantium illum.
Commodi veritatis ea sed in labore vitae. Incidunt natus tempore voluptas dolorum. Quod inventore reprehenderit illo molestiae.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...