Hey people, addressing this to any past, current or recently accepted MBA students (top schools please, HBS, Wharton, Stanford and the like).
I'm a Canadian who will be wrapping a law degree (LLB undergrad) at LSE in June and will begin working at an i-bank of notable prestige in London, though not a BB, this summer. Ever the forward thinker, I like to have some concrete ideas as to the future after an analyst stint. Getting an MBA from one of the top US schools seems like the best way to ensure a lifetime 'safety net'. Now, assuming my grades , rec letters and GMAT scores are all up to par, how important would you say 'Leadership Experience' really is? I was not a prefect in high school and am rather weak on the extra curriculars (have none). I am hoping that my international experience, both studying and working, the fact that I am bi-lingual (French, English) and the fact that I have completed a law degree and worked in M&A, would be enough to compensate. Am I mistaken?
Please don't bother with any smart ass responses if you are just another 21 year old kid with an opinion, I am looking for real advice here. Thank you in advance.
It depends on the school. HBS loves leadership! There are alot of "finance guys" that apply to the top schools each year. Most do not have a law degree so that will separate you from others. In my opinion, (and I recently went through this and will start with a top 15 school in August) schools look at 4 things- total undergrad experience, GMAT, work experience, and who you know. Leadership can fall under the work experience or UG experience tabs there. It will not be the end of the day if you feel like you do not have anything to bring to the table on this front as long as you are strong in the other categories. However, if you can add leadership experience somehow through your work, then do it. Take on a company project or spearhead some charity campaign. Do something and you will improve your chances that much more. My biggest recommendation though is to just pound your ideal school with as many recommendations and school visits as possible. Get to know the profs. in departments with which you share interests. Get to know the admin people. Get alumni to call on your behalf or write letters after you visit with them. This is more important than anything else you can do b/c it demonstrates your genuine interest in the program.
Thanks bucs, not to sound like a brat, but will it help if my dad went to Wharton and has been rather big on the donation and alumni involvement front? In addition, he's got several buddies who he has kept in touch with since then, and who are all successful 'fund guys', while my old man is now a free agent after having sold company, but think Chair/CEO of a publicly traded company.
Thing is, all this connection stuff is kinda sleazy, and I would prefer to avoid it altogether. Am I being naive? Is this 'connections' stuff even really as important as people make out? Do I have an ace in the hole I would be a fool not to exploit?
Even with an alumni connection I don't think you will for sure have an admit at these schools unless your dad is giving really huge donations like Trump or something.
The admissions process is all about selling yourself. You can be slightly weak in one area as long as you are strong in others. No one cares about HS in the MBA process. If you have absolutely no extracirriculars in college or post-college try and get involved in something even if it is just an hour or two a month. I would think having nothing would be pretty odd. Having a law degree will make you somewhat distinct, but you will need to be able to articulate why you need an MBA if you already have a law degree.
While it is admirable to want to get in on our own accolades alone, you would be naive to think that connections are overrated and sleazy. Despite what some think, connections drive everything. I do not think you would be a brat for using your connections. Its not your fault that your family is sucessful and that you know other wealthy, successful people. Use that part of your life to propel you into the position to create that legacy for yourself. A great step in the right direction would be to get into Wharton. You will have to have great credentials, but everyone who applies to the top schools has great credentials. If you can supplement your resume with contacts and family donations,...then more power to you. It will definitely help you get in no matter what others might say. Its a fact of life. Exhaust every available resource to get into one of those schools. You will be upset with yourself if you do not, and anyone who recommendeds you to do any different would be doing you a disservice.
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