Hey everyone,
I am graduating from a Non-Target in May and recently secured an analyst role with a major real estate investor/consulting firm in the public pension fund space. Most of the guys I'm going to work with/for come from Ivy League MBA programs. My question is how to best set myself up the next few years assuming a strong gmat score to be accepted into one of these programs not coming from an Ivy League undergrad?
One of my main concerns is the lack of brand recognition of my firm outside of the real estate industry compared to the BB banks and consulting's MBB. Is this something to be concerned about? Or should a top firm in real estate still be well regarded for one of these programs?
Lastly, is being involved with local ULI/NAIOP chapters looked upon favorably? Volunteer work?
Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
A great job always offsets a non-target school. Your firm may not be well known outside of Real Estate circles, but it seems as if it recruits from plenty of top schools, so most likely admissions teams will have heard of it. Also the job is non-standard enough that you may actually stand out a bit-if you can ensure some stellar work experience(s). People from non-targets get in all the time but you have to make sure that your GPA, work experience , ECs, Recommendations, etc are all top quality.
To be safe, consider adding some top 10 schools to your wish list as well.
Non Target to Top 7 MBA Advice (Originally Posted: 11/11/2016)
It's my first time posting on here, so let me know if there is anything I can improve while posting...
I am a senior at a non-target in the Midwest, with a full time offer in the Asset Management division of a large commercial bank (think Wells Fargo/Bank of America/U.S. Bancorp) for a very fast growing muni bond team.
I am thinking about getting my MBA after a few years, and I would want to do it from a Top 7 program. What do you think my chances would be? I have a 3.7 gpa and am taking level 1 of the CFA soon. I am also a minority, how much would that affect the process?
Too early to say right now.
You haven't graduated college yet, and the last thing you want to do is to get ahead of yourself and think about going back to school.
Once you start working, the context of b-school will become more clear for you and your individual circumstances and goals (and frankly those things will evolve and change in ways you or anyone will have no way of knowing at this point).
Congrats on the job offer. Focus on finishing up school, enjoy the rest of your time there, and then once your job starts, do all the things you should be doing to build a great foundation to your career, regardless of b-school: learn from your peers and superiors - not just the analytical skills that you'll be using in your job, but watch and learn from them how they interact with others, how they and you get work done as a team, and so forth. Begin to learn what kinds of personalities you like working with (may not be the same as the kinds of people you're friends with), the kinds of group situations you prefer, and what kinds of work cultures allow you to thrive - i.e. being able to step back once in a while at work and ask yourself why you thrived and performed exceptionally well in this situation, but maybe did poorly in another situation.
Again, as tempting as it is to get ahead of yourself and think about something that is 2 steps removed from where you are, it's not constructive.
Echo Alex's advice, all you can do now is to look at the standard application components. Applying too early is a waste, believe me, as I wasted $100 on HBS2+2 and laugh at myself now for the lottery mindset.
Thru an application, you'll see what's needed now to have strong links in all parts to complete in the future. But realistically, the best predictor is your hard work and success, and all else follows
Non-Target Undergrad Senior: Excellent Grades...B-School Prospects? (Originally Posted: 06/04/2012)
Hey guys, I'm looking for a bit of helpful input on my situation. I am going to be graduating next spring as an undergrad from a Non-Target and was just wondering about my chances of eventually getting into certain business schools.
Currently, I have a 3.9/4.0 GPA and expect to finish with no lower than a 3.7( if I slack) when I am done. I am an intern with IBM Finance (through Dec '12) at the moment and previously interned at a hedge-fund for 4 months.
Out of HS I initially planned to go to Fordham but couldn't afford the cost so I ended up where I am now but I guess I have been fortunate as I have received 2 scholarships and good attention.
Obviously to get into a good business School I will have to get some relevant work experience...I anticipate entering the training program at First New York Securities next summer (the alumni relations person at my school has a husband who works there and already met with me so this should help).
I will be taking the GRE and GMAT eventually.
Now, my question becomes:
Assuming I maintain my high GPA and score between a 600-700 on the GMAT how do my chances bold for the following business schools?
Fordham ( I'm pretty sure yes) NYU ( I think I have a fairly good chance and my dad used to work here so he may have some connections still) Columbia ( This is my "reach")
Also, how important are "extra-curriculars" when trying to get into business school? I know that a somewhat fair amount attention is given to them for undergrad admissions but are they really important for the graduate level?
Thanks for your opinions in advance!
Focus on your work experience, developing leadership opportunities, and extra-curriculars. It's never too early to start thinking about your "brand". What kind of story do you want to tell the admissions committee in two or three years? Make sure you are always working on things that add to and deepen that story. If you can do all that and hopefully raise your expected GMAT score a bit, you should be competitive at Stern and maybe even CBS.
Try not to slack and keep the GPA at 3.9
Thanks! I'm always trying to read and digest as much information as possible to expand my knowledge via books and soon-to-be prep exams. Just curious, would I stand a better chance of getting into NYU/Columbia by applying after I have worked for a longer period +5yrs? Personally, I'd prefer to go into business school with as little work experience as possible because I want to get school over with sooner rather than later.
Why do you want to go to business school?
Going into trading and business school don't usually go together, you either kill it or get killed and b-school is you're back up.
Well I honestly enjoy the competitive appeal there is to trading so why not test it out...Plus you can never have too many connections so that could be a great "in" to the Street. As for the MBA, you never stop learning and it can provide so many more options.
Anybody else?
Non target undergrade to consulting to top 3 MBA? (Originally Posted: 01/29/2014)
I'm a senior from a non target who was lucky enough to get a consulting offer (think big4/ Accenture). My question is what are my chances at breaking into Harvard/ Stanford/ Wharton after 3-4 years consulting experience?
Also, I will likely be working on many Oil and Gas projects given that I am based in Houston. Does this increase my chances at any schools?
Other stats: 3.8 GPA, 4.0 in Economics Major Internships in Private Wealth and 2 startups (one has since been acquired by intuit, never had equity though) Founded a real estate business in college to help students find off campus housing
Last question- I could try to sell the real estate business, but the only asset is the website that generates leads for agents and the DBA. Would it be worth the trouble to sell it for any amount just to be able to say I sold my college business rather than just founding one?
All input is greatly appreciated. Please refrain from all "don't worry about your MBA, just enjoy college and focus on succeeding in consulting" posts. Thank you.
It would be very, very difficult for you to go from EY, KPMG, or ACN to HSW. If you are joining either Deloitte S&O or PwC, you may have a shot. If you are dead set on going to HSW, you could always try to lateral to a tier 2 firm (e.g., S&O, L.E.K., ATK) that has more of a reputation for doing strategy and less for implementation.
You'd better have a stellar GPA, GMAT, and amazing extracurricular activities. On top of that, you need to be the best of the best, no question, and a real game changer in the industry of some sort.
Multiple people from ACN (and a variety of places a lot loss impressive) go to HSW pretty much every year. Perform well in your job for the next few years and get ~750 or so on the GMAT and you have a good shot at HSW
Definitely lots of kids from Accenture MC/Deloitte S&O at the top 5 Bschools.
Accenture MC is not the same as Deloitte S&O. On a per capita basis, ACN does not do as well as most of the strategy firms out there.
Like others have said H/S/W will be a stretch...
First step, you need to crush the GMAT (730+, preferably 750+). In terms of work experience, I would say you'd be better off doing 2 years mid-tier consulting and then exiting to a prestigious (O&G?) industry role (or a better consulting firm) for another 2 years. Again, you need to crush it at work and get solid LORs to have any sort of shot. Third step, get involved in some sort of leadership role at a non-profit THIS year.
Last point, I would strongly recommend selling your company. When I was in undergrad, I started a small business moving and storing my classmates belongings for the summer. We had some nice YoY growth and about $10k in revenues. However, we just let the company dissolve after I graduated. I really really regret not selling it off to an underclassman as I have been asked multiple times about it during interviews.
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