Prospects for top MBA
Hey,
Looking to gain some insights @ my chances for a top MBA. Aiming for R2 apps to HBS, Wharton, Booth, Col, LBS, and INSEAD.
Background:
Age: 25
4 years of work exp by next summer, about 1 year on buyside, and 3 years in banking @ a brand name shop
Ugrad: 3.5x GPA (nothing special in terms of brand name); graduated in top 10%
ECs: average i guess. did a some leadership roles during college. was big into sports (was co-captain for a year) but not anymore
Gmat: aiming for 700
Letters of rec: should be good, have direct exposure to some very senior people at my firm (MD-level) and have convinced a former client that I worked for to write me a letter of rec (he is also very senior...Partner-level @ PE shop).
Overall, I think the above package is pretty average and nothing too impressive to warrant an admit to HBS/Wharton. However, my biggest strength is my story and background. Im a non-white/non-asian male (haha) from a very "volatile" country (although I grew up and now work in the US), with the hopes of going back to pursue some entrepreneurial initiatives (would also love to eventually lecture part-time at a university there). I have a pretty elaborate "story" to write about in my essays which I think will be very unique vs what everyone else has. I also speak 4 languages (2 fully fluent).
I know INSEAD and LBS may be better suited towards my background, given their big focus on "international outlook" but wanted to try my hand at the top US schools as well.
Thanks!
Dude, I gotta say. Straight 700 is not that great for HBS and Wharton, considering that their medians are 730/720, and that finance skews VASTLY higher. 770 ish and we're cooking. Do you think you can swing that by the R2 deadline?
I agree with GS here. If you get 700 flat, get ready to spend the next 2 years in LBS instead of the hallowed halls of the M7. The median gmat at hbs/wharton/booth among finance guys is around 770 now.
EDIT: oops, i just read that you're a non-white/asian minority. Yeah in that case you have a good shot at every school. If you're a black from sub-saharan Africa, then start looking for apartments in boston and enjoy HBS. I recommend one western avenue or soldiers park, which are buildings right next to hbs campus.
Could we leave the racially tinged remarks out of the advice column?
While you might not like the way he said it, Brady's comment was pretty much dead on (though obviously exaggerated).
As a white/Asian guy, OP would have absolutely no chance at HBS or Wharton. As a non-Asian minority, however, he most assuredly might. Why ignore that?
If you are good at telling your story I think you have pretty good chances at LBS
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700 is on the lower end of what I'd be happy with, but I probably wouldnt re-write if I get a 720 or higher -- depends on how much time I have before R2 deadlines.
Regarding race, I am well aware that its a huge advantage. Especially because even a black from sub-saharan Africa would be considered pretty "common" vs my background/ethnicity.
Anyways, thanks for the feedback. I'll let you know how it pans out.
Update.
Got myself a 730 on the GMAT. Was happy with it. I made the deadlines for most of the schools I listed above except for Booth -- it was my least favorite of the bunch.
In terms of my application, I was able to produce a very strong set of essays...except for HBS which I was not completely happy with but whatever. My Columbia/Wharton/LBS/INSEAD apps are "stellar" according to my admissions consultant and a few other people I showed them to. Overall, I am pretty confident I'll be able to get into one of these schools. My strong preference is for Wharton though so really hoping that pans out -- did a campus visit a couple of months back and I really loved the atmosphere.
Forgot to update you all on what happened.
Admits: Wharton (w/ $), INSEAD (w/ $$$), CBS (no $), LBS (no $) Dings: HBS (no surprise, but still sucks)
Matriculating: INSEAD
Although Wharton was my goal, INSEAD was a VERY close second. After sitting on the decision for about a month or so I have decided to go to INSEAD. Also talked to a bunch of people from both schools and in the end, the comfort with INSEAD was there. CBS and LBS weren't contenders from the start.
I won't lie -- the scholarship that INSEAD gave me made the decision much easier. It will cost me less in tuition vs what I paid for undergrad!! Looking forward to making up the cost by doing a lot of weekend trips throughout Europe haha.
Good luck to everyone else.
Sounds pretty good. Plus, you'll be out in one more year, and ready to get back into things. Congrats!
Ya, exactly. Should have mentioned that the 1-year timeframe was a positive for me given I have VERY clear goals regarding what I want to do.
Do you mind filling us in on your race? You've got me pretty curious with all your mystery behind it.
Which consultant did you use?
I agree that consultants are awful. It's a pseudo-scam for the most part. What was so bad about them?
I'm pretty shocked that you're turning down Wharton though. It would've been great if we were classmates!
If you're one of the scarcer types of urms you're good to go at HBS. But if you're not you need a better than 700 score. I don't by the 770 thing (at least I hope its not true!), but I think 720-750 would be something you should shoot for.
Haha IP I think you should read his follow-up posts :)
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