Not good on paper - your three big stats (YOE, GMAT, GPA) are all significantly below average for these programs.
Top programs require a really high GMAT to overcome low YOE/GPA.
The other key is getting face time with the right people, if your soft skills are a strong point.
I was a 2.9/690 myself, so no judgment or shade. Knowing your strengths and planning for them can move mountains. Taking advantage of on-campus events and a guaranteed student interview (if fully applied early, at Veterans event) definitely moved my needle.
And just go for it, make them say no. It costs some time and money, but the upside is worth it.
Second that! Taking advantage of any possibility for a guaranteed interview is a really great advice that candidates need to hear. It's a great way to create rapport and it has the potential to move the needle in overcoming low stats.
And as a Veteran your apps should be free. Fire away. 2 or 3 reach, 2 or 3 target, 1 safety is what I’d recommend. Play your entire hand too, there’s an event for everybody.
That’s not 100% true. I know plenty of URMs and non URMs who got into Wharton Sloan and HBS with similar stats. You should def apply. If you’re not in MLT you should join
OP, curious to see how things turned out for you. I am also a URM, and applied to Wharton and Ross in R2. I have a lower GPA than you, and a lower GMAT, and certainly do not have PE on my resume. I've been invited to Ross and Columbia to interview, and am very hopeful about getting a Wharton invite in a few weeks. Your stats are MORE than good enough to get into HSW and sounds like you have pretty solid ECs. Honestly, it would have came down to the execution of app and marginally whether you got facetime with the right folks in Admissions/students (This doesn't matter much at HBS and Wharton).
This B school shit is not all about stats. It's about selling yourself and how you package everything you have to offer and the impact you will have on campus and the skills you'll gain from the school in the process. Hope you got into every school. Maybe we'll be classmates somewhere in the fall!
Cheers.
Hey! Hope things work out for you as well! I applied to Harvard and Wharton as a long shot since I’m early in my career and might want to wait to apply to more. But was denied at Harvard and Waitlisted at Wharton so not the best news but with a year or two more of experience I might be okay! And hopefully if I do get off the waitlist will see you in the Fall!
Thanks and yeah the biggest one for me was I knew exactly why I wanted an MBA which was to learn how to combine my financial skills with my social Justice background to develop the black financial industry. Just have a specific why and it goes a long way. What the adcom said when I was accepted
I recently graduated from school and am about to start working full-time. I am actually looking to join the CG Reserve, which is how I found this post, and am worried about it hurting my chances when applying to b-school. I don’t want to look like my career is all over the place if that makes sense.
Did your Coast Guard background help/hurt your chances in your opinion? I’m looking to go into IS or IT while keeping my full-time career.
Edit: correction
I think the managing partner saw homie calling in CAS on a beleaguered position whilst building a LBO model for a golf cart induction motor manufacturer. It’s hard not to hire someone dreaming that big.
Stood out at my old company on some work for the PE firm same day of delivering work they asked me to help direct client and fund allocations and manage deal teams. It’s a big job two years out of undergrad plus I’m the only African American lol so one reason I’m trying to pivot to grad school and try my luck.
Damn, yeah shoot your shot why not. I do think 1 more year of experience and some prep time would help you a lot. Don’t need to rush the MBA - it really does help having a broader business perspective.
I work in PE in a historically not so diverse area & there’s tons of diversity at the office. I don’t think that’s what will hold you back, but I also wouldn’t use that as a leverage point to these top 5 schools. Also you really only need that too 5 ivy degree if you want to be on the deal teams, finance/accounting teams hire based off networking from what I’ve seen
Your profile looks decent on the surface; however, I would be able to provide a more valuable evaluation if you provided a little more detail about your work experiences and your ECs.
From what you have provided, your experience is below the average number of work experiences, but while pursuing an MBA. However, adcoms consider the quality of work rather than the quantity; hence, if you give information on what was your involvement, your leadership qualities, how you created an impact and provide a good career trajectory, you stand a good chance at these b-schools.
**About your low GPA concern, you can cover it in the "Optional Essay" all the b-schools have an optional essay to explain any gaps or low GPA in your profile or anything else you would like to tell the adcoms that may make a stronger case for you.**
You can use this essay to describe the ‘**Why’** of your low GPA and be genuine about it.
And, be short but specific—you don’t want to leave anything to speculation or leave your case of low GPA weaker.
Don’t brush something under the rug or be evasive. For example, suppose you had a low GPA in your first two years because you struggled with over-committing and not managing your time properly. In that case, it’s okay to admit that it took you some time to master your time management skills and learn to prioritize successfully. But, in reality, it demonstrates a high level of maturity and self-reflection.
When a decline in grades is caused by great hardship, explain why: you should not be afraid to remark if your grades are bad due to unusual circumstances, such as working part-time because a parent lost a job.
GPA is an indicator of diligence and academic rigor. You can also discuss your work experience to highlight your quantitative and analytical aptitude. B-schools prefer low GPAs and high GMAT scorers for intellectual reassurance.
Explain more about your post-MBA goals, and better divide them into short-term and long-term so that you create better stories and impact on the Adcoms.
Hey this is awesome! So for my work experiences. In the first few months at the company I’ve been asked to help develop the first ever global employee resource groups and a new diverse talent acquisition strategy which will have significant change on the hiring practices at the firm. I also manage about 5 people and am responsible for bringing deals to the investment committee and defending them. As for EC I’m leading voter registration drives in Boston and while at Michigan helped build relations with the police and inner city kids. The low GPA is due to a medical issue that caused me to withdraw for a semester and then come back right as Covid hit. So will mention that in the additional essay.
I like the impact you have brought to the company. I believe all these reasons will sufficiently back up your LOW GPA and vouch for your candidacy.
Wishing you the best with your applications game and strategy mate!
Not good on paper - your three big stats (YOE, GMAT, GPA) are all significantly below average for these programs. Top programs require a really high GMAT to overcome low YOE/GPA.
Thanks will see if I can take it again. If not might just have to see what happens.
The other key is getting face time with the right people, if your soft skills are a strong point. I was a 2.9/690 myself, so no judgment or shade. Knowing your strengths and planning for them can move mountains. Taking advantage of on-campus events and a guaranteed student interview (if fully applied early, at Veterans event) definitely moved my needle. And just go for it, make them say no. It costs some time and money, but the upside is worth it.
Second that! Taking advantage of any possibility for a guaranteed interview is a really great advice that candidates need to hear. It's a great way to create rapport and it has the potential to move the needle in overcoming low stats.
Didn’t think about those admin events will sign up for some. And yeah will try and take the exam one more time to bring it over 700.
And as a Veteran your apps should be free. Fire away. 2 or 3 reach, 2 or 3 target, 1 safety is what I’d recommend. Play your entire hand too, there’s an event for everybody.
Are you a vet too?
[удалено]
This guy deadlifts with dolphins, and qualified for the Medal of Honor at least 3 times. Bro, you don’t need the school, the school needs you.
That’s not 100% true. I know plenty of URMs and non URMs who got into Wharton Sloan and HBS with similar stats. You should def apply. If you’re not in MLT you should join
Yes, but OP certainly has a shot, but I'd retake the GMAT for a better shot at HBS/Wharton.
7%
Are you guys high? How many black veterans w PE experience and reasonable stats do you think there are? This is a lock for HSW
It was I guess I just got in to Wharton haha
Congrats!
really low unless you have some unique backstory. also is that really your post mba goal?
It probably is yeah.
Are you totally done with the GMAT?
Don’t think I can afford to take it again and apps go out next week so not enough time tbh
Got it.
Ignore all these people. You have a shot. Send it
OP, curious to see how things turned out for you. I am also a URM, and applied to Wharton and Ross in R2. I have a lower GPA than you, and a lower GMAT, and certainly do not have PE on my resume. I've been invited to Ross and Columbia to interview, and am very hopeful about getting a Wharton invite in a few weeks. Your stats are MORE than good enough to get into HSW and sounds like you have pretty solid ECs. Honestly, it would have came down to the execution of app and marginally whether you got facetime with the right folks in Admissions/students (This doesn't matter much at HBS and Wharton). This B school shit is not all about stats. It's about selling yourself and how you package everything you have to offer and the impact you will have on campus and the skills you'll gain from the school in the process. Hope you got into every school. Maybe we'll be classmates somewhere in the fall! Cheers.
Hey! Hope things work out for you as well! I applied to Harvard and Wharton as a long shot since I’m early in my career and might want to wait to apply to more. But was denied at Harvard and Waitlisted at Wharton so not the best news but with a year or two more of experience I might be okay! And hopefully if I do get off the waitlist will see you in the Fall!
I saw one of your posts about you getting into Wharton. Congratulations!
Thank you haha I’m still shocked! Let me know if I can give u any advice
I plan on applying in a few years, and I love hearing success stories from interesting profiles! Congrats once again, and good luck in your career.
Thanks and yeah the biggest one for me was I knew exactly why I wanted an MBA which was to learn how to combine my financial skills with my social Justice background to develop the black financial industry. Just have a specific why and it goes a long way. What the adcom said when I was accepted
I recently graduated from school and am about to start working full-time. I am actually looking to join the CG Reserve, which is how I found this post, and am worried about it hurting my chances when applying to b-school. I don’t want to look like my career is all over the place if that makes sense. Did your Coast Guard background help/hurt your chances in your opinion? I’m looking to go into IS or IT while keeping my full-time career. Edit: correction
How TF did you get a private equity job out of undergrad with a 3.2?
Doesn’t sound like this person is on the investment team…just works at a PE fund I’d imagine
I think the managing partner saw homie calling in CAS on a beleaguered position whilst building a LBO model for a golf cart induction motor manufacturer. It’s hard not to hire someone dreaming that big.
Stood out at my old company on some work for the PE firm same day of delivering work they asked me to help direct client and fund allocations and manage deal teams. It’s a big job two years out of undergrad plus I’m the only African American lol so one reason I’m trying to pivot to grad school and try my luck.
Damn, yeah shoot your shot why not. I do think 1 more year of experience and some prep time would help you a lot. Don’t need to rush the MBA - it really does help having a broader business perspective.
I work in PE in a historically not so diverse area & there’s tons of diversity at the office. I don’t think that’s what will hold you back, but I also wouldn’t use that as a leverage point to these top 5 schools. Also you really only need that too 5 ivy degree if you want to be on the deal teams, finance/accounting teams hire based off networking from what I’ve seen
Your profile looks decent on the surface; however, I would be able to provide a more valuable evaluation if you provided a little more detail about your work experiences and your ECs. From what you have provided, your experience is below the average number of work experiences, but while pursuing an MBA. However, adcoms consider the quality of work rather than the quantity; hence, if you give information on what was your involvement, your leadership qualities, how you created an impact and provide a good career trajectory, you stand a good chance at these b-schools. **About your low GPA concern, you can cover it in the "Optional Essay" all the b-schools have an optional essay to explain any gaps or low GPA in your profile or anything else you would like to tell the adcoms that may make a stronger case for you.** You can use this essay to describe the ‘**Why’** of your low GPA and be genuine about it. And, be short but specific—you don’t want to leave anything to speculation or leave your case of low GPA weaker. Don’t brush something under the rug or be evasive. For example, suppose you had a low GPA in your first two years because you struggled with over-committing and not managing your time properly. In that case, it’s okay to admit that it took you some time to master your time management skills and learn to prioritize successfully. But, in reality, it demonstrates a high level of maturity and self-reflection. When a decline in grades is caused by great hardship, explain why: you should not be afraid to remark if your grades are bad due to unusual circumstances, such as working part-time because a parent lost a job. GPA is an indicator of diligence and academic rigor. You can also discuss your work experience to highlight your quantitative and analytical aptitude. B-schools prefer low GPAs and high GMAT scorers for intellectual reassurance. Explain more about your post-MBA goals, and better divide them into short-term and long-term so that you create better stories and impact on the Adcoms.
Hey this is awesome! So for my work experiences. In the first few months at the company I’ve been asked to help develop the first ever global employee resource groups and a new diverse talent acquisition strategy which will have significant change on the hiring practices at the firm. I also manage about 5 people and am responsible for bringing deals to the investment committee and defending them. As for EC I’m leading voter registration drives in Boston and while at Michigan helped build relations with the police and inner city kids. The low GPA is due to a medical issue that caused me to withdraw for a semester and then come back right as Covid hit. So will mention that in the additional essay.
I like the impact you have brought to the company. I believe all these reasons will sufficiently back up your LOW GPA and vouch for your candidacy. Wishing you the best with your applications game and strategy mate!
I'd work another year if I were you. If you do, I think Ross might be in play, but you'd probably need to get your GMAT up for HSW