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pitbull · Tue Nov 03, 2009 11:58 am

Hi Jessica,

I know it's early for me to post this b/c I'm interested in matriculating in 2012, but I just want to gauge my chances.

Age at Matriculation: 28

UNDERGRADUATE
Top 50, Public
Top 25 Undergrad Bschool
Major: Finance
3.3 overall GPA (slacked off first few years, worked hard to raise it the last few years)
3.7 finance GPA
GMAT: 730 (50 Q, 40 V)
Ethnicity: Asian of some sort
Nationality: American, Adopted into Caucasian-American family

WORK EXPERIENCE
1.5 years thus far
Research Associate at a start-up that offers a research and analytics platform for the private equity industry

Next 2.5 years
Hopefully M&A at a boutique investment bank or a corporate finance rotation in an extremely reputable F500 tech company

EXTRACURRICULARS
Past
Served as Executive Director of a nationwide (my ethnic group)-American student conference with 300 guests. Conference’s aim is to raise awareness of community-specific issues, encourage students to network, and inspire students to contribute to the improvement of said community.

Coordinated research for an international human rights organization advocating the rights of defectors from a certain politically unstable nation

Taught English to defectors who fled said politically unstable nation

Present & Future
Currently mentoring adoptee youths of my ethnic group who were raised by Caucasian-American families. Helping them with identity crisis issues.

Avid strength & conditioning and performance athletics junkie. Plan to either volunteer as S&C coach for a youth wrestling team or a YMCA/Boys & Girls Club, or compete in the CrossFit Games.

Will join the board of the parent organization that oversees the conference mentioned above and act as an advisor to future schools hosting the conference.

OTHER PARTICULARS
Lived 2 years in the country from which I was adopted.

Met birth family and maintained relationship with them.

Learned to speak the language of said motherland with conversational fluency. Hope to someday speak the language on a more scholarly level.

WHY MBA?
Want a career in mid-market private equity. Fascinated by the impact that changes in operational and financial inputs have on the performance of a company. True passion for reshaping a company and making it a more profitable, CF-positive organization.

REACH SCHOOLS
Wharton
Booth
Tuck

SWEET SPOT
Stern
Fuqua
Darden
Ross

SAFETY
Kelley
Marshall
Tepper

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erins · Tue Nov 10, 2009 9:43 am

Hi -

Thanks for the inquiry.

It sounds as though you have a solid background -- combining strong GMAT, decent GPA (a 3.3. will be lower than average for some programs, but the upward trajectory and good GMAT will help to offset that), interesting work experience and good community involvement. In addition, your international experience/diversity will also add to your application.

Regarding your work experience...you said you have 1.5 years thus in your current job and then you mentioned 2.5 years next (hopefully). This confused me a bit in terms of sequence - maybe you can clarify. Also, did you work prior to your current position?

I like your list of target schools and the buckets seem to make sense. I'd probably select 2 from the "stretch" category, two from the "sweet spot" and perhaps one safer option but I think you have a strong profile!

I hope this helps!
Erin

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