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Hi guys - could you evaluate my profile =D?

Australian Resident

Age: 25

GMAT: 710

Education:
Top 3 Australian University - Bachelor of Actuarial studies/Finance (Graduated with distinction - 75/100 average)

GPA: Not really sure how to convert AUS marks to US marks (My AUS GPA is 2.8/4....do you guys have any idea how they convert it...I dont think it should be this low in US terms??)....but using the WES conversion guide...roughly comes out to 3.5ish

Awarded a 4 year scholarship ~ roughly $60k worth

Qualified as a professional Actuary (FIAA/FCAS etc) in Australia/London & US (Though I've only ever worked in Australia)


Work Experience:
5 internships throughout uni ~ roughly 2 years worth (All major companies - think ASX 100/200 listed) - (Completed some of them with full time uni/full time work if that helps - none of them in investment banks/BBM though)
1. 3 months at insurer - actuarial analyst
2. 6 months at fund manager - quantitative research analyst (no particular asset class)
3. 6 months in consulting (big 4ish) - actuarial consultant
4. 3 months in consulting (big 4ish - diff firm) - actuarial consultant
5. 3 months at major aussie bank - Quantitative analyst/Financial Engineering/Market risk

4 years work experience as an Actuarial Consultant for one of the Big 4 (Only 4-5 graduates per year...so not as easy to get into as other areas within the Big 4!!!) - another 1/2 years and I'll be a manager

EC:
Charity work, social clubs, rec sports, pro bono consulting etc - nothing out of the ordinary to be honest

Story
Worked closely with the strat ops and corp finance guys and find the work they do ALOT more interesting...want to make a break into IB/Strat consulting (I know...just like everyone else!!)

Schools
London Business School
INSEAD
H/S/W
Kellogg
Chicago
NYU

Any insight would be much appreciated!! (feel free to be brutally honest)

Thanks guys!

Hey pewpow -- you have a lot to work with here!

First, on the GPA - the only school that we know of that asks their applicants to convert a non-US record to the US system is Columbia. Since they're not on your list, then you don't need to worry about it. All the adcoms get enough apps from all around the world that they know how to convert different academic histories. If WES says you have a 3.5 on a 4.0 scale, then you're in the running and qualified for any top program based on your academic record. Plus, getting the scholarship is another point in your favor - all of this adds up to a positive background.

The 710 is also a solid test score though you're not setting yourself apart from all the other candidates "like you" applying. Of course, there are many fewer applicants coming from Australia, so you have somewhat less competition! But given that your background is in actuarial, and your goals, then some adcoms may want to see a stronger GMAT score. You don't need to retest at this late date, so don't misinterpret these comments, we're just saying that the GMAT is adequate, yet not distinctive - but you knew that!!

Your choice of schools looks fine, of course those are the most difficult schools in the world to get into and we can't evaluate your chances at them without knowing a lot more about you (basically we'd need to see essays to truly rate chances) however you are all systems go for trying at any of them. You seem to be in the sweet spot in terms of work experience: Some of those schools prefer older candidates and you're about at that level, while others are more open to younger and you're still in range there. So this is likely the right year for you to apply -- though we're pretty nervous about the entirety of that list. If you're just getting started, there is NO WAY you can do a bang-up job on that many apps for Round 2 (maybe if we carve out LBS and INSEAD since you can do those a bit later). You are probably reaching too high if this is truly a Round 2 strategy. And, if you're applying this season, then you must apply in Round 2.

Here's more of an explanation on what we're talking about:
More than ~3 apps is too much: https://essaysnark.blocked/2011/12/ ... crazy.html
Round 3 is too late: https://essaysnark.blocked/2011/02/ ... l-now.html

INSEAD and HBS are not open to reapplicants so make sure that whatever you submit to them is over-the-top stellar, you won't have a second chance.

Every school on this list requires a different strategy -- and the biggest issue in what you posted about your profile (this is actually a massive blinking red warning light) is that you said IB *or* strategy consulting. Those are, like, two totally different goals. We have another snarky post from just yesterday for you to check out about that: https://essaysnark.blocked/2011/12/ ... -that.html

So.... we are green-lighting the IDEA of bschool for you but we're very skeptical about your list of schools as it sounds like you just went down the Top 10 Rankings, we don't see any obvious strategy here; we're also very nervous about your timing (they say it takes about 40 hours to put together ONE whole application); and we're most concerned about the career goals (or lack thereof!).

That's just our $0.02.

EssaySnark

Thanks a tonne essaysnark!!, your feedback is much appreciated.

And you are absolutely right - I realise swinging for both IB/Mgt consulting is probably not the best thing to do - and I will definitely focus my attention on just one of the two in my applications.

Just out of curiosity do you have any idea how actuarial consulting experience fairs against F/O IB or BBM? - would it put me at a severe disadvantage to not have secured an IB/Mgt consulting place upon graduation? (Given I will be competing against the consulting pool)

You're not necessarily at any disadvantage based on your career to date - what's most important is that you highlight a) stories of accomplishment and impact; and b) evidence of how you're ready for this transition. There are no cookie-cutter candidates and so it's up to you to emphasize what makes you different and how you're ready to tackle the career goals you're laying out for yourself. The adcom will be open to whatever you present and they look at your application holistically. Some might even say that the actuarial background is an advantage since it's not quite as common! It's up to you to position things. Don't worry so much about what other applicants look like, just focus on how you're unique/different and what stories you can tell. (See a great example of what we mean here: https://essaysnark.blocked/2011/12/ ... bit-o.html)

HTH!
EssaySnark

Personally I would love to go to H/S/W (given the prestige), but I understand the fierce competition....

Do you think I would be better off applying to H/S/W or Chicago/NYU/Kellogg given my profile (And I understand without my essays its probably difficult to gauge completeness of app) ??

Which one would give me an optimal chance?

Thanks!

Not just difficult, it's impossible to say, it depends on goals and positioning and why you're picking a particular school etc. Based on just acceptance rates, then it is "easier" to get into Chicago, but that's just making statements in a vacuum.

EssaySnark