The Leading Independent
Resource for Top-tier MBA
Candidates
<< Back to ApplyWire
6
February 4, 2020 4:57pm ET
Applying: Cornell / Johnson, Dartmouth / Tuck, Georgetown / McDonough, NYU Stern, UVA / Darden, Yale SOM
Intake Year: 2021
Pre-MBA Career: Management Consulting and Business Advisory
Post-MBA Target Industry: Investment Banking Companies: Bank of America , Barclays , Citibank , JP Morgan , Merrill Lynch , Morgan Stanley , JP Morgan Chase
GPA: 3.15
Years of Work Experience: 4
Location: Washington, DC
Post MBA Location: Boston, New York City
Notes:

First and foremost, want to say I am a huge fan of the podcast - I travel weekly from DC to Texas for my MGMT consulting and have listened to every podcast to date in just under 3 weeks.

I am applying to the mentioned schools above for Fall 2021 matriculation. I will be taking the GRE and am projecting a score of ~324 (I will take multiple times in hopes of reaching or eclipsing the 330 mark).

My work experience includes Grant Thornton for 8 months (Transaction Advisory), Situs for 2 years (Associate in the Residential Real Estate Group), and since August 2019, Guidehouse, LLP (Experienced Associate in the financial services practice).

Two material"red flags" regarding my candidacy: the lower GPA, and 8 months at my first job. First, with regards to the GPA, I was a Division I athlete (men's lacrosse at a top 20 program). I graduated with a degree in Business, with dual concentrations (marketing and finance). My major GPA was approximately a 3.4, and I will note that my GPA trended upwards significantly. I had a 2.6 my freshman year (parents getting divorced, general transition to college difficulties), but had a 3.1 or higher in each subsequent semester, elevating me to a somewhat respectable 3.15 upon graduating. For further clarity, I went to the University of Richmond.

For the first job - I resigned and moved home for a few months (May 2017-August 2017) because I had developed a significant eating disorder and needed to devote my undivided attention to this. This is obviously unique and personal, as it was a traumatic time in my life. It is however something I'm willing to be open very about, especially as it provides context to a perceived glitch in my candidacy.

Finally, for extracurricular - I work in various volunteer roles throughout DC. One delivers food to elderly, homebound, financially challenged individuals. The other program is BUILD - partnering with inner city kids to teach and develop their general business skills and understandings. I also am an active member of the CSR group at my firm currently.

Again, I am a huge fan of the podcast and everything on the site. Any feedback you could provide would be greatly appreciated. And yes, I will provide a review for the podcast (even if not chosen :) .