MBA Chats

CS Undergrad - 1.5 yrs Tier 1 Investment Bank as Technology Analyst , 1.7 yrs Tier 1 Hedge Fund as Technology Associate. No major EC's. Good LOR's.

-Female, white, first-generation college
-Graduated from a decent undergrad business school (Think big B's in Northeast (Bentley, Babson, etc.) 3.5 GPA, highly involved on campus with impactful leadership positions, Honors College, ODK
-Work experience: Co-op'd junior and senior year of college (had to pay for my own schooling) at Fortune 5 company, stayed there for ~2 years, and left for a Senior Project Management role at a start-up. Stayed there for 2.5 years, and now work for very well-known fortune 500 company also in Project/Program management. I have stayed involved in employee groups for women empowerment, young professionals, Toastmasters, DEI. In total when applying will have ~5 years work experience
-Currently enrolled in MS program for organizational management/leadership at a different big B Northeast business school and it is not overly rigorous, hoping to graduate from the program with 3.8/3.9 if I keep on this pace. Projected graduation date is May 2026
-I have some interesting stories to tell (first gen college, only child of sick parent, digital nomad working from various asian countires living with families (workaway style) and living in hostels (cheaper than Boston) for extended periods of time. Truly life changing, mind altering, broadened my horizons, yada yada. First person in my family to leave the country as well

I am a 26 year old Los Angeles native, and Korean-American (Is this considered ORM?). I will have 4.5 years of WE by matriculation and am planning to only apply to USC Marshall for Round 1 apps. I'm also a re-applicant, I applied only to USC Marshall last year as well for Round 2, but my application was put together a bit hastily, and I applied with a GRE of 318. I ended up getting waitlisted without interview, then rejected. What are my chances this go-around considering I'm a re-applicant with a higher GRE and only shooting for one school? My goal is to work at a major pharmaceutical company through an LDP program post-MBA. Thanks!

Would love for feedback!
Canadian Male
2.5 years in a FLDP (Rotational Program) at Big 5 Canadian Bank
1 year at a late stage startup (industry leader) as a Corporate Finance Analyst
Involved in the community through pro- bono consulting for non profits, finance director at charity and volunteer at hospital
Career Goals: Pivot into consulting (MBB/T2) to gain strategic skillset. Long-term go back into tech FP&A/Strategic finance