Mr. Banking Tech

Hi, this is JP, Senior Consultant at The MBA Exchange (and former private banker). It’s absolutely possible for you to gain a seat at your target programs, and ultimately work in private banking. To do so, you’ll need to be equipped with 1) a clear, fulfilling and tangible long-term career plan 2) a factual understanding of what the specific MBA programs offer to help you get there and 3) expert advice to help you execute your application campaign. Furthermore, it’d be helpful for you to seriously consider the international angle, as it can a game-changer for your career. Some MBA programs really open doors to international exposure, and some do not. I’d be happy to share more info on this and other MBA campaign dynamics with you, just send me an email at jpo@mbaexchange.com.

Hi, it’s Nisha from mbaMission. First of all, I admire how you’ve been able to succeed at work while addressing mental health challenges – that isn’t easy, to say the least.

A few things to address here: while you’re at an investment bank now, project management is quite different from banking/wealth management. So, I think that a more feasible stepping stone to private wealth management in the longer term might be a stint in investment banking post-MBA. In your applications, you’ll want to communicate why finance is appealing to you – what professional and personal experiences sparked this interest? Business schools always want to understand the motivations behind your goals.

Banks sometimes ask for GMAT scores, so if you’re able to raise your GMAT score, it would help from both an MBA admissions standpoint and from a recruiting standpoint later on. In any case, you’ll want to address your GPA in the optional essay, detailing the circumstances that led to it and taking ownership of anything that was more in your control.

Finally, are you involved in any extracurricular activities – or if not, were you involved in college? I know it’s tough to get involved now while everything is shut down, but any sort of community involvement (whether or not it is volunteerism) can strengthen an application, so food for thought for when it is feasible again – perhaps you can resume involvement in something related to a meaningful college activity that you participated in, for continuity.

Overall, I think the schools you’ve identified make sense for your profile. Best of luck!

Hi Mr. Banking Tech—this is Donna Bauman with Stratus Admissions weighing in on your profile. I like that you have already faced adversity and that you have reinvented yourself. This ability to rebound from a setback is going to be increasingly important in our ever changing world. I encourage you to build some of your stories around this experience as you will position yourself as a resilient candidate. So rather than worry about your gpa (which is not a deal breaker by the way), focus on what you learned from that experience and how it has helped you going forward in your career. I have had clients not only get into top programs but also get scholarships with lower grades than yours. I like that you have quantified some of your big wins in saving a customer from a $200mm mistake in their supply chain. I think you have picked a great program in UNC Kenan-Flagler for private wealth management. I used to work in admissions for UNC Kenan-Flagler and also am an undergrad alum. There is a robust network of alums in this path and a lot of experiential learning resources to help you be successful. I would be glad to help guide you in your quest to get into UNC or Fuqua or Emory or Tepper. I think all are possible for you with a strong application. I also would suggest you add Owen and potentially Olin and it might not be on your radar but I suggest you look at SMU Cox and also McCombs. Please reach out for a free consult if you want to know more. I feel confident I can help you over index on your results!