Candidate:

Mr. Financial Services

About Me:

I grew up in the Midwest but was also raised throughout Europe. Post-graduation, I spent 2 years at top BB bank, then transitioned to a UMM PE fund. After 1.5 years there, I joined a 2-year old merchant bank to help develop their international presence and their investing functions.

Schools:

Target School: Harvard

See More Profiles For: Harvard

Application Status: Open

Details:

Undergrad School: UW Madison

Undergrad Major: Econ, French

GPA: 3.8

GMAT: 750

Age: 27, Ethnicity: White

Extracurriculars: Board Member of $27mm Revenue Non-Profit, Angel Investor (3 Investments to Date), Founder of $30k Scholarship Fund for High School

Work History:

Title: Merchant Banking Associate

Industry: Banking & Finance

Company: Boutique Firm

Length of Employment: 1 yr, 6 mos

Title: PE Senior Associate

Industry: Banking & Finance

Company: Upper Middle Market PE Firm

Length of Employment: 1 yr, 5 mos

Big Life Wins:

At work, I led multiple PE investments from end-to-end as the sole associate. At my current position, I helped double headcount internationally and led the junior team responsible for expanding the firm into an investing firm. In my personal life, I raised $50k+ for a non-profit and was nominated to their board as the youngest person to ever do so.

Post MBA Goal:

I want to work in financial services PE fund / team.

Odds:

Join in! Click here to assess the odds of Mr. Financial Services

The Experts Rate The Odds At: 28%

See what the industry experts have to say:

mbaMission Odds Assessment: 30%

Hello Mr. Financial Services! Krista Nannery from mbaMission here. Thanks for posting! And love that great combination of stats! That will certainly help you with this process.
In my experience, HBS tends to go for people who have made the IB to PE switch so you’re good there. Plus, you’re giving them a little extra with the Merchant Banking. I can kinda see them going for this — they’re going to love talking shop with you in the interview — but the things I’d want to know are whether your PE firm has sent people to HBS recently and whether your merchant bank has a track record as well.
With your stats, Wharton feels like a no-brainer so please add it! GSB is tough for anyone and …

Hello Mr. Financial Services! Krista Nannery from mbaMission here. Thanks for posting! And love that great combination of stats! That will certainly help you with this process.
In my experience, HBS tends to go for people who have made the IB to PE switch so you’re good there. Plus, you’re giving them a little extra with the Merchant Banking. I can kinda see them going for this — they’re going to love talking shop with you in the interview — but the things I’d want to know are whether your PE firm has sent people to HBS recently and whether your merchant bank has a track record as well.
With your stats, Wharton feels like a no-brainer so please add it! GSB is tough for anyone and everyone but throw in that application. I’d prefer an all R1 strategy for someone like you….I’ve seen the “HBS in R1 everything else in R2” thing a few too many times to be comfortable with it. Get this all done for yourself by New Year’s! Maybe add CBS too for max options.
All the best for this process!
Krista

5 years ago Read the full review
Stratus Admissions Counseling Odds Assessment: 25%

Hi Mr. Financial Services, Melisa here from Stratus Admissions. In addition to your stats, I think the midwest/Europe combo will help give you a good platform of differentiation among finance applicants. While HBS (and other top programs) will love your varied finance experience, your board leadership and fundraising will help you stand out as a strong leader within your community. And while raising funds is definitely important – make sure you bring out how you led the fundraising and what you learned. Since you have already been in PE, within your story you will want to include why you need an MBA to return to PE. And where do you want your career to take you in the long term? Aspirationally what will your next …

Hi Mr. Financial Services, Melisa here from Stratus Admissions. In addition to your stats, I think the midwest/Europe combo will help give you a good platform of differentiation among finance applicants. While HBS (and other top programs) will love your varied finance experience, your board leadership and fundraising will help you stand out as a strong leader within your community. And while raising funds is definitely important – make sure you bring out how you led the fundraising and what you learned. Since you have already been in PE, within your story you will want to include why you need an MBA to return to PE. And where do you want your career to take you in the long term? Aspirationally what will your next PE role help prepare you for in the long term? With all these pieces, I think you have the makings of a strong application. I think adding Wharton and Columbia would give you some options if an MBA is a must for next year. Good luck!

5 years ago Read the full review