Mr. FinTech Focused

Hi Mr. FinTech Focused, Julie-Anne Heafey here with mbaMission. I agree, 23 is a tender age to apply to an MBA program with the intention of starting soon. In fact, you are not far off from some of the college students who are applying to the longer-term deferred programs to start 2-3 years down the road. My guess is that unless you can really dazzle H/S/W with a compelling and unusual backstory on your accomplishments and personal qualities (super hard to do at this level of competition), they’ll think you need more seasoning and want you to wait. My advice is to keep working, perhaps with a pivot of roles or companies, accumulate some more professional challenges and wins, and apply in another 2 years or so. If you must apply now, show your outsize impact where you’ve been, maturity of perspective, and expand your list of schools. Good luck!

Hi, it’s Jennifer Jackson from Stratus Admissions. I love the combination of experience you have at a fintech startup while also running a creative writing blog. You have great stats but I’m concerned that you’ve just got 2 years of experience out of undergrad. This makes the Why MBA absolutely critical for you — why is now the right time to get the degree? I would say you’ll be a stronger candidate with more work under your belt. That said, I did work with an applicant who wound up at Columbia who was in consulting for only 2 years out of undergrad. He made a great case that he got the learning he needed there and needed the MBA to get to the next step. He had killer stats, which you pretty much need to have when you’re on the low end of work experience. I like your extracurriculars and could see those plus your love of writing playing a significant part in applications. With Wharton you want to emphasize your teamwork skills, which I imagine you’ve got at your startup. I think you’ve got a shot if you can nail your story and get them rooting for you!