Candidate:

Mr. Impact Investment

About Me:

I’m a full-time consultant in an MDB (e.g. WB, ADB) investing in impact tech startups in developing regions (same role/pay as FTE but less benefits). Previously, I had a BD/investment role at an East African FinTech startup, lending to small businesses. Startup is backed by top VCs and is an industry leader. Colleagues have gone onto HBS/Wharton.

Schools:

Target School: Harvard

Considering: Stanford GSB, INSEAD, Wharton, Kellogg SOM, Chicago Booth

See More Profiles For: Harvard

Application Status: Open

Details:

Undergrad School: UC Berkeley

Undergrad Major: Economics

GPA: 3.2

GMAT: 760

Age: 27, Ethnicity: Asian or Indian

Extracurriculars: LGBT: I am a volunteer and a leader in a community-driven LGBT charity organization in a developing country where LGBT individuals are actively marginalized, Field Society: I planned and led weekend group trips to exotic locations (think Safari trips, trips to obscure villages in jungles).

Work History:

Title: Investment Specialist

Industry: Venture Capital

Company: Global

Length of Employment: 1 yr, 6 mos

Title: Investment Associate

Industry: Technology

Company: Start-Up

Length of Employment: 1 yr

Big Life Wins:

My portfolio at the Fintech startup was composed of millions of dollars in loans to small businesses in East Africa. Before that role, I raised millions from VCs to co-found a startup. I was there full-time for 4 years before pursuing a career in development and impact tech. The startup is a top 100 fastest growing e-commerce startup in the US.

Post MBA Goal:

I will be at the MDB for another 1.5 years until matriculation. Post-MBA, I’d like to leverage my experience and education to get a leadership-track position with my current employer (where an advanced degree is practically necessary) or a household-name private impact investment firm. Eventually, I’d like to set up my own impact investment firm.

Odds:

Join in! Click here to assess the odds of Mr. Impact Investment

The Experts Rate The Odds At: 28%

See what the industry experts have to say:

Odds Assessment: 25%

Mr. Impact Investment: Emily here, Master Consultant at The MBA Exchange. I know that top schools will like your global work experience, especially in fintech, impact investing and raising funds from VCs. Your GMAT also puts you into the competitive range for these schools. You will need to tell your story in a cohesive way so that it all fits together in a linear fashion. Sometimes those who have worked at start ups or started their own companies can end up with resumes that look choppy and so you want to tell your story in your essays so readers can see a line of clear progression. Likewise, you will also need to tell a compelling story about where you’re going …

Mr. Impact Investment: Emily here, Master Consultant at The MBA Exchange. I know that top schools will like your global work experience, especially in fintech, impact investing and raising funds from VCs. Your GMAT also puts you into the competitive range for these schools. You will need to tell your story in a cohesive way so that it all fits together in a linear fashion. Sometimes those who have worked at start ups or started their own companies can end up with resumes that look choppy and so you want to tell your story in your essays so readers can see a line of clear progression. Likewise, you will also need to tell a compelling story about where you’re going after an MBA and why an MBA is essential. If you want to go back to a field you’ve already been in, you need to make a case for why you must have an MBA to do that, and it cannot just be about the credential that employers want to see…you need to point to particular skills and perspective that you lack. It’s imperative that these parts of your application be flawless if you want to shoot for schools like HBS and Stanford as your GPA will be on the lower side for applicants they typically accept. Good luck–you have a bright future ahead!

5 years ago Read the full review
mbaMission Odds Assessment: 30%

Hi Mr. Impact Investment! This is Kate Richardson, Senior Admissions Consultant. There is lots to like in your profile! Impact investing is a hot field, one that many MBAs want to get into, so I think your perspective would be valuable. You also have startup experience and exposure to markets in East Africa, which is less typical. A recent client of mine with experience in East Africa is heading to Harvard in fact, and the interview dove deep into that experience. Will you be sponsored by your current firm? If so, that could be an extra bonus but if not, I’m sure the LORs you’d be able to secure would be strong. With your GMAT and track record of leadership, especially within the LGBT community, …

Hi Mr. Impact Investment! This is Kate Richardson, Senior Admissions Consultant. There is lots to like in your profile! Impact investing is a hot field, one that many MBAs want to get into, so I think your perspective would be valuable. You also have startup experience and exposure to markets in East Africa, which is less typical. A recent client of mine with experience in East Africa is heading to Harvard in fact, and the interview dove deep into that experience. Will you be sponsored by your current firm? If so, that could be an extra bonus but if not, I’m sure the LORs you’d be able to secure would be strong. With your GMAT and track record of leadership, especially within the LGBT community, are excellent. The only thing that gives me pause for Harvard is your GPA — I’d want to discuss that more and see if it makes sense for you to explain more context or take some extra courses to fill any holes in your transcript. Good luck!

5 years ago Read the full review