Mr. MBB To VC

So many people out there would think this is an automatic slam dunk. After all, you’re bringing to the admissions game a jumbo 770 GMAT and a 4.0 in accounting and finance. Plus, you are already an associate at MBB, a job many MBA graduates compete for and would love to have. But, alas, do you know how many graduates from the Univeristy of Mumbai were in Stanford’s latest graduating class? None. More importantly, however, there is no X factor here. It’s possible you were in a hurry and didn’t include other details that would allow me to have a more favorable view of their chances. But your one extra of doing a blog on finance and the markets does not demonstrate to me how you are concerned and involved in some of the great social challenges the world faces. That is important to Stanford. Based on this profile, I just don’t see anything driving you in. Due to Harvard’s larger class, your odds should be better there but over the next year or two you’ll be at a disadvantage at HBS because a fair number of Asian admits deferred this year and will be in the incoming classes in 2021 and 2022. Your super GMAT is a ticket to Wharton and I think you should definitely apply there and Columbia given your goals and your background. I hope I’m wrong about the GSB but I very much doubt it. Every year, HBS and the GSB turn down MBB candidates with super high GMAT scores. I think you’re going to be one of them.