Candidate:

Mr. Undecided

About Me:

Hello. I am currently an investment analyst in NYC for a large global hedge fund looking at everything investable under the sun (Credit, equity, hard assets). Prior to this role I had a short stint at a megafund private equity firm and started off my career at Goldman Sachs as an Investment Banker for 3 years. I have had poor ECs since college.

Schools:

Target School: Harvard

Considering: Stanford GSB, Wharton

See More Profiles For: Harvard

Application Status: Open

Details:

Undergrad School: Stanford University

Undergrad Major: Computer Science

GPA: 3.7

GMAT: 780

Age: 26, Ethnicity: White

Extracurriculars: Mentor for local college kids seeking to enter finance

Work History:

Title: Hedge Fund Investment Analyst

Industry: Banking & Finance

Company: Top Firm

Length of Employment: 2 yrs

Title: Private Equity Associate

Industry: Banking & Finance

Company: Top Firm

Length of Employment: 1 yr

Big Life Wins:

My life wins have mostly been work-oriented as that’s been my main focus. I’ve helped execute $10bn+ deals as a banker/PE investor, and in my current seat, I’ve spearheaded investment opportunities generating ~$80mm in P&L. I don’t have any personal big life wins – I donated part of my liver recently to a stranger – unlikely that counts.

Post MBA Goal:

I’d like an MBA to add a brand and expand my network. I want to continue my career as a HF investor and while an MBA isn’t mandatory at all, I believe it will help in the long term. One thing to flag is in college, I received an honor code violation when I was 17 for copying homework answers. 9 years ago -but I assume a big ding given my targets.

Odds:

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

The Experts Rate The Odds At: 18%

See what the industry experts have to say:

John A. Byrne, P&Q Founder & Editor-In-Chief | Odds Assessment: 25%

I think you have a fair shot at HBS, your first choice school, given your exceptional stats, your Stanford undegraduate degree in computer science, your high GMAT score, and your stellar career background. If you smartly write about your honor code violation, there is a change–however slight–that it could be leveraged into an advantage, particularly if you have remorse about it and have learned something valuable from it. There is plenty of gold in your narrative, from Stanford and Goldman Sachs to your stints at a megafund PE shop and your current role at a large global hedge fund.

I think you have a fair shot at HBS, your first choice school, given your exceptional stats, your Stanford undegraduate degree in computer science, your high GMAT score, and your stellar career background. If you smartly write about your honor code violation, there is a change–however slight–that it could be leveraged into an advantage, particularly if you have remorse about it and have learned something valuable from it. There is plenty of gold in your narrative, from Stanford and Goldman Sachs to your stints at a megafund PE shop and your current role at a large global hedge fund.

4 years ago
mbaMission Odds Assessment: 25%

Hi Mr. Undecided, Julie-Anne Heafey here from mbaMission. I’m more in John’s boat with the odds. You are obviously intelligent and a high performer with signals throughout your profile that you have interesting things to bring to the table, but doubt yourself more than you should simply because you are analytical and assess yourself at super high standards. My guess is that you need some pushing and deeper reflection so that you know what you add to the class and where you might go. Usually when I work with people like you, that’s half the job, and the other half is providing an outside perspective on your essay to keep you from shooting yourself in the foot by downplaying yourself too much …

Hi Mr. Undecided, Julie-Anne Heafey here from mbaMission. I’m more in John’s boat with the odds. You are obviously intelligent and a high performer with signals throughout your profile that you have interesting things to bring to the table, but doubt yourself more than you should simply because you are analytical and assess yourself at super high standards. My guess is that you need some pushing and deeper reflection so that you know what you add to the class and where you might go. Usually when I work with people like you, that’s half the job, and the other half is providing an outside perspective on your essay to keep you from shooting yourself in the foot by downplaying yourself too much or taking the wrong tone. The honor code violation does add risk to your candidacy, but as John suggests, it may be a surmountable obstacle. It likely depends on the details and how you have addressed it since. So, I definitely would go for it. Just approach your applications with maturity and sincerity and think deeply about your direction. Good luck!

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

Mr. Undecided – thanks for posting your profile. Susan Cera here from Stratus.

Congrats on the outstanding stats and solid work experience. You clearly have been committed! You will be expected to disclose your honor code violation. Be honest and share what you learned from the experience.

I won’t be the first to tell you that 94/100 applicants to Stanford GSB come up empty handed. There isn’t anything in your profile that makes me think that you are a good fit to change organizations and change the world.

Expand your reach beyond the GSB. I would guess that if you applied NOW to CBS, you could be wrapping up your MBA in <2 years and would add to your brand and be able to expand your network.

Wishing …

Mr. Undecided – thanks for posting your profile. Susan Cera here from Stratus.

Congrats on the outstanding stats and solid work experience. You clearly have been committed! You will be expected to disclose your honor code violation. Be honest and share what you learned from the experience.

I won’t be the first to tell you that 94/100 applicants to Stanford GSB come up empty handed. There isn’t anything in your profile that makes me think that you are a good fit to change organizations and change the world.

Expand your reach beyond the GSB. I would guess that if you applied NOW to CBS, you could be wrapping up your MBA in <2 years and would add to your brand and be able to expand your network.

Wishing you the best on your application journey!

4 years ago Read the full review

The Community Currently Rates The Odds At: 20%

5% | 4 years ago

That violation, although aged, is a tough one. Easy reason to toss out the application and seems from your career goals a top MBA is more of a nice to have vs. need to have - as in you’d only go if it’s HSW

That violation, although aged, is a tough one. Easy reason to toss out the application and seems from your career goals a top MBA is more of a nice to have vs. need to have – as in you’d only go if it’s HSW
50% | 4 years ago
5% | 4 years ago

That honor code violation makes you dead on arrival. Remember, these schools are looking for things to disqualify you, not things to accept you.

That honor code violation makes you dead on arrival. Remember, these schools are looking for things to disqualify you, not things to accept you.