Candidate:

Ms. Big 4 M&A Manager

About Me:

Hi, I’m an international applicant, applying from London. Some cons are part of my poor undergrad grades (ok overall result). I work for a less elite but solid WE at Big 4 in the M&A group. I come from a background of growing up in 3 countries before the UK with credible managerial and leadership experience at work, and decent ECs focused on education and gender equality.

Schools:

Target School: Harvard

Considering: MIT Sloan, Yale

See More Profiles For: Harvard

Application Status: Open

Details:

Undergrad School: London School of Economics

Undergrad Major: Economics

GPA: 2:1 (Upper second-class honours, UK)

GMAT: 750

Age: 29, Ethnicity: Asian or Indian

Extracurriculars: Committee Member - Women in Finance initiative at work, Corporate Social Responsibility lead for a year at work, Book club - member and help organize.

Work History:

Title: Analyst -> Asst. Manager -> Manager

Industry: Consulting

Company: Global

Length of Employment: 5 yrs, 6 mos

Big Life Wins:

– Poor undergrad grades after some undiagnosed health issues, but still graduated with a good overall grade, and have had a steady upward trajectory in profile since.

– While not MBB, I’ve had significant direct leadership experience at work. Not only with client work but with discretionary team-building efforts like mentoring, recruitment, and training.

Post MBA Goal:

I want to “zoom-out” and gain broader leadership and strategic decision-making skills through an MBA. My post-MBA goal is either consulting or to directly join a rotational leadership development program with the ultimate goal being a senior strategic role at an F500 company (all ears for the best-suggested routes to this path?!)

Odds:

Join in! Click here to assess the odds of Ms. Big 4 M&A Manager

The Experts Rate The Odds At: 12%

See what the industry experts have to say:

mbaMission Odds Assessment: 10%

Hi Ms. Big 4 M&A Manager,
It sounds like you have a very international background having grown up in 3 countries! This is Debbie Choy from mbaMission. I like that you are a strong performer at work – with client facing work as well as team management responsibilities. HBS is not only looking for MBB candidates, simply top performers and leaders from all companies. I’m not too worried about your undergrad GPA, given that you went to a tough school and you have a very robust GMAT score. I also like that you are active with your community, such as with Women in Finance initiatives and Corporate Social Responsibility. One question for you – why do you feel you need a HBS MBA to pivot into …

Hi Ms. Big 4 M&A Manager,
It sounds like you have a very international background having grown up in 3 countries! This is Debbie Choy from mbaMission. I like that you are a strong performer at work – with client facing work as well as team management responsibilities. HBS is not only looking for MBB candidates, simply top performers and leaders from all companies. I’m not too worried about your undergrad GPA, given that you went to a tough school and you have a very robust GMAT score. I also like that you are active with your community, such as with Women in Finance initiatives and Corporate Social Responsibility. One question for you – why do you feel you need a HBS MBA to pivot into a strategic role at a F500 firm? What specific skills / knowledge are you seeking at HBS that you haven’t learned on the job? I think articulating what compels you towards this future goal and why MBA will be key to your application success. If you wish to discuss your profile in more detail, please feel free to schedule a 1:1 free consultation with us. Wishing you the best in your application journey!

4 years ago Read the full review
Stratus Admissions Counseling Odds Assessment: 15%

Hi, it’s Jennifer Jackson from Stratus Admissions. You have a lot to be impressed by in your profile! Your GMAT is great and so is your work experience in consulting with strong progression at your firm over 5+ years. I’m less worried about a lower GPA if you can explain in an optional essay that you had some health issues and that you finished overall with X GPA, so you can show the progression was good (rather than getting your worse grades at the end). I like the goals you’ve laid out and would be even more specific about that ST role. If consulting, where, and most importantly, WHY? What do you like about consulting that you want to do more of it? If the …

Hi, it’s Jennifer Jackson from Stratus Admissions. You have a lot to be impressed by in your profile! Your GMAT is great and so is your work experience in consulting with strong progression at your firm over 5+ years. I’m less worried about a lower GPA if you can explain in an optional essay that you had some health issues and that you finished overall with X GPA, so you can show the progression was good (rather than getting your worse grades at the end). I like the goals you’ve laid out and would be even more specific about that ST role. If consulting, where, and most importantly, WHY? What do you like about consulting that you want to do more of it? If the rotational leadership development program, where and why? I do like that path to get toward a strategic role at a F500 company, but consulting is also a path that can get you there. There are of course many ways to get to a role like that. What’s important is explaining the thought process behind what you’ve chosen. What skills will you gain at X role to succeed in your LT role? I’d give you a slightly better than average shot at getting admitted to HBS but would encourage you to look at other schools too. Wishing you lots of luck!

4 years ago Read the full review