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I graduated at 19 and have 3+ years of experience, (at matriculation, I’d have 4+ years of experience at the age of 24). I started my career as an intern at a small real estate firm and in three years I’ve had 3 promotions and I’m currently working at a Fortune 500 bank leading a small team.
Would I be considered too young for the class?
Target School: Chicago Booth
Considering: MIT Sloan, Cornell Johnson, Columbia
See More Profiles For: Chicago Booth
Application Status: Open
Watch Candidate's Video Assessment
Undergrad School: Top 15% in my country
Undergrad Major: Accounting
GPA: 3.57
GMAT: 720
Age: 23, Ethnicity: Black or African American
Other Degree/Certification: CFA Level 3 Candidate
Extracurriculars: I am a co-founder of a telemedicine company that makes healthcare more affordable and accessible in Nigeria, I also sit on the Board that bridges the gap between Nigeria's Chamber of Commerce and Nigerian Universities; I create and manage competitions and pitches made by students to top firms and multinationals in the country, Recently, I mentored less fortunate high school and university girls in Nigeria that are going through difficulties in their education.
Title: Investment Banking Analyst
Industry: Banking & Finance
Company: Boutique Firm
Length of Employment: 1 yr, 5 mos
Title: Financial Markets Analyst
Company: Fortune 500
Length of Employment: 1 yr
Work – Exceed employers’ expectations as I have always had my promotions fast-tracked – Co-founded my company that has been able to raise significant pre-seed funding and onboard 100+ patients
University – Led my team to produce a non-toxic pesticide to combat malaria in low-income neighborhoods – Founding member of my university’s investment club
Short Term – Switch locations (to the country where I will study for my MBA) and maintain a strong career trajectory as an Investment Banker
Long-term – M&A with a focus on emerging market economies
I’d also like to know my chances at the experienced Msc Fin program at LBS
Join in! Click here to assess the odds of Ms. Nigerian Investment Banker
Hi, Ms. Nigerian Investment Banker, this is Julie-Anne Heafey at mbaMission. I think your story is very cool, and love your leadership and progression both on the job and in the community. Honestly, I’m torn on the experience question. I am a little bit cautious on where the promotions were and to what level (was one of the three a promotion from intern to analyst?). It looks like you have only been at your current firm for one year and are currently still at an analyst level…I just wonder if there’s another promotion to more of an associate title or similar coming, which would help. If you can overcome these hesitations, then I think your outstanding other qualities will help you find …
Hi, Ms. Nigerian Investment Banker, this is Julie-Anne Heafey at mbaMission. I think your story is very cool, and love your leadership and progression both on the job and in the community. Honestly, I’m torn on the experience question. I am a little bit cautious on where the promotions were and to what level (was one of the three a promotion from intern to analyst?). It looks like you have only been at your current firm for one year and are currently still at an analyst level…I just wonder if there’s another promotion to more of an associate title or similar coming, which would help. If you can overcome these hesitations, then I think your outstanding other qualities will help you find success with Booth. In the other programs you mention, the main application that might give you a bit of trouble there is the MIT one, which is a little funky and has different requirements like a video, org chart, redacted resume and cover letter…but hopefully you’ll be able to get the information across strategically in a way that overcomes objections (I suggest you confront the elephant in the room as you have here and address it directly because you are likely to look very young on video and perhaps your resume). Since your goals include finance in emerging markets economies, I wonder if this means you will be focused on Africa or somewhere else. If Africa, and you might settle in London eventually (you mention LBS so at least you are considering the UK – yes I think the Masters program there is achievable…have you checked out Oxford at all? I think there is probably more Africa-focused banking in London than the US….and SaĆÆd has some incredible connections and programs focused on Africa–I have clients who have gone there for them! Worth considering…Best of luck to you!
Hi Ms. Nigerian Investment Banker, Melisa here from Stratus Admissions. Wow, early graduation and fast-tracked promotions. There is a lot to like in your profile. Strong stats, rapid promotion and strong community/leadership involvement. You can leverage your pitch competitions skills in helping to run a business plan competition at school! You have highlighted your opportunity in your application – your young age and lower end of years of experience. So while you will be younger in the application pool, I donāt think that makes you too young. What will be important through your application is to explain why now is the right time for you – and not in a year or two. Adcoms will be looking for examples of your leadership – which …
Hi Ms. Nigerian Investment Banker, Melisa here from Stratus Admissions. Wow, early graduation and fast-tracked promotions. There is a lot to like in your profile. Strong stats, rapid promotion and strong community/leadership involvement. You can leverage your pitch competitions skills in helping to run a business plan competition at school! You have highlighted your opportunity in your application – your young age and lower end of years of experience. So while you will be younger in the application pool, I donāt think that makes you too young. What will be important through your application is to explain why now is the right time for you – and not in a year or two. Adcoms will be looking for examples of your leadership – which co-founding a company and your board work can surely address. While an MBA can definitely help you change locations, you will also need to show that you have done the self-reflection to know what you need from an MBA. You will want to demonstrate to adcoms that despite your lower age, you know what you need from an MBA. This is particularly important at Booth because of the flexible curriculum. Make sure to highlight the unique perspectives you will bring to the classroom based on your experiences. I think you would also be a strong candidate for MSc Fin programs (like LBS). You might also consider Haas Financial Engineering program. Overall, based on the experience you list I think you have a strong chance across the list of schools you have listed.
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