Hi guys! I was wondering if anyone here is/was enrolled in one of the top MBA programs? Something like Insead, LBS, Wharton, etc. I was hoping you could shed some insight on your work experience/extra curricular/GMAT etc., so I can get an idea of what they're looking for. I'm aware its the total package and you have to be unique but I just wanted to get an idea. Thanks!
By top, I would normally assume you mean the Top 10 (which consists of 15 US schools), but you listed two European schools. I haven't spotted anyone here who can speak to experiences at those. There are a fair share of people here who can speak to the typical 15 US ones here though:
Anderson
Booth
Columbia GSB
Darden
Fuqua
Haas
HBS
Johnson
Kellogg
Ross
Sloan
Stanford GSB
Stern
Tuck
Wharton
Yale SOM
I would recommend not thinking of these schools in an overall ranking. Instead, decide what you want to do, and go to the school that fits best with what you want to do. For instance, the best finance schools on that list are Wharton, Booth, Stern, and Columbia GSB. The best marketing schools on there are Kellogg and Wharton. General Management, definitely go to HBS. Entrepreneurship (particularly in the tech space), you want Stanford GSB or Haas. If you want consulting, schools like Darden and Fuqua outperform their overall ranking. You need to be well read on the strengths and weaknesses of each school.
Also, many of these schools can be regional powerhouses. Stanford and Haas are going to have significant advantages recruiting in the Bay Area. Stern and Columbia GSB significant ones in New York. Schools like Kellogg can feel a little isolated out in Chicago and may have harder times recruiting on the coasts. Tuck students make trips from Dartmouth down to NYC almost every friday during recruiting season. A school like Wharton may be able to counter some of the disadvantages of being in Philadelphia, but it still does require a train ride into NYC every week. Odds are you will have the easiest time getting a job in the region of your school.
The key thing to getting in is a clear story of what you want to do, how you will accomplish it, and how business school will be the key piece to make it all happen. It all needs to sound reasonable given your prior background, and you need to have a case for why your prior background and school will be fantastic for your future career path. The more interesting this story is, the higher the chance of you getting in.
As a white male, you will want at least a 740 GMAT and a 49 Quant score. You will want at least a 3.5 GPA at an undergraduate institution with some pedigree (think top 50 US universities). They want to see career progression (promotions, new responsibilities), no periods of unemployment (better be a very good reason), sensible company jumps (has to fit your story), measurable results ($XX revenues or % improvement or 0:00 time efficiency), initiative (taking on more than your role required), leadership (managing up and managing down), and presence in your community (volunteering, helping non-profits, etc).
Schools have biases for and against certain careers. If they feel you are the 1000th accountant from the Big 4 to apply, you're going to have a hard time. If you are the 1000th consultant from the Big 4 though, they may look the other way. If you are the only guy who designs million dollar sports cars sold to people in Abu Dhabi, you're going to have an easier time. If you are female and do retail sourcing for Saks Fifth, you are going to have an easy time.
I'll add more later, but hopefully thats a start.
