First of all, I came across your site via your podcast (it's incredibly useful and entertaining!).
A bit more about my app:
- female, born in LATAM and moved to the UK with family during high-school (so I'm bilingual and took a third language during university for "fun").
- 2.1 (don't know the GPA equivalent) in Economics from Top 5 UK school. Worked part-time to self-fund my time at university (first-gen uni grad). Was also very involved, perhaps too involved, in EC during this time (co-founded and raised backing for one student club which is still running and thriving; head of advertising for new online student publication; part of a sport club; part of investment team). Grades got better towards the end (when I finally learned time management and how to say no to new EC opportunities I encountered..).
- Applying in R2 for 2020 admission so re-taking GMAT again is unlikely (unless I re-sit right after submitting apps? my official GMAT prep tests range from 650-750, 750 being the latest one I did). Afraid my score might be a "detractor" (46Q/40V). Does having CFA level 1 even help? WE is very analytical and I'm confident references will acknowledge that.
- Unusual background. Banking internships during university (Europe and Africa). Went into a PE analyst grad program straight after graduation (well-known fund in Europe but not in the US; aggregate portfolio value in £bn) and after 2 years switched to early stage tech (there's a story that makes it coherent; it involved a year of research and soul-searching before making the jump!). Currently in a finance strategy role of a growing early-stage tech company (has raised c.£23m including from some famous angel investors). I managed the latest financing round (£6m).
- EC: informal mentorship and hands-on help for early stage startups (essentially do the kind of work I do full-time but for free). One I am close to and really excited about helps minorities to learn how to code and become employed in tech roles.
- Post-MBA: stay in early stage tech but move into a GM role concentrating on international strategy/expansion.
- Not interested in European programs, but could look at other US programs (just worried about timing, of course, and whether I should delay apps by one more year).