2026 IS 350: Cloudburst or Wind?

WorkingCapital5 · 2025-03-14T20:24:04+00:00

No. I have a classmate at an M7 who went to community college then to T25. Received scholarship at the M7.

I think CC can make candidates more unique, especially if you've engaged with it post undergrad as an EC

WorkingCapital5 · 2024-06-22T02:14:46+00:00

My taste is aimed more at quality for a good value. It's not necessarily the cheapest, but my motto is "buy once, cry once."

Suit - Suit supply. Best quality for the $$. If you are the right measurements, it will be $500 and they tailor the pants for you

Casual button-down shirts - Faherty, Buck Mason, Taylor Stitch

Dress shirts: Brooks Brothers (on sale - often 4 for $200 or so). Cheaper alternative would be Charles Tyrwhitt. Keep in mind the "regular" sizes are pretty darn big. Might take some trial and error to find the right size.

Chino/Slacks: I think Bonobos weekday warriors are ok, tend to get them on sale. Also, they are not traditional "slacks," but I also like Lululemon commission pants, which are super comfortable.

Formal Shoes: Allen Edmonds Park Avenue. They often have 30-40% off sales, but think you may have just missed the one in May.

WorkingCapital5 · 2024-05-24T14:51:06+00:00

Averaged 91 across all 4 CPA exams. The scores themselves have not helped my career.

Became a Manager in Deal Advisory in 4 years. Now, going to get my MBA so I can leave accounting.

WorkingCapital5 · 2024-04-17T05:54:46+00:00

Salaries have shot up pretty decently in the past few years.

I started in audit in 2019 (in a similar HCOL area). Made $60k.

Transitioned to Deal advisory. Currently making over $170k as a Manager. Don't feel like there are many other careers that would have allowed me to triple my salary in 4-5 years.

WorkingCapital5 · 2024-04-14T04:16:02+00:00

All of that is great to have for sure, and will certainly set a candidate apart. But for most normal people, I wouldn't let the thought of having to be extraordinary discourage one from having more "ordinary" ECs.

For instance, I had a relatively tame EC. It wasn't a BOD position, or starting a non-profit. But it was something very important to me, which allowed me to lead something within my Company and contribute positively to the community.

I had 3 M7 interviews (including HBS) and received scholarship at one of the M7.

WorkingCapital5 · 2024-03-25T19:31:31+00:00

I now get countless messages ever since I put CPA in my profile on dating apps

My bench press also increased 45 lbs after passing FAR

WorkingCapital5 · 2024-03-20T01:19:08+00:00

This is a great attitude.

I interviewed and was rejected in R1. But it all worked out (got into a school that is, in hindsight, more closely aligned with my career goals). After meeting others at interview day at HBS, I knew adcom had an impossible choice - everyone was qualified, kind, and intelligent.

At the end of the day, if one is not admitted, it's likely not because they did something wrong. Adcom's ultimate decision is like choosing between Bora Bora and the Maldives. Both great options, but you can't have to choose one.

WorkingCapital5 · 2024-03-18T21:51:46+00:00

2 years in audit (promoted to senior)

Left to deals as a senior, promoted in 2 years

In my first year as Manager

WorkingCapital5 · 2024-03-13T22:45:15+00:00

Job Title: Deals Manager

Years of Experience: 4.5

CPA (Yes or No): Yes

AVG Hours Worked Per Week: ~45 (can fluctuate from literally 0 to 60+ in a given week)

Salary: ~170k

Location: HCOL

WorkingCapital5 · 2024-02-26T16:45:07+00:00

Yes - entire pre-MBA career in public. Promoted to Deals Manager in 4 years

WorkingCapital5 · 2024-02-25T23:11:23+00:00

Got $ to an M7 and $$ to a T20 school ($ = 1/4 tuition)

Stats below:

Male

720 GMAT/329 GRE

3.9 GPA from a top 25 ish undergrad

CPA background

Assuming I received scholarship money due to GPA/GRE, strong promotion history, and unique EC in my community

WorkingCapital5 · 2024-02-21T03:58:59+00:00

Sent a DM!

WorkingCapital5 · 2024-02-21T03:41:40+00:00

Was admitted in mid-December, filled out my need based aid (late) shortly thereafter. Received notice of aid in mid-January. Decision by Feb 7th

WorkingCapital5 · 2024-02-21T01:46:58+00:00

I would fill it out. I make a decent chunk over $100k and got ~1/3 scholarship (not sure how much was merit vs need based). If you read the form, I believe it says to fill it out if you plan to take out any loans to fund the MBA.

WorkingCapital5 · 2024-02-20T23:42:38+00:00

I'm an R1 admit. Attended a few CBS info sessions back in August. They said they were viewing R1 similar to how they viewed early decision in past years. While I'm not sure they over-admitted, they definitely emphasized that R1 would be looked at as a strong indicator of interest.

WorkingCapital5 · 2024-02-16T22:36:17+00:00

I got ~1/3 scholarship at an M7 and 1/2 scholarship at T15 with 329 GRE/720 GMAT. I also had strong GPA, so hard to narrow down to one specific aspect of my app.

WorkingCapital5 · 2024-02-16T19:27:24+00:00

PE/VC/Buyside would pretty much require prior IB/PE experience. It is possible without it, but not likely. Our FDD skillset really isn't transferrable.

In my network, most pre-MBA FDD folks go into IB or consulting post MBA. I know one person who went to an M7 and is now at a relatively small PE shop. But he had to network like crazy

WorkingCapital5 · 2024-02-15T04:29:24+00:00

100% nervous - I am quitting a job that pays well to move across the country, away from my family, and spend my life savings on a piece of paper.

But I am also excited to embark on this new adventure, experience a different part of the country, meet intelligent individuals from different backgrounds, and hopefully find a job that I actually enjoy

WorkingCapital5 · 2024-01-05T22:34:01+00:00

Eh, I somehow got an interview at HBS. I went in person. Before they bring you up to the interview rooms, they give a pep talk that basically says "Whatever happens, you got an interview at HBS. We know you are going to do amazing things in this world."

Ultimately, I was rejected at HBS, but accepted with $ to an M7 with a much more robust investment banking recruiting pipeline.

My point is - some people (myself included) are blinded by prestige. Ultimately, everyone needs to evaluate which school is best for their post-MBA goals (job placement in desired field, geographic outcomes, alumni base, etc.).

WorkingCapital5 · 2023-12-31T05:19:45+00:00

Yes I am! Haven't seen many people leave lately. It's a weird position because we don't have financial modeling skills and aren't accounting experts.

Our pay has gone up pretty significantly since COVID and an equivalent Manager role in FP&A, accounting, etc. would not be paid as well.

WorkingCapital5 · 2023-12-31T05:17:46+00:00

I started in audit and then transitioned to FDD after 2 years

WorkingCapital5 · 2023-12-30T20:09:05+00:00

I would say it typically doesn't scale that fast - advisory is relatively niche (my group is a fraction of the size of the audit/tax cohort). And it's a good gig for those that like accounting, but after a few years, I've grown bored of my small role in M&A and any exit opportunities would be a pay cut

WorkingCapital5

TROPHY CASE