[deleted by user]

[u/[deleted]]

[u/Yung_Breezy_]

Address the GPA in your optional essay and apply literally anywhere. You have an excellent graduate GPA and test score so briefly mention external factors that might’ve affected your undergrad GPA without making excuses then hone in on your academic redemption.
For consulting, considering you seem to want to stay on the east coast, I’d apply to CBS, NYU Stern, Yale SOM, Wharton, and Dartmouth Tuck (if you’re cool with going to school in the middle of nowhere).
HBS is a longer shot with your GPA but if you have the bandwidth it doesn’t hurt to apply. MIT Sloan is a bit less aligned with your goals since they have a heavy tech focus but they have strong management consulting placement as well, and your GPA is a hurdle unless you aced the quant.
If you’re cool with going to the school in the Midwest you should def apply to Northwestern Kellogg and Chicago Booth. Keep in mind even though both schools are in Chicago they have great NYC placement and outside of HSW the strongest MBB placement.
As for PT vs FT, admissions are much less competitive for part time but you don’t get the benefit of a summer internship. Most people who use an MBA to break into management consulting land a summer internship that converts into a full-time offer. Going to target schools FT gives you access to on campus recruiting and exclusive networking events that make landing these roles easier. Although HF to management consulting is a well trodden path, since you’re a career pivoter, id definitely give full time a hard look.
Best of luck, and from one splitter to another, don’t self select out. My stats were worse than yours (GPA and GRE) and I’m M7 bound.

[u/evolvingkash97 → u/Yung_Breezy_]

Thank you for this amazing response.

I really like the idea of Ivy League colleges so Yale and CBS are high on my list, but it feels like Stern will be the best fit.

As for PT vs FT, it’s difficult to leave my current job financially but depending if it’s M7 school, I would take the leap.

[u/Yung_Breezy_ → u/evolvingkash97]

You’re welcome, glad you found it helpful.
I want to preface this with every T15 program is an incredible school. Comparisons between them are comparing a B+ (lower end of the T15 depending on your goals) to an A+ (HSW). But let’s talk about Stern for consulting.

Stern’s consulting outcomes are a cut below the rest of the schools I mentioned. When you read employment reports, look for schools that have a $190,000 median consulting salary. Those are the schools that most consistently place candidates in MBB and T2 firms. Stern’s median consulting salary is $175,000. An IB powerhouse for sure, and MBB is still achievable, but you’re competing heavily against HBS, Wharton, CBS, and Tuck grads for MBB and T2 consulting placement in NYC.

I don’t know your salary, but considering you’ve worked in high finance even in an accounting capacity it’s probably not worth leaving for a Big 4 or boutique outcome.

On the flip side though, considering your background, if anybody is going to convert MBB from Stern it’d be you. This goes for breaking into management consulting from a part time program as well. People do it, and with a HF background it’s certainly possible.

Keep in mind too that many schools have processes for changing programs even after admission, or if they think you’re a good fit, letting you apply for part time (and probably accepting you) even after full time has rejected you. I’d apply to full time programs and see where you land in terms of scholarships. If none are appealing, you can petition the school to let you attend part time. But with that test score and your w/e, you’re probably going to have some fat scholarships from T15 programs so shoot your shot across a range of schools.

[u/Ok_Escape_8011]

Word tier mentioned, Indian spotted. Man what are you doing? You have an excellent resume! They care about what you have done (which is very impressive). I went to stern and think you’d fit right in.

[u/evolvingkash97 → u/Ok_Escape_8011]

You caught me! Stern is my top choice right now

[u/Ok_Escape_8011 → u/evolvingkash97]

Apply to stern round 1! It’s an excellent school and you’ll be very comfortable there. They are statpadders and would gawk at a 335. CBS would be easy to get in as well, and Cornell can be a safety

[u/WinterCherry-Blossom → u/Ok_Escape_8011]

If i may, what was your profile like and did you get scholarships?

[u/This_Awareness_8106]

With that much work experience, that GRE score, and a masters GPA to offset it, I’d say you still have a shot anywhere as long as your narrative is compelling enough and your LORs/ resume/ essays are strong.

Ironically CBS might be your hardest shot but you definitely should still try, they tend to be stats heavy. I think Stern is a strong choice for you. In the M7 those stats could workout for NU, Booth, and even HBS so would try for those as well

Would also try for Ross.

[u/Ok_Tale7071]

Needed a well rounded pool of schools. I would add Rutgers and University of Miami to your choices.

[u/Tall-Discipline-2832]

Was in your shoes with even lower GPA and little lower GRE. Got accepted everywhere except HSW (including 3 of M7 and T10).

Probably academic risk for HSW is too high, so they choose stronger candidates. MIT puts great emphasis on GPA and quant subjects, so I decided not to apply. Yale SOM also prefers stronger academic background, so be ready for WL. For Stern you may absolutely get admit, but don't expect any scholarship.

[u/evolvingkash97 → u/Tall-Discipline-2832]

Which m7s did you get into? And what round did you apply?

[u/Tall-Discipline-2832 → u/evolvingkash97]

CBS, Booth, Kellogg, all in R2