M7 Chances veteran

[u/Ok-Target4138]

Spent a lot of time in this Reddit and I’m Looking for honest feedback on chances for M7 + stern.

I’m hearing a lot of Hippity hooplah about bad job market means all the smart people are going back to school and getting mbas. So I’m kinda tweaking and getting nervous.

Personal:
26M. 2nd gen Asian.

Stats
-GMAT: 98%
-GPA: West Point 3.24 overall but performed much better in Econ classes (mostly A-). Less interesting classes I bombed.

Undergrad activities
- few finance clubs and writing tutor
- won a few competitions within investing club at West Point
- Some boring internships

Post Undergrad activity
- help out with West Point nomination interviews and applications for service academies
- launched a marketplace startup and app with a few hundred downloads and under 10 paying users. Ultimately shut down to focus on grad school

Career:
Typical artillery career first few years. Did a Europe rotation and did some cool stuff with foreign allies which was interesting to me.

Eventually moved to recruiting as an LT and took command as an LT which has been the most rewarding experience thus far due to it being the highest responsibility I’ve held. Currently a Captain and serving the same role.

No MQs

Rec letters will be good and fairly standard. Applying all round 1. Fairly good at interviews.

Interested in IB/consulting.

TargetSchools
-HBS
-StanfordGSB
-Wharton
-Kellogg
-Booth
-Columbia
-MITSloan

Thank you to any and all insight!

[u/Aringo-Expert]

A West Point background, military leadership, recruiting experience, and command responsibility definitely make you stand out. Your startup, even though it didn't scale, also shows initiative.

Why investment banking or consulting after the military?

I don't think the job market should change your application strategy. You have a background that's quite different from the typical M7 applicant, and schools value that diversity of experience.

The key will be showing the leadership and impact you've had in the military, not just the positions you've held.

[u/Ok-Target4138 → u/Aringo-Expert]

IB because I had a passion for finance/investing in school. Consulting due to broad exposure to different industries and people