| Topic Name: |
What Are My Chances? |
| Message Name: |
In time but |
| Date Posted: |
12/27/2000 |
| In Reply To: |
Hi!
I would like a honest evaluation of my chances of getting into a top VC firm like Benchmark/GAP/Kleiner. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
I am currently an undergraduate senior in engineering at a top engineering university.
I have just been awarded a RHODES Scholarship to go study at Oxford for the next 2 years.
I have started several companies on my own and is responsible for all tasks - database modeling, marketing and business development.
SAT = 1550
GPA ~ 3.8
GRE = 2300
I would love to get into VC straight after Oxford. Is this possible? Or should I try to get into a top MBA program first?
Thanks for your help! |
| Message: |
Remember, VCs do not hire much out of the schools (unlike the investment banks). This is a field that is often entered later in ones career and experience is the key.
You are missing:
1. Real operating experiences, which is critical. Operating experience at a successful high growth company (and having contributed to its success) is the best kind.
2. M&A and/or Investment-Banking experience, preferably in equities, (is often required).
3. Entrepreneurial experience. Being a serial entrepreneur with VC backed companies is another attractive background. This can be enough by itself or can be combined with the above experiences.
There is no one magic path to working at a VC fund, though Investment Banking, Corporate VC Programs and serial entrepreneur are the most common route (a legal or accounting background is also a nice addition to the mix but alone not enough). Again, the one common thread is a lot of real hands on experience. Your background is very good but you will be much more attractive if you have worked some more. It will certainly help you be a better VC.
If you get an offer from a top shop take it but if you do not you can check back after you have a track record of success to point to (and probably enter at a better level).
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