Intern
Joined: 07 Jun 2009
Status:Getting ready for the internship summer
Posts: 25
Location: Rochester, NY
Schools:Simon
WE 1: JPM - Treasury
Fall 2011 Entry - Looking to Study in Asia
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03 May 2010, 18:32
Thanks in advance for any advice. As an international applicant I'm trying to figure out the best way to market myself to schools.
Strengths: leadership, strong work experience
Weaknesses: academic record, no big initiatives outside of work
Demo: 26 at entry in Fall 2011, M, white American
Education:
UG at top 25 liberal arts school. Net GPA 3.0/4.0. B.A. in Econ and Int'l Studies
GMAT: 670 (87% but completely carried by a 42v)
Work experience: Three years with JPMorgan at time of application. I've worked as an analyst in the IB Equities market in a variety of activities, though I'm most recognized for managing client portfolios, process improvements, and keeping everything on the team more organized (multiple examples of cost and time savings for the firm). I've been in the same department the whole time but worked extensively on big time projects like the Bear Stearns merger and other global initiatives. My biggest drawback is the lack of official managerial experience, although all of my work recommendations will speak for me always leading by example and doing whatever needs to get done. I'm especially tech savvy, able to code in multiple languages and usually the person teaching everyone else how to use some new piece of software.
Extracurriculars: Unfortunately, work is the majority of my life and I have no long term EC activity post UG. I participate in many one-off volunteer events but nothing noteworthy. I teach dance classes a couple times a week and play adult ice hockey.
My EC during UG was extensive and unfortunately also the reason my GPA blew. I was president of the student gov't, four-year player for two division III sports, and firmly ingrained in most of the student body's leadership structure. I also had to hold down a twenty-hour workweek to pay for school expenses. Two summer stints as an intern at a top middle-market finance firm.
Languages: Mandarin (relatively advanced), German (moderate)
Short/Long term goals: I want to study for my MBA in China or Hong Kong. Since my UG days I have been engrossed in the development of East Asia and spent a lot of time researching the area and it's continued development. I've taught myself Mandarin to a pretty advanced level thanks in part to some local assistance and see the opportunity to study there as a major learning experience. I could get into Asia through JPM or a competitor, but it makes more sense to me that if I want to work in the market I'll be better perceived by companies and clients if I take the initiative to complete my studies there as well.
Long Term: Probably back in finance as the director of a business team. Leading a team and building a franchise are my greatest desires and where I feel most in my element, reflecting back to my days in student gov't and sports.
Schools:
Reach: HKUST, Tsinghua.
Not-as-reach: U of HK, CUMBA, CityU