brainhurt wrote:
Hmmm. I just typed up a long post and it disappeared when I hit preview. Let me try to remember my great insights.
- I'm at Johnson, went to Canadian undergrad (am Canadian), had a low-ish GPA (bottom of 80th %ile range).
- Your GPA shouldn't stop you from applying, I know several people at Johnson who had lower GPAs than me. The adcom looks at your cumulative GPA but will also look at trends (i.e., a positive trend like yours is good).
- A strong GMAT will offset the GPA issue somewhat. For IB recruiting they look at your GMAT score as part of the selection process (the BBs anyway) so you're going to need a strong GMAT anyway.
- Your lack of experience won't neccessarily preclude you from getting in at Johnson. I know a number of "straight throughs". You would need to tell a good story though.
- Your lack of experience will be a hinderance for IB recruiting IMO. I'm not on the IB track (asset management) so take what I say with a grain of salt, though I have a number of friends at Johnson in IB so I know a bit about the process.
- IB recruiting has been tough for a couple years now everywhere. As an MBA you would be applying for an associate-level role supervising analysts who have the same amount of work and life experience as you (in the eyes of the bank anyway). You would be competing for scarce positions against people with relevant work experience they can talk about during their interviews. You will have a tough time selling yourself to mid- or top-tier i-banks. And if an MBA program thinks you're going to struggle with recruiting for the thing that you singularly want to do, you're going to have a hard time convincing them to admit you.
- I suggest you pursue an analyst program with a Canadian i-bank. Work your nuts off for a couple years, then apply to a US MBA program if you really really want to work at a high profile US i-bank. I know you have conviction now, but you may change your mind down the road. Or get a non-ibank role, work your nuts off, get some interesting stories to talk about, and then apply to a US MBA program.
- If you're not fixated on a high-profile US i-bank and really want to do your MBA now, go for Rotman and try to get an associate position at a Canadian i-bank. You may be able to make a move to NYC after you prove yourself. I have no idea if this is a viable option as I don't know the Canadian IB recruiting environment, but it sounds like you think it might be.
- Having said all that, there are always exceptions so you have to do what's right for you. I can tell you that I was surprised to find how process-oriented the recruiting/career path is for certain disciplines (including IB).
- Regardless of what you decide to pursue, make sure you can concisely communicate a compelling story about why you want to do what you propose. I can't emphasize this enough.
Good luck!
ps - I don't visit GC often so if you reply I might not see it for some time.
Thank you so much for your detailed response!!!!
I have thoroughly looked at every possible option...(If I spend enough time studying the GMAT as I do researching potential schools, Id have over 700 lol)
And I have looked at Rotman...see my issue with Rotman is the sticker price. Now before anyone jumps on me, hear me out. I have no problem paying THAT amount for an MBA (or taking out a loan for that matter). However, if I DO choose to spend over 100k on an MBA I want to be absolutely THRILLED to be doing so. In terms of the difference between Johnson/HBS/Yale etc. etc, In my honest opinion, there is a difference in terms of the overall rep. recruiting, and alumni connections. However, in terms of price, Rotman is slightly cheaper but they are fairly comparable (given living expenses in Toronto). In other words, if I am going to accumulate a great deal of debt, I want to be able to attend "the school of my dreams." Please note: THIS IS NOTHING AGAINST ROTMAN...I think Rotman is a wonderful school (probably #1 in Canada, I just don't think it is for me).
With that said, I have always been open to the possibility of a Phd program in either International Business/Global Political Economy (or something along those lines). I feel as though it would be the perfect marriage of my graduate and undergraduate studies. Granted, I would be open to work post-MBA for a year or two before deciding definitively. Again, relocating to the United States is a possibility also.
The thing that bothers me about working after undergrad is this: If I choose to pursue a Phd, recruiting would not matter as much as the relationships I have built with the faculty. However, even if I decide to enter the workforce, I would not be looking for "CEO' positions until much later in my career (if I do not pursue a doctorate).
The thing is, I am looking at many of the entry level job positions my friends are getting (those who are a year older) and they are paying comparably the same as what would be paid to me if I pursue if I pursue an MBA locally. The program locally is a 2 year-internship program so I figure, either way, Ill end up working. If I pursue the MBA program locally, at least Ill work AND essentially get an MBA for free. However, I would then be turned away from Cornell for already having an MBA
On the other hand, I can take an entry level position for two years, then take my chances at Johnson after that. In which case, if I don't get in, I am back where I started. Thus, I would prefer to just go straight to Johnson and Ill work at a semi-entry level and work my way up the old fashioned way. It just frustrates me how some of the people I look up to and "want to be like" someday all seemed to pursue an MBA immediately after their undergrad. Growing up, I thought Id be able to do the same, but more and more schools are looking for the work experience now!
I think I am even more confused now! ahhhh
Thank you again though for your ample response
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28 May 2012, 07:30
