A new beginning: Admit to LBS - Masters in Finance Sept 05

Dear members,
I finally made it to one of my preferred schools and received the news this morning. I know that I was not supposed to apply to any school before next year or the one after but I somehow received an information package about LBS's MiF program shortly after I completed my GMAT last November. I at first did not intend on applying but upon further consideration, I found the program absolutely thrilling in the sense that it would cater to my own career aspirations: To work as a fund manager. I developed a strong passion for finance and I thought that it would have been a good combination to the CFA which I am completing right now. Furthermore, an MBA, in my case, would be somewhat of a regurgitation of my business undergraduate degree. I am saying the above because no matter what shool you decide to go to or which program you decide to undertake, you will have to be able to justify your choice, it is very important.

All that said, my stats are nothing amazing given that I had a poor undergraduate GPA but remember that if the score does not make you justice, say why so and mention what you have done since then to improve it. At some point, I even wondered if it would ever be possible for someone who has modest work experience to get into a good school given that work experience is more important at good b-schools. Furthermore, given that my GPA was not too good, I wondered how it would have been possible to break into investment analysis because the recruitment is mainly done with your transcript after graduation and jobs as such are rather scarce in my hometown. Yes, a kind of catch 22... But do not lose hope for if you have a good reason, a story to tell and are honest and genuine about how you say it, you will guarantee yourself a spot at your selected school.

My stats
GMAT: 710(Q49/V38/AWA5.5)
GPA: 2.97
Age: 27
Work experience: Worked as a funds sales specialist for 3 years and as a NASDAQ equity trader for the last couple of months. I will have 3.5 years of work experience by the time I start school.
Accreditation: Canadian Investment Manager (Securities designation in portfolio management in Canada) and CFA level 3 candidate
Community involvement and interest:
- Director of finance for the YCPA Young Chinese Professional Association, a not for profit organization
- Co-captain for an ultimate frisbee league in my hometown
Applied: LBS MiF (MSc.)
Accepted: LBS MiF (MSc.)

The interview
Just make sure that you review your letter of intent and know the typical questions that will be asked. Check out accepted.com and read the sticky that tvconefive wrote in the "share your experience" forum. My interview was in both french and english and I think it strengthened the fact that I could adapt to different cultures, different language barriers.

LBS was actually the only school and program I applied to this year and I am more than happy to have been accepted. For those who might be interested, they receive about 600-650 applications per year and about 130 students enroll in the program(two groups of approx. 60 students). I had to work since the age of 15, juggling school with work because I had to financially support my parents(mortgage), my brother(paid his tuition) and it is the reason why my GPA was substantially low. But as you can see, if you can justify your weaknesses, you can increase your chances of admission.

I just want to thank all of GMAT-club and the many members with whom I had superb interactions and many of whom I would so much like to hear from after they wrote their GMAT. I will be around to help you make it to your dream school and help you with this GMAT beast. Just believe in yourself and you can do it. Do not hesitate to ask me if you have any other questions.