Need Your Advice for my MSF plan please
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Updated on: 01 May 2014, 11:18
Hi, that is my first post after reading hundreds of posts here, and I want to say I really learned a lot. I am writing this because I have few questions regarding to which MSF programs I should apply and what is the chance for me to get into one of them. Here is my profile:
I am graduating in May 2014 from a non-target state University (San Jose State Unversity) with business administration major with concentration in finance.
Status: a domestic student (I am Chinese and hold a green card)
My GPA: Overall GPA = 3.494, but I feel I am in an awkward position. I transferred from a community college to my current school with a GPA of 3.226 and then I worked extremely hard once I made my transfer. The GPA for my last two years, all of which are upper divisional courses, is 3.941. When I apply MSF, will I be competing with other candidates based on my overall GPA or the GPA of my last two years?
And is my GPA competitive at all since I come from a non-target school?
GMAT: I have not taken yet, but I do plan to study for GMAT after graduation and take it on November so that I can apply MSF this December. And I am aiming 700.
Work Experience: In 2007, I worked in a Japanese restaurant for a year as a waiter. As far as related work experience is concerned, I do not have any formal one. But, I am currently enrolled in the second semester of Gary J. Sbona Honors Programs in my school, where I work together in a team on a real world business project. In this project, we meet our project sponsor, a company in Silicon Valley, regularly meet with them and present our findings to their panel at the end of the semester. But, I do not get paid. I understand that it is not FT or internship, but do you think the administration would regard this as work related experience? And what is the best way for me to highlight this in the interview when I am asked about my work experience?
Extracurricular and achievements: I have been a member in an investment club for two years and 2X Dean’s schorlar, and I won a finance department scholarship. And I will graduate with an honor from the college of business and Cum laude from the school.
Weakness: English is my second language so that I speak with a Chinese accent. Also, my math is not that strong. I have not taken Calculus I, but I got A- on elemental statistics & probability, B on Finite Math, A on pre-calculus, A+ on quantitative business analysis (Linear programing). And I plan to take Calculus I, if possible, during winter or spring 2015 before I enter a MSF program. But what is my chance if I don't take calculus I?
Goals: I am mainly aiming for IBD as my first choice, but I am willing to compromise for VC or PE. Although I am living in San Jose CA, I would like to work in NYC – Hopefully Wall Street. But, if I can’t make to NYC, I am willing to settle for San Francisco or Palo Alto as an alternative.
Schools to apply: USC, MIT ( Do I really stand a chance for this one?), Boston College ( Do I need calculus I completed when I apply or before I enter the program?), Vanderbilt, WUSTL (Do I need calculus I completed when I apply or before I enter the program?), Vanderbilt, UTA, and Villanova. As far as these schools are concerned, I am really concerned about their placement and prestige.
Questions: Again, my first choice is to work in IBD in NYC – Wall Street. If I cannot make, I am willing to settle for IBD, VC, or PE in SF or Palo Alto. So which school has a better placement for NYC? And which one has the best reputation in Asian (Hong Kong or China)? And what is my chance for these schools given my unique situation? And do I really need Calculus I? Do I need an internship?
Thanks. I really appreciate your time and efforts.
Originally posted by
oglibrary2000 on 30 Apr 2014, 20:10.
Last edited by
oglibrary2000 on 01 May 2014, 11:18, edited 1 time in total.