Personal: 27, Male, Canadian, to apply at 28 (Fall 2012)

1) Full-time work experience
State Street Global Advisors (current job)
Performance Analyst – 2 years, Business Analysis Group (investment management division)

State Street
Investment Manager Representative - 1.25 years, Offshore Alternative Investments groups, Custody (operations)

Royal Bank of Canada (largest bank in Canada)
Analyst - 1 year contract in operations division


2) GMAT Score
• 730 –only attempt


3) College info:
• University of Toronto, Canada
• Bachelor of Commerce, Major in Finance
• 2.1 GPA – cookie cutter story: parents divorced, moved out with my brother midway through freshman year, divorce devastated myself and my brother more than most kids and is the reason for my poor results throughout undergrad – biggest concern is that I don’t know if this legit enough in the eyes of adcomms.


4) Extra-curriculars
• Centre for Social Innovation – volunteer – focused on philanthropic 'angel' contributions for enterprising non-profits to equity investments in social purpose businesses – 2 years
• State Street Philanthropic Foundation – volunteer – focused on increasing opportunities and access to services for those in need by funding charitable organizations – 2 years
• Various other charity volunteer work – 3 years
• Young Canadians in Finance – organizer/volunteer - networking group (400 members) – 3 years



5) Certifications
• All 3 CFA exams complete, pending work experience
• Canadian Securities Course (CSC) - Canadian series 7 equivalent
• Conduct and Practices Handbook (CPH)



6) Target Programs
Looking for best program I can get into in the US, otherwise best international school so that I can stay in Canada or go to Europe
Most preferred: Booth, Columbia, Kellogg
Preferred: Stern, Haas, Darden, Ross, London Business School
Least Preferred: Queen’s (Canada), Schulich (Canada), Ivey (Canada)



7) Your post-MBA goal
PE/VC, IBanking in Energy/Mining - on the East/North East Coast in the US, or Chicago area.


Thank you very much for your time!

Thank you for your prompt response and excellent feedback.

I will definitely be having a look at your site when I begin my essays.

Thanks again.