Hi Hjort,

I just finished taking the GMAT last week and am still trying to get a sense of what schools I am qualified for. I'd really appreciate your opinion on this. Here's my background:

GMAT: 770 (Q49, V47)

Academic Background:
-Bachelor of Commerce in Finance from a Canadian University, GPA: 3.6/3.7, graduated with honours.
-CFA Charterholder
-Diploma in Accounting

Work History:
-After graduation, worked a year at a Canadian money management firm at the administrative side, doing fund valuation, trade clearances, etc.
-Moved to the sell-side as an assistant equity analyst for two years, covering major consumer goods companies.
-Then moved back to the same money management firm to take on investment analysis of corporate bonds (less than a year).
-Have a gap of several months preparing to move to China and getting parents' house renovated.
-Am now in China and am responsible for marketing-related projects at a startup high-tech firm (yes, quite unrelated to my prior career area). I generate most of the copywriting and marketing material, including graphics, by learning on the way.

Personal/Extracurricular:
-fluent in English, advanced-level Mandarin (HSK level 7), intermediate-level Tagalog
-am ethnic Chinese born in the Philippines who moved to Canada at an early age, and after graduation and 5 years of work picked up and moved to China to learn the language/lifestyle and work at the same time.
-used to play organized basketball on a weekly basis for several years.
-am supporting a friend through college (this is not "extracurricular" per se but is a big motivator and reason for being on my part.

Recommendations:
-I believe (or am just hoping) that I can get the boss of my current company and my former bond manager to write the letters of recommendation for me.

MBA Program Targets:
-International Business Program that leads to managerial position at a multinational operating in the Asia-Pacific region. or
-Finance Program that leads to buy-side (money management) analysis and portfolio management.

In summary, I am aware that my academics are decent. My work experience is a bit scattered, however, as career progression is unclear and don't have much in the leadership department, though I have managed to learn and grow with each job. My extracurriculars are not impressive either.

I'd appreciate any guidance you can provide as I do some soul-searching over the next few weeks and decide on a few schools to target for 2007 entry.

Hi Hjort,

Yes, primarily North America, but I'm also open to universities outside of North America that will lead to jobs with a more international scope. I'm trying to get get a feel for what calibre of schools would take a good look at me.

Thanks, Hjort. I'm in the process of doing so. So far, INSEAD, Berkeley (Hass), Chicago, and NYU (Stern) stand out. But I've still a lot to research.