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May 0507:00 PM EDT
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In this live 60-minute masterclass, How to Get Ahead of MBA Recruiting Now, we’ll walk through the four biggest mistakes incoming MBAs make and how to avoid them so you’re not scrambling to catch up once recruiting begins.
May 0710:00 AM EDT
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pj2294
Joined: 20 Mar 2019
Last visit: 09 Oct 2021
Posts: 39
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 2
Schools: Stanford '22 (S)
29 May 2021, 02:36
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Hello consultants, I'm a 32 year old with a non-traditional career and academic background. I'm wondering if I even have a chance at getting admissions to a top-MBA or MS finance program given my background.
Background and nationality: Opinion journalist (economics and markets), Indian, and 32 years old
Undergrad Information: BA History, MSc Economic History (LSE, London), MA Journalism (Columbia University, New York)
GMAT/GRE: Yet to take (can someone suggest a minimum score I must attain?)
Work experience: Nearly 7 years as an opinion journalist (editorial page writer) writing on the economy and markets for leading English dailies in India; also did a summer internship stint with the opinion pages of WSJ, New York, as well as a reporting internship with Business Insider's markets page. Got some internship experience with a few London-based think-tanks too.
Leadership: None apart from college-level stuff
Post Master goals: Unclear at the moment
Anything else: is a MS in Finance or even an MBA a good fit for me? I don't have much in the way of leadership experience or career progression (my very first job was with the opinion pages; people usually don't start that high in journalism). I began considering the MS in Finance as an alternative to an MBA since MBA schools seem to emphasize a lot on leadership experience and career progression (which I don't possess), but I'm not sure if I even have a chance of gaining admission to a finance program. Will my complete lack of formal experience in the financial space put an end to my chances? I don't have much in the way of quant content in my CV either (hoping I can make up for it with a good GMAT quant score). I'm passionate about finance and economics (have read like 600 books on these subjects in the last decade) and can claim to be well-versed in these subjects, but that won't count for much in admissions I guess. Employers and business schools seem to care only about quant stuff and leadership experience you can prove on paper.
Please be blunt with your feedback. If i shouldn't waste time targeting MBA and MSF courses, please let me know. I do not want to waste time targeting courses that just won't take me in. Also it would be great if you could suggest other more market-friendly degrees that I could apply to. Thank you!
Background and nationality: Opinion journalist (economics and markets), Indian, and 32 years old
Undergrad Information: BA History, MSc Economic History (LSE, London), MA Journalism (Columbia University, New York)
GMAT/GRE: Yet to take (can someone suggest a minimum score I must attain?)
Work experience: Nearly 7 years as an opinion journalist (editorial page writer) writing on the economy and markets for leading English dailies in India; also did a summer internship stint with the opinion pages of WSJ, New York, as well as a reporting internship with Business Insider's markets page. Got some internship experience with a few London-based think-tanks too.
Leadership: None apart from college-level stuff
Post Master goals: Unclear at the moment
Anything else: is a MS in Finance or even an MBA a good fit for me? I don't have much in the way of leadership experience or career progression (my very first job was with the opinion pages; people usually don't start that high in journalism). I began considering the MS in Finance as an alternative to an MBA since MBA schools seem to emphasize a lot on leadership experience and career progression (which I don't possess), but I'm not sure if I even have a chance of gaining admission to a finance program. Will my complete lack of formal experience in the financial space put an end to my chances? I don't have much in the way of quant content in my CV either (hoping I can make up for it with a good GMAT quant score). I'm passionate about finance and economics (have read like 600 books on these subjects in the last decade) and can claim to be well-versed in these subjects, but that won't count for much in admissions I guess. Employers and business schools seem to care only about quant stuff and leadership experience you can prove on paper.
Please be blunt with your feedback. If i shouldn't waste time targeting MBA and MSF courses, please let me know. I do not want to waste time targeting courses that just won't take me in. Also it would be great if you could suggest other more market-friendly degrees that I could apply to. Thank you!
29 May 2021, 14:17
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pj2294:
We really appreciate you taking the time to write your post and explain your background. You should think about your situation in terms of strengths and weaknesses.
As for your strengths, you obviously bring a very unconventional background to the table. If executed properly in an application, it can actually work towards your favor because it's just so different and refreshing. There are tons of candidates who come from the most unusual or wildest backgrounds that don't obviously fall into the more traditional consulting, finance, corporate, startup, etc. buckets. That's perfectly fine! It's all about how you leverage your background into a convincing story. Maybe you have this brilliant idea in the field of finance/journalism that only someone like you - with your unique credentials - could solve? There's a ton of creativity and outside-the-box thinking that can be applied here to give you a shot. I wouldn't rule yourself out just because you don't fit the more traditional mold.
Also, for the record, there are very few actual requirements to gain acceptance to an MBA program except for the ones stated on the website (bachelor degree, GMAT/GRE score, etc.) You also hold two degrees from prestigious universities, so your academic credentials won't be in question.
As for your weaknesses, there are a few that can be spun or fixed. First, the lack of leadership accomplishments outside of work is not great. You can lean on those you finished in college, but you might want to try to squeeze something in between now and your applications. If not, you'll just have to focus on other areas of your background.
Second, your age could be an issue. While you're not in the "definitely don't apply" category (35+), being on the wrong side of 30 could be a slight issue. There's nothing you can do about it, but you might want to target programs that are more open to slightly older candidates. Would you also consider a part-time MBA program? Those are less competitive and are often open to older candidates.
Third, not having a clearly defined goal or reason for moving into finance is presently an issue though can be solved through a smart application. We have many strategies to craft narratives that can take the the most unusual experiences and transform them into a highly relevant argument for needing an MBA. You will need that kind of support if you are to stand a chance. You just don't want to come off as aimless otherwise the issues you stated about your experience will be reinforced.
The minimum GMAT score you need somewhat depends on where you want to apply. Generally speaking, most of the top schools look for a 700+. Several good schools are also open to 680+. For someone with your background, getting a good score is important but doing really well on the GMAT can be a game changer. It also sounds like, based on your background, you might be capable of attaining a high score since you have the verbal side from your work in journalism and the quant side from your massive accruement of knowledge in reading finance. Have you taken a practice test? If not, I recommend completing a diagnostic and then planning next steps based on that result.
What are your GPAs from your bachelor degree and master degree? Both are important to rounding out the profile assessment.
In summary, it won't be the easiest pathway for you to gain admission to either an MiF or an MBA, but you are not an automatic ding on arrival. I strongly recommend you reach out to us for a free consultation to discuss how we can help, contingency options (e.g., other master degree programs - per your request - such as those in business analytics or information management) and how your profile can be turned into a real asset.
https://admissionado.com/free-consultation/
Best,
The Admissionado Team
We really appreciate you taking the time to write your post and explain your background. You should think about your situation in terms of strengths and weaknesses.
As for your strengths, you obviously bring a very unconventional background to the table. If executed properly in an application, it can actually work towards your favor because it's just so different and refreshing. There are tons of candidates who come from the most unusual or wildest backgrounds that don't obviously fall into the more traditional consulting, finance, corporate, startup, etc. buckets. That's perfectly fine! It's all about how you leverage your background into a convincing story. Maybe you have this brilliant idea in the field of finance/journalism that only someone like you - with your unique credentials - could solve? There's a ton of creativity and outside-the-box thinking that can be applied here to give you a shot. I wouldn't rule yourself out just because you don't fit the more traditional mold.
Also, for the record, there are very few actual requirements to gain acceptance to an MBA program except for the ones stated on the website (bachelor degree, GMAT/GRE score, etc.) You also hold two degrees from prestigious universities, so your academic credentials won't be in question.
As for your weaknesses, there are a few that can be spun or fixed. First, the lack of leadership accomplishments outside of work is not great. You can lean on those you finished in college, but you might want to try to squeeze something in between now and your applications. If not, you'll just have to focus on other areas of your background.
Second, your age could be an issue. While you're not in the "definitely don't apply" category (35+), being on the wrong side of 30 could be a slight issue. There's nothing you can do about it, but you might want to target programs that are more open to slightly older candidates. Would you also consider a part-time MBA program? Those are less competitive and are often open to older candidates.
Third, not having a clearly defined goal or reason for moving into finance is presently an issue though can be solved through a smart application. We have many strategies to craft narratives that can take the the most unusual experiences and transform them into a highly relevant argument for needing an MBA. You will need that kind of support if you are to stand a chance. You just don't want to come off as aimless otherwise the issues you stated about your experience will be reinforced.
The minimum GMAT score you need somewhat depends on where you want to apply. Generally speaking, most of the top schools look for a 700+. Several good schools are also open to 680+. For someone with your background, getting a good score is important but doing really well on the GMAT can be a game changer. It also sounds like, based on your background, you might be capable of attaining a high score since you have the verbal side from your work in journalism and the quant side from your massive accruement of knowledge in reading finance. Have you taken a practice test? If not, I recommend completing a diagnostic and then planning next steps based on that result.
What are your GPAs from your bachelor degree and master degree? Both are important to rounding out the profile assessment.
In summary, it won't be the easiest pathway for you to gain admission to either an MiF or an MBA, but you are not an automatic ding on arrival. I strongly recommend you reach out to us for a free consultation to discuss how we can help, contingency options (e.g., other master degree programs - per your request - such as those in business analytics or information management) and how your profile can be turned into a real asset.
https://admissionado.com/free-consultation/
Best,
The Admissionado Team
