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texasexpat
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Schools: University of Texas - Austin (McCombs) - Class of 2014
Schools: University of Texas - Austin (McCombs) - Class of 2014
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Career goals essay, too specific? 04 Oct 2011, 20:19
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I have a question as to the level of specificity for the short-term goals aspect of the career goals essay.

For a brief intro, I am currently in accounting/operations at a hedge fund. I’d like to move into investment banking post-MBA, with a long-term view of starting a fund based on my investment banking experiences.

For some schools with high finance placement rates, I’ve said something along the lines of “I want to enter investment banking as an associate serving financial services clients” (industry, function).

However, for other schools outside of NY and major finance powerhouses, but nonetheless do place in investment banking, I think they place in local offices for that area’s industry need (e.g. in Texas it’s energy. For UCLA investment banking it tends to be retail, entertainment co’s.) As I understand, investment banks will place people in groups as well depending on need, so at the end of the day it may not be 100% my choice.

So the question is, if I say I want to go into ibanking serving financial services clients (even though the school is located in an area dominated by other industries), am I shutting the door on myself?

Thank you so much!
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mbaMissionBrianE
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Career goals essay, too specific? 07 Oct 2011, 15:29
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Hi texasepat,

That’s an interesting question. Schools do look to employability as a factor in admissions, though it might be a bit of a leap to say that the admissions office is going to know the finer details of what practices students get placed into within an industry like banking. Still, it seems that for some of the regional schools your application will frankly just be stronger if you can match your goals directly to what the school knows it can give you an opportunity to achieve.

Bottom line – there’s no harm in taking the approach you spelled out above, so long as you can back it up with evidence and content that indeed you would be a good fit for energy, entertainment, etc.

Best,
Brian
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getdeepace
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Career goals essay, too specific? 10 Oct 2011, 08:37
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hello ,
i am a final year student of computer science engineering ,from india. plz tell me :
1. i want to pursue one year accelerated mba in hedge funds . i don't have any undergraduate degrees or certificates in business . so am i eligible to do so ?
2. what are my chances of getting admission and scholarship in following colleges ?
London Business School, UK
Insead France / Singapore
IE Business School Spain
Iese Business School Spain
IMD Switzerland
HEC Paris France
Esade Business School Spain
3. what are the requiremens for getting admission and "scholarship " in
these above colleges and which will be better for a foreigner like me to pursue mba in hedge funds ?
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mbaMissionBrianE
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Career goals essay, too specific? 24 Oct 2011, 11:19
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Hello getdeepace, thanks for your question.

First of all, to my knowledge, I don’t believe there exist any one-year accelerated – or two-year, for that matter – MBA programs tailored to hedge funds specifically. You can certainly focus your energies in that space, however.

What is your undergraduate degree in? The larger question is connecting the dots between your past, present, and future for the admissions committees. How do your background and current career path lead to a future in hedge funds? You have to paint that picture and make it a compelling and plausible story.

Best of luck,
Brian