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sands282
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CFA Level 1 to makeup for average GPA? Updated on: 17 Oct 2010, 09:03
Originally posted by sands282 on 17 Oct 2010, 00:29.
Last edited by sands282 on 17 Oct 2010, 09:03, edited 1 time in total.
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Hi All,

I am preparing for GMAT, will have 6 years of experience by the time I would join a B school.

I have the background of Software development in Pensions and Benefits domain, but to be honest, I could not get as much finance exposure as I would have liked to. Also, I feel my bachelor's GPA/Percentage(Engineering, Electronics and communication)was average to be honest.

I have a decent profile with decent extra curriculars and professional achievements. But who doesnt have one aiming for a good B school?

I am planning to apply in Fall 2011 and I would like to develop an alternate transcript for my application where I would like to show something as a credential that can makeup for lack of exposure to Finance and average GPA.

How good would be CFA Level 1 to counter average GPA, if I am able to clear it before applying to a B school? I dont have interest in working in a core finance/investment banking domain after MBA, but it think that will boost my admission chances in a decent B school, and also help me with the curriculum of the MBA course.

Please let me now your thoughts about this.

Thanks.
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3underscore
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CFA Level 1 to makeup for average GPA? 17 Oct 2010, 08:59
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I don't think anyone would consider the two offsetting. High GMAT or classes, plus an explanation of why the GPA is how it is, is probably the best plan.
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hadihard
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CFA Level 1 to makeup for average GPA? 20 Oct 2010, 14:36
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CFA level 1 is also not very hard to accomplish. I doubt that it will help you that much!

Follow the advise above...
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CFA Level 1 to makeup for average GPA? 20 Oct 2010, 14:49
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1) CFA Level 1 will not make up for your "average" GPA

2) You said it yourself, you are not interested in finance and that will probably show on your essays. Having CFA Lvl 1 on your resume will only confuse the adcom (since your work background is completely unrelated as well) and your application will be all over the place (without any direction)

For example, let's say that you are applying to school X and this school X incorporates current 2nd yr students or alumni during the interview process. As a current 2nd yr or as an alumni, I will be very confused if 1) your essay reflects that you want to do something else other than finance after bschool, 2) you have CFA Lvl 1 mentioned on your resume, 3) your work experience is in software.....

3) UG GPA is less meaningful as your work experience (in terms of yrs) increases

4) you don't need to have exposure in finance to get into a top business school
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CFA Level 1 to makeup for average GPA? 20 Oct 2010, 16:17
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I have my CAIA, FRM and I'm a level 3 CFA candidate. I never stressed any of those designations in any of my essays as a way to "counter" a low GPA (and yes, I do have a low GPA). All I have about those 3 are from couple of lines on resume...

My strategy to address the low GPA is just to highlight my immaturity as a college student + a "crisis" event during the last quarter of my senior year. I also showed that I almost always take higher level math courses, so most of my Bs and Cs (luckily just a few Cs) grades were from courses in Rings & Fields, Fourier Analysis, etc., all of which I probably don't remember.
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CFA Level 1 to makeup for average GPA? 28 Oct 2010, 09:43
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adalfu
I have my CAIA, FRM and I'm a level 3 CFA candidate. I never stressed any of those designations in any of my essays as a way to "counter" a low GPA (and yes, I do have a low GPA). All I have about those 3 are from couple of lines on resume...

My strategy to address the low GPA is just to highlight my immaturity as a college student + a "crisis" event during the last quarter of my senior year. I also showed that I almost always take higher level math courses, so most of my Bs and Cs (luckily just a few Cs) grades were from courses in Rings & Fields, Fourier Analysis, etc., all of which I probably don't remember.
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Excellent advice!
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