Intern
Joined: 12 Mar 2010
Posts: 25
Location: Vancouver, BC
Schools:Kellog, Haas, Ross, Yale
WE 1: R&D - Product Design
WE 2: EPC
Crushed by 720. Retake? Please see profile.
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04 Jul 2010, 18:24
Mechanical Engineering from UBC (One of the top Engineering Universities in Canada) GPA: 2.6
WE: 2 years Engineering Experience in Government positions as Project Engineer
WE: Family Run Businesses 1.) Line of Fresh Deli Food items Handling Sales, Rebranding and Marketing
WE: Family Run Business 2.) Industrial/Commercial Janitorial Company handling Bids and Negotiations of Contracts
Young Professional of Nanaimo: Group of Under 35 year old professionals (Currently 80 members) I started a "Professional Development" section within the group. Doing seminars and public speaking on "peak performance" or bettering yourself.
Volunteer program I've started to help/motivate High School students in Grades 11 and 12 by educating them on future educational opportunities. Helping them put together timelines, goals and helping coordinate discussions with university counselors. As well, I help them craft applications for universities, scholarships, bursaries, etc. I hope to expand the program and bring in college/university graduates to volunteer at their respective high schools.
I hope to also take my peak performance talks and put together a team of individuals and start a website/blog with the end goal being a magazine in my local area.
CFA starts this September
GMAT: 720 (Q49 V38)
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I would like to attend one of the top 7 American schools. Besides going to one of the best schools and increasing my chances of employment after graduation along with a handsome return on my investment I want to be surrounded by like minded individuals who are passionately motivated and driven. Regardless of what I do, I perform just as well as those closest to me, If I surround myself with the best and brightest I feel like I will be better off. My Dream is to go to Columbia for Finance (Hence the CFA) and work in the finance world until I can start my own Firm.
What I'm concerned about:
1.) GMAT Score: is it too low? I feel like I underperformed. Since the test I've been mentally crushed by the score. I was scoring 750 on GMATPrep's. Is the Quant too low for finance (I was scoring 50-51 there)? I was scoring low 40's in Verbal too. I don't plan on applying til 2012 but I'm very concerned about my GPA, hence the worry about my GMAT score now. I figured I could ease AdComs with a solid GMAT score. I don't mind writing it again if I have to. If its in my best interests to write it again, Should I go with a course to get over the hump?
2.) I'm also concerned about my recent W.E. within the family business. The work at the two businesses is not similar to big business work. The experience has been great but don't know how adcoms take to family businesses, especially adcoms from the top schools. I have worked all throughout high school and university within my family businesses, albeit at a reduced role during university. Now my younger siblings have been able to step in and I have the opportunity to look at where I want to be. Would going back to Engineering or applying for finance related jobs help me? Or does staying with family business help me more so now? To be honest I would be required to still help out even If i landed a new job. Would it be better if I wait until I complete CFA level 1 and try for a finance job?
I'm at a huge huge fork in the road here. Haven't been able to properly sleep for the last couple days. It's so much easier helping others...
I need to figure out the best course of action for my next two years here. Correct any wrongs in my application now. I know I shouldn't be tailoring my experiences in hopes of getting into a top school but I figure, even if I continue to do half the things I'm doing now and don't get into a top school, I'll be a better person and further ahead then I'm now, putting in the time volunteering and doing my CFA.