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Misanthrope
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Guidance needed: GRE Q159 V156 10 Dec 2024, 01:57
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Hi,

Long-time lurker here, finally stepping into the light for some much-needed advice. I took my third and final GRE attempt today, scoring an unofficial 315 (Q159, V156). Given my current situation, retaking the exam is not an option, and I need your guidance on how to proceed.

I’m at a crossroads, trying to decide between pursuing an MBA or an MS in Finance internationally, and I’d love your input on which programs I should target with my profile and GRE score.

Here’s a bit about my background:

Age: 34
Experience: 6 years full-time + 3 years part-time (including 3.5 years in management consulting [Big 4] & 2 years in infrastructure advisory/specialist roles with a bilateral funding agency)

I’m particularly interested in programs that value diverse professional backgrounds and provide strong career outcomes in management, finance, or infrastructure-related fields.

Would love your recommendations on schools and advice on how to position myself best in applications. Also, any tips on weighing the pros and cons of MBA vs. MS Finance at this stage of my career would be super helpful.

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts and experiences!
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yogi.0195
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Guidance needed: GRE Q159 V156 10 Dec 2024, 06:56
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An MBA will provide you greater access and ability to navigate management-oriented roles within Finance whereas an MS leans towards hardcore finance and you won't have much opportunity to navigate into management oriented roles, if that's how you feel at a later point.
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Misanthrope
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Guidance needed: GRE Q159 V156 10 Dec 2024, 06:59
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Thank you for your input. As per my GRE score and profile, would you be able to guide me on which MBA programs i should target?
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MBAandBeyond
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Guidance needed: GRE Q159 V156 11 Dec 2024, 01:19
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Misanthrope
Hi,

Long-time lurker here, finally stepping into the light for some much-needed advice. I took my third and final GRE attempt today, scoring an unofficial 315 (Q159, V156). Given my current situation, retaking the exam is not an option, and I need your guidance on how to proceed.

I’m at a crossroads, trying to decide between pursuing an MBA or an MS in Finance internationally, and I’d love your input on which programs I should target with my profile and GRE score.

Here’s a bit about my background:

Age: 34
Experience: 6 years full-time + 3 years part-time (including 3.5 years in management consulting [Big 4] & 2 years in infrastructure advisory/specialist roles with a bilateral funding agency)

I’m particularly interested in programs that value diverse professional backgrounds and provide strong career outcomes in management, finance, or infrastructure-related fields.

Would love your recommendations on schools and advice on how to position myself best in applications. Also, any tips on weighing the pros and cons of MBA vs. MS Finance at this stage of my career would be super helpful.

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts and experiences!
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Hi Misanthrope , I hope you are doing well.

With a GRE score of 315 (Q159, V156) and 9 years of diverse experience, including 3.5 years in Big 4 consulting and 2 years in infrastructure advisory, your profile reflects strong professional credentials. If you aim to transition into broader leadership or consulting roles, an MBA from programs like INSEAD, IMD, or Georgetown McDonough may suit you, though your GRE score is below average for top-tier schools. Alternatively, if you wish to deepen expertise in finance or infrastructure, MS Finance programs at LBS or Bocconi could be a good fit. To strengthen your application, focus on leadership impact, measurable achievements, and how these align with your goals, while addressing your GRE with emphasis on professional accomplishments and quantitative skills.What's going to matter most in your application is how you connect the experiential dots and build a great story to stand out from other applicants in the pool.

If you’d like, we are happy to discuss more about your work experience, leadership skills, impact created, challenges faced, awards and achievements and extracurriculars to assess your chances to top B-schools and strengthen your application with impactful stories.

“Join our exclusive webinar"


Cheers!
Shantanu Sharma
Founder and Admissions Consultant, MBA and Beyond
Email: valuecreation@mbaandbeyond.com
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Guidance needed: GRE Q159 V156 11 Dec 2024, 01:59
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Misanthrope
Hi,

Long-time lurker here, finally stepping into the light for some much-needed advice. I took my third and final GRE attempt today, scoring an unofficial 315 (Q159, V156). Given my current situation, retaking the exam is not an option, and I need your guidance on how to proceed.

I’m at a crossroads, trying to decide between pursuing an MBA or an MS in Finance internationally, and I’d love your input on which programs I should target with my profile and GRE score.

Here’s a bit about my background:

Age: 34
Experience: 6 years full-time + 3 years part-time (including 3.5 years in management consulting [Big 4] & 2 years in infrastructure advisory/specialist roles with a bilateral funding agency)

I’m particularly interested in programs that value diverse professional backgrounds and provide strong career outcomes in management, finance, or infrastructure-related fields.

Would love your recommendations on schools and advice on how to position myself best in applications. Also, any tips on weighing the pros and cons of MBA vs. MS Finance at this stage of my career would be super helpful.

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts and experiences!
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Hi Misanthrope,

Your profile, with a strong blend of work experience and a respectable GRE score, positions you well for further academic pursuits. While a higher GRE score could have enhanced your chances, your practical experience and unique background can still make you a strong candidate for several programs.

MBA vs. MS in Finance:
MBA:

Broader Focus: Covers a wide range of business disciplines, including finance, marketing, strategy, and operations.
Leadership Development: Emphasizes leadership skills, strategic thinking, and networking opportunities.
Career Flexibility: Provides a versatile skill set that can be applied to various roles in management, consulting, and finance.

MS in Finance:

Specialized Focus: Provides in-depth knowledge of finance, including investment banking, corporate finance, and quantitative finance.
Technical Skills: Emphasizes quantitative skills, data analysis, and financial modeling.
Career Path: Can lead to roles in investment banking, asset management, or financial analysis.
Given your work experience in consulting and infrastructure, an MBA might be a better fit for your career aspirations. It can provide you with a broader perspective, leadership skills, and a strong network to help you advance your career.

Target Schools:
Considering your profile and goals, you might consider targeting tier 1 category schools across the USA and UK.

Remember, while your GRE score might not be ideal, your strong work experience and unique background can compensate for it. Focus on highlighting your strengths and demonstrating your potential to contribute to the program and your future career.

Would you like to discuss your career goals and specific interests within finance in more detail? This can help us refine your target schools and application strategy. Our MBA consultants would be happy to connect with you over a free profile evaluation discussion. You can schedule a free consultation with our experts or connect directly with our experts via call at +91 7780769732.
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Guidance needed: GRE Q159 V156 11 Dec 2024, 22:26
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Hello Misanthrope,

An MBA is what you need as it will lead you to a wider spectrum of career outcomes.

The exact list of schools requires deeper discussion; however, broadly speaking, you should look at targeting mid-ranked European and US schools.

Feel free to get in touch with us for a profile evaluation to discuss your prospects in detail.

Good luck!
Misanthrope
Hi,

Long-time lurker here, finally stepping into the light for some much-needed advice. I took my third and final GRE attempt today, scoring an unofficial 315 (Q159, V156). Given my current situation, retaking the exam is not an option, and I need your guidance on how to proceed.

I’m at a crossroads, trying to decide between pursuing an MBA or an MS in Finance internationally, and I’d love your input on which programs I should target with my profile and GRE score.

Here’s a bit about my background:

Age: 34
Experience: 6 years full-time + 3 years part-time (including 3.5 years in management consulting [Big 4] & 2 years in infrastructure advisory/specialist roles with a bilateral funding agency)

I’m particularly interested in programs that value diverse professional backgrounds and provide strong career outcomes in management, finance, or infrastructure-related fields.

Would love your recommendations on schools and advice on how to position myself best in applications. Also, any tips on weighing the pros and cons of MBA vs. MS Finance at this stage of my career would be super helpful.

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts and experiences!
Show more