Last visit was: 20 Nov 2025, 01:00 It is currently 20 Nov 2025, 01:00
Home
GMAT
Messages
Tests
Schools
Events
Rewards
Chat
My Profile
Close
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track
Your Progress

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Go to My Error Log Learn more
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel
avatar
Piezarro35
avatar
Joined: 11 Apr 2017
Last visit: 06 Dec 2017
Posts: 6
Posts: 6
Kudos: 0
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Updated on: 20 Oct 2017, 01:21
Originally posted by Piezarro35 on 24 May 2017, 13:35.
Last edited by Piezarro35 on 20 Oct 2017, 01:21, edited 1 time in total.
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
avatar
Piezarro35
avatar
Joined: 11 Apr 2017
Last visit: 06 Dec 2017
Posts: 6
Posts: 6
Kudos: 0
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 24 May 2017, 16:24
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Is there anyone here? :/
User avatar
MBADecoder
User avatar
Joined: 16 Jan 2012
Last visit: 19 Nov 2025
Posts: 2,933
Own Kudos:
765
Given Kudos: 210
Expert
Expert reply
Posts: 2,933
Kudos: 765
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 25 May 2017, 12:32
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Piezarro35

1) Do you think getting few MOOC certifications such as ''financial engineering, Columbia University''etc is useful?
2) Can I use more than 2 reference letters during my application?
3) I have one year left before to enroll a Master's degree and few months before to apply in the first round, I have few options but I am not sure about which one is the best to increase my chances:

A) I really want to do volunteering for 1 year in Africa or India and develop Micro-Finance. But I am not sure the admission is going to appreciate that.

B) I was approached by ''Toptal'' few weeks ago to be a freelance financial consultant. I like the missions, it's well-paid, but It's a freelance job, not valuable as a ''FO job at GS''.

C) I want to learn how to code and also be an expert in SQL, R and Python. (I never studied that in class but seems interesting)

D) Any suggestions? I want to do A+B+C. I can also try to get a full-time job but for that I will have to go to UK because in France I can't find a job in finance without a Master's degree.

If you can be constructive, thank you for your help everyone!
Show more

Hi Piezarro,

I will have a go at your questions:

1. I'd skip the MOOCs for now. You already have the GMAT and the CFA to clear. A Fin. engineering course at this time is not going to solve any purpose unless you need the knowledge for you current job, which is not the case.

2. For reference letters, you should check the criterion of the particular b-schools where you are applying. Each one has different requirements.

3. Do what is most interesting to you and that which allies with your post MFin career path. Most MFin programs in anycase do not require work experience, so I'd give importance to the two parameters i have mentioned. I'd assume that you can ramp up your computer skills (i.e point C) alongside either A or B.

4. You still do not have this opportunity in hand and it may take a while to get a full time job. If you surely want to apply for MFin this year, it may be worth its while to get started with option A or B listed above.

In case you do apply this year, I'd ask you to not mention about your internships where you were fired. It bound to raise a lot of questions which could be difficult to explain in the applications.
User avatar
PersonalMBACoach
User avatar
Personal MBA Coach Founder
Joined: 11 Sep 2010
Last visit: 19 Nov 2025
Posts: 3,756
Own Kudos:
371
Given Kudos: 11
Status:Boutique MBA Admissions Consulting from a Wharton graduate - Helping applicants get into top global business schools since 2008
Affiliations: Wharton, MIT
Location: United States (NY)
Overall Client Admit Rate: 96%
Expert
Expert reply
Posts: 3,756
Kudos: 371
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 27 May 2017, 11:48
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Piezarro35
Hi everyone, my name is Jean and I need some help to prepare my application for top-tier Master's in Finance in US & UK. I was born and raised in France. I want to apply for MIT, Princetown, Berkeley in US, but I may have to extend my list for sure. For UK, LSE, LBS, Oxford, Imperial.

Intake:
2018 - I want to apply for the first round

Age :
20 (07/20/1995)

Education:
- Degree: Bachelor's degree between 2013-2016. A Bachelor's is not commun in France and it's only in 3-years instead of 4. I got it for a non-target school, ''Grande Ecole'' but ranked top-10. (PS: I only apply to that school because that school was really close to my hometown, so I did not have to rent a room.)

- Major: Business// Minor: Finance

- GPA: Well, we are following the ''ECTS'' system, but actually it was quite hard to have >80%. On average I guess I have around 65%. I was not a top-student. 60% of our total GPA is based on our personal performances and 40% for team performances, I really enjoyed to work in team, but sometimes you can't motivated others students to work. (Y1 GPA: 50% ; Y2: 55% ; Y3: I guess around 65-70%)

- I had the 2nd best grade for my thesis about Start-up valuation methods out of +150 students (81%)

- I spend 6 months in China as an exchange student (78%)


Work Experience:- I started my own business at 17 to finance my studies and I invest 5k into a portfolio of securities (now it's worth around 7k). My business was very basic, it was a retail business.

- French Marin's corps reserve for 3 years, during all my undergrad degree. I also had to skip some exams, this is why my GPA is not very high.

- I was a volunteer at UNICEF for 1 year, I lead a team during a fundraising campaign for Syria.

- Between 17 and 18, a lot of summer/student jobs and internship in Sales in big companies. When I was 17, I went to London by myself to learn English, I applied to ''Pret-A-Manger'', they fired me after 1 day. Then, I got a job at ''Paul'' bakery, they fired my after 2 days.

- 19 years old: 6 months internship in a 200-people company as a Financial Analyst

- 20 years old: Internship a small boutique IB in China following by another internship of 6 months in an investment company. My missions was: Build financials models & prepare speeches for clients.


Reference Letters:
- Ex hedge-fund manager, he is from Greece, he was my teacher.

- Managing Director of the investment fund in China


Sports:
- Trail: 7 years

- Swimming: 5 years


Languages:

- French, English and notions of Mandarin





Well, I am conscientious that I don't have a strong profile. I really need to ice the GMAT and get a top-score. My internship ended few days ago, I worked really hard during my internship and now I am studying for my CFA level I. The exam is in 1 week.

1) Do you think getting few MOOC certifications such as ''financial engineering, Columbia University''etc is useful?
2) Can I use more than 2 reference letters during my application?
3) I have one year left before to enroll a Master's degree and few months before to apply in the first round, I have few options but I am not sure about which one is the best to increase my chances:

A) I really want to do volunteering for 1 year in Africa or India and develop Micro-Finance. But I am not sure the admission is going to appreciate that.

B) I was approached by ''Toptal'' few weeks ago to be a freelance financial consultant. I like the missions, it's well-paid, but It's a freelance job, not valuable as a ''FO job at GS''.

C) I want to learn how to code and also be an expert in SQL, R and Python. (I never studied that in class but seems interesting)

D) Any suggestions? I want to do A+B+C. I can also try to get a full-time job but for that I will have to go to UK because in France I can't find a job in finance without a Master's degree.




If you can be constructive, thank you for your help everyone!
Show more

Thank you for your post.

1. Additional graduate level courses would help. Pick analytically challenging courses and get an A.

2. You should follow the school guidelines on this one. It is not common to go beyond unless there is a specific circumstance which does not appear to apply here.

3. In terms of what you should do, it really depends on your broader story and career goals. If your professional goals are in corporate finance for instance, then doing a similar internship would help. Broad general advice may not help though.

Good luck and reach out if you want assistance with applications.

www.personalmbacoach.com
Scott@personalmbacoach.com


Best,
Scott
User avatar
Admissionado
User avatar
Admissionado
Joined: 30 Nov 2009
Last visit: 26 May 2024
Posts: 9,230
Own Kudos:
2,072
Given Kudos: 69
Location: Chicago, IL
Expert
Expert reply
Schools: HBS - Class of 2005
Posts: 9,230
Kudos: 2,072
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 28 May 2017, 23:19
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Piezarro35



Well, I am conscientious that I don't have a strong profile. I really need to ice the GMAT and get a top-score. My internship ended few days ago, I worked really hard during my internship and now I am studying for my CFA level I. The exam is in 1 week.

1) Do you think getting few MOOC certifications such as ''financial engineering, Columbia University''etc is useful?
2) Can I use more than 2 reference letters during my application?
3) I have one year left before to enroll a Master's degree and few months before to apply in the first round, I have few options but I am not sure about which one is the best to increase my chances:

A) I really want to do volunteering for 1 year in Africa or India and develop Micro-Finance. But I am not sure the admission is going to appreciate that.

B) I was approached by ''Toptal'' few weeks ago to be a freelance financial consultant. I like the missions, it's well-paid, but It's a freelance job, not valuable as a ''FO job at GS''.

C) I want to learn how to code and also be an expert in SQL, R and Python. (I never studied that in class but seems interesting)

D) Any suggestions? I want to do A+B+C. I can also try to get a full-time job but for that I will have to go to UK because in France I can't find a job in finance without a Master's degree.




If you can be constructive, thank you for your help everyone!
Show more

Hello Jean,
Well why do you say you don't have a strong profile? I don't agree :)
Maybe your grades aren't the best, but I do know that France scores very tough on the exams.

But the REAL thing is your story - between your internships, your volunteer work, your business, your time in China, your profile has a REAL diversity that is very unique. So don't sell yourself short!

First and foremost, before I get into further specifics, there are TWO major things at this point that will impact you:

1. Your job and how well you succeed in it. (Which employer, what you do, how quickly you move up, etc.)
2. GMAT

These two are the keys. Now don't give up all the other stuff.. the sports and volunteer work, etc. It's all helpful. But the above two are the key.

Now let me address your specific questions:

) Do you think getting few MOOC certifications such as ''financial engineering, Columbia University''etc is useful?

Minimally helpful. But in addition, why not?

2) Can I use more than 2 reference letters during my application?

Sometimes. But most schools only require two.

3) I have one year left before to enroll a Master's degree and few months before to apply in the first round, I have few options but I am not sure about which one is the best to increase my chances:

A) I really want to do volunteering for 1 year in Africa or India and develop Micro-Finance. But I am not sure the admission is going to appreciate that.

Why not? On the contrary this is the type of experience to make your profile very unique and attractive.


B) I was approached by ''Toptal'' few weeks ago to be a freelance financial consultant. I like the missions, it's well-paid, but It's a freelance job, not valuable as a ''FO job at GS''.

True. But again, what type of program are you aiming at? There are "pre-experience" programs, for which even the freelancing is a bonus. And then for "post-experience" programs where the expectations will be that you have work, it will be batter to have a good full-time position.

C) I want to learn how to code and also be an expert in SQL, R and Python. (I never studied that in class but seems interesting)

Why not? But it will have no relevance for your Masters in Finance application.

D) Any suggestions? I want to do A+B+C. I can also try to get a full-time job but for that I will have to go to UK because in France I can't find a job in finance without a Master's degree.

UK is also an option. But that is more of a lifestyle choice.

I think the first thing for you to do is figure out what your mid-term and long-term goals are, and whether you prefer to go to a Masters program with experience or without. Once you make those big decisions, I feel everything else will become clearer.

I hope these notes have been useful.

We have on offer an Advanced Planning Package if you need help figuring things out:
https://admissionado.com/mba/mba-advance ... n=mba_blog

Best,
JF