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Narenn
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MS Finance Profile Evaluations [Master Thread]: Post all Profiles Here 11 Jul 2018, 01:42
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Hi Guys, This is a Master thread for all profile evaluation requests for MS Finance applications. We do not want random profile evaluation threads everywhere on the forum. This will help people get some consolidated advice from consultants and help others learn as well.

Post your profile here if you want!

Suggested Template
  • Background and nationality
  • Undergrad Information
  • GMAT/GRE
  • Work experience and leadership
  • Community and others
  • Post Master goals
  • Anything else?
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MS Finance Profile Evaluations [Master Thread]: Post all Profiles Here 10 Aug 2026, 21:16
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Hi everyone! Here's a snapshot of my CV

  • Background and nationality - Indian
  • Undergrad Information - Commerce at top commerce college in south India with a 9/10 CGPA and specialization in business analytics
  • GMAT/GRE - Took the test with a 605 last year, planning to retake
  • Work experience and leadership - Currently 2 years of work experience (will be 3 by the time I start the degree) at a global financial institution. Held leadership positions throughout college/school. Volunteering activities as well
  • Targets - LBS/Cambridge/Imperial/LSE in the UK for MiF programs
  • Post Master goals - job in the finance sector (Europe/UK) preferably in alternative investments

- Any other suggestions for colleges? Haven't looked at European colleges primary due to language barrier but open to the idea
- Struggling with finding good post-experience finance masters - only LBS and Cambridge stand out to me. Please suggest if any
- Given I have a strong academic record, do I really need to retake the GMAT?

Thank you all!
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MS Finance Profile Evaluations [Master Thread]: Post all Profiles Here 13 Aug 2026, 11:08
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Hi spark17
For your profile, 2 years at the time of application is just about enough for MS.
Your high CGPA can (partially) offset your low GMAT. However, why give the AdComs chance to doubt your understanding of Logic (GMAT/ GRE). For top schools like LBS/ LSE/ Cambridge, the GMAT may almost necessarily pull you down.
HEC, IMD, INSEAD are also great in Finance, and pose no significant language issues, but they would require a higher GMAT. You could also look at Bocconi, Trinity which are more achievable with lower GMAT scores, though even for these a higher GMAT will take you further.

Hope that helps. For a Free Assessment over a 1:1 call, please submit your profile https://theivyleagueedge.com/index.php/contactus/
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spark17
Hi everyone! Here's a snapshot of my CV

  • Background and nationality - Indian
  • Undergrad Information - Commerce at top commerce college in south India with a 9/10 CGPA and specialization in business analytics
  • GMAT/GRE - Took the test with a 605 last year, planning to retake
  • Work experience and leadership - Currently 2 years of work experience (will be 3 by the time I start the degree) at a global financial institution. Held leadership positions throughout college/school. Volunteering activities as well
  • Targets - LBS/Cambridge/Imperial/LSE in the UK for MiF programs
  • Post Master goals - job in the finance sector (Europe/UK) preferably in alternative investments

- Any other suggestions for colleges? Haven't looked at European colleges primary due to language barrier but open to the idea
- Struggling with finding good post-experience finance masters - only LBS and Cambridge stand out to me. Please suggest if any
- Given I have a strong academic record, do I really need to retake the GMAT?

Thank you all!
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MS Finance Profile Evaluations [Master Thread]: Post all Profiles Here 01 Sep 2026, 08:02
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Hi everyone,

I'll be graduating in January and I'm now looking at Master in Finance (MiF) programs. I recently completed a double-degree program in Law and Management in France. I'd really appreciate any feedback on my profile and my chances, as well as recommendations.

Profile:
- Double degree: Grande École Master (PGE) from IÉSEG School of Management + Master in Business Law from a French university (Université Catholique de Lille). Graduating January.
- GMAT: 655 (Focus Edition — ~90th percentile, roughly equivalent to a 700+ on the legacy scale)
- English: TOEIC 945 (planning to take the IELTS, or retake the TOEIC with more intensive prep, to strengthen this)
- Grades: 14.5/20 on my double master last year and 14/20 on my bachelor's. (French grading works on a /20 scale where 14+ is already a strong result; I'll confirm the official /4 GPA equivalent through my school's conversion grid, since French-to-US conversions vary and a linear conversion would understate these marks.)

Experience:
- Portfolio Accounting / Valuation internship in Luxembourg, at a Blackstone entity
- Currently in M&A at a boutique advisory firm in Paris
- Looking for a January internship in either M&A or Private Equity

A quick note for those less familiar with the French system: the Law side of my double degree pulls my overall GPA down. In French law programs it's very common for grades to stay in the 12–14/20 range, and scoring below average — or even failing — some courses is normal even for strong students, as the grading is structurally much harsher than in management. So my transcript shows some sub-average marks in law, but my management results and my overall master's and bachelor's averages (14–14.5/20) are solid.

Target programs: ESSEC MiF, ESCP MiF, EDHEC MiF.

My questions:
1. Given this profile, how competitive am I for these three programs? Is my 655 GMAT enough, or should I retake it?
2. How is the "law" part of a double degree usually read by MiF admissions — is the harsher French law grading understood and contextualized, or does it simply weigh down the GPA?
3. For English, is the TOEIC generally accepted for these programs, or is IELTS/TOEFL preferred?
4. Any general advice on the strongest levers to reinforce a profile like mine (essays, experience, professional project)?

Thanks a lot for any input — really appreciate the help!
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MS Finance Profile Evaluations [Master Thread]: Post all Profiles Here 01 Sep 2026, 08:08
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Hello, I am targeting R1 applications for masters at HSG (and other top business schools) and I was wondering what my chances are of getting admitted given my profile.

Background:

Swedish male, age 22 holding a BSc from SSE (exchange semester in Singapore) with 4.35/5 gpa. How this is converted is very unclear, but if I convert via third-party website to US gpa it puts me around a 5.4 Swiss. Multiple IB/finance internships at top Nordic bulge brackets, boutique and consulting experience), mostly M&A and capital markets, plus some case competition and event committee involvement. German level is around B2

Recently scored 675 on gmat focus edition

Contemplating whether to apply to MBF in R1 with MacFin as backup or if I should apply directly to MacFin in round 1 to increase my chances of getting admitted.

I do have the possibility to retake the gmat in a month and I believe with some diligent practice that I could increase my score a few points... but I prefer to not retake it

Appreciate any guidance
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MS Finance Profile Evaluations [Master Thread]: Post all Profiles Here 01 Sep 2026, 09:52
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Hi
With the given profile, your chances look bright.
I would have been more comfortable with a GMAT of 695, provided it is accompnied by a compelling narrative, and clarity in your career goal (that shows the importance of the MBF/ MacFin in achieving that goal)

Hope that helps. For a Free Assessment over a 1:1 call, please submit your profile https://theivyleagueedge.com/index.php/contactus/
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Why us?
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** Unlimited support for 1-to-1 MBA admissions consulting.

W1423
Hello, I am targeting R1 applications for masters at HSG (and other top business schools) and I was wondering what my chances are of getting admitted given my profile.

Background:

Swedish male, age 22 holding a BSc from SSE (exchange semester in Singapore) with 4.35/5 gpa. How this is converted is very unclear, but if I convert via third-party website to US gpa it puts me around a 5.4 Swiss. Multiple IB/finance internships at top Nordic bulge brackets, boutique and consulting experience), mostly M&A and capital markets, plus some case competition and event committee involvement. German level is around B2

Recently scored 675 on gmat focus edition

Contemplating whether to apply to MBF in R1 with MacFin as backup or if I should apply directly to MacFin in round 1 to increase my chances of getting admitted.

I do have the possibility to retake the gmat in a month and I believe with some diligent practice that I could increase my score a few points... but I prefer to not retake it

Appreciate any guidance
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MS Finance Profile Evaluations [Master Thread]: Post all Profiles Here 02 Sep 2026, 22:07
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Hi AlfredChopin
Your education (including your GPA in the native context) and internships (showing demonstrable evidence of your interest and experience in connect well and can look as a smooth upgrade to MiF programs, and thereon to a M&A/ PE role. As such, your clarity of Why MiF & Why now can be charted out convincingly.
While your GMAT FE is approx 91st percentile, and M&A/PE employers traditionally look for stronger scores, your dual degree, and your academic expertise in Law & Mgt (esp with your Portfolio Accounting work) will help you make a very strong case for your top choices. The Law part CAN work very well to strengthen your candidature, PROVIDED it is presented and highlighted as a "planned skill acquisition" than a "good-to-have distraction".

Your next challenge would be to bring the right context to your story, so as to give it the flavour of an interesting movie that the AdComs would like to pay scholarships for, to get you into their school. This is important, because the swarm of applicants they get have scores, GPAs and intenships that are in similar ranges.

You would also do well to bring out the ECs part of your life, not merely to show your well-roundedness as an applicant, but also show your leadership in out of work areas where org hierarchies succeed less than true leadership material


Hope that helps. For a Free Assessment over a 1:1 call, please submit your profile https://theivyleagueedge.com/index.php/contactus/
_________________
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1. WORLD'S MOST recommended Admissions Consultant on Linkedin
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2. 100% 5-Star Reviews on PoetsandQuants
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** Insider knowledge (from serving and ex-AdComs from top schools)
** Unlimited support for 1-to-1 MBA admissions consulting.


AlfredChopin
Hi everyone,

I'll be graduating in January and I'm now looking at Master in Finance (MiF) programs. I recently completed a double-degree program in Law and Management in France. I'd really appreciate any feedback on my profile and my chances, as well as recommendations.

Profile:
- Double degree: Grande École Master (PGE) from IÉSEG School of Management + Master in Business Law from a French university (Université Catholique de Lille). Graduating January.
- GMAT: 655 (Focus Edition — ~90th percentile, roughly equivalent to a 700+ on the legacy scale)
- English: TOEIC 945 (planning to take the IELTS, or retake the TOEIC with more intensive prep, to strengthen this)
- Grades: 14.5/20 on my double master last year and 14/20 on my bachelor's. (French grading works on a /20 scale where 14+ is already a strong result; I'll confirm the official /4 GPA equivalent through my school's conversion grid, since French-to-US conversions vary and a linear conversion would understate these marks.)

Experience:
- Portfolio Accounting / Valuation internship in Luxembourg, at a Blackstone entity
- Currently in M&A at a boutique advisory firm in Paris
- Looking for a January internship in either M&A or Private Equity

A quick note for those less familiar with the French system: the Law side of my double degree pulls my overall GPA down. In French law programs it's very common for grades to stay in the 12–14/20 range, and scoring below average — or even failing — some courses is normal even for strong students, as the grading is structurally much harsher than in management. So my transcript shows some sub-average marks in law, but my management results and my overall master's and bachelor's averages (14–14.5/20) are solid.

Target programs: ESSEC MiF, ESCP MiF, EDHEC MiF.

My questions:
1. Given this profile, how competitive am I for these three programs? Is my 655 GMAT enough, or should I retake it?
2. How is the "law" part of a double degree usually read by MiF admissions — is the harsher French law grading understood and contextualized, or does it simply weigh down the GPA?
3. For English, is the TOEIC generally accepted for these programs, or is IELTS/TOEFL preferred?
4. Any general advice on the strongest levers to reinforce a profile like mine (essays, experience, professional project)?

Thanks a lot for any input — really appreciate the help!
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MS Finance Profile Evaluations [Master Thread]: Post all Profiles Here 13 Sep 2026, 20:22
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Hi everyone,

I’m preparing applications for the 2027 intake, aiming for Round 1 wherever applicable, and would appreciate some feedback on my chances.

Background and nationality: EU citizen in my early twenties, with an international background across Europe, Asia and North America.

Undergrad information: ESSEC Global BBA, graduating with 16/20 overall and an upward grade trajectory. Studied across multiple campuses and completed an international exchange semester. Relevant coursework includes finance, mathematics, statistics, economics and portfolio management.

GMAT/GRE: 675 GMAT Focus Edition.

Work experience and leadership: Approximately one year of internships across World Bank Treasury in capital markets, Amundi in risk management, and Crédit Agricole CIB as an ESG analyst. Also held student leadership responsibilities involving logistics and event organisation.

Community and others: Spent a month volunteering in Nepal, alongside other charitable activities. Interests include competitive chess and team sports.

Post-master goals: Primarily capital markets or sovereign advisory, with additional interests in investment management and development finance.

Anything else? Taking a gap year to serve in the French military before starting my master’s. My shortlist is St Gallen MBF, HEC Paris MiF, LSE MSc Finance, ESSEC MiF, Oxford MFE.

How competitive would you consider this profile for these programmes, particularly HSG MBF, HEC and Oxford?

Thanks for any feedback!
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MS Finance Profile Evaluations [Master Thread]: Post all Profiles Here 22 Sep 2026, 10:45
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LocalMail
Hi everyone,

I’m preparing applications for the 2027 intake, aiming for Round 1 wherever applicable, and would appreciate some feedback on my chances.

Background and nationality: EU citizen in my early twenties, with an international background across Europe, Asia and North America.

Undergrad information: ESSEC Global BBA, graduating with 16/20 overall and an upward grade trajectory. Studied across multiple campuses and completed an international exchange semester. Relevant coursework includes finance, mathematics, statistics, economics and portfolio management.

GMAT/GRE: 675 GMAT Focus Edition.

Work experience and leadership: Approximately one year of internships across World Bank Treasury in capital markets, Amundi in risk management, and Crédit Agricole CIB as an ESG analyst. Also held student leadership responsibilities involving logistics and event organisation.

Community and others: Spent a month volunteering in Nepal, alongside other charitable activities. Interests include competitive chess and team sports.

Post-master goals: Primarily capital markets or sovereign advisory, with additional interests in investment management and development finance.

Anything else? Taking a gap year to serve in the French military before starting my master’s. My shortlist is St Gallen MBF, HEC Paris MiF, LSE MSc Finance, ESSEC MiF, Oxford MFE.

How competitive would you consider this profile for these programmes, particularly HSG MBF, HEC and Oxford?

Thanks for any feedback!
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Hi LocalMail
Your profile is Strong for European MSc Finance programs, with an unusually coherent combination of ESSEC academics, international exposure, highly relevant internships and a solid GMAT Focus 675.

School-by-school view

St Gallen MBF Strong / very strong
HEC Paris MiF Strong
LSE MSc Finance: Competitive but tougher
ESSEC MiF Very strong
Oxford MFE Reach, but absolutely worth applying

St Gallen weighs GMAT/GRE (30%), academics, extracurricular/practical experience (15%) and motivation (25%); your profile aligns extremely well with that framework.

HEC's published average is around **645–655 GMAT Focus**, so 675 is a meaningful positive. Your finance coursework also fits the Business Track particularly well.

LSE is particularly quantitative and says most successful applicants historically had first-class-equivalent academics; your 16/20 and GMAT help, but competition is intense.

Oxford is your biggest stretch: it expects a first/strong 2:1 equivalent and very strong quantitative ability

### Suggested 7-school basket

Reaches: Oxford MFE, LSE MSc Finance
Targets: HEC MiF, St Gallen MBF, Bocconi MSc Finance
Safeties: ESSEC MiF, Imperial MSc Finance

Your biggest 6–8 week opportunity is to make the World Bank → Amundi → CACIB → sovereign/capital-markets narrative exceptionally specific, while securing outstanding academic references.

A specialist admissions consultant can materially improve the positioning, essays, recommendations and interview preparation; candidates with profiles like yours often benefit most from that strategic packaging, rather than simply polishing grammar.
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MS Finance Profile Evaluations [Master Thread]: Post all Profiles Here 22 Sep 2026, 22:31
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Hi there, given the programmes you're targeting, you have a good profile but your GMAT 675 and the grade of 16/20 need context for each school. Your 675 sits below the median at every school on your list except ESSEC. As an EU citizen without overrepresentation concerns, this gap is more forgivable than it would be for Indian or Chinese applicants but it's still real, and you should know it going in.
The military gap year is a positive differentiator, not a concern.

HSG MBF is your most ambitious application. The 730 median is a genuine hurdle at 675, and HSG is known for its quantitative rigour. The ESSEC brand would help but the score gap is the most pronounced here of all five schools. Apply but go in knowing this is a reach rather than a target.

HEC Paris MiF is a genuine target. Successful applicants at HEC Paris usually show high academic performance, solid quantitative skills, and practical experience in areas like investment banking, corporate finance, or financial accounting. The 710 median means your 675 is below their average, but your internship credentials and ESSEC background partially compensate. Strong application if the essays are sharp.

LSE MSc Finance is highly competitive and doesn't publish a preferred GMAT, but the competitive bar based on admitted profiles is in the 700 to 720+ range. Your 675 is a concern there and creates friction. Apply if committed, but temper expectations.

Oxford MFE is quantitatively demanding application here for you. The MFE has a strong economics and mathematics emphasis, and the score bar is high. Your 16/20 from ESSEC and finance coursework in statistics, economics, and portfolio management gives you the academic foundation but 675 is below the typical admitted profile. Treat as a reach.

ESSEC MiF is your most accessible admit and a natural fit given your undergraduate institution. Significantly lower competitive pressure, strong capital markets placement in Paris, and your ESSEC network is a genuine advantage. Treat as your anchor.


Scheduling a 30-minute call with one of our profile experts before you finalise submissions would be genuinely valuable here, specifically to stress-test how your military gap year is framed across different programme essays, and strategies given your R1 targets. Happy to set that up free for you.
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LocalMail
Hi everyone,

I’m preparing applications for the 2027 intake, aiming for Round 1 wherever applicable, and would appreciate some feedback on my chances.

Background and nationality: EU citizen in my early twenties, with an international background across Europe, Asia and North America.

Undergrad information: ESSEC Global BBA, graduating with 16/20 overall and an upward grade trajectory. Studied across multiple campuses and completed an international exchange semester. Relevant coursework includes finance, mathematics, statistics, economics and portfolio management.

GMAT/GRE: 675 GMAT Focus Edition.

Work experience and leadership: Approximately one year of internships across World Bank Treasury in capital markets, Amundi in risk management, and Crédit Agricole CIB as an ESG analyst. Also held student leadership responsibilities involving logistics and event organisation.

Community and others: Spent a month volunteering in Nepal, alongside other charitable activities. Interests include competitive chess and team sports.

Post-master goals: Primarily capital markets or sovereign advisory, with additional interests in investment management and development finance.

Anything else? Taking a gap year to serve in the French military before starting my master’s. My shortlist is St Gallen MBF, HEC Paris MiF, LSE MSc Finance, ESSEC MiF, Oxford MFE.

How competitive would you consider this profile for these programmes, particularly HSG MBF, HEC and Oxford?

Thanks for any feedback!
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MS Finance Profile Evaluations [Master Thread]: Post all Profiles Here 23 Sep 2026, 05:24
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Hi everyone!

First time here, looking to get some advice and insight into my profile and future goals.

I’m currently preparing for the 2027 intake, but am willing to postpone until 2028 if I do not get admitted to my target schools and feel like I can improve with another year.

Background & Nationality: 23 year old from
Sweden, parents born in Iran.

Undergrad info: Bachelor’s degree in international Business and Economics from the University of Gothenburg (triple accredited) with a major in Finance. Cumulative GPA (3.2/5), last year GPA (4.7/5). Was unfortunately not able to go on an exchange, it is one of my goals for my MSc. Relevant coursework includes finance, statistics, accounting etc.

GMAT/GRE: 575 currently, aiming for 600 in October (confident) and ~700 in December (hopeful), GMAT Focus Edition.

Work experience & leadership: 10 months at a Local Investment Group, doing analytics, screening investments and working with investor relations. 5 months at a tech startup, designing and implementing the finance function and getting the startup ready for funding and investments. Both experiences are part time.

Community & Others: Co-founder of an Investment Club, Co-founder of a small fund.

Post-master goals: I wish to do Investment Banking in Europe, mainly London but also Stockholm and other financial capitals. Aim is to gain international experience within the capital markets, I am especially interested in M&A. I am also debating a career within VC, as my work experience matches that more than IB, and I found the work very fun and enjoyable, a bit torn.

I will be applying for my masters around December-January, the main schools I am targeting are SSE, Nova SBE, ESADE Business School & Hanken School of Economics.

My main worry is my GPA. While the Cumulative (3.2/5) is indeed low, I am hoping that my last year GPA (4.7/5), a GMAT of atleast 650+, work experience & extracurriculars can weigh up for the grades.


If I missed anything or additional information is needed in order for an evaluation, please let me know.

Thanks and all the best to you all!
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MS Finance Profile Evaluations [Master Thread]: Post all Profiles Here 23 Sep 2026, 07:33
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RockStorm
Hi everyone!

First time here, looking to get some advice and insight into my profile and future goals.

I’m currently preparing for the 2027 intake, but am willing to postpone until 2028 if I do not get admitted to my target schools and feel like I can improve with another year.

Background & Nationality: 23 year old from
Sweden, parents born in Iran.

Undergrad info: Bachelor’s degree in international Business and Economics from the University of Gothenburg (triple accredited) with a major in Finance. Cumulative GPA (3.2/5), last year GPA (4.7/5). Was unfortunately not able to go on an exchange, it is one of my goals for my MSc. Relevant coursework includes finance, statistics, accounting etc.

GMAT/GRE: 575 currently, aiming for 600 in October (confident) and ~700 in December (hopeful), GMAT Focus Edition.

Work experience & leadership: 10 months at a Local Investment Group, doing analytics, screening investments and working with investor relations. 5 months at a tech startup, designing and implementing the finance function and getting the startup ready for funding and investments.

Community & Others: Co-founder of an Investment Club, Co-founder of a small fund.

Post-master goals: I wish to do Investment Banking in Europe, mainly London but also Stockholm and other financial capitals. Aim is to gain international experience within the capital markets, I am especially interested in M&A. I am also debating a career within VC, as my work experience matches that more than IB, and I found the work very fun and enjoyable, a bit torn.

I will be applying for my masters around December-January, the main schools I am targeting are SSE, Nova SBE, ESADE Business School & Hanken School of Economics.

My main worry is my GPA. While the Cumulative (3.2/5) is indeed low, I am hoping that my last year GPA (4.7/5), a GMAT of atleast 650+, work experience & extracurriculars can weigh up for the grades.


If I missed anything or additional information is needed in order for an evaluation, please let me know.

Thanks and all the best to you all!
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Hi RockStorm
Your profile is more competitive than the 3.2/5 cumulative GPA makes it look, because the 4.7/5 final-year performance, finance-heavy degree, unusually relevant startup/investment exposure, and founder-level extracurriculars create a credible upward trajectory. SSE explicitly considers grades, test scores, CV, motivation, work experience and extracurriculars holistically.

My assessment for your current shortlist

SSE MSc Finance Reach (realistic if you reach ~645–705 GMAT)
Nova SBE Finance Target (particularly with 645+)
ESADE MSc Finance Target/Reach (645+ materially helps)
Hanken MSc Finance: Strong target

Your 575 is currently the biggest weakness. Your planned improvement is important: SSE's current minimum is 555 Focus, but meeting the minimum does not guarantee admission.
ESADE reports recent average GMAT performance around 615 on the current edition, while Nova specifically targets candidates with 0–2 years' experience.
Hanken's published Focus minimum is 515.

What I would add

Reach: SSE, St. Gallen
Targets: Nova SBE, ESADE, ESCP
Safer: Hanken, Católica Lisbon

For IB, I would make your story IB/M&A-first, with VC as a secondary possibility rather than presenting two competing career narratives.

Your biggest 6–8 week priorities (if you apply this year): GMAT 645+; quantify investment/startup impact; secure strong academic recommendations; sharpen the upward-GPA narrative; and demonstrate genuine international exposure.

The GPA is a weakness, but it is not necessarily fatal. I have seen applicants with imperfect transcripts strengthen their positioning substantially through a compelling test score, differentiated extracurriculars and highly targeted applications.

A top admissions consultant can potentially multiply your chances by turning your GPA from a defensive explanation into an upward-trend story, positioning the investment/startup experience around IB, and optimizing essays/recommendations for each school—while also identifying scholarship opportunities.
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