Canada MBA dreams :)

Question

Hi friends, I wrote my 1st attempt on GMAT a couple of months back and scored 620 (Q50,V24). My plan was to retake by Dec end and I was working very hard to get at least a 680. Unfortunately, some medical conditions and other constraints (excuses) stopped me from retaking. I am on plan B now: I'll apply to some Canada B-Schools by Jan end or mid-Feb and then think about the retake depending on their calls. Actually by then I am sure I will recover completely. I only want to apply to colleges where I will really go, if they invite me. Now I am basically starting from the scratch, right from selecting MBA programs to writing SOPs to arranging for recommendations (I think I already have two good Samaritans). Please help me selecting programs where I stand a chance. Please help me with essentials I need to know in order to apply in Canada. I am confident with the help of awesome GMATClub folks and my hard work I will complete the mountainous job before time

(No, I am not going for application consultants anymore after MCB declined to help) My Profile: Undergrad: B. Tech. (mech) from NITK, Surathkal (A top rated tech school in India) with 72.5% (Distinction in all Semesters) WE1: Senior Equity Analyst 7+ years (Market research, Investing, Trading activities, Technical Analysis, and Risk Mgmt for NASDAQ/NYSE stocks. I trade Google, Apple on daily basis :wink:

) WE2: 1 year as a Derivatives Trader. Traded Eurodollar, 2-yr Treasury Notes on CME, CBOT etc. WE3: Few months as an IT prof. at IBM (I am no IIM :-D

) Career Objective: In short term, I would seek a role of a Research Analyst in a Buy-Side firm such as Asset Management, Private Banking firms in Canada. By leading a team of enthusiastic members, I would like to explore the untapped opportunities in the market. My long term focus is a Fund Managing position in an AM Firm. My dream is a C-suite role in an Investment Firm such as Blackrock, UBS, Allianz, Vanguard etc. Why MBA: One needs to jump in water to learn swimming. I have already done that and made myself seasoned of my game. I now need the touch of a master to take my career to the next logical level (Swimming olympics :wink:

). Jokes apart, I have to work hard on this most common and most perplexing question. Why now: Many things to say, not organised. NEED HELP. Pls give your sincere feedback on my profile. How far could I go? Which schools should I target? I have considered John Molson, Sauder, Haskayne, McMaster, Alberta etc. I am not sure about Schulich, McGill, Rotman as my GMAT score is poor. HEC Montreal is over for international applicants

I have some savings but definitely looking for scholarships. Pls feel free to discuss any aspect of application process or ask a relevant question. All suggestions will be much appreciated. Thanks :-D

b2bt · Answer

I'm in the same boat as you, though I have scored slightly more (680). Some of the schools I'm looking at are

Alberta Business School
University of Manitoba
Beedie School of Business
Ryerson
John Molson

I'll post some more information later (lil busy completing some apps now) in case you are interested

b9n920 · Answer

Hi

definitely interested, my friend. First of all, congrats for the great GMAT score. I have gathered some useful information (both good and bad) that may help decide the MBA program and beyond. The doubts that bug me: 1. All the programs u mentioned are 12-16 months (<2 yrs) courses and Canada govt won't give a 3-yr-work-permit on completion of the same. I m sure u are aware. 2. Job market is very competitive. Especially when u need to compete with folks from Rotman, Ivey, Schulich (all 2 year guys). 3. In terms of internship, I guess, 2 year guys will get an upper hand. 4. Salary after, say 6-8 years, differs significantly (between Rotman/Schulich and Alberta/Molson). According to some reliable online source, I forgot the name. It seems more u pay more u reap. 5. Some claim one-year guys are employed (and paid :wink:

) basically on the basis of pre-MBA work exp. This is true for all the countries. For now, I am wrapping up (busy too

). Pls share your thoughts and add whatever you like to. Loads of Good luck to you :-D

Thanks.

b2bt · Answer

All the things you said are true but are quite generic. You'll realize that as you get into specifics, scenarios are quite different. For instance, job market is more competitive in CPG than in consulting.

1. All the programs u mentioned are 12-16 months (<2 yrs) courses and Canada govt won't give a 3-yr-work-permit on completion of the same. I m sure u are aware.
While 3 year work permit is an advantage, from what I have heard it is not so hard to get a visa if you are employed. Even the visa officer I met was pretty chill about stayback options and permits. The deciding factor is how fit you are to work there.
2. Job market is very competitive. Especially when u need to compete with folks from Rotman, Ivey, Schulich (all 2 year guys).
Varies from industry to industry.
3. In terms of internship, I guess, 2 year guys will get an upper hand.
If you mean internship offered at Rotman is better than Beedie then you are completely right. Students from both school will get internship though.
4. Salary after, say 6-8 years, differs significantly (between Rotman/Schulich and Alberta/Molson). According to some reliable online source, I forgot the name. It seems more u pay more u reap.
Salaries do differ significantly.
5. Some claim one-year guys are employed (and paid :wink:

) basically on the basis of pre-MBA work exp. This is true for all the countries.
I'm planning to switch industry (and I'm from a different country) so I feel this would not be relevant in my case. This might be true for someone with 5-7 years work-ex in one industry pursuing MBA form home country and then joining the same industry.

Basically there are some obvious advantages if you pursue from Rotman or Ivey. I'm less likely to join those schools as the tuition fee is way too high, two year seems too long, and my chances are 50-50. I'll still apply to some of those.

) basically on the basis of pre-MBA work exp. This is true for all the countries. I'm planning to switch industry (and I'm from a different country) so I feel this would not be relevant in my case. This might be true for someone with 5-7 years work-ex in one industry pursuing MBA form home country and then joining the same industry. Basically there are some obvious advantages if you pursue from Rotman or Ivey. I'm less likely to join those schools as the tuition fee is way too high, two year seems too long, and my chances are 50-50. I'll still apply to some of those.

b9n920 · Answer

Hi,

Thanks for ur reply. Even my reasons are the same. I planned a retake that dint happen so far, so I am making sure that I am spending time in applying to only those schools where I will definitely go, in other case, I have to take my retake seriously.

Anyway Ryerson doesn't have a finance elective? Strange. How is Wilfrid Laurier and Telfer, any idea?

Canada MBA dreams :)

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