Hello all,
Long time listener, first time caller.
I am still 3-4 years out from even considering a MBA move, but if I were to seek a MBA, I would want to aim for a top 20 program.
My real problem is I have a 3.2 GPA (around the same major) from a private university who I believe is somewhere in the #140-160 rank in overall undergraduate business program according to US News. Based on that, I know I'm not a subpar Ivy graduate nor a top student at a non-ivy league school so I understand the odds may be against me.
I graduated from BS with majors in accounting & finance. I have obtained my CPA and will be working towards my CFA in the coming future. My plan would largely be to discuss how I was immature in college and really just followed my high school routine which was not put enough effort in and get B's instead of A's. My lowest grade in undergrad was a C+ so it isn't like it's D/F's, I just had a lot of subpar B's. I was planning on saying how I took my education for granted and how I worked on that through earning my CPA & CFA.
I currently work in public accounting and plan to move into a investment analyst role. The good thing is that there are a number of different opportunities for finance students in my city besides the standard big banks and financial firms. I feel I could use that experience to set myself apart from someone who may have worked at a big brand name bank for 2-3 years.
After taking the CPA and feeling confident about the CFA, I feel confident I can work hard and get the results I need on the GMATs. Based on this forum and class profiles, I see the upper range I need to aim for. That is something I'm fine with and hope to achieve.
I am always looking for ways to give back to my community through involvement and joining organizations, but I'm not really sure what organizations/groups MBA schools would be interested in.
That is where I am at in a nutshell. I was just curious if you think this white guy could have a chance of fighting for a place in a top 10- top 20 MBA program.