Esingh1 wrote:
Dear reader,
I hope you and your loved ones are safe and healthy.
I am yet to take my GMAT (potentially in October 2020). I am aiming for 2021 admission cycle for courses starting in 2022.
1. Demographics : Indian, Female
2. Education: Bachelor in Commerce from University of Delhi : 3rd in the class (69.2%)
3. Other coursework or post-undergraduate education: Master of Business Administration from Symbiosis International University, Major - Finance, Minor - International Business : Bronze Medal in Fiance and Silver medal in IB (GPA - 3.16/4.0)
4. GMAT : Yet to take but am aiming for 710-740
5. Work experience: 8 years in Banking, working in a major Swiss Bank as a Financial Analyst in Group Financial Reporting (Assistant Vice President). Promoted in 2015, 2016 and 2018. Nominated and completed a Top Development Initiative course within the company. Received multiple internal appreciation awards. Worked in Switzerland for 2 months but my work, although based out of India involves primarily working with teams in Switzerland, Europe and US. Manager of a team of 4 - 2 in India and 2 in Switzerland.
6. Extracurricular activities:
6a. Elected Student Council Member – Commerce Department in Delhi University
6b. Organizations – Tata Memorial Hospital, Army Wives Welfare Association
6c. Volunteer – CSR activites organized by the company I wirk for, "social service society of Symbiosis University, Cancer Aid Society
6d. Sponsorship – Education of 5 girls in 2 Indian cities
6e. Taught Hearing and Speech impaired kids (aged 6-10) the subject of Mathematics and English in special school run by Army Wives Welfare Association
6f. Volunteered as an English teacher in two Buddhist Monasteries in India for a period of 3 months
6g. Backpacked through South East Asia for 1 month
7. Post-MBA goals: Aiming for jobs in Consulting while staying in the Finance related roles or pivot to manufacturing but the preference is to still stay in Finance. Major aims are a switch to Europe and more front end roles which set me up for leadership positions in the future.
8. Target schools: IMD Switzelrand, Cambridge Judge, Oxford Said, HEC Paris, IESE (In that order). For my profile, I think INSEAD and LBS are unrealistic. But do let me know if I am wrong.
9. Other information relevant to your profile:
9a. Art – Proficient in Impressionist and Madhubani paintings
9b. Performing Arts – Trained in two classical dance forms - Kathak and Waltz
9c. Photography - Published in company's annual calendar
9d. Sports – Coached a team of underprivileged kids in golf and tennis
9e. Recommendations - I would get stellar recommendations from my current manager and my function lead who are keen to see me do well
10. Any specific questions you would like answered by our team: As my dreams schools are IMS, Oxford and Cambridge, what all can I do in the 6-7 months to put myself in a position to be a successful candidate in one of these colleges? Also, what should my GMAT score aim be.
I would be grateful to get inputs on my profile to see how realistic are my chances in the schools that I am aiming for. Any additional inputs are welcome as well.
Appreciate your guidance.
Hi
Esingh1You have been very descriptive in mentioning the highlights of your profile and I must admit that you profile looks impressive. While I see everything helpful available in your profile to make you a suited candidate for target schools, I have only one input to share where you might think how to work in such a short span of time.
The schools such as Cambridge and Oxford would also have candidates with similar work experience (type and quantity both) and CFA level III, how do you plan to compete against such candidates (with professional degree) and prove yourself worthy against them???
Now, having said that, I believe that you must keep yourself engaged with contemporary business practices in your domain of expertise and do some certificate courses as well. The financial world and banking industry are on verge of a great revolution and researchers foresee tangible changes to take place in short span of time specially after the pandemic and series of financial irregularities all around the world.
With such added credentials, I am sure you can sail well. GMAT 710+ is a must though to improve chances.
I wish you all the best and welcome all your future questions related to GMAT prep and Admissions queries.