Hi, and thanks for writing! The pluses: you have a strong GPA, a track record of community involvement with the nonprofit, and a progressive career in equity sales trading. I do agree with you that Booth and CBS will be a stretch with your GMAT, but if you can apply to CBS early decision and emphasize in your application your eagerness to build a career in NYC, that could help your chances. LBS is more in your target zone, but if you would be willing to give GMAT another shot and pick up 20+ more points to get closer to the school's average (about 710), that would be to your benefit. Oxford and HEC are more in your target zone, and I'd consider Judge as well (though I think Oxford is stronger for finance if you do decide to switch to IB).
Before you apply, make sure to solidify your career goal - would you rather go into IB or into consulting? Schools always want to know the WHY behind your goals, so explain clearly how your professional experiences to date have shaped your post-MBA ambition, what type of impact you want to make in the short and long term, the skills you need from an MBA to do so, and how you'll acquire those skills at each target program through its specific resources within and outside of the classroom. Hope that helps a bit - best of luck!
inclinedmanometer wrote:
Hi, wondering if I could get some insights on my profile below:
Nationality: Indonesian
Gender: Male
Age: 26
Undergraduate: 3.8 GPA in Mech Eng from top 3 Indonesian university
Extracurriculars: Board of Advisor at a non-profit in the past 2 years, was also in leadership position in the same organization in Uni
GMAT:
- 680 (Q49/V34/IR8/AWA6) second try
- 670 (Q47/V34/IR6/AWA6) first try
Professional Experience (5 years total upon intake)
- (2018 - present) 3 years in equity sales trading at a bulge bracket IB. Joined through Graduate scheme, promoted to Associate Director in 2021. Location: Indonesia
- (2017-2018) 1 year project manager in wealth management division of global commercial bank. Location: Indonesia
Additional certifications: Passed CFA Level 1 - June 2019
Post MBA goals:
- Pivot to Investment Banking Division, focusing on infrastructure, or
- MBB
Target schools, in this order:
- Booth
- Columbia
- LBS
- HEC
- Oxford
I know Booth and Columbia might be a stretch due to my GMAT score. But given my profile above, would LBS, HEC, Oxford be a safer bet with 680 GMAT?
Thanks in advance for your time.