Events & Promotions
|
|
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.
Customized
for You
Track
Your Progress
Practice
Pays
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Nov 2007:30 AM PST
-08:30 AM PST
Learn what truly sets the UC Riverside MBA apart and how it helps in your professional growth
Nov 2010:00 AM EST
-10:30 AM EST
If you’re applying to Columbia, NYU Stern, or Yale SOM, you need more than strong stats. Each school defines “leadership” differently, and your essays must reflect that. Join Sia Admissions founder, Susan Berishaj on November 20th
Nov 2009:00 PM IST
-10:00 PM IST
Join our free expert-led Essay Workshops to discover how to choose impactful stories, highlight your core values, and align your background with each school’s distinct culture, making every word truly count.
Nov 2108:30 AM EST
-09:15 AM EST
Get the inside scoop on what makes Emory’s Goizueta Business School great, learn how you can present a strong MBA application, and connect with an Admissions Director to get your questions answered.
Nov 2109:30 PM IST
-10:30 PM IST
Learn how to craft powerful, authentic essays by mastering the 3 “WHYs” every top MBA program looks for: Why MBA, Why Now, and Why This School.
Nov 2408:00 PM PST
-09:00 PM PST
Inquire for a free profile evaluation and guarantee statement for possible admits and scholarships!
01 Jun 2025, 00:22
Kudos
Bookmarks
I’m currently exploring the possibility of pursuing a PhD in Finance and would appreciate any feedback on whether my profile is competitive. If not, I would consider applying to a Master’s program or pre-doc. While I haven’t decided between academia and industry, I would ideally like to pursue an academic career; however, I am not very keen on doing a pre-doc.
I’m a third-year (fourth-year after the summer) undergraduate student at the University of Toronto, majoring in Data Science. I plan to delay my graduation by a year in order to complete a second major in Mathematics of Finance.
GPA: 4.00
GMAT: 745 (perfect in Quant, thanks to GMATClub)
Research Position: Completed a research project in data science and am currently a research assistant for a finance professor
CFA: Passed Level I
Publication: None
Work Experience: None (expected to get an internship next year)
I am wondering:
- Should I apply for a PhD, pre-doc or Master's program
- What are my chances of getting into a top or 2nd tier program for each
- Should I aim for a higher GMAT score
I would be grateful for any opinion and thanks. : )
I’m a third-year (fourth-year after the summer) undergraduate student at the University of Toronto, majoring in Data Science. I plan to delay my graduation by a year in order to complete a second major in Mathematics of Finance.
GPA: 4.00
GMAT: 745 (perfect in Quant, thanks to GMATClub)
Research Position: Completed a research project in data science and am currently a research assistant for a finance professor
CFA: Passed Level I
Publication: None
Work Experience: None (expected to get an internship next year)
I am wondering:
- Should I apply for a PhD, pre-doc or Master's program
- What are my chances of getting into a top or 2nd tier program for each
- Should I aim for a higher GMAT score
I would be grateful for any opinion and thanks. : )
02 Jun 2025, 23:15
Kudos
Bookmarks
Hi Daniel,
Firstly, congratulations on your perfect undergrad GPA and perfect quant score in the GMAT! While your current RA position with your finance professor adds great value to your resume, research publications become extremely important while targeting a top PhD program in Finance. Given your solid academics, I would highly recommend to get your research published in a peer-reviewed journal and secure an internship in your area of interest within finance during your summer. Since you have already completed CFA Level 1, a PhD in Finance would make more sense since there is a significant overlap between the Masters and CFA curriculum.
Firstly, congratulations on your perfect undergrad GPA and perfect quant score in the GMAT! While your current RA position with your finance professor adds great value to your resume, research publications become extremely important while targeting a top PhD program in Finance. Given your solid academics, I would highly recommend to get your research published in a peer-reviewed journal and secure an internship in your area of interest within finance during your summer. Since you have already completed CFA Level 1, a PhD in Finance would make more sense since there is a significant overlap between the Masters and CFA curriculum.
11 Jun 2025, 23:54
Kudos
Bookmarks
Hi Daniel12581,
Your academic profile is very strong for someone early in their undergraduate studies: a perfect GPA at a top university, an excellent GMAT (no need to retake), quantitative rigor (Data Science + Math of Finance), research assistant experience, and CFA Level I. The main weaknesses are lack of publications and limited work or internship experience, both of which are common at your stage and can be partially offset by strong letters of recommendation and relevant research exposure. For top-tier finance PhD programs, competition is intense and many admitted students have research publications, pre-docs, or extensive intern/research experience. Your chances are competitive but not guaranteed, especially without publications or internships.
If you are set on academia but want to strengthen your profile, a top Master’s in Finance or Economics can be a great stepping stone (and rarely hurts, except for time). If you don’t want to do a pre-doc, consider seeking out further research opportunities during your extended undergrad or a research-focused Master’s that could lead to collaborative publications. Bottom line: Absolutely apply for PhDs (especially at a mix of top and 2nd-tier), but include top Masters as a parallel track to keep options open. You do not need a higher GMAT. Improve your research exposure and target programs where your quant profile stands out. Direct-to-PhD is possible but also prepare for Masters/pre-doc as strong plan B options.
Best
Rajiv
Founder CEO - LilacBuds
www.lilacbuds.com
Your academic profile is very strong for someone early in their undergraduate studies: a perfect GPA at a top university, an excellent GMAT (no need to retake), quantitative rigor (Data Science + Math of Finance), research assistant experience, and CFA Level I. The main weaknesses are lack of publications and limited work or internship experience, both of which are common at your stage and can be partially offset by strong letters of recommendation and relevant research exposure. For top-tier finance PhD programs, competition is intense and many admitted students have research publications, pre-docs, or extensive intern/research experience. Your chances are competitive but not guaranteed, especially without publications or internships.
If you are set on academia but want to strengthen your profile, a top Master’s in Finance or Economics can be a great stepping stone (and rarely hurts, except for time). If you don’t want to do a pre-doc, consider seeking out further research opportunities during your extended undergrad or a research-focused Master’s that could lead to collaborative publications. Bottom line: Absolutely apply for PhDs (especially at a mix of top and 2nd-tier), but include top Masters as a parallel track to keep options open. You do not need a higher GMAT. Improve your research exposure and target programs where your quant profile stands out. Direct-to-PhD is possible but also prepare for Masters/pre-doc as strong plan B options.
Best
Rajiv
Founder CEO - LilacBuds
www.lilacbuds.com
Daniel12581
