theeconomist wrote:
Hi. I'm looking to get some professional insights into the kinds of schools for which I have a reasonable chance of acceptance.
Biographical Information:
- 22 Years Old
- Asian Canadian
- Male
Educational Background:
- MSc in Finance from Queen's University (GPA 3.70/4.30)
- BA in Economics from McGill University (GPA 3.35/4.00)
- GMAT 720 Q48 V40 AWA 5.5 IR 7
Research Experience:
- I presented my graduate thesis at an internationally recognized conference as session chair and presenter in 2013 and 2014.
Work Experience:
- I am currently working as an instructional Assistant at a local community college.
- I worked as a graduate teaching assistant and MBA tutor for one year while in school.
Particulars:
- I own a business that helps with the exporting of Canadian goods.
- I turned it into a profitable business and it now nets $5,000 after all expenses each year.
- I am in the process of expanding the business.
- I used the proceeds from this business to fund my currency trading endeavours with $20,000+.
- I made a lot of money at first.
- I lost a lot of money.
- I made back all the losses.
- And then I lost all but $2,000 because I became greedy not following my own rules of trading but am slowly recovering the losses.
Goals:
- The big reason for my interest in an MBA is to be able to signal to employers that I am serious.
- Another big reason for my interest in an MBA is to be able to learn about the areas that I have not studied before.
- I know a good deal of Economics and Finance but not much in the fields of Marketing and Operations Management for instance.
- I am working towards a CFA designation and will write my Level I exam this week and hope to pass Level II before I apply for MBA.
- I previously wanted to do a PhD but that is no longer what I wish to do.
- I want to work as an economic consultant, financial consultant, credit analyst or equity analyst in the US.
- I have many entrepreneurial ideas that I want to pursue and in the future I would like to fund these projects myself.
- Ultimately, I want to give back to communities around the world by changing how the future generations are educated.
- This is inspired by my own experience talking to my mature students and colleagues.
- I am, many times, stomped by their extremely strong beliefs in Economics and Financial Markets that I believe have no place in today's society.
- I believe education is the only way to change and I will do my part to walk the walk.
Questions:
- Which schools do I have a reasonable chance of acceptance at?
- Do I need to rewrite my GMAT?
- Does it help with admissions at Wharton MBA if my brother is studying at the University of Pennsylvania?
- I am aware that my work experience is significantly lacking. What can I do to improve my chances? Does my age play a role in admissions?
I am throwing you a lot of information in the hopes that you can provide a candid answer on my chances. If you believe that I should rewrite my GMAT to improve my chances, please tell me without hesitation. I would love to hear your honest assessment on my chances.
Thanks in advance and I hope you have a wonderful day!
Overall you have a very interesting profile and a great GMAT. However, right now, I feel like the schools will see you more as potential than s a great candidate. As you pointed out, you have very little work experience, and your success so far with your business is not so fantastic that it would cover that little work experience.
So I see two options really:
1. Consider a Masters in Management if you really need/want to study now
2. Find a path that will allow you to gain professional experience of some sort over the next two years and THEN apply for an MBA.
What do you think?
Best,
Jon
close
01 Dec 2015, 22:32
