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Learn what truly sets the UC Riverside MBA apart and how it helps in your professional growth
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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
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21 Jul 2020, 05:18
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Hello, please see my profile below
Demographics: Male, Eastern Europe, 32 at matriculation (am 31 now)
Education: Bachelor in Commerce from a top university in my country, GPA 3.96. Recepient of Dean's scholarship for top intl student, ranked among top 5-20 students in the university
MSc in Finance from a university in my country, GPA 2.7
GMAT: taking in 3 weeks' time, aiming for 730
Work experience:
2 yrs - Government (Foreign Office) with exposure to intl economic relations, trade negotiations, etc. Promoted after 1 year
7 yrs - top FMCG company (P&G/Johnson&Johnson/Unilever..); started as a trainee, manager in 2-2,5 yrs, several promotions, now a finance manager with responsibility over one of the company's divisions P&L. Will be able to highlight achievements at work (praised as employee, have substantially increased my division's profits and ROI)
Extracurricular:
Led a student club during undegrad, organized several successful intl student conferences & championships
Used to swim professionally, participated in several national & a couple of intl. competitions (up to the age of 20)
might come up with a couple of other extracurricular activities
Post-MBA goals:
transition from finance in FMCG to the financial services industry (AM or IB => AM depending on how doable this is going to be)
Target schools: still work in progress, now looking at M7 + Yale/Stern
Two big concerns that I have:
a) low Graduate GPA (2,7) compared to the Undergrad's 3.96. Basically, I worked full-time during the graduate studies (rotational program at the FMCG firm) and pursued the master's for financial reasons (living on campus instead of renting an apartment). Failure to attend most of the classes put a cap on the grades I could receive. How does such a degree damage my admission chances? Have always been a great student, and a 2.7 GPA for the courses I hardly attended is daunting. Otherwise, can I apply with the undergrad degree only?
b) older age. I know I'll have to explain why I've not gone for an MBA earlier, but how significantly does the age ruin my application?
Thanks in advance!
Any feedback is appreciated.
Demographics: Male, Eastern Europe, 32 at matriculation (am 31 now)
Education: Bachelor in Commerce from a top university in my country, GPA 3.96. Recepient of Dean's scholarship for top intl student, ranked among top 5-20 students in the university
MSc in Finance from a university in my country, GPA 2.7
GMAT: taking in 3 weeks' time, aiming for 730
Work experience:
2 yrs - Government (Foreign Office) with exposure to intl economic relations, trade negotiations, etc. Promoted after 1 year
7 yrs - top FMCG company (P&G/Johnson&Johnson/Unilever..); started as a trainee, manager in 2-2,5 yrs, several promotions, now a finance manager with responsibility over one of the company's divisions P&L. Will be able to highlight achievements at work (praised as employee, have substantially increased my division's profits and ROI)
Extracurricular:
Led a student club during undegrad, organized several successful intl student conferences & championships
Used to swim professionally, participated in several national & a couple of intl. competitions (up to the age of 20)
might come up with a couple of other extracurricular activities
Post-MBA goals:
transition from finance in FMCG to the financial services industry (AM or IB => AM depending on how doable this is going to be)
Target schools: still work in progress, now looking at M7 + Yale/Stern
Two big concerns that I have:
a) low Graduate GPA (2,7) compared to the Undergrad's 3.96. Basically, I worked full-time during the graduate studies (rotational program at the FMCG firm) and pursued the master's for financial reasons (living on campus instead of renting an apartment). Failure to attend most of the classes put a cap on the grades I could receive. How does such a degree damage my admission chances? Have always been a great student, and a 2.7 GPA for the courses I hardly attended is daunting. Otherwise, can I apply with the undergrad degree only?
b) older age. I know I'll have to explain why I've not gone for an MBA earlier, but how significantly does the age ruin my application?
Thanks in advance!
Any feedback is appreciated. 
21 Jul 2020, 09:35
Kudos
Bookmarks
Hi, and thanks for writing! It sounds like you've had some very progressive work expeirence and a strong undergrad GPA (which hopefully included several quantitative courses). In general, undergrad GPA is weighted more heavily than grad GPA - what you'll want to do to help offset your lower master's GPA, though, is to 1.) score as well as possible on the GMAT (730+ is a good target) and address the grad GPA in the applications' optional essay in a way that reflects ownership and responsibility. You will have to disclose your master's degree on your application.
You are on the upper end of age/work experience for a full-time applicant, which makes things challenging but not impossible - you'll need to make it clear why NOW is the right time for an MBA and what exactly has inspired your career goals in AM or IB. Additionally, you'll want to expand your list of schools past the M7/Yale/Stern - there are some terrific programs elsewhere in the U.S. top 15 that I've seen are friendly towards older applicants. A few that come to mind are Darden, Duke, Tuck, Johnson, and Anderson.
Hope that helps for now - best of luck!
You are on the upper end of age/work experience for a full-time applicant, which makes things challenging but not impossible - you'll need to make it clear why NOW is the right time for an MBA and what exactly has inspired your career goals in AM or IB. Additionally, you'll want to expand your list of schools past the M7/Yale/Stern - there are some terrific programs elsewhere in the U.S. top 15 that I've seen are friendly towards older applicants. A few that come to mind are Darden, Duke, Tuck, Johnson, and Anderson.
Hope that helps for now - best of luck!
Rtxcx
21 Jul 2020, 11:35
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Hi Nisha, many thanks for a prompt response!
Just a quick follow-up from my side. I'm ready to expand the target program list, but do I stand a chance at the top 10 programs I've mentioned?
many thanks!
Posted from my mobile device
Just a quick follow-up from my side. I'm ready to expand the target program list, but do I stand a chance at the top 10 programs I've mentioned?
many thanks!
Posted from my mobile device
