Profile Evaluation and Next Move Advice

Hi all,

So, here is my current profile:

- Background: 23 y/o Vietnamese Female

- Past Education: BA in Economics, minor in Business. graduated in 2016.
I studied in a partnership program between a top university in Vietnam and a top-tier US university. Studied 3 years in VN then spent the last year in the States. I earned 2 legit undergrad degrees from both schools.
+ VN degree GPA: 3.56
+ US degree GPA: 3.96 Wow, impressive GPAs and wonderful experience to have studied in the US already. This will definitely look good.

- Work Experience: 2 years by enrollment. Been working as a Tax Consultant at a Big4 firm in Vietnam since 08/2016. The work involves a lot of accuracy, teamworking, communication, professionalism but unfortunately little leadership requirement since I'm still at a lower level. However, I would like to add that after graduating, I was offered a management trainee position at a big MNE, but I declined due to personal conflict (it was in tobacco industry).

This is my main area of concern...not just the years of experience, but the lack of leadership. Why not wait one more year? That could hopefully give you a chance to take some lead roles on projects, perhaps even get a promotion if you're on track for that.

- Extra Curricular: 4+ years working as a coordinator for a non profit organization. we organize art and cultural activities (music shows, film festival) to raise social awareness of mental illness. Vice president of a University club. Also had a 6-month internship at a local company during undergrad years.

Excellent, that's great you have a long history of commitment to one organization.

- GMAT: going to take the GMAT next week, aiming at 660-700 after 1.5 month studying. I'm planning to retake the GMAT in Oct if needed.

Good luck! Schools will always take your highest score, so if you have to retake, that's no problem at all.

- Recommendation Letters: likely 2 very decent recommendations from my finance professor at the US school and from my current manager.

Is it possible to get a second professional recommendation? Perhaps another manager or a more experienced colleague? Academic recommendations are less typical, and I often find they're just not recent enough to really comment on your professional skillset and leadership potential. But if you knew your professor well, and have kept in touch, then perhaps that could work.

I'm hoping Broad MSU, or Jindal UT Dallas, but not confident about my chance

I know my lack of working experience does hurt my profile seriously, and I feel like WE at Big4 is usually looked down on by MBA adcom.

Thus, I have the following questions, given that i) the sooner I start my master the better and ii) i would need some sources of funding, hopefully by GA/TA employment and iii) my future goals after MBA are flexible

1. How is my chance to be admitted for these schools? What could I do to improve my profile? I think strong chances for those schools. Of course GMAT is a missing piece of the puzzle that will be important. You could improve by waiting a year, or trying to find a way to quickly boost your leadership exposure on the job.
2. Would my chance increase significantly if I apply for an MS in Finance instead of MBA, considering the admission requirement for this program is only 2 years WE minimum Yes, I think your experience level would be more in line with the typical applicants for those program. But do your research, obviously it's going to be more narrow and finance focused, and double check the career options post-MS to make sure they are attractive to you.
3. Should I aim for lower ranking school, says UNL MBA/Finance? See how GMAT goes. I think the two schools you listed are reasonable.
4. Would it be much better if I wait another year to i) increase my WE and ii) boost my GMAT score to 750+. I don't prefer this idea but will do if absolutely needed. This would make your application stronger, and would even allow you to apply to more competitive schools. I think it's worth considering, but it's a very personal choice and I can understand why you may want to get started sooner.
5. In case I have to wait, should I change to another job? If I stick with this job, I would get standard promotion and be a senior consultant in a year (but this job sucks, really). Otherwise, what kinds of job/position should I look for to increase my relevant WE criterion?

Ha, well the promotion would look good but if it sucks, then definitely look for something else! Perhaps a consulting role but with a broader focus beyond just tax? Or maybe an internal corporate finance / financial analyst role?

i know this is a lot of questions, and I would really appreciate your help to answer all/some of them.

Cheers!

clueless kid