Hi CHAD123,
I am impressed by lots of things in your profile. In particular, you have already taken the exact steps I would have recommended to mitigate your low GPA - getting a high GMAT and getting As in at least two supplemental courses. Plus you have the CFA to further boost your academics. Well done! The GPA will still be a concern, but much less so given those facts, plus the upward trend. Plan to write an optional essay explaining any context surrounding your performance.
Your work experience is very strong -- with multiple promotions, exposure to different functions yet consistent tenure with one company, and the international assignment is a definite plus.
Your ECAs sound pretty strong -- perhaps a bit light currently, but no major concerns there.
I do think you stand at a chance at the schools you mentioned, especially Cornell, Darden, Ross, Duke. The other three, especially Wharton, could be tough but may still be worth giving a shot, especially NYU and Wharton which are so well aligned with your banking goals. Make sure you are demonstrating your interest in those schools - visiting (if possible, though probably not if you're in Europe), attending online webinars/info sessions, connecting with students/alumni, etc.
Best of luck to you!
Kate
CHAD123 wrote:
Nationality: Pakistani Canadian
Gender: Male
GMAT Score: 760
Education:
• Undergraduate: Business Managamenet from a top tier Canadian University (UBC/UofT/McGill) - GPA: 3.0/4.0 (pulled up in final two years with senior year GPA of 3.8/4.0).
• CFA Levels 1, 2 and 3 (all passed on first attempt) - Awaiting charter upon completion of required work experience.
• Additional courses from UofT School of Continuing Studies to build an ‘alternative transcript’ - Achieved a grade of A in all 3 courses (Quantitative Courses).
Work Experience (Total 3 Years) gained at at a F500 company (Consumer Packaged Goods) with revenues over $65B (Two promotions in three years):
• International Assignment (Business Development Specialist) at the company’s headquarters in Europe (CURRENT ROLE).
• Senior Financial Analyst (for 1 year) in Canada.
• Business Development & Planning Analyst (for 1.5 years) in Canada.
Extracurricular Activities & Other Leadership Experience:
• Alumni Advisory Board Member for a University Finance Club that I was one of the first members of in undergraduate and Co-headed in senior year.
• Won/placed in several well-known case competitions in undergrad.
• Volunteer roles including mentoring undergraduate students.
• Mentoring/Coaching interns each year.
Post-MBA Goal: Switching careers to Investment Banking as an Associate
Schools: Cornell Johnson, Virginia Darden, Duke Fuqua, Michigan Ross, NYU Stern, UCLA Anderson and Wharton (Might be a shot in the dark).
Questions:
Do I stand a chance at getting into anyone of the schools above? Would my undergraduate GPA be a huge downside factor?
Thank you!