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In this live 60-minute masterclass, How to Get Ahead of MBA Recruiting Now, we’ll walk through the four biggest mistakes incoming MBAs make and how to avoid them so you’re not scrambling to catch up once recruiting begins.
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pdog
Joined: 04 Sep 2013
Last visit: 05 Oct 2022
Posts: 23
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 14
Schools: Wharton '18 Stanford '18 Kellogg '18 HBS '18 Sloan '18 CBS '18 Insead July'17 LBS '18 HEC Jan'16 Stern '18 Booth '18 Oxford'17 INSEAD Jan '17
Schools: Wharton '18 Stanford '18 Kellogg '18 HBS '18 Sloan '18 CBS '18 Insead July'17 LBS '18 HEC Jan'16 Stern '18 Booth '18 Oxford'17 INSEAD Jan '17
Posts: 23
Kudos:
3
15 Oct 2015, 07:30
Kudos
Bookmarks
Hi guys,
I would appreciate some profile review from experienced eyes especially given that i’ve already missed round 1. I’m not feeling very hopeful at the moment and need some honest comments.
Stats
• GMAT : 710 (47Q 41V)
• Ugrad degree: Commerce (economics and finance) and Science (stats and environmental science) at the top university here
• GPA: 80/100 high distinction average - highest letter grade in Aus which is probably equivalent to an A-
• Exchange program to Wharton (GPA for the year – 3.16)
• Got my CFA a year and a half ago
• Personal background: South East Asian male, moved to Aus in high school, Age 30
Work Experience: 6 years - in chronological order
• 2.5 yr as a quant analyst at a local firm covering derivatives and equities research, structuring and trading.
• 2.5 years as a m&a analyst at a different local firm focusing on mid market space. I’ve moved into m&a primarily to gain more experience in quantitative analysis. I’ve worked across both sellside, buyside and principal investment deals including a few deals unique arbitrage type deals within the mid market space.
• 1.5 yr (to now) transferred into asset management practice at the same firm covering large cap equities and options. My role is primarily focus on conducting equity research and the responsibility ranges from looking at macro, industry and competitors to speaking to management and research specific companies. I also have some portfolio management responsibilities.
I do see my that my lack of experience with a big global firm as a weakness but hey I graduated in 08. The changes from market to IB then back to market probably doesn’t come across well either. My GMAT could also be more impressive.
Kindly evaluate my profile and let me know which schools can be my targets.
More specially, I’m keen to understand
• What are my chances with big names like Wharton, Columbia or Booth? Or UK programs like LSB ?
• What are the realistic program sthat I have a chance to get into at this stage?
• Should I consider taking GMAT again?
• Should I wait till next year to apply for R1 to maximize my chances?
I would appreciate some profile review from experienced eyes especially given that i’ve already missed round 1. I’m not feeling very hopeful at the moment and need some honest comments.
Stats
• GMAT : 710 (47Q 41V)
• Ugrad degree: Commerce (economics and finance) and Science (stats and environmental science) at the top university here
• GPA: 80/100 high distinction average - highest letter grade in Aus which is probably equivalent to an A-
• Exchange program to Wharton (GPA for the year – 3.16)
• Got my CFA a year and a half ago
• Personal background: South East Asian male, moved to Aus in high school, Age 30
Work Experience: 6 years - in chronological order
• 2.5 yr as a quant analyst at a local firm covering derivatives and equities research, structuring and trading.
• 2.5 years as a m&a analyst at a different local firm focusing on mid market space. I’ve moved into m&a primarily to gain more experience in quantitative analysis. I’ve worked across both sellside, buyside and principal investment deals including a few deals unique arbitrage type deals within the mid market space.
• 1.5 yr (to now) transferred into asset management practice at the same firm covering large cap equities and options. My role is primarily focus on conducting equity research and the responsibility ranges from looking at macro, industry and competitors to speaking to management and research specific companies. I also have some portfolio management responsibilities.
I do see my that my lack of experience with a big global firm as a weakness but hey I graduated in 08. The changes from market to IB then back to market probably doesn’t come across well either. My GMAT could also be more impressive.
Kindly evaluate my profile and let me know which schools can be my targets.
More specially, I’m keen to understand
• What are my chances with big names like Wharton, Columbia or Booth? Or UK programs like LSB ?
• What are the realistic program sthat I have a chance to get into at this stage?
• Should I consider taking GMAT again?
• Should I wait till next year to apply for R1 to maximize my chances?
15 Oct 2015, 19:43
Kudos
Bookmarks
pdog
Hey dude,
So so far so good.
Now the first piece of good news is that overall your GPA, your grades, your jobs and your experience are all very good. The second is that I see no major weakness in your profile. So you are a pretty strong candidate.
On the other hand, I'm also missing something exceptional. There's no stellar GPA, stellar GMAT, stellar employer... Now it may be that you DO have more amazing stuff in your profile, and that would be your primary mission - to dig that stuff out and polish it up. And that would be the single most important thing for you. which is why for you especially your essays will be capital. You can shine and soar in the essays, or be just 'another finance dude'.
Now, on to your questions:
• What are my chances with big names like Wharton, Columbia or Booth? Or UK programs like LSB ?
All of these would be about "Stretch" for you. (Columbia should be a bit easier) You have a shot at them for sure, but they won't be that easy (you will be up against folks with similar profiles, but higher GPAs and GMATs, and younger too boot)
• What are the realistic program that I have a chance to get into at this stage?
Let's say 5-15 is a good ranking for you... sooo Columbia, NYU, Haas, Tepper...
• Should I consider taking GMAT again?
Only if you are sure you will get 20+ more points AND you are willing to wait till next year.
• Should I wait till next year to apply for R1 to maximize my chances?[/quote]
Naaaaaah. There's no better chances in R1. On the other hand if you ARE willing to wait, what you can do is apply with a "Top or bust" strategy. Meaning you apply to those schools above only, accepting the fact that they are a tough list for you. And then if you don't get in, you have 8 months to take your GMAT and prepare for R1.
I hope this helps,
Jon
pdog
Joined: 04 Sep 2013
Last visit: 05 Oct 2022
Posts: 23
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 14
Schools: Wharton '18 Stanford '18 Kellogg '18 HBS '18 Sloan '18 CBS '18 Insead July'17 LBS '18 HEC Jan'16 Stern '18 Booth '18 Oxford'17 INSEAD Jan '17
Schools: Wharton '18 Stanford '18 Kellogg '18 HBS '18 Sloan '18 CBS '18 Insead July'17 LBS '18 HEC Jan'16 Stern '18 Booth '18 Oxford'17 INSEAD Jan '17
Posts: 23
Kudos:
3
16 Oct 2015, 22:29
Kudos
Bookmarks
Hi Jon,
Thanks for your well-considered response. I agree on the lack of stellar/wow factors. Not really sure how to best bring that out without creating something from nothing but i'd need to work on that. I might actually give GMAT another try and reevaluate for US schools. Would you have any specific thoughts on London Business School at all?
Thanks again.
Thanks for your well-considered response. I agree on the lack of stellar/wow factors. Not really sure how to best bring that out without creating something from nothing but i'd need to work on that. I might actually give GMAT another try and reevaluate for US schools. Would you have any specific thoughts on London Business School at all?
Thanks again.
