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27 Nov 2016, 05:36
Kudos
Bookmarks
From the Philippines. Planning to apply for Fall 2018.
Background
- Work Experience: 1 year PE, 3 years IBD M&A
- Extra Curriculars: Invested/co-managed a small food stall.
- Undergrad: Mathematics in a Top 2 university in the Philippines, but not ranked highly internationally (around 400-500 range)
- Other education: CFA Charterholder (took cause despite being for investment management, the CFA holds a lot of weight in the Philippines for virtually any finance job)
- Race/nationality: Born in the USA, but raised and lived my whole life in the Philippines. Filipino parents.
- Sex: Male
Stats
- GMAT Score: haven't taken yet but I'm scoring 700-750 for practice tests
- Undergrad GPA: 2.6 (I know, I know, this is what hurts me most. I wish I took a different major. Though I do feel like our grading schemes are different from Western schools. Only a very small portion of our population get GPAs of 3.6-4)
MBA Info
- Goal: Transition to IBD/PE/Corp.Dev in USA. With my background, I have virtually no chance of working in those fields in the US. An MBA would ideally give me a better chance of working in the States. Hoping to come back to the Philippines eventually when I have enough experience and prestige for me to start my own fund (there are only about 2-3 actual traditional PE funds in the country)
- Target Schools: nothing specific, ideally Top 30 with a good Finance program
With my background, which schools would you suggest I apply for? And is a scholarship out of the question?
Background
- Work Experience: 1 year PE, 3 years IBD M&A
- Extra Curriculars: Invested/co-managed a small food stall.
- Undergrad: Mathematics in a Top 2 university in the Philippines, but not ranked highly internationally (around 400-500 range)
- Other education: CFA Charterholder (took cause despite being for investment management, the CFA holds a lot of weight in the Philippines for virtually any finance job)
- Race/nationality: Born in the USA, but raised and lived my whole life in the Philippines. Filipino parents.
- Sex: Male
Stats
- GMAT Score: haven't taken yet but I'm scoring 700-750 for practice tests
- Undergrad GPA: 2.6 (I know, I know, this is what hurts me most. I wish I took a different major. Though I do feel like our grading schemes are different from Western schools. Only a very small portion of our population get GPAs of 3.6-4)
MBA Info
- Goal: Transition to IBD/PE/Corp.Dev in USA. With my background, I have virtually no chance of working in those fields in the US. An MBA would ideally give me a better chance of working in the States. Hoping to come back to the Philippines eventually when I have enough experience and prestige for me to start my own fund (there are only about 2-3 actual traditional PE funds in the country)
- Target Schools: nothing specific, ideally Top 30 with a good Finance program
With my background, which schools would you suggest I apply for? And is a scholarship out of the question?
30 Nov 2016, 04:59
Kudos
Bookmarks
Thanks for sharing.
Focus on scoring as high as you can get on the GMAT, as this would help address your GPA. Your CFA qualification does help show your academic potential, and your potential to keep pace at the top programs. This could greatly impact your chances.
Also, do research on which schools lead to your target roles, you would also want to show how your profile plus an MBA would make you an attractive candidate for these target jobs post-MBA. MBA programs would want to know that your goals are achievable and that you would benefit from attending their MBA program.
All the best!
Focus on scoring as high as you can get on the GMAT, as this would help address your GPA. Your CFA qualification does help show your academic potential, and your potential to keep pace at the top programs. This could greatly impact your chances.
Also, do research on which schools lead to your target roles, you would also want to show how your profile plus an MBA would make you an attractive candidate for these target jobs post-MBA. MBA programs would want to know that your goals are achievable and that you would benefit from attending their MBA program.
All the best!
30 Nov 2016, 05:02
Kudos
Bookmarks
You may also find the blog entry below useful:
How to Address a Low GPA in Your MBA Applications
A low GPA is one of the foremost concerns among those applying to business school. Even having a GPA that seemed “okay” in undergrad now probably seems a little mediocre if you’re aiming for a top MBA program. And if your GPA is actually low, you’re sure to be even more concerned.
With no way to actually change this aspect of your profile, how can you address your GPA concerns?
1) Present a Strong GMAT Score & Additional Credentials
The best way to mitigate a low GPA is to get a great GMAT score – scoring above the average of your target program will alleviate any potential concerns the Admissions Committee may have about your academic potential to keep pace with the school’s rigorous curriculum. A higher score could boost your chances for admission, and even scholarships. Thus, investing the time, effort, and resources to maximize your potential to score as high as you can on the GMAT makes sense.
Obtaining credentials such as a CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) title or taking on additional courses at your local community college are also helpful in showing that you will be able to handle the coursework of business school, as well as contribute to, and reap the benefits of, your future class discussions.
2) Provide Context
Sometimes life circumstances – including illnesses, family responsibilities, or competing priorities – can have a negative impact on one’s GPA. If this is the case, the optional essay can be a good space to discuss your situation. In doing this, it is better not to come off as making excuses. Instead, use this opportunity to play up other highlights of your profile or lessons you have learned from your experience.
For instance, running the family business during an emergency while also attending school is a life experience that instills responsibility and maturity at a young age. Likewise, juggling studies and team practices to represent your school in a particular sport can give context as to why your GPA does not reflect your full potential, while also playing up other dimensions of your profile and helping you stand out.
3) Showcase Your Unique Qualities
Another way to make your MBA application more compelling is to make sure that you present strong, unique qualities or experiences that you can bring to the school. This could be in the form of your diverse background, or through your involvement in an interesting cause. If your GPA is below the norm at the school you are applying to, it is very important to justify why they should accommodate you with a spot. Thus, you need to be able to convince the Admissions Committee that you will be able to truly enrich the experiences of your peers, and of the school community, as a whole.
Identify the specifics of the MBA program you are interested in and show them how you have done well in similar environments. Substantiating this with concrete accomplishments and demonstrated impact will help present how your goals at school, and post-MBA, are both worthwhile and achievable.
How to Address a Low GPA in Your MBA Applications
A low GPA is one of the foremost concerns among those applying to business school. Even having a GPA that seemed “okay” in undergrad now probably seems a little mediocre if you’re aiming for a top MBA program. And if your GPA is actually low, you’re sure to be even more concerned.
With no way to actually change this aspect of your profile, how can you address your GPA concerns?
1) Present a Strong GMAT Score & Additional Credentials
The best way to mitigate a low GPA is to get a great GMAT score – scoring above the average of your target program will alleviate any potential concerns the Admissions Committee may have about your academic potential to keep pace with the school’s rigorous curriculum. A higher score could boost your chances for admission, and even scholarships. Thus, investing the time, effort, and resources to maximize your potential to score as high as you can on the GMAT makes sense.
Obtaining credentials such as a CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) title or taking on additional courses at your local community college are also helpful in showing that you will be able to handle the coursework of business school, as well as contribute to, and reap the benefits of, your future class discussions.
2) Provide Context
Sometimes life circumstances – including illnesses, family responsibilities, or competing priorities – can have a negative impact on one’s GPA. If this is the case, the optional essay can be a good space to discuss your situation. In doing this, it is better not to come off as making excuses. Instead, use this opportunity to play up other highlights of your profile or lessons you have learned from your experience.
For instance, running the family business during an emergency while also attending school is a life experience that instills responsibility and maturity at a young age. Likewise, juggling studies and team practices to represent your school in a particular sport can give context as to why your GPA does not reflect your full potential, while also playing up other dimensions of your profile and helping you stand out.
3) Showcase Your Unique Qualities
Another way to make your MBA application more compelling is to make sure that you present strong, unique qualities or experiences that you can bring to the school. This could be in the form of your diverse background, or through your involvement in an interesting cause. If your GPA is below the norm at the school you are applying to, it is very important to justify why they should accommodate you with a spot. Thus, you need to be able to convince the Admissions Committee that you will be able to truly enrich the experiences of your peers, and of the school community, as a whole.
Identify the specifics of the MBA program you are interested in and show them how you have done well in similar environments. Substantiating this with concrete accomplishments and demonstrated impact will help present how your goals at school, and post-MBA, are both worthwhile and achievable.
