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01 Jan 2023, 02:41
Kudos
Bookmarks
I would like to apply for MBA in 2024, and would appreciate any advice 
Chinese born and raised in Hong Kong
Male
28 years old
3+ years studying /working overseas
Certified FRM
Passed CFA level 2
GMAT 750
Work Experience:
-close to 6 years of working experience in total
-Spent 4 years in a well-known French investment bank working as Equity Derivatives Structurer and Equity Derivative Sales, and was publicly recognized for achievements at APAC level.
-Currently working as a Structured Products Specialist at one of the largest Private Bank in the world
-The team is very well-regarded both in terms of media coverage and internal evaluation, spent almost 2 years here and not planning to leave for now
Education:
- Bachelor of Economics at a top local university in Hong Kong (QS ranking no 34 in 2022)
- a low 2:1 (roughly translates to 3.0-3.1/4.0)
Extracurricular:
-Some mentorship to aspiring university students
-Badminton player at a semi-competitive level
-Joined student club as a committee but didn’t take up leadership roles
Target Schools:
-UK: Imperial,LBS
-US: Columbia, Chicago, MIT, Wharton, Stern (Is Harvard a stretch?)
Career goal post MBA:
-To further my career and work as an investment strategist or structured products sales at top private banks in US / UK
Please provide your insights on my target schools and any other suggestions!
Is my low GPA a deal-breaker here?
Also, I feel that my EC is way below average...
Thank you so much for taking the time!
Chinese born and raised in Hong Kong
Male
28 years old
3+ years studying /working overseas
Certified FRM
Passed CFA level 2
GMAT 750
Work Experience:
-close to 6 years of working experience in total
-Spent 4 years in a well-known French investment bank working as Equity Derivatives Structurer and Equity Derivative Sales, and was publicly recognized for achievements at APAC level.
-Currently working as a Structured Products Specialist at one of the largest Private Bank in the world
-The team is very well-regarded both in terms of media coverage and internal evaluation, spent almost 2 years here and not planning to leave for now
Education:
- Bachelor of Economics at a top local university in Hong Kong (QS ranking no 34 in 2022)
- a low 2:1 (roughly translates to 3.0-3.1/4.0)
Extracurricular:
-Some mentorship to aspiring university students
-Badminton player at a semi-competitive level
-Joined student club as a committee but didn’t take up leadership roles
Target Schools:
-UK: Imperial,LBS
-US: Columbia, Chicago, MIT, Wharton, Stern (Is Harvard a stretch?)
Career goal post MBA:
-To further my career and work as an investment strategist or structured products sales at top private banks in US / UK
Please provide your insights on my target schools and any other suggestions!
Is my low GPA a deal-breaker here?
Also, I feel that my EC is way below average...
Thank you so much for taking the time!
01 Jan 2023, 08:15
Kudos
Bookmarks
Target schools would be easily fitting in , with your GMAT score of 750 and a well-rounded profile.
04 Jan 2023, 07:30
Kudos
Bookmarks
Hi pintukr - thanks for reaching out to Stratus! I'd be happy to answer your questions.
Overall, you do have a strong finance profile for top MBA programs--high GMAT, international work experience, athletics, etc. Your GPA would pull down the average at any school, so you will want to submit an optional essay to explain what happened during UG. I don't believe it's a dealbreaker, but it will warrant a well-explained story in order to give the AdCom confidence in your academic abilities. Your more recent GMAT does help your case here.
Regarding your extracurriculars--did you have any leadership roles in badminton while performing at a high level? Do you still play? There could be a story to tease out there, I just don't know enough details. It's preferred that your extracurriculars/leadership outside of work (or within work initiatives) be on the more recent side, but if you can tell some killer stories from the past, that could work in your favor.
Wharton, CBS, Booth, and HBS are a stretch for anyone--but I wouldn't say are out of the realm of possibility for you. MIT, Stern, LBS, and Imperial feel more like target schools based on your profile. You have plenty of time to pull together excellent applications if you're thinking this far ahead for R1.
I will say, storytelling is often the biggest reason folks reach out to consultants, we do this every day with our clients. If you want to reach out for a free consult, I or anyone on our Stratus team would be glad to explain more about the steps you should be taking to get to your best applications. I see some great, unique elements in your profile. Connecting the dots of your past and where you want to go in your future will determine how much the AdCom want to invest in that story.
Link to sign up for free consult is here: https://www.stratusadmissionscounseling ... sultation/
Overall, you do have a strong finance profile for top MBA programs--high GMAT, international work experience, athletics, etc. Your GPA would pull down the average at any school, so you will want to submit an optional essay to explain what happened during UG. I don't believe it's a dealbreaker, but it will warrant a well-explained story in order to give the AdCom confidence in your academic abilities. Your more recent GMAT does help your case here.
Regarding your extracurriculars--did you have any leadership roles in badminton while performing at a high level? Do you still play? There could be a story to tease out there, I just don't know enough details. It's preferred that your extracurriculars/leadership outside of work (or within work initiatives) be on the more recent side, but if you can tell some killer stories from the past, that could work in your favor.
Wharton, CBS, Booth, and HBS are a stretch for anyone--but I wouldn't say are out of the realm of possibility for you. MIT, Stern, LBS, and Imperial feel more like target schools based on your profile. You have plenty of time to pull together excellent applications if you're thinking this far ahead for R1.
I will say, storytelling is often the biggest reason folks reach out to consultants, we do this every day with our clients. If you want to reach out for a free consult, I or anyone on our Stratus team would be glad to explain more about the steps you should be taking to get to your best applications. I see some great, unique elements in your profile. Connecting the dots of your past and where you want to go in your future will determine how much the AdCom want to invest in that story.
Link to sign up for free consult is here: https://www.stratusadmissionscounseling ... sultation/
