toooldformba? wrote:
Hi all,
I am assessing my chance for a top MBA program, and would appreciate any advice
GMAT 750
Chinese born and raised in Hong Kong
Male
29 years old
3+ years studying /working overseas
Currently in Hong Kong
FRM & CFA Charterholder
First gen college graduate
Language Spoken: Cantonese, Mandarin, English and some Japanese
Work Experience:
-close to 7 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 3 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 (~3.0-3.1/4.0)
-overseas exchange experience in Korea, the UK , and Sweden
Extracurricular:
-Some mentorship to aspiring university students
- Badminton player at semi-competitive level
-Joined student club as committee but didn’t take up leadership roles
Target Schools:
-UK: Imperial, LBS, Oxbridge
-US: Chicago, MIT, Wharton, Yale, Stern, Columbia (Harvard, Stanford probably no chance)
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!
Do you think my low GPA is a deal breaker? (I have no excuse for it, I took too many part time jobs and internships, purely time management issues)
Thank you so much for taking the time.
@toooldformba? hope this finds you well
You have an exceptional profile. Congratulations!
Having a low GPA can indeed pose a challenge when aiming for top-tier MBA programs. However, it's important to recognize that business schools often consider the context surrounding a low GPA, and a well-crafted strategic explanation can work in your favor. While its true that a GPA below 3.4 can make it more difficult to gain admission to highly competitive programs, I encourage you to take a chance and explain the circumstances that led to your involvement in several part-time jobs and internships.
What you can do
1. Explain the reasons for the low GPA:It is crucial to address your low GPA in your application rather than avoiding the topic. Admissions committees value applicants who reflect on their shortcomings and demonstrate a readiness to take action. Whether your low GPA was influenced by valid reasons such as health issues or challenging personal circumstances, or simply resulted from inattentiveness, it is important to provide an honest explanation to the admissions committee. Supporting documentation relevant to your situation can strengthen your case. Take time to carefully consider how you present your explanation.
2. Demonstrate improvement:If you are concerned about your low GPA, consider taking additional courses to showcase your efforts in overcoming your weak areas.
One effective way to compensate for a low GPA is by demonstrating genuine passion and commitment to your desired field. For example, if you are focused on investment strategy after completing your MBA, taking additional courses outside of your degree or experience in finance roles can be highly beneficial. You are a FRM & CFA Charterholder which is a plus. Highlight these experiences in your application to show your genuine interest in the field and your proactive steps toward skill development. Furthermore, if you have earned any relevant professional certifications or licenses, be sure to include them in your application materials. This demonstrates to the admissions committee that you possess expertise beyond your academic record.
Regarding selection of schools, you could probably remove Imperial MBA as I think it will be a step down for you. I am optimistic about Stanford.
Aanchal Sahni (INSEAD alum, ex admissions interviewer)
MBAGuideConsultingLinkedIn |WEBSITE:
https://mbaguideconsulting.com/ | Message: +91 9971200927| email-
mbaguideconsulting@gmail.com
close
25 Jun 2023, 03:59
