Last visit was: 18 Nov 2025, 13:37 It is currently 18 Nov 2025, 13:37
Home
GMAT
Messages
Tests
Schools
Events
Rewards
Chat
My Profile
Close
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track
Your Progress

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Go to My Error Log Learn more
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel
User avatar
sgh14
User avatar
Joined: 18 Feb 2023
Last visit: 06 Dec 2024
Posts: 3
Given Kudos: 1
Location: India
Schools: Wharton '27
GMAT 1: 770 Q50 V46
GPA: 8.3
Schools: Wharton '27
GMAT 1: 770 Q50 V46
Posts: 3
Kudos: 0
Quant breaking into Portfolio management 11 Jun 2024, 14:08
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Hi All,I am a quant in India, currently working in the asset management division of one of the world's largest investment banks. I graduated from one of the top engineering colleges in India. In my day-to-day role, I develop quantitative portfolio management strategies for our institutional clients, collaborating with portfolio managers and traders in the fixed income space.

I took the GMAT (old edition) and scored 770 and planning to apply to the M7 colleges. I am planning to pursue an MBA to transition into more business-oriented roles, with a long-term goal of breaking into portfolio management. I intend to highlight this aspiration in my application essays. Do you think this is a feasible path?

Alternatively, should I mention an interest in product management in my essays( since it requires technical background ) and then, once in college, aim to transition into research analyst roles in the short term, with the ultimate goal of moving into portfolio management?

Which path do you believe presents a more compelling story from an application perspective?
User avatar
bb
User avatar
Founder
Joined: 04 Dec 2002
Last visit: 18 Nov 2025
Posts: 42,382
Own Kudos:
82,109
Given Kudos: 24,103
Location: United States
GMAT 1: 750 Q49 V42
GPA: 3
Products:
GMAT Club Tests Forum Quiz
Expert
Expert reply
GMAT 1: 750 Q49 V42
Posts: 42,382
Kudos: 82,109
Quant breaking into Portfolio management 11 Jun 2024, 14:15
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Hi. I’m probably not a good person to comment on the asset management roles but I would say that everyone applies usually has multiple plans. Plan a, Plan B, and sometimes even plan C.

Recommendation is always apply with the most realistic and the most basic and easy to execute plan that improves your chances of acceptance. What are you doing in reality, doesn’t really matter because a lot of people change their plans so you want to go into consulting for example or tech as long as you have it as a Plan B, it totally fine.

The actual question about asset management portfolio management, those are obviously very rare rules and moving from a different country unless you have already been in that role, it’s going to be hard just because in the US, international experience doesn’t get the same credit unless of course you worked for a very strong brand that everyone recognizes.

I think it’s good you’re approaching your chances and opportunities this way and question the visibility, this will come through in your essays and will be a strength. You can strengthen it by probably connecting with a few people in the investment club and just getting a sense from them what works for recruiting. Make sure they would be fairly open to share it and tell you if it’s a crapshoot, impossible or maybe there’s a good road. I would look up some investment clubs on the business school websites and contact their representatives. This may be a good time before their internships have started to go crazy.

Posted from my mobile device
User avatar
sgh14
User avatar
Joined: 18 Feb 2023
Last visit: 06 Dec 2024
Posts: 3
Given Kudos: 1
Location: India
Schools: Wharton '27
GMAT 1: 770 Q50 V46
GPA: 8.3
Schools: Wharton '27
GMAT 1: 770 Q50 V46
Posts: 3
Kudos: 0
Quant breaking into Portfolio management 11 Jun 2024, 14:39
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Thank you for the prompt reply. This is really helpful!
I'll definitely reach out to the student reps in the investment club.

I have a follow-up question though: I understand having a backup plan in mind but do you think it makes sense to mention the backup plan in the application essay? Would it be seen as someone who has thoughtfully assessed their options or as someone who is unsure of their goals?
bb
Hi. I’m probably not a good person to comment on the asset management roles but I would say that everyone applies usually has multiple plans. Plan a, Plan B, and sometimes even plan C.

Recommendation is always apply with the most realistic and the most basic and easy to execute plan that improves your chances of acceptance. What are you doing in reality, doesn’t really matter because a lot of people change their plans so you want to go into consulting for example or tech as long as you have it as a Plan B, it totally fine.

The actual question about asset management portfolio management, those are obviously very rare rules and moving from a different country unless you have already been in that role, it’s going to be hard just because in the US, international experience doesn’t get the same credit unless of course you worked for a very strong brand that everyone recognizes.

I think it’s good you’re approaching your chances and opportunities this way and question the visibility, this will come through in your essays and will be a strength. You can strengthen it by probably connecting with a few people in the investment club and just getting a sense from them what works for recruiting. Make sure they would be fairly open to share it and tell you if it’s a crapshoot, impossible or maybe there’s a good road. I would look up some investment clubs on the business school websites and contact their representatives. This may be a good time before their internships have started to go crazy.

Posted from my mobile device
Show more
­
User avatar
bb
User avatar
Founder
Joined: 04 Dec 2002
Last visit: 18 Nov 2025
Posts: 42,382
Own Kudos:
82,109
Given Kudos: 24,103
Location: United States
GMAT 1: 750 Q49 V42
GPA: 3
Products:
GMAT Club Tests Forum Quiz
Expert
Expert reply
GMAT 1: 750 Q49 V42
Posts: 42,382
Kudos: 82,109
Quant breaking into Portfolio management 11 Jun 2024, 14:46
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Thank you for your question. I apologize for writing this on the run and perhaps not being very thoughtful. It’s good you asked.

I would not write about Plan B. It is up the water and does not look good Almost kind of assumes you’re going to settle and you’re willing to settle. At the same time, some schools I’m trying to think which ones I think it’s Insead they ask in the short answers what would you do if your first choice of the job is not available for you strike out recruiting. Some schools will ask this in their interview so it is good to have a Plan B to give them but do you want to position certain way almost like I can go and work in Goldman Sachs is my Plan B, investment last year my dream is really to be an investment management or management. Really helps his validation when your Plan B is quite impressive it makes your plan even more impressive and realistic and achievable because you’re not just dreaming but have real options.

Also, the essays are so strange that you would not have enough space to outline Plan A as well as Plan B. So I would not talk about it unless specifically asked. At least that’s my take and someone may have a smarter idea.

At the same time, I would say planning for a failure is a sign of maturity and strength. We did not want to be planning only for success. Anyway, most of my suggestions were for things that happen outside of the essays as a big disclaimer.

Posted from my mobile device
User avatar
sgh14
User avatar
Joined: 18 Feb 2023
Last visit: 06 Dec 2024
Posts: 3
Given Kudos: 1
Location: India
Schools: Wharton '27
GMAT 1: 770 Q50 V46
GPA: 8.3
Schools: Wharton '27
GMAT 1: 770 Q50 V46
Posts: 3
Kudos: 0
Quant breaking into Portfolio management 11 Jun 2024, 15:04
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Got it. So, it's probably a good idea to keep that option in mind if specifically asked but not mention it in the applications. That makes a lot of sense. Thanks for explaining so clearly!

Now, what I almost certainly need to do is figure out which path offers the smoothest transition :)
bb
Thank you for your question. I apologize for writing this on the run and perhaps not being very thoughtful. It’s good you asked.

I would not write about Plan B. It is up the water and does not look good Almost kind of assumes you’re going to settle and you’re willing to settle. At the same time, some schools I’m trying to think which ones I think it’s Insead they ask in the short answers what would you do if your first choice of the job is not available for you strike out recruiting. Some schools will ask this in their interview so it is good to have a Plan B to give them but do you want to position certain way almost like I can go and work in Goldman Sachs is my Plan B, investment last year my dream is really to be an investment management or management. Really helps his validation when your Plan B is quite impressive it makes your plan even more impressive and realistic and achievable because you’re not just dreaming but have real options.

Also, the essays are so strange that you would not have enough space to outline Plan A as well as Plan B. So I would not talk about it unless specifically asked. At least that’s my take and someone may have a smarter idea.

At the same time, I would say planning for a failure is a sign of maturity and strength. We did not want to be planning only for success. Anyway, most of my suggestions were for things that happen outside of the essays as a big disclaimer.

Posted from my mobile device
Show more
­