Realistic College List

Question

Thank you for taking out time and reading this post. Described below is my profile and would appreciate if someone can share their insights on my chances of landing admissions in my dream schools. I am working towards R2 applications and have decided to start in fall 2016

Age - 30
GMAT - 720
 Education 
Under Graduate - BA (Economics), Rajasthan University
Post Graduate Diploma - Ebiz; Welingkar Institute of Management
CFA Institute - Cleared all 3 levels

Total Work Experience - 5.5 yrs ( described chronologically below)
Last one year - working for a financial risk management solutions company based out of Bangalore, Handling sales for India, Sri lanka, Middle East ex Saudi and Zambia. Contributing over 25% to the organisation Top Line
Previous 2 Yrs - Worked as private wealth manager for HNI clients a global US based bank in bangalore
Previous 2.5 yrs - Worked as an associate in an Indian private banking set up, assisting private bankers with pitch book creation and portfolio strategies.

Extra Curricular
Winner at Inter collegiate Boxing Championships ( Was a chronic Asthma patient before taking up sports)
Currently Undergoing RYT 200 Yoga teachers Tarining

Future Career Ambition - Investment Banking ( Keen on M&A and Institutional Business)

Target Schools - NYU Stern, Cornell Johnson, UCLA, Chicago Booth

Suggestions on other schools that may be considered are welcome too ...

Admissionado · Answer

Hey there,
Good to hear from you!
So overall you have a very nice GMAT and a very strong career with some international stuff in it too! So we are off to a good start. The weaknesses are that you are Indian/Male, a touch older, and haven't graduated from an IIT, but these are relatively minor. I feel like your school list is pretty solid. You could add 1-2 more schools, but it seems like a good place to start.

Other than that you may want to reconsider your goals. Everyone (and I mean literally everyone) wants to get into IB, but you already have a fantastic career in other areas of finance/banking, so why be like everyone? Forge your own path. Come up with something more original and more in touch with your past experience. (It might also help you stand out as a more original and unique applicant).

Other than that, what can I say other than you better get started on those applications, like NOW!!! Time is a wasting!

Cheers,
Jon

VeritasPrepDozie · Answer

Thanks for sharing your profile. I like your background and feel you can compete for a fringe spot at the schools listed primarily because you are coming from a very competitive applicant pool. What works in your favor is that you have had some diverse experiences both in and out of the work place. If you are able to continue to diversify yourself via some compelling essays that touch on unique aspects of your profile. You should be in good shape to snag a spot at one of your program! I do agree with Jon above that a bit fo a tweak to your career goals could set you up nicely

Singh69 · Answer

Thank you Veritas and Jon for sharing your insights. Would you be able to share some advice on tweaking the career goals? DO you mean that I should not present it in a staid and boring manner or should I explore new avenues to present in my story.

Thanks in advance

VeritasPrepDozie · Answer

I think the thought here is that you have some quality experience already in finance, so try and explore and avenue that is a bit more specific and generic than IB and that not only aligns with your prior experience but also may showcase some other personal interest or passion. It cans and should still be in the financial realm but really think through if there are alternatives in finance that also interest you that are a bit more unique. The goal here is to make you stand out a bit more in a very crowded applicant pool

Admissionado · Answer

It's not so much about interesting as it is about plausibility. If you give them improbable goals (moving into IB when there are already tons of IB people aiming to continue in it) you are not making most of your past and are unnecessarily weakening your profile. Interest is secondary to strengthening your employability

Best, Jon

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