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09 Oct 2019, 18:29
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So I haven't yet decided if I'm going to push through applying for MBAs (still trying to figure out if all the expenses are worth it). In any case, I'd like to get an honest opinion on which schools I should be targeting if I do push through (and which schools I shouldn't bother looking at).
I'm from South East Asia and graduated with a business degree from one of the top universities in my country. Currently work in equity research at a bulge bracket. The goal after taking the MBA is to either move to consultancy or stay in finance but move to a Hedge Fund (in the US or back here in Asia).
GPA: 3.1 (on the low end, and I don't have a legitimate reason for it aside from slacking off - will have to figure how to spin this though)
GMAT: 730 (can try and bump up to 750)
Work Experience: 4 years in Equity Research at a Bulge Bracket (think Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, Credit Suisse, UBS...)
Other qualifications: CFA Charterholder
Main question really is whether or not I even have a chance at the M7. If not, then what schools are likely going to accept such a profile?
I'm from South East Asia and graduated with a business degree from one of the top universities in my country. Currently work in equity research at a bulge bracket. The goal after taking the MBA is to either move to consultancy or stay in finance but move to a Hedge Fund (in the US or back here in Asia).
GPA: 3.1 (on the low end, and I don't have a legitimate reason for it aside from slacking off - will have to figure how to spin this though)
GMAT: 730 (can try and bump up to 750)
Work Experience: 4 years in Equity Research at a Bulge Bracket (think Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, Credit Suisse, UBS...)
Other qualifications: CFA Charterholder
Main question really is whether or not I even have a chance at the M7. If not, then what schools are likely going to accept such a profile?
09 Oct 2019, 21:03
Kudos
Bookmarks
Hi and thanks for your post.
Without knowing more about you, including your full story, it is hard to say if you have a chance at an M7. But based on the information you provided, I would say that it is definitely worth applying to a top school because I do think you have the potential to get in, simply by looking at your strong GMAT score and good work experience. The application process is truly holistic though, and committees will look at your stats (GPA and GMAT), work experience and goals, and extracurriculars.
Your GPA is a bit below average, but it is not a deal-breaker, and in the Optional Essay you can still address your lowest grades in a few classes. Your GMAT is strong, though it is about the average of those very top schools. So it is good to see that you will be taking it again, as even a slight increase can boost your profile. If you don’t end up increasing your Quant score on your GMAT, you may still want to illustrate to the schools that you have the academic ability to succeed in the classroom. You could showcase your quant ability in your resume, your recommenders could do the same in their recommendations, or you could even take a supplemental course such as stats or calculus.
It is hard to gauge your work experience without knowing your accomplishments and impact you have made there. Make sure you show you have made an impact and demonstrated leadership there. Ideally this will be supported by a strong recommendation letters as well. It will also be important to explain why you want your MBA, and to also illustrate the skills you already have which are transferable to your goals. Be sure your story makes sense, and is realistic and specific.
And mentioning extracurriculars, and ideally leadership positions in any of them, will also help boost your profile.
So in general, you do have a chance at some of the top schools, but they are extremely competitive, and each school simply does not have the room to admit all the world's qualified applicants. I suggest you apply to at least 5 of them, to give yourself a chance with at least one. Hopefully they will see that you have a compelling story and are someone who will add value to the classroom and community.
If you would like to discuss your story or anything else in greater detail, please sign up for a free consultation. It is never too early to get started.
Good luck!
Without knowing more about you, including your full story, it is hard to say if you have a chance at an M7. But based on the information you provided, I would say that it is definitely worth applying to a top school because I do think you have the potential to get in, simply by looking at your strong GMAT score and good work experience. The application process is truly holistic though, and committees will look at your stats (GPA and GMAT), work experience and goals, and extracurriculars.
Your GPA is a bit below average, but it is not a deal-breaker, and in the Optional Essay you can still address your lowest grades in a few classes. Your GMAT is strong, though it is about the average of those very top schools. So it is good to see that you will be taking it again, as even a slight increase can boost your profile. If you don’t end up increasing your Quant score on your GMAT, you may still want to illustrate to the schools that you have the academic ability to succeed in the classroom. You could showcase your quant ability in your resume, your recommenders could do the same in their recommendations, or you could even take a supplemental course such as stats or calculus.
It is hard to gauge your work experience without knowing your accomplishments and impact you have made there. Make sure you show you have made an impact and demonstrated leadership there. Ideally this will be supported by a strong recommendation letters as well. It will also be important to explain why you want your MBA, and to also illustrate the skills you already have which are transferable to your goals. Be sure your story makes sense, and is realistic and specific.
And mentioning extracurriculars, and ideally leadership positions in any of them, will also help boost your profile.
So in general, you do have a chance at some of the top schools, but they are extremely competitive, and each school simply does not have the room to admit all the world's qualified applicants. I suggest you apply to at least 5 of them, to give yourself a chance with at least one. Hopefully they will see that you have a compelling story and are someone who will add value to the classroom and community.
If you would like to discuss your story or anything else in greater detail, please sign up for a free consultation. It is never too early to get started.
Good luck!
09 Oct 2019, 22:53
Kudos
Bookmarks
mbaMissionMichael
Hi and thanks for your post.
Without knowing more about you, including your full story, it is hard to say if you have a chance at an M7. But based on the information you provided, I would say that it is definitely worth applying to a top school because I do think you have the potential to get in, simply by looking at your strong GMAT score and good work experience. The application process is truly holistic though, and committees will look at your stats (GPA and GMAT), work experience and goals, and extracurriculars.
Your GPA is a bit below average, but it is not a deal-breaker, and in the Optional Essay you can still address your lowest grades in a few classes. Your GMAT is strong, though it is about the average of those very top schools. So it is good to see that you will be taking it again, as even a slight increase can boost your profile. If you don’t end up increasing your Quant score on your GMAT, you may still want to illustrate to the schools that you have the academic ability to succeed in the classroom. You could showcase your quant ability in your resume, your recommenders could do the same in their recommendations, or you could even take a supplemental course such as stats or calculus.
It is hard to gauge your work experience without knowing your accomplishments and impact you have made there. Make sure you show you have made an impact and demonstrated leadership there. Ideally this will be supported by a strong recommendation letters as well. It will also be important to explain why you want your MBA, and to also illustrate the skills you already have which are transferable to your goals. Be sure your story makes sense, and is realistic and specific.
And mentioning extracurriculars, and ideally leadership positions in any of them, will also help boost your profile.
So in general, you do have a chance at some of the top schools, but they are extremely competitive, and each school simply does not have the room to admit all the world's qualified applicants. I suggest you apply to at least 5 of them, to give yourself a chance with at least one. Hopefully they will see that you have a compelling story and are someone who will add value to the classroom and community.
If you would like to discuss your story or anything else in greater detail, please sign up for a free consultation. It is never too early to get started.
Good luck!
Without knowing more about you, including your full story, it is hard to say if you have a chance at an M7. But based on the information you provided, I would say that it is definitely worth applying to a top school because I do think you have the potential to get in, simply by looking at your strong GMAT score and good work experience. The application process is truly holistic though, and committees will look at your stats (GPA and GMAT), work experience and goals, and extracurriculars.
Your GPA is a bit below average, but it is not a deal-breaker, and in the Optional Essay you can still address your lowest grades in a few classes. Your GMAT is strong, though it is about the average of those very top schools. So it is good to see that you will be taking it again, as even a slight increase can boost your profile. If you don’t end up increasing your Quant score on your GMAT, you may still want to illustrate to the schools that you have the academic ability to succeed in the classroom. You could showcase your quant ability in your resume, your recommenders could do the same in their recommendations, or you could even take a supplemental course such as stats or calculus.
It is hard to gauge your work experience without knowing your accomplishments and impact you have made there. Make sure you show you have made an impact and demonstrated leadership there. Ideally this will be supported by a strong recommendation letters as well. It will also be important to explain why you want your MBA, and to also illustrate the skills you already have which are transferable to your goals. Be sure your story makes sense, and is realistic and specific.
And mentioning extracurriculars, and ideally leadership positions in any of them, will also help boost your profile.
So in general, you do have a chance at some of the top schools, but they are extremely competitive, and each school simply does not have the room to admit all the world's qualified applicants. I suggest you apply to at least 5 of them, to give yourself a chance with at least one. Hopefully they will see that you have a compelling story and are someone who will add value to the classroom and community.
If you would like to discuss your story or anything else in greater detail, please sign up for a free consultation. It is never too early to get started.
Good luck!
Thanks for the quick and thorough response. I guess if I do end up applying, the main course of action would be to (1) craft a compelling story; and (2) improve my GMAT even further.
Curious how your evaluation would change if I were to look at schools in the rank 7-15 range. Have never really considered that bracket yet to be honest but if my chances there are significantly higher, then maybe I'll give it a look.
