MBA application after Mfin

Question

Hello,

I am wondering how common the Mfin -> work experience -> Top MBA route is and if my masters will necessarily help me in the application process?

As a European, going to do a MBA is relatively uncommon here as most people stop after a masters, but it has always been my dream to go to a top B-school in the US such as HBS or Stanford. I am worried about the very competitive admissions process however and was wondering how I can start to position myself for it (through volunteerism, other 'soft factors' etc.)

Bit of background:
-Top European undergrad, 4.0 GPA equivalent 
-LSE MScFin, with Distinction
-760 GMAT (expires after two or three years - REALLY don't want go through the process to retake again)
-Currently working in financial services in London
-Typical/generic sports and extracurriculars you normally see

However, given the high cost of a MBA, was just wondering if it will be worth pursuing, and if so, how to position my application to gain admission?

Thanks!

ARLeeConsulting · Answer

Hi LTSchneider,

I'm also European and I totally get your point regarding MBAs being uncommon in Europe after a masters.

However, it is not that uncommon as you think. Many people pursue an MBA after a masters. I'm one of those. I did my undergrad in Europe, got an MSc in the US, and got into business school three years later.

Your masters will definitely help you since you attended a very well known school and graduated with Distinction.

Regarding whether it would be worth pursuing and how to position yourself... it would be hard to answer here right now, as we don't know much about you. The main questions you need to ask yourself are: "Why do I want to pursue an MBA? What are my career goals, and how will an MBA help me achieve them?".

I hope this helps.

Good luck!

Narenn · Answer

Having a dream to attend business school is a good thing and can't be the only reason to apply for an MBA program. You need to be clear on why you need an MBA. You already have an MFin degree and you are currently working in Financial services, so if you want to remain in the same industry/job function after MBA, then schools would probably think you don't need a 2 year full time MBA course, which is generally pursued by career switchers. As advised by Alex, you should introspect on reasons for getting an MBA and try to form a logical connection among your current education, current work, MBA degree and post MBA goals.

I would recommend a couple of articles for you from GMATClub MBA Guide: Chapter #1, 2, and 5: Why MBA?, Why Now?, and Which Schools to Apply to?

I would recommend a couple of articles for you from  GMATClub MBA Guide : Chapter #1, 2, and 5: Why MBA?, Why Now?, and Which Schools to Apply to?

LTSchneider · Answer

Thank you all for the feedback!

About why I want a MBA:

London is quite a good place to work, but I feel that the US would provide me with a better set of opportunities (looking to move into PE or VC). Obviously, the LSE name doesn't carry as much weight over there, so a MBA seems like the logical next step for career progression. Down the road though, hopefully after a stint on the buyside, I want to start my own company, and given the entrepreneurial nature of H/S, I feel like this would be a strong fit for my goals. Wharton would also be very good, given my background in finance and its network in the industry which would allow me to get a strong start

IvyGroupeCEO · Answer

Hi there,

If you eventually want to go down the entrepreneurial path, then I think you can make the case that you need the MBA to round out your business skillset. Your academic, and it looks like your professional, experience are strong; you'll want to make sure to bolster the extracurricular side of things as well as you think about the top schools.

I hope this helps!

Best,
Shaifali
(HBS Grad/MBA Admissions Expert)
Bio: https://www.ivygroupe.com/founder-ceo

MBA application after Mfin

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