Profile evaluation request

Question

Hi guys,

First, a huge thanks in advance for your advice.

I am planning to apply to Full Time MBA for Fall 2014 or 2015.

My Profile:

Swiss/French citizen
Studies: 
-BSc in Chemistry and Chemical Engineering - Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne - 5.4 GPA out of 6 (Swiss system) 
-Erasmus (exchange program) - 1 year at Imperial College London - First Class Honours
-MSc in Finance (Major in Financial Engineering) - HEC Lausanne (University of Lausanne) - GPA 5.1 out of 6 (Swiss system)
-CFA charterholder
-> Several associative activities during my studies

Work Exp: 3 years by July 2014 in a top tier investment management firm as an Equity Research Associate. 
Three 3-month internships in the banking sector (during the course of my studies)
GMAT: 700 - Q 49 (81%) - V 36(80%), IR 6 (67%). I was very disappointed by my very low 4 AWA (21%).

Post MBA Goal: To work as an equity analyst / portfolio manager. Also considering founding my own business.

Top 5 schools of interests (by order of interest):

1. HBS
2. Stanford
3. INSEAD
4. Wharton
5. Columbia

What are my chances of getting into the above B-schools? I guess my GMAT score might be too weak for some of them...

Thanks a lot! Your help is very much appreciated!

bryantmichaels · Answer

While your GMAT is indeed lower than the average for these schools, you are well within the 80% range for all of them. When you consider this along with the fact you hail from an under-represented country in US schools, I think you could have a shot at your targets, although I would definitely recommend you also include some schools outside the super elite programs just to hedge your bets. Casting a compelling vision which ties into your preparation will be a big advantage for you and your MsC in financial engineering will demonstrate a commitment to the finance industry which may not only differentiate you from other b-school applicants, but also differentiate you with the post MBA recruiters. This will make you even more attractive, since getting a job quickly after the MBA helps the schools' rankings. We would love to help you pull your application together, especially since we have specialists who graduated from all your target schools. Let us know if we can help.

mgravit · Answer

Hi Michaels,

Thanks a lot for your answer, which is very helpful. I might apply for a start in September 2015. I will definitely contact you if I decide to do so.

Thanks!

Best,
Maxime

Posted from my mobile device

bryantmichaels · Answer

Actually you should have a shot given that you are Western European. Western Europe is under-represented in American b-schools because there are so many good choices for schools in Europe, not as many try to come over here for grad school. If you are dead-set on going to school in the US, you might also throw a couple of schools in the mix which are top 10-15 but not top 5, just to increase your chances. I don't see why one or more of your target schools wouldn't be interested, however, given you have a well crafted application which stands out from the crowd in how it's written and also how well it casts a clear vision for your future in equity analysis, why you want to do that and why you feel you are better than the next guy who wants to do that. Let us know if we can help you to that end.

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