Pls help evaluate my profile - GMAT 710, IT top invest. bank

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Dear all,

Below is my profile

I'm a scholar from Vietnam, studying and now working in Singapore. I work for a Singapore local bank with regional footprint, and now in Barclays, a big international investment bank, in IT.

My GPA is 3/4 (Computer Science) with a static trend over the years from National University of Singapore.

My GMAT first try 640 (Q50, V26), second try 710 (Q49, V38).

I got CFA level I in Dec 2008, failed CFA level II in Jun 2008 (among top 20% of failed candidate).

I'm lacking the participation in community service activities (because I spend time pursuing CFA and GMAT over the last 5 years), though I would to join these activities in the future. However, at schools, i did join clubs and other activities. In the companies, i join some sport activities and some forum as a member.

I have a strong interest in current affairs (environment protection, social issues). I would like to work in equity investment upon my mba graduation. And later part of my life, engage in teaching and training other people.

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- If I'm applying to schools like Havard, MIT, Chicago, how high the chances that I can get into one of these schools with this profile?

- I saw some post in this box mentioning 710 is low for schools like Standford, Columbia. Should i leave my GMAT as it is, and focus on other parts of the application now?

- Should I include the result of CFA level II in my application? though I failed that one, but i do think i get some knowledge level out of it.

- Last but not least, I saw from Chicago website, the committee looks at "a history of long-term community service , contributions of personal time to an organization, and continued involvement with undergraduate or other post-graduate institutions" which I lack. Do i still have chance to apply to Chicago and similar schools?


Your help is very much appreciated.

Kind regards,
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by Cindy Tokumitsu » Thu Jul 08, 2010 6:08 am
Hello,

Congratulations on the big improvement in your GMAT score!

I consider the schools you mention to be quite high reaches. However, whether they would be reasonable reaches depends on several additional factors. For example, if you have an exceptional track record at work, i.e., if you excel relative to your accomplished peers, that would be a big plus. You are in IT which is a bit of a drawback, but if you can describe business interface and involvement, it would be very helpful. Also, if any of your work or non-work activities are related to your social interest goals, it also would be a plus, as it would give credibility to this core aspect of your goals. Your being from Vietnam and working in Singapore will add an element of diversity, and therefore would be a strength, as long as you optimized it in your essays. I'd say that if you have some of the additional "pluses" that I just mentioned, then it would make sense to apply to MIT and/or Chicago as reasonable reaches - fairly high reaches but still possible with an outstanding application. However, you also should apply to some less competitive schools.

I suggest not discussing the CFA level II unless you pass. The learning is important but you can't guarantee that people would look at that aspect. The level I is a good start.

Best regards,
Cindy Tokumitsu
Senior Editor, Accepted.com

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by neverletdreamdown » Fri Jul 09, 2010 8:53 am
Thanks very much for the advice Cindy. Wish you a good day!