Profile Evaluation - GMAT 760

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Profile Evaluation - GMAT 760

by zinihelm » Wed Mar 27, 2013 12:46 am
Hi all,

First of all, thank you for taking the time to read this post and for your invaluable comments, if any.

I put my GMAT score right at the top because that's been the highlight so far in my quest for a top 10 admit. I plan to be applying for the fall 2014 intake. I would love for a top 10 admit. Would settle for top 10-15, worst case. But that's about it.

Now for my profile:
Indian male (bummer #1) in mid 20s

Professional Experience:
Been working in Singapore for 3 years in a leading Swiss private bank (would be 4 by the time I start MBA)
- Have been working in a business intelligence function, a truly global team. About 1 and a half years now. Deal with MIS information, BI analytics, Client profitability, Management accounting, Relationship performance management etc.
- Previously worked in IT (bummer #2), joined as part of 3 year grad program. But, left the program after 1 and a half years because I was headhunted internally by my current "business" function ("business" because they have the money and clout, the team is not client facing)
- Couple of insignificant internships during college


Academics:
- Schooling in India. Scored 98% (not percentile, percentage of total score), in A-levels equivalent examniation, just before college
- B.Eng (Mechanical Engineering) from National University of Singapore (top 10 for engineering in the world, top 30 overall)
Specialization in Product Design
GPA: 3.54/5 (bummer #3, this one major)
College GPA seems quite low if I scale down to 4. But, it's really not that bad. It's second class honors. But, I understand fully well that this could potentially be my undoing. I slacked through college thinking college GPA didn't matter (late dad is to blame). But, I'm quite intelligent I know.
- GMAT - 760 (Q50 V42)
I knew that the only way to try to compensate for my poor GPA was to prove to the AdComs that I could handle academics (with GMAT score known to correspond to first year MBA GPA). I worked extra hard and got a 760 in my first attempt. Not sure if this will help complement my poor GPA.
- Pursued a Graduate Diploma in Banking from University of London and completed with distinction. This was during my second year of work
- CFA level 2 candidate, going to take the exam in June. Hopefully, I pass. Took my level 1 during first year of work and passed.

Extra curricular:
- Started helping out with some YMCA events within the company last year. Now lead a team of 3, organizing events weekly and managaging them end to end and helping them with them with funding and grants.
- Very actively involved in committees at work and outside (E.g. School (campus) recruitment team, Graduate program committees
- Several leadership roles in colleges (committees, clubs etc. - Mechanical Engineering club, IEEE NUS, Engineering club, Indian Instruments club (music))

Hobbies:
- Extremely passionate about travelling. Been all over Asia, Western Europe with plans to go to Africa this year. Not sure if this helps at all
- Several sports, through college and even now (Soccer, Cricket, etc.)

A little about me:
- Very very motivated. Believe strongly in giving it my all if I set out to do something
- Believe that learning is a life-long process and that time is precious. This ensure that I keep myself occupied with learning something at all times (CFA 1, Diploma, CFA 2, GMAT etc. despite tough work schedules)
- Very principled and motivated (did I mentioned that already)

Sorry about this long-ish post. I really wasn't sure what information was relevant and what wasn't. I don't know where I stand. But would be willing to give it my all in the admissions process.

I'm looking at a top US college for an MBA in Finance (naturally, I would love it if I could make it to Booth, and if..by any chance.. it's possible.. *gasp* Wharton :O

Please let me know what you think and what would be a good fit for me in terms of my profile and my aim and what would be good reach (not sure if that's the terminology) and safety schools. Would appreciate any feedback. Thanks a lot in advance.
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by Askgened » Sat Mar 30, 2013 4:08 am
Hi,

You have a good GMAT, acads and an avg. GPA from a reputed college. I would suggest you to target b-schools like: Wharton, Stanford, CBS, Booth, LBS, Oxford, NYU-Stern, Yale, Tuck, Cornell, Emory & McDonough. The list comprises of many but these are few good schools in US and UK with good placements in finance post-MBA. You can also try your chances in b-schools by clicking https://tinyurl.com/c6b6qcu

Subsequently, you need to skillfully write application essays and showcase team leadership qualities, achievements at work place and professionalism during final interviews.

Let me know in case of other queries you might have. You can PM your number to have a discussion over your profile and selection of b-schools.

Regards
--
Richa

zinihelm wrote:Hi all,

First of all, thank you for taking the time to read this post and for your invaluable comments, if any.

I put my GMAT score right at the top because that's been the highlight so far in my quest for a top 10 admit. I plan to be applying for the fall 2014 intake. I would love for a top 10 admit. Would settle for top 10-15, worst case. But that's about it.

Now for my profile:
Indian male (bummer #1) in mid 20s

Professional Experience:
Been working in Singapore for 3 years in a leading Swiss private bank (would be 4 by the time I start MBA)
- Have been working in a business intelligence function, a truly global team. About 1 and a half years now. Deal with MIS information, BI analytics, Client profitability, Management accounting, Relationship performance management etc.
- Previously worked in IT (bummer #2), joined as part of 3 year grad program. But, left the program after 1 and a half years because I was headhunted internally by my current "business" function ("business" because they have the money and clout, the team is not client facing)
- Couple of insignificant internships during college


Academics:
- Schooling in India. Scored 98% (not percentile, percentage of total score), in A-levels equivalent examniation, just before college
- B.Eng (Mechanical Engineering) from National University of Singapore (top 10 for engineering in the world, top 30 overall)
Specialization in Product Design
GPA: 3.54/5 (bummer #3, this one major)
College GPA seems quite low if I scale down to 4. But, it's really not that bad. It's second class honors. But, I understand fully well that this could potentially be my undoing. I slacked through college thinking college GPA didn't matter (late dad is to blame). But, I'm quite intelligent I know.
- GMAT - 760 (Q50 V42)
I knew that the only way to try to compensate for my poor GPA was to prove to the AdComs that I could handle academics (with GMAT score known to correspond to first year MBA GPA). I worked extra hard and got a 760 in my first attempt. Not sure if this will help complement my poor GPA.
- Pursued a Graduate Diploma in Banking from University of London and completed with distinction. This was during my second year of work
- CFA level 2 candidate, going to take the exam in June. Hopefully, I pass. Took my level 1 during first year of work and passed.

Extra curricular:
- Started helping out with some YMCA events within the company last year. Now lead a team of 3, organizing events weekly and managaging them end to end and helping them with them with funding and grants.
- Very actively involved in committees at work and outside (E.g. School (campus) recruitment team, Graduate program committees
- Several leadership roles in colleges (committees, clubs etc. - Mechanical Engineering club, IEEE NUS, Engineering club, Indian Instruments club (music))

Hobbies:
- Extremely passionate about travelling. Been all over Asia, Western Europe with plans to go to Africa this year. Not sure if this helps at all
- Several sports, through college and even now (Soccer, Cricket, etc.)

A little about me:
- Very very motivated. Believe strongly in giving it my all if I set out to do something
- Believe that learning is a life-long process and that time is precious. This ensure that I keep myself occupied with learning something at all times (CFA 1, Diploma, CFA 2, GMAT etc. despite tough work schedules)
- Very principled and motivated (did I mentioned that already)

Sorry about this long-ish post. I really wasn't sure what information was relevant and what wasn't. I don't know where I stand. But would be willing to give it my all in the admissions process.

I'm looking at a top US college for an MBA in Finance (naturally, I would love it if I could make it to Booth, and if..by any chance.. it's possible.. *gasp* Wharton :O

Please let me know what you think and what would be a good fit for me in terms of my profile and my aim and what would be good reach (not sure if that's the terminology) and safety schools. Would appreciate any feedback. Thanks a lot in advance.
GMAT-730: Work-exp: 10 yrs.MBA-Top 15 FT ranking b-school: Undergrad-Top 5 College in India