Hi Q,

Thanks for your post. You have good credentials and are a strong candidate for the programs listed below. But as you know - since the admissions process is not only dependent on your stats, but also your essays, LORs, interview - it is difficult to truly gauge your candidacy.

That said, you are on the right path!

A few things to think about -

1) Post-MBA career goals - Make sure your entrepreneurial interests are in line with your background / short-term goals. I am not sure how ER and staring a business are related - unless you are interested in doing something entrepreneurial within research and/or finance... or you want to start a venture in the sector you are covering.

2) 'Finance' candidate pool - Since your background is finance, you are in a highly competitive candidate pool. Make sure you differentiate yourself from the 'classic finance' candidate. Emphasize some of your interests outside of work which set you apart - as you have interesting EC activities.

3) Schools - UC/K/NYU are great schools for your interests in finance/ER. Also consider schools that have good Wall Street connections, but are not necessarily tradition finance-feeder schools. Schools that come to mind include Ross, Tuck, Duke, UCLA.

4) Timing - If you are committed to starting you MBA in 2009, apply in the first round - ESPECIALLY to your top choices.

Good luck!

NP

Hi Nikhil,
thank you for your quick response.

Yes, I'd like to set up my own equity research firm, I have been too coincise in my previous post.

Your other tips are really insightful. Thanks.

Best,
qwerty01

Hi Qwe...

Happy to help! With regards to your short and long-term post-MBA plans, make sure you craft a logical story of going from ER to an ER entrepreneurial venture.

Also emphasize the importance of the MBA at each milestone (i.e. how will the MBA help you in ER, how will help you start your venture).

Regards,

NP