[HELP!] Eval my profile please! Which univs i can get in?

Figure out where you wish to apply
This topic has expert replies
User avatar
Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
Posts: 16
Joined: Sun Dec 27, 2009 8:10 am
Hello BTG!

For starters ill talk about myself.
Am Kuwaiti and 23 years old.
I graduated from Kuwait University (College of Business Administration) in 2009 with BS in Finance.
My goal and what i really want to, continue my studies ASAP ( Masters and Phd both in Finance ) then work at Kuwait University as a faculty member there.

GPA: 3.40
MGPA: 3.80

GMAT: First try 480 and second 600 ( i guess i improved +120 which is a good sign but i still need to work on that)

TOEFL: 88/120 (i had an emergency i had to leave the testing room for about 10 mintues during listening section)

Work experience: not much, ive been working at Central Bank of Kuwait since 11-April-2010

What i want to do: i want to go abroad and continue my studies as soon as possible.

NOTE: Am not going to pay for the courses, because am applying for scholarships provided by Kuwait University which pays for eveything.

The interviews for the scholarships will be in September (hopefully they accept me and give me the scholarship i dream of) if so they will tell me in December~January.
If i got the scholarship i will have around 1~1.5 years timelimit to get acceptance from one of the universities in the list.

This is the universities list that i have to get approval from one of them

--------

School State
Boston College MA
Carnegie Mellon University PA
Columbia University, New York NY
Cornell University, New York NY
Duke University NC
Harvard University MA
Massachusetts Institute of Technology MA
New York University NY
Northwestern University IL
Ohio State University, Columbus OH
Stanford University CA
University of California, Berkeley CA
University of California, Los Angeles CA
University of Chicago IL
University of Florida FL
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor MI
University of Pennsylvania PA
University of Rochester NY
University of Southern California CA
University of Texas, Austin TX
University of Virginia, Charlottesville VA
University of Wisconsin, Madison WI
Yale University CT

------

My question is, with my current profile do i have a chance to get accepted in one of these universities? If yes which? and which do you recommend

P.S.: Am hoping to get in "Masters in Finance" program not MBA in finance. I dont know if their their reqs. are the same or differ


Regards, Ali.
Last edited by Cyc on Fri Jul 23, 2010 2:58 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Source: — Research MBA Programs |

User avatar
Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
Posts: 16
Joined: Sun Dec 27, 2009 8:10 am

by Cyc » Fri Jul 23, 2010 2:40 pm
Can any expert please eval my profile ?

User avatar
MBA Admissions Consultant
Posts: 247
Joined: Tue Feb 23, 2010 11:27 am
Location: Houston
Thanked: 52 times
Followed by:42 members
GMAT Score:740

by Jessica@VeritasPrep » Sun Jul 25, 2010 12:38 pm
Your GMAT score could be an issue for you. I'd focus on schools like University of Rochester, Ohio State or University of Florida. A master's degree may not require a GMAT. You could try to take your GRE and see how you do on that.

Good luck!
Jessica
MBA Admissions Consultant
Veritas Prep

Enroll now. Pay later. Take advantage of Veritas Prep's flexible payment plan options

User avatar
MBA Admissions Consultant
Posts: 1090
Joined: Wed May 27, 2009 4:06 am
Thanked: 175 times
Followed by:68 members
GMAT Score:750

by Bryant@VeritasPrep » Tue Jul 27, 2010 6:30 am
Ali-

Your profile is interesting and I think you would have a shot at some of the schools on your list, but the combination of a low GMAT and very little work experience will be a challenge. As is, you might aim for schools on your list which are lower in rank to be more competitive as an applicant. Work Experience is usually a pretty important component, but if you can convince them that your work at Kuwait bank was robust and exposed you to some high level problems, you might be able to persuade the committee that you have leadership potential. It would be best if you could tack another 50 or 80 points on your GMAT score. Being from an underrepresented country will bode well for your standing out, and having a clear, mature vision for what you will do with the degree afterwards is paramount. I would question your desire to get a Masters in Finance. While it will likely be easier to get admitted going that route, the MBA is a much more marketable degree int he long run and internationally recognized. I would give serious consideration to MBA instead. Also would recommend you work with a consultant to help you get your applications in place. Doesn't have to be me, but I would get some help somewhere. Good luck.
Bryant Michaels
MBA Admissions Consultant


Enroll now. Pay later. Take advantage of Veritas Prep's flexible payment plan options

User avatar
Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
Posts: 16
Joined: Sun Dec 27, 2009 8:10 am

by Cyc » Tue Jul 27, 2010 9:13 am
Thanks for the replies guys.

Bryant, As i've said that am not going to pay for the fees for the university am getting in. My University ( Kuwait University ) gives students ( with good profiles, reputation and grades ) a chance to complete their studies abroad to pursuit MS and Ph.d degrees, then after the students complete the degrees they HAVE to work as professors at the university at least for 8~10 years i think.

Having said that, this is what i really wish for and want. I want to complete my degrees so i can be a professor ( Finance department ) at the university and teach other students.

I asked many of my professors at the University and all of them agree that pursuing an MSF is more favorable than an MBA to be a professor at the University.

That's why i think pursuing a Masters in Finance instead an MBA is better for me, and because the MSF is more focused on finance than an MBA which is more of a general degree. Which will be more helpful later pursuing Ph.d in Finance.

and yes am working now to get a better score (GMAT) which am going to take on september or october ,and hopefully i will!

Another thing, the list of universities i gave above is from scholarship given by another institution (The Public Authority for Applied Education and Training).

Kuwait University's list is bigger, around 85 ( you can check it here https://www.cba.edu.kw/newcba/PDF/Scholarships/Lists.pdf ) ! but the chances i have in PAAET are higher than in Kuwait University.

Please share your thought, would be heplful!

Regards, Ali.