Profile Eval Please

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Seocho: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 2; Joined: Tue Feb 17, 2009 10:18 am

by Seocho » Tue Feb 17, 2009 10:47 am

My profile:

Graduated from University of Pennsylvania: 1997. GPA 3.0 Major in Molecular Biology. Graduated with Honors and Distinction. Pre-Med

Total work experience 11 years: 3 years at Goldman Sachs / VP Business Analyst in Operations, 3 years at Alliance Bernstein / Systems Analyst, 3 years as Proprietary Trader at small Wall St Firm, 1 year at Merrill Lynch / Systems Analyst, 1 year as Business Analyst at mid-sized apparel co. Currently working on own start-up company developing financial software solutions.

GMAT score: 740

Reason for getting an MBA: 1) Career shift from back-office (operations / IT) to front-office (i-banking/sales & trading) work at major financial firm. 2) Develop skills to execute start-up company (when the time comes)

I am targeting the top 5 b-schools with a concentration in Finance, with Wharton being my top choice. My concerns are: 1) my age (i'm much older than the average applicant), 2) my undergrad GPA (i'm hoping graduating from an Ivy, along with taking rather GPA crushing pre-med courses may help). I received an A+ and an A in the two Math related courses I took at school (Calculus I & II). UPenn Vasity Men's Fencing Team.

Thank you.
-John

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Source: Beat The GMAT — Ask an MBA Admissions Consultant | Tue Feb 17, 2009 10:47 am

Linda Abraham: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 368; Joined: Mon Aug 18, 2008 3:18 pmFollowed by: 13 members; Location: Los Angeles CA; Thanked: 30 times

Re: Profile Eval Please

by Linda Abraham » Tue Feb 17, 2009 11:02 pm

Seocho wrote:My profile:

Graduated from University of Pennsylvania: 1997. GPA 3.0 Major in Molecular Biology. Graduated with Honors and Distinction. Pre-Med

Total work experience 11 years: 3 years at Goldman Sachs / VP Business Analyst in Operations, 3 years at Alliance Bernstein / Systems Analyst, 3 years as Proprietary Trader at small Wall St Firm, 1 year at Merrill Lynch / Systems Analyst, 1 year as Business Analyst at mid-sized apparel co. Currently working on own start-up company developing financial software solutions.

GMAT score: 740

Reason for getting an MBA: 1) Career shift from back-office (operations / IT) to front-office (i-banking/sales & trading) work at major financial firm. 2) Develop skills to execute start-up company (when the time comes)

I am targeting the top 5 b-schools with a concentration in Finance, with Wharton being my top choice. My concerns are: 1) my age (i'm much older than the average applicant), 2) my undergrad GPA (i'm hoping graduating from an Ivy, along with taking rather GPA crushing pre-med courses may help). I received an A+ and an A in the two Math related courses I took at school (Calculus I & II). UPenn Vasity Men's Fencing Team.

Thank you.
-John

John,

I share your concerns about age and fit at Wharton's FT program. Have you considered an EMBA program or the Sloan Fellows programs? While Wharton does accept applicants in their mid-30's, I don't know the percentage, but I suspect it's lower. You might apply to programs with a little higher average ages upon matriculation like Tuck or London Business School.

Linda Abraham
Accepted.com -- Helping You Write Your Best!
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Seocho: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 2; Joined: Tue Feb 17, 2009 10:18 am

by Seocho » Wed Feb 18, 2009 9:40 pm

Thanks for the reply. What is the general perception of an EMBA vs a full time MBA from Wharton? Can I say I have an MBA from Wharton if I go through the EMBA program, or is the degree actually different?

Any comments about other aspects of my profile?

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Linda Abraham: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 368; Joined: Mon Aug 18, 2008 3:18 pmFollowed by: 13 members; Location: Los Angeles CA; Thanked: 30 times

by Linda Abraham » Wed Feb 18, 2009 11:20 pm

Seocho wrote:Thanks for the reply. What is the general perception of an EMBA vs a full time MBA from Wharton? Can I say I have an MBA from Wharton if I go through the EMBA program, or is the degree actually different?

Any comments about other aspects of my profile?

Yes. Wharton EMBA grads earn an MBA from Wharton and there is not asterisk attached. At the same time, EMBA programs do have an "MBA-lite" reputation. Wharton's, however, has a rigorous reputation. The Sloan programs also have a rigorous reputation and are aimed at more experienced students.

Best,
Linda

Linda Abraham
Accepted.com -- Helping You Write Your Best!
310.815.9553
Accepted Blog
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