Hi everyone, could I get some advice please on the 2+2 MBA?
Education: undergrad: BSc (Econ) Financial Economics, Birkbeck College, University of London: 1st class honours/3.9 GPA. Graduated July 2016.
Postgrad: Masters Degree in Finance and Economics, University of Cambridge, commencing fall 2017. Good chance of scholarship.
Work exp: 4 month internship financial services in 2014, 2 months with the Government Economic Service. I was due to start a 6 month internship in Feb 2017 with ISS Europe doing investment research but had to pull out, which I'll explain below.
GMAT: not yet taken, but given my past academics I think 700+ isn't a problem.
Problems: I didn't take my undergrad degree until age 30 because of a longstanding fight with autoimmune disease and cancer. I did several years of part time work in financial regulation during my 20s, but never full time as this wasn't possible given my health. During my undergrad degree my health improved for a couple years, and I always finished with distinction grades at the top end of the class, finishing magna cum laude (equivalent) and in the top few percent.
I took the year after graduating to work and save money for postgrad study. I was admitted to the very competitive Mphil Finance and Economics masters degree at Cambridge and aimed to save money for this. I was due to start work with ISS Europe earlier this year, when my doctor informed me I had several tumours that needed chemo. So I'm in treatment now, hopefully recovered in time for Cambridge in September.
I want to apply to the HBS 2+2 MBA whilst doing my masters, so I would enter the MBA 2020/21. I think I am academically strong and am sure I can ace the gmat. But by 2020 I'll be 37. Will I be rejected because of my age? I would hope admissions would see what I've managed to accomplish academically given I've also been fighting cancer etc. I had to miss out on my 20s, which couldn't be helped.
In terms of extra curriculars, I cofounded the (very successful) economics and finance society at Birkbeck and also played cricket there. I've already joined the Cambridge Finance and Investment society and I'll also be playing cricket for Hughes Hall at Cambridge.
I also attended Harvard Summer School in 2015 for 2 months right before my GES internship. I know how amazing a place Harvard is and would love to go back.
Career wise, I know precisely what I want, that is, a career in fundamental investment management with a value strategy focus. It was why I went to university and is still what I love. I want to emulate two past HBS grads, Guy Spier and Whitney Tilson, both Baker Scholars, and legends in value investing.
Given my career goals I would also apply to Columbia as that's the Mecca of value investing, however I'd rather do a two year program.
Thanks for reading, any advice appreciated!
Education: undergrad: BSc (Econ) Financial Economics, Birkbeck College, University of London: 1st class honours/3.9 GPA. Graduated July 2016.
Postgrad: Masters Degree in Finance and Economics, University of Cambridge, commencing fall 2017. Good chance of scholarship.
Work exp: 4 month internship financial services in 2014, 2 months with the Government Economic Service. I was due to start a 6 month internship in Feb 2017 with ISS Europe doing investment research but had to pull out, which I'll explain below.
GMAT: not yet taken, but given my past academics I think 700+ isn't a problem.
Problems: I didn't take my undergrad degree until age 30 because of a longstanding fight with autoimmune disease and cancer. I did several years of part time work in financial regulation during my 20s, but never full time as this wasn't possible given my health. During my undergrad degree my health improved for a couple years, and I always finished with distinction grades at the top end of the class, finishing magna cum laude (equivalent) and in the top few percent.
I took the year after graduating to work and save money for postgrad study. I was admitted to the very competitive Mphil Finance and Economics masters degree at Cambridge and aimed to save money for this. I was due to start work with ISS Europe earlier this year, when my doctor informed me I had several tumours that needed chemo. So I'm in treatment now, hopefully recovered in time for Cambridge in September.
I want to apply to the HBS 2+2 MBA whilst doing my masters, so I would enter the MBA 2020/21. I think I am academically strong and am sure I can ace the gmat. But by 2020 I'll be 37. Will I be rejected because of my age? I would hope admissions would see what I've managed to accomplish academically given I've also been fighting cancer etc. I had to miss out on my 20s, which couldn't be helped.
In terms of extra curriculars, I cofounded the (very successful) economics and finance society at Birkbeck and also played cricket there. I've already joined the Cambridge Finance and Investment society and I'll also be playing cricket for Hughes Hall at Cambridge.
I also attended Harvard Summer School in 2015 for 2 months right before my GES internship. I know how amazing a place Harvard is and would love to go back.
Career wise, I know precisely what I want, that is, a career in fundamental investment management with a value strategy focus. It was why I went to university and is still what I love. I want to emulate two past HBS grads, Guy Spier and Whitney Tilson, both Baker Scholars, and legends in value investing.
Given my career goals I would also apply to Columbia as that's the Mecca of value investing, however I'd rather do a two year program.
Thanks for reading, any advice appreciated!
