Hi! Profile Evaluation would be extremely helpful!

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Profile Evaluation Request

Hello,
I just took the GMAT Saturday and scored a 730 (Q48,V41,7IR, first try if that matters). I am hoping someone could give me some high level guidance on where I am looking and if I am just wasting my time.

I find myself a little unsure of my next steps. I was able to get to a better score than I expected, although not quite elite. The huge gaping hole in my resume is a 3.17 undergraduate GPA in accounting and finance. I have explained this in a million job interviews that this is somewhat related to working a lot but mostly (97%) related to being really immature.

I have what I hope is decent work experience. I worked for 3 years as an analyst for an 800 bn asset manager with one promotion. Moved over to an agricultural lender (me and my significant other thought it was the best fit at the time) and was promoted in 8 months to a risk management analyst. Without providing too much detail I can speak to leading projects and programs at both companies to a certain extent (as much leash as would reasonably be given a 25-28 year old). I do some work with a Catholic charity but certainly not equivalent to some of the truly amazing student profiles you see floating around.

I also passed the CFA exams, each on the first try, and hold the charter. My research has suggested that this is not very helpful, which is a bummer. This takes a ton of work for anyone to do and wish it meant more.

If someone could speak to the overall strength of this profile that would be extremely helpful. My dream schools are Booth and Sloan, but am also very interested in Ross, Kellogg, Tuck, Fuqua, and Tepper.

Attending a Top 20 school has been an on and off dream since high school. Unfortunately in undergrad I made a host of poor decisions that really limited my academic performance. Thankfully strong internships landed me a better job than I was due. Given life circumstance (my significant other is finishing her doctorate) I am targeting a move and career shift on the near horizon. If I was successful I believe this could help me to land a job in a consulting or perhaps another investment management role.

Thanks very much in advance.

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by Donna@Stratus » Wed Nov 15, 2017 5:56 pm
jem41989 wrote:Profile Evaluation Request

Hello,
I just took the GMAT Saturday and scored a 730 (Q48,V41,7IR, first try if that matters). I am hoping someone could give me some high level guidance on where I am looking and if I am just wasting my time.

I find myself a little unsure of my next steps. I was able to get to a better score than I expected, although not quite elite. The huge gaping hole in my resume is a 3.17 undergraduate GPA in accounting and finance. I have explained this in a million job interviews that this is somewhat related to working a lot but mostly (97%) related to being really immature.

I have what I hope is decent work experience. I worked for 3 years as an analyst for an 800 bn asset manager with one promotion. Moved over to an agricultural lender (me and my significant other thought it was the best fit at the time) and was promoted in 8 months to a risk management analyst. Without providing too much detail I can speak to leading projects and programs at both companies to a certain extent (as much leash as would reasonably be given a 25-28 year old). I do some work with a Catholic charity but certainly not equivalent to some of the truly amazing student profiles you see floating around.

I also passed the CFA exams, each on the first try, and hold the charter. My research has suggested that this is not very helpful, which is a bummer. This takes a ton of work for anyone to do and wish it meant more.

If someone could speak to the overall strength of this profile that would be extremely helpful. My dream schools are Booth and Sloan, but am also very interested in Ross, Kellogg, Tuck, Fuqua, and Tepper.

Attending a Top 20 school has been an on and off dream since high school. Unfortunately in undergrad I made a host of poor decisions that really limited my academic performance. Thankfully strong internships landed me a better job than I was due. Given life circumstance (my significant other is finishing her doctorate) I am targeting a move and career shift on the near horizon. If I was successful I believe this could help me to land a job in a consulting or perhaps another investment management role.

Thanks very much in advance.
Don't sell yourself short- there is a lot to like here. And the CFA IS respected by adcom (I am former adcom) and telling them you passed on first try - along with the strong GMAT score and the CFA passing- really proves that you can do the B school work. I suggest you just straight up say something similar to what you did in your post here- in optional essay for adcom- tell them- yes- I realize that I did not apply myself in college- something I deeply regret- but my work and my GMAT show I can handle the work- and I am highly motivated to excel in this new opportunity for MBA. That's it- just let them know you know you can and will do better. I like your choices- and I would add if you have investment management interests- check out Kenan-Flagler while you are visiting Fuqua- as UNC has some great resources in their capital markets lab and I think with your 730 they will be more willing to forgive the 3.1. At least it is in the 3's... so kudos to you for that! Your slide could have been much worse... I think you can survive in many places on this profile. If you want more specific advice- happy to provide on a consult- reach out to us at this link for that and tell Brendan that Donna told you to get in touch...https://stratusadmissionscounseling.com/free-consult/

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by GeneralEducation » Thu Nov 16, 2017 6:45 am
Hi Jem,

You over all carry a very good profile and it's great that you have cleared your CFA exams in your first attempt and would also be appreciated by adcoms as they value it. You have done a pretty good job in GMAT and it's a high time where you must start focusing on your application essays. MBA is all about marketing yourself, where you have to sell yourself through the essays. Tailor your essays in a very comprehensive manner, showcase your leadership skill as you have lead the projects and programs. Build a story on what challenges you faced during the projects and programs you handled, and how were able to over come those challenges. Your leadership skills must be your over all strength in your profile and CFA clearance in first attempt must be in your achievements.

You have lots to mention in the essays, if you are an good narrator then you can crack admits from top b-schools. Talk to the respective b-school alumni you want to apply for , understand the requirement of the adcoms and prepare your essays accordingly.
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