Financial Services looking for a top 5

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Financial Services looking for a top 5

by malyce » Thu Jun 13, 2013 8:14 pm
Looking for a quick evaluation, I have not yet taken the GMAT and am debating whether I even have the chance to get into top 5 program, or whether I should work more/seek help. Looking to do an MBA at HBS, Wharton, Columbia, LBS or INSEAD.

Below is my simplified and edited resume.

SKILLS AND INTERESTS
Fluent in English, strong working knowledge of Italian and French;
Expert knowledge of Microsoft Office and VBA; Good Bloomberg skills.
Freelance as a writer on the subject of asset management. My articles have been published in a national canadian magazine and Seeking Alpha,
Recently joined the board as a general member for two local toronto charities (budgets of ~250k)

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Analyst, Treasury Toronto, Canada
Top 25 Canadian Corporation 2012 - Current
Evaluated new financing opportunities, changes to the bank's capital structure, interest rate and foreign exchange hedging; and presented the results directly to senior management.
Supported funding activities through cash flow and balance sheet forecasting.
Managed a GIC portfolio of CAD$XXX million with end to end responsibilities of broker selection, negotiation, GIC pricing and execution.

Analyst, Trading Risk Monitoring, Rates & FX Toronto, Canada
Big 5 Canadian Investment Bank 2011 - 2012
Detailed knowledge of risk measurement techniques, their limitations and inherent strengths/weaknesses of alternative methodologies.
Strong understanding of the pricing of interest rate and foreign exchange derivative products and the attribution of trading P&L.
Programmed multiple VBA programs for the automation of reporting processes, which reduced the daily investigation time by 2 hours.

Bilingual Senior CSR
Big 5 Canadian Bank, Investment Funds Group 2010 - 2011
Facilitated a high quality of service through the administration of timely, effective problem resolution to enhance the clients' relationship.

Teaching Assistant, Economics Department
Canadian Liberal Arts University 2009 - 2010
Lectured two Economics 101 tutorials weekly and graded students' assignments and midterms.

EDUCATION
Passed all three levels of CFA exam

B.COMM, Major in Economics - Honours Course load - 2.9 GPA
Highly ranked Canadian Liberal Arts University 2006 - 2010
Source: — Ask Clear Admit |

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by Heidi Granner » Mon Jul 01, 2013 4:20 pm
Hi malyce,

Thanks for your post.

Your language skills and writing experience should help differentiate you from other applicants with a fiance background. However, your below average GPA and Analyst position will be significant hurdles at the very top schools.

If you are able to get a very strong GMAT score (750+), I think you could be competitive at INSEAD and Columbia Early Decision rounds. Otherwise, if you are able to secure a promotion in the coming months then waiting one more year to apply would strengthen your application.

Please feel free to reach out to [email protected] for a free detailed profile evaluation.

Best,
Heidi