Hi Lisa, I was interested to get your input regarding my candidacy:
I am debating the pros and cons of part-time vs. full-time programs, but NYU's Langone program as well as Chicago's Booth part-time program (Chicago Business Fellows) look very interesting to me at the moment as I would like to remain working while in school (though open to alternative suggestions).
I have a little over 2 years experience working in finance (1 year as a equity research analyst at a big bank, the other as a data analyst in a hedge fund). In both roles, I have been given quite a number of responsibilities, though it hasn't come to the point yet where I was formally promoted as the timing couldn't have been worse with market conditions.
I have just passed Level 2 of the CFA program and plan on taking the final level next June. I just picked up GMAT material, and hope to attain (within reach) a score of 700+. I plan on taking the exam in late October in case I decide to apply for several round 1 programs for matriculation in 2010.
My main issue is that my undergrad GPA is a 3.1 in Engineering (Operations Research) from Columbia University. My Spring semester grades were worse than the Fall ones, and that had to do with a seasonal illness my grandfather had that had me take time to nurse him. I worry about how adcoms feel about the GPA, and if they'll take into account the sympathetic story in the optional essay.
I'm currently 22 (turning 23 in October), so I'm on the younger side, and have no idea how schools are looking into the younger candidate pool these days, but I am a bit hesitant in applying now because of this reason along with the GPA factor (some classes were quantitative-finance courses with weak scores, which worries me). On the flip side, I have taken many math classes (calculus, multi-variate calculus, differential equations and linear algebra) and have received scores of A in all of them. As for extra-curricular activities, I have been involved with a local charity group for many years now and continue to be a part of the group.
Why an MBA right now? I think that the financial mess the US has gotten into as of late will require workers in the field to be more educated and well-informed of proper business practices. Being young and having the privilege to come out of a top MBA program early on can demonstrate leadership qualities as well as a boost of professionalism.
Based on your experience, would it be wise to take some post-bacc classes to boost GPA, or may the adcoms take my CFA exam results into account to balance that out as it will show them I am passionate about finance? How do you think adcoms feel about younger candidates without the 4-5 average years of experience, especially in a part-time program? Will the sub-par GPA factor be looked at by what program and school I went to, and the difficulty of it? Is it easier or more difficult to get accepted into a business school program at your undergraduate university? All in all, how competitive do you think my candidacy is to the general pool should I apply right now (assuming a score on the GMAT of 700-740).
I sincerely appreciate you reading this lengthy post, as well as any insight you can provide. I look forward to hearing from you.
Best,
Milan
I am debating the pros and cons of part-time vs. full-time programs, but NYU's Langone program as well as Chicago's Booth part-time program (Chicago Business Fellows) look very interesting to me at the moment as I would like to remain working while in school (though open to alternative suggestions).
I have a little over 2 years experience working in finance (1 year as a equity research analyst at a big bank, the other as a data analyst in a hedge fund). In both roles, I have been given quite a number of responsibilities, though it hasn't come to the point yet where I was formally promoted as the timing couldn't have been worse with market conditions.
I have just passed Level 2 of the CFA program and plan on taking the final level next June. I just picked up GMAT material, and hope to attain (within reach) a score of 700+. I plan on taking the exam in late October in case I decide to apply for several round 1 programs for matriculation in 2010.
My main issue is that my undergrad GPA is a 3.1 in Engineering (Operations Research) from Columbia University. My Spring semester grades were worse than the Fall ones, and that had to do with a seasonal illness my grandfather had that had me take time to nurse him. I worry about how adcoms feel about the GPA, and if they'll take into account the sympathetic story in the optional essay.
I'm currently 22 (turning 23 in October), so I'm on the younger side, and have no idea how schools are looking into the younger candidate pool these days, but I am a bit hesitant in applying now because of this reason along with the GPA factor (some classes were quantitative-finance courses with weak scores, which worries me). On the flip side, I have taken many math classes (calculus, multi-variate calculus, differential equations and linear algebra) and have received scores of A in all of them. As for extra-curricular activities, I have been involved with a local charity group for many years now and continue to be a part of the group.
Why an MBA right now? I think that the financial mess the US has gotten into as of late will require workers in the field to be more educated and well-informed of proper business practices. Being young and having the privilege to come out of a top MBA program early on can demonstrate leadership qualities as well as a boost of professionalism.
Based on your experience, would it be wise to take some post-bacc classes to boost GPA, or may the adcoms take my CFA exam results into account to balance that out as it will show them I am passionate about finance? How do you think adcoms feel about younger candidates without the 4-5 average years of experience, especially in a part-time program? Will the sub-par GPA factor be looked at by what program and school I went to, and the difficulty of it? Is it easier or more difficult to get accepted into a business school program at your undergraduate university? All in all, how competitive do you think my candidacy is to the general pool should I apply right now (assuming a score on the GMAT of 700-740).
I sincerely appreciate you reading this lengthy post, as well as any insight you can provide. I look forward to hearing from you.
Best,
Milan
