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Profile evaluation for LBS, GMAT 660

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Profile evaluation for LBS, GMAT 660

by niddy » Tue Feb 24, 2015 6:12 pm
Hi, experts!
I would appreciate some help regarding my profile fit and GMAT score.

I'm a 27 yrs old brazilian woman with a Bachelor degree in International Relations at a top Brazilian university (grade 8.2 out of 10). I speak portuguese, english and spanish fluently and also speak some arabic.
I have 4 yrs of work experience in Competitive Intelligence / Strategy, first at a major e-commerce brazilian group, then the major eletronic payment company here and now I am working at a major Telecom. On my last shift, I got a 40% sallary raise after taking a certificate course on competitive Intelligence. I want to advance my career even more.

I got 660 on my first GMAT try and I am thinking if I should try to raise the score or just concentrate on other aspects of the application.

My goal is to get to LBS, starting in 2016. After The MBA, I plan to work in Finance, but related to tecnology, like eletronic payments (credit cards, mobile payments, others).

I would probably need a scholarship (currency conversion is very cruel).
I have time to study and take another GMAT, but should I really do it?

Besides LBS, I may apply to: Cass, Imperial, Judge, Said, Manchester

If you need more info to evaluate, just let me know.

Thank you very much,
Niddy
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by CriticalSquareMBA » Wed Feb 25, 2015 8:26 am
Hey Niddy,

I love that you're asking this question early in the process - it's the perfect time. To be honest, if you have time, retake the test. If you can pull that score up even 20, 30 points, it'll totally be worth it. And you have a few months before you need to start on your applications so the opportunity cost is low. You seem to have the makings a great profile so work on this part of things.

If you have any questions, let me know! If you want to chat, just drop us a line.

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by mcbMcK » Mon Mar 02, 2015 10:39 pm
A few more perspectives that may be worth considering Niddy:
  1. Though you've not mentioned explicitly, but I am assuming you are working in Brazil and do not have international experience? The reason that is relevant is because many European schools (especially LBS), value that. If you have the opportunity (and time) to, that is an area worth improving on
  2. The GMAT will fall short (again especially for the likes of LSB/INSEAD) by a few points. That said, if the choice is between point above and GMAT, I would vote for the former. But if its not a possibility, then between now and the time you apply, can you really make a big difference in the profile? If not, then you know what you have to do
  3. Finance is a VERY broad field. From the way you describe, your CI work appears more on business/strategy front rather than financial research side. So think deeper on what sub-area within finance will you target and can you defend it to future recruiters in terms of skill-match. Some homework needed there perhaps
  4. Any reason why you are not looking at US schools?
Hope this helps,
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by niddy » Wed Mar 04, 2015 4:57 am
CriticalSquareMBA wrote:Hey Niddy,

I love that you're asking this question early in the process - it's the perfect time. To be honest, if you have time, retake the test. If you can pull that score up even 20, 30 points, it'll totally be worth it. And you have a few months before you need to start on your applications so the opportunity cost is low. You seem to have the makings a great profile so work on this part of things.

If you have any questions, let me know! If you want to chat, just drop us a line.

Bhavik
Thank you!

I'll give myself a one month break and then restart studying.

Thanks,
niddy
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by niddy » Wed Mar 04, 2015 5:47 am
mcbMcK wrote:A few more perspectives that may be worth considering Niddy:
  1. Though you've not mentioned explicitly, but I am assuming you are working in Brazil and do not have international experience? The reason that is relevant is because many European schools (especially LBS), value that. If you have the opportunity (and time) to, that is an area worth improving on
  2. The GMAT will fall short (again especially for the likes of LSB/INSEAD) by a few points. That said, if the choice is between point above and GMAT, I would vote for the former. But if its not a possibility, then between now and the time you apply, can you really make a big difference in the profile? If not, then you know what you have to do
  3. Finance is a VERY broad field. From the way you describe, your CI work appears more on business/strategy front rather than financial research side. So think deeper on what sub-area within finance will you target and can you defend it to future recruiters in terms of skill-match. Some homework needed there perhaps
  4. Any reason why you are not looking at US schools?
Hope this helps,
Thank you.

I think you raised some relevant questoins and I guess I already have most figured out.
Can you see if that makes sense?

1. I've been doing my best to try an international career, since I've specialised in International Business, but I've never had a formal international position. To fulfill that aspiration in a way, I've always found positions which forced me to interact with people and corporations from other countries. In my current position I am constantly interacting with international consultants and employees of my company in other countries in Latin America. Also, I am involved in a volunteer organization that includes interaction with foreigners and travelling abroad to perform some volunteer activities. In my previous formal position, I was also responsible for adapting the financial strategies to different regions in my country (it's a huge one!), which gave me the opportunity to interact with diverse cultures, habits and systems.
I am not sure I can get more than that in one year, but I am trying.

2. I decided to give myself a month break and restart GMAT prep.

3. I do want a strategy/business position, but in Finance, specially in eletronic payment. I want a position very similar to the one a had previously, but when I had that position I did not had much knowledge about technology, which now I have from working at a Telecom/IT company. I want to develop and influence the development of new payment solutions and strategies, new ways of expanding one's market in that sense. I have lived on the side of the seller who needs the services, of the financial institution who provides it and of the provider of the technology needed.

4. Some reasons not to apply to US schools. I want a international environment, don't want to study with a lot of americans. In my life, I always tried to understand diversity, I've even studied arabic language and culture just for the sake of understanding a culture that I had no knowledge about. Also, I've been talking to many schools and except for Tuck, I did not like much their programs. I think the European schools seem much more hands-on and with a more colaborative environment. I've already visited LBS campus and talked personally with a Manchester recruiter and a Tuck student.
More reasons I have to apply only to European schools are because I heard about brazilians having trouble even to get internships in US (few options) and I plan to have at least an internship abroad and I have a sister living in London. My sister had no trouble getting an internship or the working visa after her Masters.
So, I was at first looking at US schools, but gave up. I've already spent 6 months living in the US (2 in Miami and 4 in NY) and I liked the country in many ways, but I think Europe would be more adequate to my needs and objectives.

Does it make sense?

Thank you very much,
niddy
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by mcbMcK » Mon Mar 09, 2015 5:32 am
Great to know that you've put in fair amount of research and thought into the process already Niddy. Just a few more reactions.

I think your international experience does sounds adequate from a volunteer front. You mentioned that you've lived in the US for 6 months - was that for the volunteer effort or work?

On your post-MBA goal, from what you describe, it sounds closer to a Product Management profile than finance or strategy frankly. Make sure you know what you are aiming for here and have spoken/researched people who are in this profile.

I wouldn't really agree with your assessment of US schools and would encourage you to research more. There might be especially a bit of selection bias in terms of employability.

All the best
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by CriticalSquareMBA » Wed Mar 11, 2015 6:58 am
It sounds like you've thought this through, and at the end of the day it really comes down to fit and where you think you'll be the most comfortable. LBS will certainly meet your needs in terms of both on-campus experience as well as future job opportunities. The transition from your current experience to your short-term goals makes sense. That said, best of luck with your GMAT prep - I know you're going to rock them!

Bhavik
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by niddy » Mon Mar 16, 2015 5:50 am
mcbMcK wrote:Great to know that you've put in fair amount of research and thought into the process already Niddy. Just a few more reactions.

I think your international experience does sounds adequate from a volunteer front. You mentioned that you've lived in the US for 6 months - was that for the volunteer effort or work?

On your post-MBA goal, from what you describe, it sounds closer to a Product Management profile than finance or strategy frankly. Make sure you know what you are aiming for here and have spoken/researched people who are in this profile.

I wouldn't really agree with your assessment of US schools and would encourage you to research more. There might be especially a bit of selection bias in terms of employability.

All the best
Thank you.

When I went to the US I was just planning to spend my vacations there and to meet some friends from a volunteering institution, but I got involved in some projects and spent more time.

Thank you for the tip on researching someone that has a position similar to what I'm looking for, I'll definitely do that!

And regarding US School, which ones would you recommend me to take a look?
From the ones I've already researched, Tuck was the one that most appealed to me.

Thank you once again,
Niddy
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by mcbMcK » Wed Mar 18, 2015 2:38 am
Niddy,

For reasons mentioned here, I will refrain from gut-based school recommendation. But any of the say top 15-20 schools should be good in terms of diversity. The point is also about which you can target as well as which would serve your career interests best.

Cheers,
MG (Manish Gupta)|The MBA Crystal Ball Team

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