Please Evaluate My Profile

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Please Evaluate My Profile

by ermizrahi » Tue Aug 10, 2010 11:59 am
Hi

I am from Johannesburg South Africa

I have read numerous articles regarding MBA admissions and the requirements for the course.

I was hoping you could help me evaluate the chances I have in getting into a decent school and what consulting services you have as I have no experience and do not know of anyone with MBA application experience.

My aim would be to apply in 2011 for the intake in 2012.By 2012 I would have 4 years work experience.

Brief overview of myself

My biggest weakness is my undergrad as I completed a Bachelors in Accounting at the University of Johannesburg in 2007 unfortunately I had been living with ADD which was not being treated and was completely useless in my first 2 years.
After my first year I took off 6 months to attend a cooking course as this is a passion of mine and I felt would help me focus.

In my third year I sought help for my ADD and slowly my marks began to improve.

I was accepted into the Honours program and graduated in 2008 with an Honours in accounting (Prerequisite to becoming Chartered Accountant)

I have completed the first qualifying exam and will be writing my last exam in November 2010.

The one thing that I feel could help my poor undergrad is my extra studies that I have taken on post university which I really feel could show my new found love for studying and commitment to exceeding. After I started being treated for ADD I have been addicted to studying and achieving things I never thought were possible

Post University Studies include
CFA Level I December 2009 (most sections above 70%)
CAIA Level I March 2010 (All but one section above 70%)
CFA Level II June 2010 (All but two sections above 70%)
Registered for final CFA level June 2011
And will write Level II CAIA in October 2011

Work Experience
During Undergrad
Volunteered for Community organisation 2005 - 2006
Positions held
Treasurer

Post Grad work experience
Auditor - Deloitte
I have been at Deloitte for just under two years and in my third year I will be in charge of three audits leading teams of between 5 - 8 people.
These are for prestigious clients of Deloitte.
I have been rated as a star performer.

GMAT
I plan on writing GMAT in January 2011 and feel I can achieve over 700

I know this is a very brief overview and there is a lot of information that I have left out.

My main concern is my undergrad and weather there is any point considering a top MBA with really poor grades or will the change in attitude and additional achievements help me get in .

Any help would be appreciated.

If you could advise on the consulting service you offer.

Thank you.
Source: — Ask an MBA Admissions Consultant |

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by Cindy Tokumitsu » Mon Aug 16, 2010 5:26 am
Hello,

If you have a strong candidacy otherwise, I do not think the undergrad grades would prove an insurmountable obstacle, because you have a clear reason and have also demonstrated academic ability afterwards - once you addressed the problem. In an optional essay (or other essay, depending on the questions in various applications) you can describe your struggle with ADD and that story could also be a positive element, showing tenacity, willingness to confront difficult realities, perhaps also deepening your empathy, etc.

To improve your candidacy for top schools, I suggest that you volunteer now and continue for the next year, which will also make a difference.

Thank you for inquiring about our services -- I am not supposed to promote them explicitly on this forum; you can view then generally at https://www.accepted.com/services/mbaservices.aspx and you also can email me directly at [email protected] to discuss it further.

Best regards,
Cindy Tokumitsu
Senior Editor, Accepted.com