I'm trying to decide whether or not this is a good time to apply, and what schools are my best options. Any feedback is appreciated. Here is my profile.
GPA/school: 3.5 from bottom tier Ivy. Not a quantative degree, but many cources in econ/stats/finance taken along the way. I also spent a semester abroad in Europe in an international business program.
GMAT: 690 - above 80% in both sections. I realize that this score might be an issue for me, although it is an improvement over my first score. What are your thoughts?
Work Exp: I will have 3 years of WE upon entrance in fall 2009. A bit over a year in Asset Management doing mid-office work. Now in portfolio analytics at a mid-large size asset manager. The idea is to stay so I have 2 years here. I am having the opportunity to work the lead on a bunch of larger projects, as well creating competitive analysis reports that are used directly by our sales/marketing staff. I know that this is not typical front office experience in Finance sell-side, but I think that I've done some interesting things that are probably different than most people who work in finance - and I'm hoping this somewhat takes me out of the competitive pool of most bankers and consultants. I also can definitely get great recommendations from here and my previous employer. Is this competitive work experience? This is really my biggest question - should I wait with only 3 years of work experience based on my description...
EC: Ran a philanthropy event 2 years in a row in college. Various positions in fraternity. Now I'm a member of my alumni club in NYC, as well a member of an entreprenuerial club associated with the school as well. Do you think this okay for this area?
Certifications: CFA - Levels 1 and 2 passed, series 7 and 63
I'm looking to stay in finance after the degree to hopefully get into some type of research or possibly I-banking role.
My target schools are mostly in the range of:
NYU, Cornell, Yale, (maybe Columbia but I think that's a very long shot). My safeties will probably be Georgetown and Kelley. The idea is to make sure I go to a program with strong finance program. Do you think I'm leaving out any schools? Do you think I have a realistic shot at those 3 targets given current market conditions with some solid essays? For the sake of staying anonymous - I have a strong legacy (a few direct famlily members) at one of my target schools. Am I at a disadvantage being on the lower end of the work experience? Please be as brutally honest as possible. I might have an opportunity to break into more of a research role here after a few years so it's not do or die for me. But obviously the top MBA would give me a better chance to do that, as well at a faster pace.
Thanks for any input.
GPA/school: 3.5 from bottom tier Ivy. Not a quantative degree, but many cources in econ/stats/finance taken along the way. I also spent a semester abroad in Europe in an international business program.
GMAT: 690 - above 80% in both sections. I realize that this score might be an issue for me, although it is an improvement over my first score. What are your thoughts?
Work Exp: I will have 3 years of WE upon entrance in fall 2009. A bit over a year in Asset Management doing mid-office work. Now in portfolio analytics at a mid-large size asset manager. The idea is to stay so I have 2 years here. I am having the opportunity to work the lead on a bunch of larger projects, as well creating competitive analysis reports that are used directly by our sales/marketing staff. I know that this is not typical front office experience in Finance sell-side, but I think that I've done some interesting things that are probably different than most people who work in finance - and I'm hoping this somewhat takes me out of the competitive pool of most bankers and consultants. I also can definitely get great recommendations from here and my previous employer. Is this competitive work experience? This is really my biggest question - should I wait with only 3 years of work experience based on my description...
EC: Ran a philanthropy event 2 years in a row in college. Various positions in fraternity. Now I'm a member of my alumni club in NYC, as well a member of an entreprenuerial club associated with the school as well. Do you think this okay for this area?
Certifications: CFA - Levels 1 and 2 passed, series 7 and 63
I'm looking to stay in finance after the degree to hopefully get into some type of research or possibly I-banking role.
My target schools are mostly in the range of:
NYU, Cornell, Yale, (maybe Columbia but I think that's a very long shot). My safeties will probably be Georgetown and Kelley. The idea is to make sure I go to a program with strong finance program. Do you think I'm leaving out any schools? Do you think I have a realistic shot at those 3 targets given current market conditions with some solid essays? For the sake of staying anonymous - I have a strong legacy (a few direct famlily members) at one of my target schools. Am I at a disadvantage being on the lower end of the work experience? Please be as brutally honest as possible. I might have an opportunity to break into more of a research role here after a few years so it's not do or die for me. But obviously the top MBA would give me a better chance to do that, as well at a faster pace.
Thanks for any input.
