I'll try to keep this post as concise as possible. Ultimately, I'd like to know whether or not I stand a chance of getting into a top MBA program (MIT, Columbia, NYU, or Georgetown). My Background, Work Experience, and Education are listed below:
Background:
I'm 28-years-old and a citizen of the U.S. I went to college immediately after high school to pursue a degree in Business Management, but soon dropped out to help manage a friend's clothing and record store, which catered to dj's. My thinking at the time was, "Why do I need a degree when I can learn on-the-job?" I was extremely involved in music and performed regularly as a dj and a guitar player. I also organized a weekly event at a local club for two years.
In 2002, I moved to Boston in an effort to franchise the store, but high real estate costs and the evolution of the Internet made us reconsider and we eventually decided to close the original location in late 2003.
Applicable Career History:
[i]April 2004-December 2005[/i]
While living in Boston, I gained a tremendous interest in the world of finance. I found a position as an Operational Analyst with the discount brokerage arm of a major financial firm. In this role, I worked on a project that streamlined communications and efficiencies between operations and customer service. Eight months later, I passed the Series 7 and moved to their trading floor where I traded equity and derivative products. The firm was acquired by another company, who closed the Boston offices in December 2005.
[i]December 2005-May 2006[/i]
I was immediately hired as an Institutional Fund Trader with another major financial firm. I performed at a high level here, but my tenure was limited to five months because my division was acquired by another organization. They inevitably closed operations in Boston. De'ja vous!
[i]May 2006-Present[/i]
I gained a position with the private bank of another major financial organization. I worked in a client-facing role with a focus on bringing new assets to the bank. In this role, I won an award as a top performer for growth in New England and was promoted to Assistant Vice President.
As much as I liked this position, I knew that my long-term interests were geared towards an analytical and quantitative capacity. In December 2007, I was hired as a financial analyst within the same organization's private bank. I am currently working on a six sigma project whose mission is to develop and implement the 2009 compensation plan for the private bank and a newly acquired organization.
Education:
[i]2004-2008[/i]
In 2004, I went back to school at night, while working full-time, to pursue a BS in Finance and Accounting Management at Northeastern University. I finished my degree in less than four years by completing my last 25 classes (75 credits) in 12 months. My GPA is a 3.703 and I'm now studying for the GMAT, which I hope to take in September.
Conclusion:
I apologize for the length, but due to my non-traditional background, I thought that it was necessary to explain my entire situation in order for you to make an assessment. Assuming that I do well on the GMAT, is it realistic for me to pursue entry into a top-tier (MIT, Columbia, NYU, or Georgetown) full-time MBA program?
Your opinion and advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
Background:
I'm 28-years-old and a citizen of the U.S. I went to college immediately after high school to pursue a degree in Business Management, but soon dropped out to help manage a friend's clothing and record store, which catered to dj's. My thinking at the time was, "Why do I need a degree when I can learn on-the-job?" I was extremely involved in music and performed regularly as a dj and a guitar player. I also organized a weekly event at a local club for two years.
In 2002, I moved to Boston in an effort to franchise the store, but high real estate costs and the evolution of the Internet made us reconsider and we eventually decided to close the original location in late 2003.
Applicable Career History:
[i]April 2004-December 2005[/i]
While living in Boston, I gained a tremendous interest in the world of finance. I found a position as an Operational Analyst with the discount brokerage arm of a major financial firm. In this role, I worked on a project that streamlined communications and efficiencies between operations and customer service. Eight months later, I passed the Series 7 and moved to their trading floor where I traded equity and derivative products. The firm was acquired by another company, who closed the Boston offices in December 2005.
[i]December 2005-May 2006[/i]
I was immediately hired as an Institutional Fund Trader with another major financial firm. I performed at a high level here, but my tenure was limited to five months because my division was acquired by another organization. They inevitably closed operations in Boston. De'ja vous!
[i]May 2006-Present[/i]
I gained a position with the private bank of another major financial organization. I worked in a client-facing role with a focus on bringing new assets to the bank. In this role, I won an award as a top performer for growth in New England and was promoted to Assistant Vice President.
As much as I liked this position, I knew that my long-term interests were geared towards an analytical and quantitative capacity. In December 2007, I was hired as a financial analyst within the same organization's private bank. I am currently working on a six sigma project whose mission is to develop and implement the 2009 compensation plan for the private bank and a newly acquired organization.
Education:
[i]2004-2008[/i]
In 2004, I went back to school at night, while working full-time, to pursue a BS in Finance and Accounting Management at Northeastern University. I finished my degree in less than four years by completing my last 25 classes (75 credits) in 12 months. My GPA is a 3.703 and I'm now studying for the GMAT, which I hope to take in September.
Conclusion:
I apologize for the length, but due to my non-traditional background, I thought that it was necessary to explain my entire situation in order for you to make an assessment. Assuming that I do well on the GMAT, is it realistic for me to pursue entry into a top-tier (MIT, Columbia, NYU, or Georgetown) full-time MBA program?
Your opinion and advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
