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Hi Graham,

I'm a 27 year old male. GMAT score of 710 (47 Q, 40 V).

Education:

3.2 from the University of Wisconsin - Madison, double major in economics/philosohpy.

While in school, I "walked on" to the wrestling team. I was cut during tryouts my freshman and sophomore years, and then was accepted on the team as a junior.

Work Experience:

Shortly after school, I moved to Chicago to work for a small software/financial services company that provides a research tool numerous trading desks at banks and hedge funds use. I started out as an intern. After mastering the tools, I was promoted to account manager after a year. The company moved me to NY where I was responsible for handling a number of the companies accounts. I acted as the first point of contact, trained new users, signed on new users. I was responsible for managing roughly 10% of the company's annual revenue.

After a year in an account management role, I left NY for Phoenix because my fiance was in a phd program there. Currently, I am an assistant portfolio manager at an asset management firm. I am responsible for the research, construction and management of a mutual fund asset allocation product.

Outside of the office, I am a volunteer wrestling coach at a local high school.

Given my profile, what do you think my chances are for NYU, Columbia, Chicago? My ultimate goal is to work on a trading desk at a big bank (I know the industry is suffering right now!).

Also, would you recommend any other schools with strong finance programs that have connections to the capital markets industry that you feel I would have a chance at?

I assume Wharton is above me, but if it's in the "stretch" range then I would give it a shot.

Thanks for your feedback.

Anyone out there?

Dear Bucky6225,

Thanks for your post.

Here are my thoughts on your profile:

Academics
Your grades from U. Wisconsin are decent, but below the average GPA for students accepted to the schools on your target list (more liek 3.5). While U. Wisconsin - Madison is definitely a strong program, you have to remember that you may be up against kids with 3.5's out of Princeton or Amherst, etc. I do like the philosophy major - as this sets you apart somewhat (economics is obviously more commonly found in MBA applicants).

Your GMAT is right around the average at your target schools and it looks like you've managed to clear the 80th percentile in each section - a good thing. Of course, since your ugrad grades are a bit below average, it would have been better to have hit a homerun on the GMAT, so as to counterbalance some of the liability associated with your ugrad results. Have you taken the test more than once?

Work Experience
This aspect of your candidacy shows some promise. My primary concern is that your first role may come off as more of a sales/technician experience - but the fact that you've landed on your feet in more of a pure finance role in Arizona should help limit that risk. [Note: Beyond the fact that you've ended up in a nice role out West, keep in mind that the predominantly female adcom may subtly appreciate your decision to relocate to be with your fiancee.]

I am assuming that you have about 5 years of experience - 2 with the first company and 3 out in Arizona (this wasn't 100% clear from your post). This puts you right around the average for most programs - as does your age of 27.

XCs
Your dedication to wrestling at the college level should make for good essay fodder. I also like the fact that there is some continuity here with your present coaching work. That said, I'm wondering what else you might have to offer the adcom in this category. Are there other outside interests/hobbies/activities you regularly pursue?

As to your overall odds of admission, I think a lot of this will come down to the way that you present yourself in the essays, the caliber of your recommendations and your interviewing skills. In other words, given the slightly weaker GPA and rather pedestrian GMAT result, a lot of your success will hinge on how you market yourself. On the surface you should be competitive at the programs on your list (more so at NYU than the other two), but I would need more information (about XCs, recs, goals, etc) to really assess.

In terms of other programs you might target, I wouldn't necessarily rule out Wharton (again this depends on some of the details I don't have about your background) - but I also might ask that you look beyond NYU as well (Carnegie Mellon and Cornell have solid finance programs, for example).

Feel free to send your resume to Clear Admit ([email protected]) if you would like to have a free 30-minute assessment with one of our counselors.

Best of luck,

Graham