Profile Advice

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Profile Advice

by saad87pk » Mon Jul 21, 2008 9:09 am
Hi Guys, Thanks a lot in advance for your help. I know it’s a little early for me to be thinking about an MBA seeing that I just graduated undergrad. But I would like to get some advice on what you guys think of my profile and what I should be doing in the next 2-3 years to have a good shot at the top 5 business schools. Do you guys think 3 years is very little experience?

My Top choice: Columbia, Kellogg
Schools I like a lot: Duke, Michigan, UVA, Cornell
Depending on improvement of my profile id also like to apply to: Harvard, Chicago, Wharton
Profile: Pakistani male, moved to the US 7 years ago.
Age 21

Recommendation: I can get recomendations from a Columbia Professor and Wharton MBA grad who has been teaching for 3 years and has worked very closely with me in one of my leadership roles

Academics
GMAT: Taking it sometime early next year, expecting between a 690-720.
GPA: 3.35 overall, 3.7 in Finance

Career Goals: Private Equity

Activities and Achievements in college
First 2 years at Northwestern Oklahoma State
- President, Student governing association-youngest president in over a 100 year school history at age 18
- Co-founder of national chapter and co-president, Physics Club
- Treasurer, Academic team
- Cofounder and delegation vice chair, Oklahoma Intercollegiate Legislature

Last 2 years at Rutgers (Worked 40+ hours a week to pay for school)
- Senior Representative, Business Governing association
- Secretary, Little investment bankers of Rutgers
- Alumni Leadership Recognition Award, Awarded to the top 30 leaders at Rutgers University
- Diverse Business Leadership Award, Awarded to the top 15 Business Leaders of Business

Other EC: 6 years at AFPSRD - helped raise money to cure children and adults in pakistan that suffer from polio and raised money to hire professionals to teach polio victims find jobs like sewing etc.

Summer jobs
- Controlling analyst, GPC Biotech
- Unpaid extern, Bear Stearns investment banking
- Wealth management analyst, Merrill Lynch - recieved higest performer award out of 94 interns (MBA and Undergrad interns)

Current Position:
- Global Wealth management analyst, Merrill Lynch -valuate and generate retirement plans (401k, direct benefit etc.) for clients like Honda, Lufthansa airlines etc.
- Co-founder and CEO, Lazerev, Siddiqui & Co. – Provide clients corporate finance and strategic advice, focusing on companies operating or desiring middle eastern exposure

Thanks a lot guys,
Saad Siddiqui
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by Lisa Anderson » Tue Jul 22, 2008 6:14 am
Dear Saad,

It is good for you to start thinking about a plan for applying to business school now versus within a year. Based on what you posted, I think you are heading down the right path. Which schools are possible for you will depend on both your GMAT score and what you do professionally between now and the time you apply. Your current job is great experience; however, what you do in the next 2-3 years is the critical component. Admissions committees will be looking for you to have career progression over this timeframe, demonstrating success and expert knowledge in your field.

You will want to secure recommendations from current/former supervisors, co-workers, and/or other people who work with you in a professional capacity. You will want to stay away from friends and family. Professors can be fine, but schools really want at least one (if not both) recommendations to come from your professional experience.

You are on the right path--just focus on career success and continue to stay involved with the community over the next 2-3 years.

Best of luck,
Lisa
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by saad87pk » Tue Jul 22, 2008 6:24 am
Thanks a lot for your advice Lisa. I was wondering how admission commitee members view people that move around to different companies. I am going to be working at Merrill now but I have an oppurtunity to work in corporate finance strategy next year at another firm, and if I decide to persue this, would this be looked down upon by adcoms? Thanks again for your help

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by Lisa Anderson » Tue Jul 22, 2008 6:41 am
Dear Saad,

It is not a negative to change jobs as long as the change makes sense for your career development. If the job is a step up and/or broadens your knowledge for your future career goals, then it is definitely worth considering.

Regards,
Lisa
Lisa Anderson
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Stacy Blackman Consulting

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