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What can I do to improve my profile for MFE program?

Launched September 22, 2008
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What can I do to improve my profile for MFE program?

by eric68508 » Thu Jul 09, 2009 2:41 pm
My profile is:
###############################################
Work experience: IT support in a fortune 500 company (2 year)

GMAT: 720(Q50,V37).

Master: Acturial science in USA. Current GPA 3.7

Undergraduate degree: Computer Science in a HKUST
(2005 graduated)with GPA a little of than C+ .(class ranking: around 30/60)

extracurricular activities:
Team member in two sport teams anf have taken part in competition for the university.


###############################################

Can anyone give me some suggestion to explain or compensate my GPA in undergradue degree?

In fact, GPA in my previous University is low in general, Ususally, we get a 'C+' if our score is average. Moreover, I have put lot of time in sport teams when I am undergraude student. Should I use these reason to explain my low GPA?

Also, Master in Financial Engineering extremely foucs on Math. Should I take a GRE sub Math to compensate the low GPA?

Thank you very much
Last edited by eric68508 on Wed Aug 05, 2009 10:05 am, edited 1 time in total.
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by Eliot » Fri Jul 10, 2009 5:25 am
eric68508,

Thanks for your note. Yes, the adcom will be a bit concerned about your 2.3 gpa in college. Fortunately, your high (720) GMAT score and your 3.7 gpa in your Masters degree should show that you are capable of performing well academically. Essentially, you just need to include a note in your application - something like this:

"I believe that my 3.7 gpa in my masters degree in actuarial science, combined with my 720 GMAT score, are better indicators of my current academic ability than my college grades from several years ago."

As you can see, I would not dwell on the reasons for your college performance. Instead, I would just keep your explanation simple and to the point.

I don't think that you need to take more classes or take the GRE.

Essentially, you should just focus on the other elements of your application - make sure that you have clear career goals and explain what you are seeking a MFE at this time. Be sure to show that you have leadership experience and accomplishments at work.

Let me know if you have any further questions.

Sincerely,

Eliot Ingram
Clear Admit LLC
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by eric68508 » Fri Jul 10, 2009 9:19 am
So,which university can I apply for?

If my current GPA can compensate the old one, is it possible for me to apply ivy league university?
Thank you
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by Eliot » Fri Jul 10, 2009 3:08 pm
eric68508,

Thanks for your reply. In order to answer your question about school selection, I would need more information from you.

1) Career goals - what are your career goals? Why are you seeking a MFE?
2) Tell me more about your IT service work experience - can you show impact on the job and leadership?

Let me clarify my earlier message: While your gmat score and your masters degree grades will place your college grades into context and demonstrate that you have solid academic abilities, the adcom will still see your low college grades. Given the large number of highly qualified applicants to top schools, you will have a hard time gaining admission to top "ivy league" schools with your college grades. Having said this, you could be competitive at the next range of schools, especially if the rest of your application (work experience, goals, etc) is quite strong.

Sincerely,

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by eric68508 » Sat Jul 11, 2009 8:02 pm
Eliot wrote:eric68508,

Thanks for your reply. In order to answer your question about school selection, I would need more information from you.

1) Career goals - what are your career goals? Why are you seeking a MFE?
2) Tell me more about your IT service work experience - can you show impact on the job and leadership?

Let me clarify my earlier message: While your gmat score and your masters degree grades will place your college grades into context and demonstrate that you have solid academic abilities, the adcom will still see your low college grades. Given the large number of highly qualified applicants to top schools, you will have a hard time gaining admission to top "ivy league" schools with your college grades. Having said this, you could be competitive at the next range of schools, especially if the rest of your application (work experience, goals, etc) is quite strong.

Sincerely,

Eliot Ingram
Clear Admit LLC
My reason that I want to study MFE is because I want to move from IT industry to finanical industry.
And the duties of IT support are just to make backup for systems and fix the problem. As it is my first job, the post is a junior post that do not have many leadship experience.

Also, can you give me some example of "next range of schools" of ivy league? For example,should I apply for UCLA and Michigan.
Thank you
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by Eliot » Mon Jul 13, 2009 10:37 am
eric68508,

While I am not aware of a definitive ranking of these MFE programs, you might consider Baruch and CMU. They seem to have a solid reputation for the computational and finance elements of the MFE program.

Sincerely,

Eliot Ingram
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by eric68508 » Wed Aug 05, 2009 10:04 am
Eliot wrote:eric68508,

While I am not aware of a definitive ranking of these MFE programs, you might consider Baruch and CMU. They seem to have a solid reputation for the computational and finance elements of the MFE program.

Sincerely,

Eliot Ingram
Clear Admit LLC
After discuss with others, I found that MBA program is more suitable for me. Can you give me some suggestion that which range of MBA program can I apply?
Thank you
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by Eliot » Thu Aug 06, 2009 3:12 pm
Can you give me some suggestion that which range of MBA program can I apply?

eric68508,

Thanks for your reply. Given your finance focus, you might consider the following schools: NYU Stern, UCLA Anderson, UC Berkeley (Haas), and Yale. You might also consider UT Austin (McCombs) and USC (Marshall)

Sincerely,

Eliot Ingram
Clear Admit LLC
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by eric68508 » Fri Aug 07, 2009 5:44 pm
Eliot wrote:Can you give me some suggestion that which range of MBA program can I apply?

eric68508,

Thanks for your reply. Given your finance focus, you might consider the following schools: NYU Stern, UCLA Anderson, UC Berkeley (Haas), and Yale. You might also consider UT Austin (McCombs) and USC (Marshall)

Sincerely,

Eliot Ingram
Clear Admit LLC
Thank you for your reply,
I think that I can get much better if I retake the gmat,
so what kind of university can I apply if I can get a 750 in next time?
Thank you
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by Eliot » Wed Aug 19, 2009 8:02 am
eric68508,

Thanks for your reply. I don't think that you should retake the GMAT. After all, a 720 GMAT score is a very good score. In addition, there is no guarantee that you will get a 750 score. The key issue is your college grades, not your gmat. I strongly suggest that you focus on the schools I mentioned earlier - schools like NYU Stern, UCLA Anderson, UC Berkeley (Haas), and Yale. You might also consider UT Austin (McCombs) and USC (Marshall).

Good luck with your applications.

Sincerely,

Eliot Ingram
Clear Admit LLC
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