Age: Would be 29 when starting program
GMAT: 700 (49Q, 36V)
GPA: Bachelor of Arts (Econ major, PolS minor) 2.8-2.9 (If you take my bottom 2 or 3 scores off it jumps to 3.1, many A's at 300-400 level courses)
Work Experience: 5 years. 2 years in construction machinery sales (forklifts, telehandlers, etc.) in Alberta, British Columbia and Washington State. 3 years in Finance as a trader at one of Canada's big 5 banks. I have gone from trader, to high value client trader and just finished a short term management position. I have won numerous rewards for performance, including this year receiving a trip to Beverly Hills to meet with upper management (top 2 employees out of about 130 eligible). Career plan with employer is to get me into an assistant portfolio manager position in the next 2 years.
Designations: Canadian Securities Course, Options and Derivatives licensing, one course away from Canadian Investment Manager designation (CIM), passed the first level of the CFA program.
External: Led a team to raise funds (almost $2000) for Juvenile Diabetes Research, Politically active in the Canadian Liberal Party (will be part of the inner circle for a candidate on the next Federal election), Co-general manager of a mens league hockey team.
Target School:
University of Alberta Part Time MBA, Finance Specializtion
Time Part-Time MBA Program (profile below)
5-Year Average
Class Size: 47
Average GMAT: 600
Average GPA: 3.3/4.0
Average Work Experience: 8 Years
Average Age: 32
So, I am doing great on the GMAT front, my recommendations and work experience should be great. My organization is known for being top notch and was just voted by its peers one of the best companies in Canada in regards to developing leaders. I have some external accomplishments, not many.
My GPA seems to be the biggest sticking point. I am worried that they have a hard cut off at 3.0 (currently awaiting an answer on this from the admissions people). With that being said, I feel that if I can get into an interview situation I can really explain this. I went through some tough times from oh, junior high to just after university (really tough stuff, not exaggerating) so University was a struggle for me. I had lots of A's but lots of C's and an F as well. I didn't hand in major assignments because I just didn't care. Is this something that I can make a case for, or is it just perceived as an excuse?
So, whaddya think? Any advice on how to sell myself to the admissions folks??
GMAT: 700 (49Q, 36V)
GPA: Bachelor of Arts (Econ major, PolS minor) 2.8-2.9 (If you take my bottom 2 or 3 scores off it jumps to 3.1, many A's at 300-400 level courses)
Work Experience: 5 years. 2 years in construction machinery sales (forklifts, telehandlers, etc.) in Alberta, British Columbia and Washington State. 3 years in Finance as a trader at one of Canada's big 5 banks. I have gone from trader, to high value client trader and just finished a short term management position. I have won numerous rewards for performance, including this year receiving a trip to Beverly Hills to meet with upper management (top 2 employees out of about 130 eligible). Career plan with employer is to get me into an assistant portfolio manager position in the next 2 years.
Designations: Canadian Securities Course, Options and Derivatives licensing, one course away from Canadian Investment Manager designation (CIM), passed the first level of the CFA program.
External: Led a team to raise funds (almost $2000) for Juvenile Diabetes Research, Politically active in the Canadian Liberal Party (will be part of the inner circle for a candidate on the next Federal election), Co-general manager of a mens league hockey team.
Target School:
University of Alberta Part Time MBA, Finance Specializtion
Time Part-Time MBA Program (profile below)
5-Year Average
Class Size: 47
Average GMAT: 600
Average GPA: 3.3/4.0
Average Work Experience: 8 Years
Average Age: 32
So, I am doing great on the GMAT front, my recommendations and work experience should be great. My organization is known for being top notch and was just voted by its peers one of the best companies in Canada in regards to developing leaders. I have some external accomplishments, not many.
My GPA seems to be the biggest sticking point. I am worried that they have a hard cut off at 3.0 (currently awaiting an answer on this from the admissions people). With that being said, I feel that if I can get into an interview situation I can really explain this. I went through some tough times from oh, junior high to just after university (really tough stuff, not exaggerating) so University was a struggle for me. I had lots of A's but lots of C's and an F as well. I didn't hand in major assignments because I just didn't care. Is this something that I can make a case for, or is it just perceived as an excuse?
So, whaddya think? Any advice on how to sell myself to the admissions folks??
