UG Fresher:Better Career Path for a Top 20 MBA

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Hi

I need some suggestion as to how to carve your pre MBA experience to lad in your dream B School.(Top 20).

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I am an engineering graduate from Indian Institute of Technology,Batch 2007.My GPA is 2.8 on a scale of 4.I have some extracurriculars under my belt but nothing stellar.I have an IT work experience of 7 months in PricewaterhouseCoopers.

I wish to pursue an MBA Finance from a top tier (top 15) B School after 4,5 years.
I have two career paths.Please suggest which would be better.

1.) Clear CFA L1 in June this year and try to move into Bulge Bracket I Banks in India.Work there for another 3, 4 years and then apply to B Schools.The important thing to note here is in India mostly back office job is done in Finance.I don't know of it helps if you are a team leader in a back office in a leading I bank.

2.)Clear CFA L1 and work 1 year in some financial firm in India.Then apply for a low cost (Total cost less than 35,000$)1 year MS Finance from US (State University of Suny Buffalo,New York).Then work for another 2 years and apply to B Schools.
This MS Finance program is not the most reputed and I don't know whether I would be landing with a Job in a branded firm.However I can make up for my low GPA in undergrad and can have some international experience.The important question is Would doing a professional program from an average university tend to make my CV mediocre.

There are many factors to consider which would weigh more.Please throw some light.
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by Lisa Anderson » Mon Feb 11, 2008 8:53 pm
Dear buddyforall:

It is always great to see someone thinking about their career with a long-term perspective and making plans to achieve one's goals. With regards to your question, it is unfortunately not as simple to answer by picking one of the two paths described. What is most important to remember when applying to business schools is you must demonstrate your aptitude to succeed in the program and a strong rationale for why a particular school makes sense for you.

The best thing you can do right now is to make sure you have career progression over the next 4-5 years, specifically that you taken on greater responsibility in your field be it supervisory and/or financially. I would also encourage you to visit the Success Stories section of this site and other MBA-related websites for further insight from MBAs and/or MBA graduates.

Best wishes,
Lisa
Lisa Anderson
Consultant
Stacy Blackman Consulting

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