Profile eval pls.

[noggin19]

Hi,

Can you please evaluate my profile?

UG: Indian Institute of Technology (GPA = 8.15/10)
PG: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) (GPA = 4.9/5)
GMAT: 720 (Q 51, V 36, AWA 5)

Work experience: IT in Investment Banking for the last 3.5 years (Top i-banking firms). Overall, 5 yrs of work ex

My objective is to stay in investment banking and make a career switch to being a desk strategist/risk manager

Thanks

[Lisa Anderson]

Dear noggin19,

You provided very little information and no reference to any particular schools, so my comments are very general in nature. Based on your GMAT and GPA, you are competitive for almost any program you feel is a good match for you and your goals. However, decisions are made on more than those numbers so whether or not you can gain admission will depend on how well you present yourself in your applications. You need to have well-written essays, strong recommendations, and good interviews. Additionally, you will need to show successful leadership and teamwork experiences in your career to date.

Best of luck,
Lisa

[noggin19]

Thanks Lisa for your feedback. I realized that I could have provided more info after posting the message. With respect to the schools, I am looking at Wharton, LBS, INSEAD, Columbia, U of C but I am more inclined towards the european schools - LBS in particular. Besides, since my primary objective is to move into finance, I am also looking at the MiF program at LBS.

Also, I was wondering if it would be worthwhile to try for the 2009 admissions for LBS as the last deadline is end of April. Despite the market conditions, the factor driving me to apply for the 2009 cycle is that by april next year, my work ex would be 6 years and I am not sure if it would be looked at in a negative manner.

As for leadership, I haven't been directly managing any team in the last 2 years as the nature of work has been so but ofcourse the work has warranted significant teamwork. But in my second job after school, I was managing a team of 2 people by the end of my career there

Thank you for your time again and if time permits, can you please comment on the situation with the additional info provided?

[Lisa Anderson]

Dear noggin19,

Applying at the end of the admission cycle is always a risk. There are very few seats left and schools are only going to offer them to the top of the pool. If you think you would be in that group, then you could always apply and see what happens. However, if you can wait and apply in the first round for next year, then that might be the more prudent choice. Having 6 years versus 5 is really not a significant difference (actually no real difference).

Good luck,
Lisa