Aiming HBS/Wharton/INSEAD 2011 - Indian - Finance - M&A

[vaibhavsingh]

I am working at E&Y TAS team in India having 2 years of work ex currently. I graduated in finance from the top business undergrad school in India with an average score (65%, GPA 3-3.2). Although EY TAS in India (top of Bloomberg league table for dealmakers, Yes, GS & BOA are behind EY in India!) is the best in M&A they have a reputation of doing due diligence and audit in the US. That is a big problem while applying to the US schools

The ECA in college is very decent - Headed College Festival (15000+ footfalls), Organised India's largest debating event, youngest at Asia's largest management summit at IIM Ahmedabad etc.

I am aiming at HBS/Wharton/INSEAD etc for 2011 admissions. I am ready to postpone my application to just be sure of getting a Top 10 call.

The options are:
A) Get into a smaller firm as an associate to show progression (since you cant become associate at EY India without an MBA)
B) Join a Govt developmental agency (cant reveal the name) and do some good work for a year using my knowledge of finance to bring about changes at a ground level in my country
C) Join a start-up in an emerging sector (say carbon credit economy)

These three options are all very exciting for me. But I will like to take a call from the standpoint of a US MBA application!

PS: Also do you think that a correspondence degree in business law will add to the appplication

[Anurag@Gurome]

You have a good brand name in your career profile. However, you must show accomplishments - all top schools look for early evidence of success in younger applicants (I am estimating you are around 23). Your undergraduate GPA is low and may hurt you. A high GMAT score can compensate for it. A correspondence course in business law may help but not fix that issue. A graduate level coursework with top grades may help too. Extracurriculars seem to be good, but mostly at the college level. Have you considered doing something outside of your job, something you are truly passionate about (e.g. volunteering for a social cause). As for the next steps in your career, you must think where you want your career to really go. Your passion and commitment to your chosen career will show through in your essays and in your interviews. More importantly, you will be able to accomplish much in a shorter span of time if you follow what excites you the most. All of that will enhance your chances at a Top 10 program.

Overall, my suggestion is that you do an in-depth analysis of your background and your goals (career and otherwise); develop a storyline that weaves it all together; identify specific gaps in your profile; and plan your next 1 year or so to fill these gaps.

Hope that helps.

[maverick_andy]

Hi Vaibhav, Option B is really good. However, as Anurag said, its important to do in-depth analysis of your goals and how will MBA help you in that process?. For the sake of getting MBA from TOP B-schools, changing your career might help you to get through B-schools but you have to substantiate how these options in-turn help you to achieve your goals.

[vaibhavsingh]

Thanks for the suggestions.. I am however confused between CFA and PG Diploma in finance from tier 2 university in India (good ones don't have correspondence)??

Yes Ankur.. I am involved with a Social Start-Up on a non-profit basis. My only problem area is undergrad marks

The point here is that I am good academically but was too busy with other stuff in college. I want the best way to negate the low undergrad score. I am willing to take the MSc in Europe + 2 year work-ex route to an MBA application but will not compromise on the target schools.

Kindly suggest whether CFA L1 and L2 can show that I academically sound.. Its a tough & relevant course but doesn't give score..(only pass or fail, though 60% dont get though)

Does it solve the problem of low undergrad.. ?