please review my profile

[doudoudidon]

Hi,

I am currently starting my applications, and would like to get a first idea about my profile.

French woman 29y old
GMAT not taken yet
Master in Financial Engineering , France (Sorbonne University) with honours 2007
Bachelor in Business, France, Sorbonne University with honours
Baccalauréat (A level) at 16y old

I have been working as a junior trader for 1.5 y in Paris (Credit Agricole CIB) and then as an equity derivatives sales with Citigroup in Zurich (2y).

I am now living in London, but have been unemployed for the last 6 months (which is my main problem...), although I used that time to travel (3 months), to pass 3 Professional certifications ( FSA exams), to learn Spanish and I am also doing some volunteer work for a NGO which promotes the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and career development tools .
Regarding my hobbies, I do dance (salsa) and Israeli Martial combat.

My main objective would be to use a MBA to move from my sales job to an investment banking position. Possibly in M&A in a retail/consumer practice (I have a fond interest in that area, and am also taking classes while beeing unemployed) or in corporate equity derivatives, where I could leverage my existing product knowledge with more strategic transactions ( I guess that project would be the one making more sense to an admission committee regarding my recent experiences).

I am planning to apply to:
HBS
LBS
COLUMBIA (would be my favourite)
Insead
Booth
Kellogg
Stern

thanks!

[Bryant@VeritasPrep]

I wouldn't worry too much about the unemployment, although it's a long time until you would start your MBA program, so you need to have a plan for the next 10-12 months and not working will likely not impress the adcoms, particularly at the ivy league schools. Being female and french, you will stand out in the pool of finance applicants, so use this to your advantage by demonstrating how your unique background and perspective will be accretive to the classroom experience. You should have a good shot at your target schools if you are able to get a good GMAT score.