Decent MBA Programs (excluding top 5) to Get into Buyside
I have been working as an analyst for a mid-sized AM firm in the mid-west for three years. Now I want to get a master degree. Two of my main reasons for MBA are to move to big cities (or nearby areas) and land a decent job there. The firm does not intend to push me into MBA program currently.
My GPA was 3.9/4.0 when I was in a state university in the mid-west. I don't have gmat score yet and plan to get one in August this year. My GMAT target is about 720. I passed CFA level 2 last year and hopefully can get my charter this year.
My major weakness are that: 1. I am not U.S citizen so that my English proficiency is inferior to native applicants and I will fall into international student pool; 2. The firm that I work for is neither well known nor an industry leader; 3. The state university that I were in could not even compete with state universities in the coasts rank-wise.
I know it is difficult to get into top 5 finance MBA programs. So I am wondering what the other choices are if I want to land an analyst or associate job in a decent mutual fund after graduation.
NYU seems a decent alternative to CBS in NYC while MIT could be the alternative to HBS in Boston. How about other top 16 or even top 30 MBA programs? Could anyone offer some advice on this topic?
Thanks in advance.





Ross @ UMich?
Ross @ UMich?
The difference between successful people and others is largely a habit - a controlled habit of doing every task better, faster and more efficiently.
Do your grades not stack up
Do your grades not stack up for the top 5 schools? Just wondering why you're ruling them out as too hard already. And if that's the case, I don't think Sloan would be that much easier to get into for you either.
Is your employer making you get a MBA or are you trying to use it as a springboard for switching?
I'm still not entirely sure what your question is here. If you're asking what other choices would give you an opportunity to land in a mutual fund, outside the top 5, then I'd personally cut it off at Marshall (around top 20) in order to stay competitive for the type of jobs you're looking for.
Might want to take a look at the school profiles and see which schools tend to place better into the type of firm you're looking to join upon graduation.
for Asset Management (I
for Asset Management (I understand that is your target industry), MIT is not a non-top 5. Actually, i would say that MIT is a top 5 for asset management.
(should be wharton, MIT, chicago, HBS and columbia in no particular order).
Other strong schools are Tuck and Stern. I would stay away from Haas for anything finance related.
Thanks for all of your
Thanks for all of your advice! I did not write about my intention clearly. Two of my main reasons for MBA are to move to big cities (or nearby areas) and land a decent job there. The company does not intend to push me into MBA program.
My GPA was 3.9/4.0 when I was in a state university in the mid-west. I don't have GMAT score yet and plan to get one in August this year. My GMAT target is about 720. I passed CFA level 2 last year and hopefully can get my charter this year.
My major weakness are that: 1. I am not U.S citizen so that my English proficiency is inferior to native applicants and I will fall into international student pool; 2. The firm that I work for is neither well known nor an industry leader; 3. The state university that I were in could not even compete with state universities in the coasts rank-wise.
I thought I have some chance to get into top 30 MBA programs if I can effectively pack myself, but I am not sure about how competitive I am if my target school is top 5 finance MBA programs. That is why I am asking about decent programs other than top 5.
I appreciate your help and advice!
Does anyone have more ideas?
Does anyone have more ideas? Thanks.
Instead of going to a Top 10
Instead of going to a Top 10 where buyside will be a tough slog for 2 years, spend 2-3 months going really hard after GMAT. If you have a 3.9 (even from a State U), you should be able to crack 750 and target for 770. With a 770 and 3.9 try your lucks in Early Admit and R1 and things might just work out at places like Columbia, Chicago or even Wharton.
abacab: Instead of going to a
Instead of going to a Top 10 where buyside will be a tough slog for 2 years, spend 2-3 months going really hard after GMAT. If you have a 3.9 (even from a State U), you should be able to crack 750 and target for 770. With a 770 and 3.9 try your lucks in Early Admit and R1 and things might just work out at places like Columbia, Chicago or even Wharton.
Thanks for your comment.