I'm finishing up apps and narrowing my target list. 3.1 GPA, 680 (41,41) GMAT, URM, Bio Major, 1 summer of research, 1 MM SA position. Should I add any more or delete any on the list.
My current schools are:
Wake Forest MA (In with 5K)
UVA (Submitted)
Duke (Submitted)
UIUC (Submitted)
UT-Austin (Essay Finished)
Ohio State (In Progress)
SMU (Contemplating Starting)
Villanova (In Progress)
Yo dude. Throw Vandy and Syracuse on there. Honestly. Not really a stretch, WUSTL couldn't hurt either, but that should pretty much cover it. You got a fine GPA, decent GMAT and good work experience. Plus you already got one acceptance, but a few to choose from would be great.
I'd take a look at the MSF at the University of Rochester as well, they have a 1 yr full time program in Rochester and a 13-month weekend program in NYC that I'm finishing up. Recruiting isn't top notch, but the education is excellent. Faculty are all PhD from top tier business schools (Chicago, Wharton) and experts in their fields. The program is very quantitative and intense, but hands down you will know your stuff when you finish.
Are you solely concentrated on going to school in the US?
I was going to apply to IE and ESADE, but the difficult economy in Spain and the lack of UK visas makes Europe look tough.
I think you underestimate your application strength. Don't waste time and money adding anymore schools. You will get into most of the ones you have listed above.
I'm surprised people are so confident in his chances. Gives me hope if I want to get a Masters.
GPA is on the lower end, but not horrible. GMAT is on the higher end. Couple internships and a hard UG major.
My prediction:
In at every program, with UVA being the toughest sell.
ANT, is the GPA not being horrible in an absolute or relative sense (URM)?
Most MSF programs have like a 3.4-3.5 average GPA. 3.1 is lower, but offset by a hard UG major.
When it comes to MSF programs you are usually ok with a lower GPA, but you need to have a higher GMAT. GMAT is key. 680 is in the sweet spot. If you have internships it helps also.
Duke will be a challenge. I think most other programs will take you.
What is your math background? You may want to put in a bid at the MFE programs if you have calculus-based probability on your resume. Cornell and Chicago are a mild reach, but still possible.
I don't, just your standard probability and statistics I, I'm more interested in IB not S&T/Risk, so I wasn't looking at more quant focused MSFs even.
How is Duke a challenge? I know a bunch of admitted students with lower stats. UVA is the only one on that list that is going to be a stretch.
@ Future Doc - have you emailed Kendra at Duke yet? I'd ping her. She's very helpful and it would be good to get your name circulating around the adcom office. If I see her Thursday in DC I will mention your name.
ANT, any thoughts on Stanford for Karembau?
I had always thought their admission process was significantly tougher than the three C schools, though not as bad as MIT.
Given a solid math curriculum, that also would be in the sweet spot.
Also, I had always been of the view that UChicago/Cornell/Columbia/NYU still look for coursework and decent grades in calculus-based probability, linear algebra, and diffyqs. In other words, if you took linear algebra and got a B-, submitting a Math GRE II score of 700 would not hurt.
A 3.5 GPA is not a problem, and a 740 GMAT will clear most hurdles, but the tougher admissions decisions start to look a bit more like that of an MBA. Industry experience and personals become more important differentiators.
No clue on Standford. MFE programs are a different ball of wax. I'll defer to you and Andy at Quantnet when it comes to those degrees.
1) Yes, building rapport with the adcoms is key. Don't be annoying, but if you can be more than just a faceless application it will help.
2) More work experience will not hurt you for admissions, but it will hamstring you for a job. If you have 3 years or more experience you should go for an MBA, unless you want to use the MSF as your MBA substitute and you are not looking to work FO finance.
3)You can use an MSF to break into AM for sure. Since it utilizes a lot of CFA material you will gain some of the same skill sets. Many MSF students study for and take the CFA while doing an MSF.
4) Being Asian doesn't hurt you, but being a citizen in the US does help you.
+1 for all the help providing others in the thread.
I'm going to PM you related to this thread since I dont want to jack it any further, thanks in advance for any help!
Same...+1 for ANT & IP for helping. I will take this to PMs as well since I feel like I've derailed this from the OP's original question.
Hey ANT and IP.
Thanks so much for helping everyone out. I have a question regarding building a rapport with AdComs:
How would you suggest building one without being annoying? Do you have any tips?
You just email them and speak with them about the school and program. Maybe visit campus. Nothing serious, but it adds some personality to your application.
Thanks ANT!!
If you get an interview with someone from the admissions office, that's a great foothold for next time if they reject you. Contrary to popular belief, I am convinced that if you apply once, get interviewed, and get rejected, and your CIRCUMSTANCES MATERIALLY IMPROVE, you have better odds than you'd otherwise have on your second application. Just try to find a rapport with the interviewer and SEND A THANK YOU.
So maybe the approach is to apply this year, and if you get rejected, spend two years at a trading firm, then reapply. Your circumstances have materially changed, your application will be seen in a new light, and if that interviewer liked you, you've now got an even more fierce lobbyist who can also say "Told ya so" to the prior detractors. That's really powerful, IMHO. I don't know why folks think reapplications are such a bad thing IF YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES HAVE IMPROVED.
So my strategy for MIT and Princeton would be to take a dual track approach. Apply now, and try to find an FO banking job- leveraging your sector experience if possible. If you are rejected but get an FO job, work there for two years and reapply. If some folks liked you the first time around, you can be sure they'll make sure your application gets a long, hard look.
Whoa. Never looked at it that way (re-applying). I was not planning on going to apply for a program yet, but was targetting the near future. Also- congrats on Princeton!
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