Which European MSc Finance with high (not super) GMAT and acceptable GPA and unique citizenship credentials?

Hi everyone,

I am a 2013 graduate of Koc University industrial engineering program (+ minor in Economics) which is one of the best schools in Turkey and its graduate school is in the CEMS programme - though I won't pretend it enjoys the best rankings since it's a relatively young university.

Though I do not have much time left (I have already applied to some schools) I would like to get genuine advice over which MSc Finance schools to apply in Europe and what my chances are. As you all know, there is a limited number of references I can ask for and it is of paramount importance that they are well spent.

My detailed profile ( I am only writing the important stuff, not 1 month internships unless they are stupendous)

- GPA is 3.04 - though nearly all my Economics classes are A, math classes are A- which is advanced engineering math

- GMAT is 720 (Q 51, V35) originally aimed for 750+ - initially got 740 and 760 on Prep GMAT tests but I usually underperform (unfortunately) in tests of very high importance. Yes, I did contemplate killing myself for my Verbal score since I am half Australian - though grew up in Turkey

- 6 months internship in Standard Bank (M&A division); I have another two but they are not like this one

-1 year full-time position in Deloitte Consulting which I left to flee the terrible economy (which resembled a desert in Saudi Arabia, still does btw) and no project season, traveled a little in Australia and now working in a FMCG (American company) as a Financial Analyst (only since February)

- For extracurricular no awards in sports since 14 though still athletic, became a scholar of a real Think-tank (their student programme) and a good club club position at school

- Awarded scholarship in university for high ranking in university entrance exam (top 1%) had same results in high school entrance exam again top 1%

- I am a native English speaker and have intermediate French which could get a lot better in 6 months

- I DO enjoy Economics and Finance, I even read books on the subject (Lewis is insightful but I do go for more intense stuff)

- And the big gun: I just received an European citizenship from Hungary (complicated story) --I have working rights, fear me EUROPE! ahem..

My goals: Going for IB in Europe( UK to be exact, my French is far from perfect although I could pull it off if I had 1 year to practice) I do want to work in IB at least for a couple of years, after that I have some ideas but they may change and are irrelevant anyway

So my questions are:

- Which European Finance Masters do I have a shot at? I m going for pre-experience, do not care wasting 2 years at this point Have already applied to HEC, St Gallen, LBS (management), need a couple of more AND a safety school

- Does my GPA really kill my chances in Europe? I am really afraid of UK schools. I can take the GMAT again if I have the time or if a school asks me to. Can I use that as a bargaining chip in my applications for let us say Imperial? It is the only factor that is not a constant in my application..

- I assume that going for a programme that is longer than a year will increase my chances since it allows a summer internship. How faulty is this logic?

- Will excelling in Master classes increase my chances? Despite my low GPA (did not like engineering and was too late to switch to Economics when I discovered I liked it) I am fairly certain I can get the top grades in the programme

- Any tips on explaining my mini-GAP year? I also worked with my uncle who does property development business in Sydney but it is a private business so I have no idea how to mention it

Will really appreciate answers, please do not hold back if you want to say my best option is 2. tier schools

Thanks guys

 
Best Response

Your only problem would be your GPA. Your GMAT and work experience make you eligible for the best programs in Europe (LSE, HEC). You definitely have a shot though.

I assume that going for a programme that is longer than a year will increase my chances since it allows a summer internship. How faulty is this logic?

Don't worry about this. Many people with a one-year MSc degree get summer internships in London IB and can start in January.

 

Officiis commodi tenetur explicabo quos perspiciatis numquam voluptatem. Et deserunt est porro. Aut vel ad qui nihil possimus magnam. Suscipit aliquam sapiente sit reprehenderit distinctio. Exercitationem voluptatem aut officia. A corrupti sed natus est nam aut et.

Ipsam et veniam cupiditate sed molestiae dignissimos aut. Dolor quasi rerum pariatur autem corrupti laboriosam perferendis rerum. Dignissimos dolores et similique voluptatem.

Hic optio commodi consequatur ipsum beatae ea recusandae et. Aspernatur rerum quia et tenetur.

Career Advancement Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. New 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (86) $261
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (145) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
bolo up's picture
bolo up
98.8
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”