Masters GPA Matter at all?

GordonGecko — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 02:22:03 -0500

Okay,

I have done a few 'how am I doing?' posts before but I was wondering something; how much can a good Masters Degree GPA help me when appying to B-School?

I ask this because my undergrad GPA was only a 2.9 (aeronautical engineering; went to a service academy). Currently still in the military, just finished my masters after a couple years and ended up with a 4.0 GPA in mechanical engineering.

I take the GMAT in about a month and I am a little nervous (I would totally celebrate if I got a 700).

I plan on applying to Columbia, HBS, Wharton, Stanford, Chicago, and UVA.

I know a lot of other factors play in, but guess my bottom line question is will my Master's GPA help pad my low undergrad GPA? I know masters programs are inflated but you can't do better than 4.0.

Wife & Kids w/ MBA & Banking

GordonGecko — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 19:43:46 -0500

Okay,

For starters--I am gainfully employed as a military officer with a masters in mechanical engineering and no debt and some savings.

So, I am an aspiring banker currently in the military and there is a slight chance I just got my girlfriend pregnant. I really think kids are a blessing, and I wanted a kid sooner or later, so I am not really crushed--just concerned about my plans to go into banking. My plan was to do 3 more years in the military, save for B-School, and get an MBA with intentions to go into banking. My girlfriend and I are not planning on marriage anytime soon (we don't want to rush that), but we plan on living together to start out and see how it goes.

JD/MBA a good idea?

GordonGecko — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 15:41:36 -0400

Hi,

I am 24 and in the Air Force. For my academic background I have an undergrad in aeronautical engineering & masters degree in mechanical engineering. I have a mid-long term goal of working in I-Banking (I only knew about banking for a couple of years now). I deploy to Iraq May 2009 for a year, and plan on applying to B-school the year after for the class of 2013 (so I have some time to think). I am writing because the recent events have made me want to reconsider my approach. I am thinking perhaps I should pursue a JD/MBA to increase employment flexibility if the market prevents me from entering the finance career field. Specifically I am looking at Kellogg's 3 year JD/MBA program, allowing me to be finished with the degree at age 30. I was wondering if anyone could give me some insight on if my reasoning is flawed or makes sense.

Thanks

FT Associate Burnout/Attrition Rate at BB Firms?

GordonGecko — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 21:13:04 -0400

I did a search on this but was not really able to find a clear answer. I know most of the posts on this site a geared towards Analysts who are mostly in it for 2/3 years and then use the experience as leverage into something better. I am someone with only a military background who is looking at Banking as a permanent career change . I have a question that is difficult for me to get a hold on:

On average for BB firms, what % of associates actually move on to VP and MD? Of the ones who don't make it to that level, are they usually asked to leave due to poor performance, or do most leave on their own to do something else because they don't like the life of Banking?

I know job security isn't exactly a strong point in the wall street career fields, but I would just like to know what I would be getting myself into if I did decide to leave the Air Force for an MBA. My final goal is to land a FT job as a career-changing associate (I know, every analysts' worst nightmare).

Evercore Partners?

GordonGecko — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 18:20:27 -0400

Okay, from what I can get from other posts, Evercore is a fairly decent boutique firm but without the name recognition of a place like Lazard. I was wondering if anyone had any more knowledge on this place, such as working environment, compensation for analysts and associates, and how difficult it is to get an offer. What schools do they recruit from? I am in the military and don't know a lot about banking, really only what I gather from here and some other sources. I read on one post this place was a "sweatshop." What banking firm isn't a sweatshop? Looking for opinions/experiences/etc.

Cons of a boutique?

GordonGecko — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 22:41:40 -0400

If a boutique pays just as much if not more than a BB firm to associates, is there any real cons to going to a boutique other than less prestige/cache?

Also, has anyone here ever heard of Evercore?

Whats up with Yale?

GordonGecko — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 19:53:21 -0400

Why is it as an undergrad they are a big target school, but their MBA isn't even ranked?

Would I be an old timer?

GordonGecko — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 18:50:30 -0400

I'm interested in banking as a career choice after my military career is over. I have been in the air force for 3 years and have 3 years left (and enjoying it). I am 25 now so that would make me 28 going into B-School. Figuring that, I would be a 30 year old first-year associate. What say you guys? Is that within the average age range? Would I be at a significant disadvantage with no analyst experience? Would be interested to hear your thoughts.

Military to B-School

GordonGecko — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 18:37:20 -0400

Okay, I know military experience looks good for a lot of people trying to get a job in industry, but what does 6 years in the air force as a project engineer look like compared to all of these wiz-kids from harvard and wharton type target schools with analyst experience from top banks? Am I in over my head here trying to get into a top-5 MBA program? I haven't taken the GMAT yet but I have a 2.9 undergrad in aerospace engineering (air force academy) and a 3.8 Masters in Mechanical engineering (university dayton). I got 3 years in the air force, but I will be in for another 3 years. I think I have a enough fodder for some good app essays, but over all I am concerned. Am I even competitive?

Noob question - Why PE?

GordonGecko — Fri, 23 May 2008 13:59:46 -0400

Okay,

I am not in the finance industry (obviously), but I have a growing interest in I-Banking. I hear a lot about PE and from what I understand they buy up under-performing companies and re-manage them back to health and sell for a huge profit. I have a decent idea of what the average day is like for a post-MBA at a bulge bracket IB, but what is the average day like at a PE firm? What do you do?

Thanks.