Business school application: GMAT or CFA?

not sure adcoms care about CFA; do they?

CFA sounds a lot more applicable since you're in ER. The gmat scores last 5 years anyways and you could always take it when you leave your current gig or during. Really up to you but if you want to do something less ER-AM related then the CFA may not be worth it. Personally, I have yet to hear someone say they regret making it to charter.

I'd vote for the GMAT now if you are looking to do b-school in the next few years. You'll have more time to study for it now than when you are working, and probably more resources on campus. It's also more flexible in case your goal change; I'm not an expert on the CFA, but there are roles in finance that don't require it that you could access after B-school if your goals change. And it obviously won't do you any good if you change your mind on finance, whereas the GMAT could still be useful.

It's hard to say because a lot of it is going to hinge on what you want to do long-run in your career. If you are truly and 100% dedicated to AM/IM/ER etc, then I would recommend studying for and finishing your CFA as soon as you can. If there is more ambiguity, then the GMAT makes sense. If you do not land a research job immediately out of UG, there are actually plenty of people who transition into one post-MBA and then get their CFA. However, I don't know how this applies at major firms or in regards to what you are targeting, as I know a number of researchers at smaller firms so I am only speaking from that experience.

"tesloid93"

Fellow Monkeys, I'm trying to figure out if I should take the CFA Level 1 or GMAT before I graduate in May. The plan is to head to b-school in 3 years, and I do want to continue my career in an investment-oriented role. Do you think it would be wise to hold off on the CFA and have the job pay for it and instead take the GMAT while I'm still in school?

I'm a CFA charterholder and a GMAT tutor (currently at b-school). I would take the CFA if you want to work in an investment research role. II and III are once a year and most people fail at least one level. This gives you a bit more leeway to finish the program before b-school as a just in case. In the investment world it will also be a huge asset in those first three years of your career. The CFA network is often undervalued on these forums by folks that don't have their charter. You can attend events as a candidate though people don't take you seriously until you're at least through Level I, usually after Level II it is a pretty powerful signal. It will also give you some applicable job knowledge which the GMAT won't.

Additionally, CFA I correlates closely to undergraduate courses in stats, econ, finance and accounting so he sooner you take it the sooner that material will still be fresh. At the same time, the test is a serious commitment so don't expect that you'll be able to skate through if you have that background.

The GMAT you can intensive prep for 1-2 months and take whenever you want. You've got plenty of time for multiple attempts on a 3 year time horizon post undergrad.

Not gonna comment on whether it's too late for the CFA because I am not even trying that I am taking it in June, and I am going to start studying in a few weeks. But I actually think studying for the GMAT is easier the way you will have it, which is what I am doing now. Slowly but surely without any pressure on a test date. You just take it when you're practicing at what you need. So if I were choosing it would be CFA, but I would let other people tell you whether that's too short of a time frame to take it in.

If you aren't working its not too late to start the CFA, you still have plenty of time. I don't see the point of the GMAT in April or May, if you pass Level 1 you'll want to get studying for Level 2 and take that in June. Also, while the CFA is a nice designation to have, work experience is way more important. The CFA won't magically give you a job.

I am currently a rising senior and will be in school/interning part time next semester.

Go Rangers...not the answer you want to hear but neither. You won't be able to amply study for either in your senior year, and going through recruiting is much more important than being able to claim you're an L1 candidate or got __ on your GMAT.

Can really do either one. Taking L1 in December and haven't done a ridiculous amount of studying yet, so it's definitely not too late. Passing L1 will look good on a resume when looking for jobs (if you're still looking in the Spring semester. GMAT has no tangible benefit to you right now, so I'd go for L1 and then GMAT.