Profile Evaluation: MSc Finance targeting ESSEC/ESCP and similar (non-traditional background)
Hi all,
Looking for honest feedback on my profile and realistic targets for MSc Finance programs. My background is non-traditional, so I'd really appreciate insight on how admissions committees might view it.
Profile:
- Nationality: Spanish
- Age: 25
- Undergraduate degree: Computer/Management Engineering, completed in 6 years (extended, some retaken courses). Grade: 6.2/10 (Spanish scale) in a top 3 engineering scholols in spain.
- Postgraduate degree: Master's in Artificial Intelligence and Generative AI for Business Applications: Grade: 9.1/10
- Work experience: 1 year at PwC + 1 year total internship in national consulting firms
- GMAT: not yet taken: targeting 640 focus edition
- English: Cambridge C1 Advanced (obtained 7 years ago, no expiration per Cambridge policy, verifying with schools if accepted)
- Certifications in progress: Wall Street Prep (financial modeling), Bloomberg Market Concepts, Python for Finance, considering CFA L1 candidacy (not sitting exam yet)
Target schools: ESSEC MiF, ESCP MiF, considering also Bocconi, IE, ESADE maybe some reachable US ones.
Specific questions:
- Given the gap between my undergraduate GPA (6.1/10) and my Master's grade (9.1/10), how do admissions committees typically weigh this? Does a strong recent quantitative Master's meaningfully offset an average bachelor's GPA? mainly for ESCP and ESSEC question.
- Is my engineering background (not economics/finance) considered "quantitative enough" for these programs, or should I expect to need bridging/pre-master coursework?
- Realistically, what GMAT score would I need to be competitive for ESSEC/ESCP given my GPA?
- Would ESSEC/ESCP be considered "safe/target/reach" given this profile, and are there other continental European schools I should add to the list?
Any insight from current students, alumni, or people who've been through similar admissions processes would be hugely appreciated. Thanks in advance!
