Please evaluate my MBA profile

Hello,

I have just graduated from undergrad and have a full time job starting in mid July in LA. I really want to go to a top MBA program and I think that I need to start building my profile early because of background. Any recommendations would be appreciated...

Here's my profile:

Education
•Middle tier University of California (think UCSB, UCD, UCI)

•Started undergrad in Chemical Engineering, lacked interest got scattered bad grades, failed a couple classes, then switched to a business economics equivalent major and got a 3.86 major GPA. Very strong uptrend obviously, Cumulative GPA = 3.2. Also should mention that I graduated 4 years and 2 quarters..

•Studied abroad at London School of Economics, got a 4.0 GPA in 2 finance classes

•Also was vice president of the finance club, and active in another investment club

Work

•I've had a few legit internships, one at a pension fund and one at a broker

•Going to start full time in investment manager research

•Also pursing the CFA and possibly the CAIA

So I am wondering what I should be working on to get into a top 7 program..Any suggestions

I know I need a top gmat score which I plan on doing. But what about an alternate transcript? Leadership experience? Promotions? Volunteering?Anything will be helpful.

Thanks

 

just study your ass off for the GMAT or GRE (if you plan to take it in leu of the GMAT). thats the only thing that will really help you get into a top MBA at this point. your internships wont matter, only your job will at this point, and your going to have to log in some years before you can attend a program.

keep in mind that MBA business schools ">M7 schools are saturated with kids who graduated ivy league, nescac, top undergrads and/or have great work experience in starting their own businesses, working for elite non-profits/financial firms/consulting firms/f500 companies. you are really going to have to set yourself apart. its a fu*king blood bath out there...

 

Also, travel as much as possible or, better yet, go live in another country for a while. Ad comms get huge erections when they see international "fluff" on your app. Unless, you are a first or second gen. resident of the US and if that's the case sit back and relax, you're golden.

 
peterg:
Also, travel as much as possible or, better yet, go live in another country for a while. Ad comms get huge erections when they see international "fluff" on your app. Unless, you are a first or second gen. resident of the US and if that's the case sit back and relax, you're golden.

I guess I am a first generation American because one of my parents came from Europe to U.S. and I was raised in the lowest income city in california. I think that may help a little...

Do you think my chances for a rank 8-16 school are much more realistic given a high gmat score?

"Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid"
 
peterg:
Also, travel as much as possible or, better yet, go live in another country for a while. Ad comms get huge erections when they see international "fluff" on your app. Unless, you are a first or second gen. resident of the US and if that's the case sit back and relax, you're golden.

Can you expand on this? I was born in a poor central asian country and came here when I was 7. How much of a benefit is this and how can I milk this baby for all its worth?

 
clashdude:
Can you expand on this? I was born in a poor central asian country and came here when I was 7. How much of a benefit is this and how can I milk this baby for all its worth?

It's huge, IMO. I would talk about that for sure. Make sure you throw in that you go back for a couple of months at a time and help out those poor people in some way or that you started a food/clothing program as a token of your appreciation to give back to that poor village for making you the clashdude that you are today. They'll eat it up. Oh, and don't forget a killer gmat score helps too.

 

Unfortunately, the low GPA in combination with a "mid-tier" undergrad is going to be a hurdle for you to overcome. I would recognize this, but don't stress because you can't change it.

Instead, focus on what's next. In my experience (M7, MBB post-MBA) the critical factors for you will be:

  • Kill the GMAT. There isn't another option. You need to crush it. Minimum 740, preferably 760-780.
  • Focus on growth at your firm. I know this can be challenging, but you'll need to show progression through promotions and responsibility.
  • Finally, you need something to push you over the edge. You need an element of the application that makes you more unique. This could be starting a software business in the evenings. It could be a spending a month in London / Singapore / Brazil / etc. volunteering for a start-up.
 
Yevad:
Unfortunately, the low GPA in combination with a "mid-tier" undergrad is going to be a hurdle for you to overcome. I would recognize this, but don't stress because you can't change it.

Instead, focus on what's next. In my experience (M7, MBB post-MBA) the critical factors for you will be:

  • Kill the GMAT. There isn't another option. You need to crush it. Minimum 740, preferably 760-780.
  • Focus on growth at your firm. I know this can be challenging, but you'll need to show progression through promotions and responsibility.
  • Finally, you need something to push you over the edge. You need an element of the application that makes you more unique. This could be starting a software business in the evenings. It could be a spending a month in London / Singapore / Brazil / etc. volunteering for a start-up.

Thanks Yevad,

That sounds like some good advice. What do you think about becoming a leader in a Toastmasters type club? Or taking a leadership position in CFA society? What that help much?

Also any suggestions on how to volunteer abroad when you are working full time? Would you only be able to do that between jobs?

Thanks again

"Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid"
 
onedumbmonkey:

What do you think about becoming a leader in a Toastmasters type club? Or taking a leadership position in CFA society? What that help much?

I do think both or either of those would be beneficial.

onedumbmonkey:

Also any suggestions on how to volunteer abroad when you are working full time? Would you only be able to do that between jobs?

You're right that it might be difficult to do while working. I would say either try and get some international exposure through your company (if that's an option). Do they have an office in Hong Kong, for example? Find a reason to get them to send you there for a week or two.

Ideally, if you find yourself moving from one company to another (hopefully into a higher role) take 30-45 days between the two jobs and go volunteer for a non-profit or startup overseas. This for example, would be the holy grail of awesome to add to your MBA app (though it's 4-12 months):

http://www.kiva.org/fellows

 

Definitely need a high gmat score, like Yevad said. I would also focus on that background you mentioned. Leadership roles, start a little business, volunteer (a lot), etc...just show some initiative and that you juggle an extremely busy life/schedule.

 

Anyone have thoughts on an alternate transcript??

"Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid"
 
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