Quick questions about b-school
Background:
Rising senior at T15 target, Econ major
3.2 gpa
strong leadership/volunteerism
solid internship experience
--BB PWM
--equity research at well known company
--currently working as summer analyst at small boutique IB, already getting live deal exposure, very likely to get FT offer since I am the only intern
1) How detrimental will GPA be to my chances at an M7? I have 4-5 C/C+ on my transcript, including in econ classes, but I should be able to bump it up to 3.3 by end of senior year.
2) I want to drop my polisci double major and just take classes I enjoy instead. I think this would help my gpa as well. Is this a good idea?
3) After 2-3 year analyst stint at an investment bank, would I apply straight to b-school or do something else? (This question is to assess whether or not I should take GMAT at end of senior year)
4) Will doing CFA Level I help my chances?
5) Would it significantly improve my chances if I did a research assistant job for a professor?
Thanks in advance
The GPA is a bump in the road, but if you can boost it as much as you can during senior year, and nail the GMAT (>710), then that should offset a slightly subpar GPA. You will also have to use the optional essay to explain why your GPA fell a few tenths, and how you've learned from the experience/reason, or matured from it, etc.
It is definitely a good idea. Whatever you can do to boost your GPA, without taking completely BS classes, go for it. Having poly sci as a double with econ, or just econ is fine (unless, of course, post B school, you wanted to do something related to poly sci - otherwise, drop away).
After 2-3 years as an analyst, you can absolutely apply to top b school and get (assuming everything else is top notch as well, considering Work Exp is just one factor). Take the GMAT whenever you think you will do best, it lasts for 5 years, and if you play it smart, you shouldn't have a problem getting into b school before that.
No, you don't need the CFA if you are considering b school. Instead of spending all of that time studying for the CFA, take up a solid volunteer effort (something that you are passionate about and can perhaps demonstrate a bit of leadership in) and absolutely run with it - it will impress b schools much more.
I don't think this would do much for you - unless you will be participating in very interesting projects.
B schools want to see personal growth, leadership, and a strong quant skillset. Step up and try to shine as much as you can in your job (take on projects, be a team player, try to step up and own projects as you progress, and hope to get good letters of rec), take on some volunteer and EC activities and make your mark on them, nail the GMAT and boost your GPA, and, finally, when it comes time to apply, nail the essays and articulate your experiences well. Lastly, remember to do things because they are of interest to you, not because you think you should for b school (as far as activities, volunteering, and such) - it is much easier to sell something and actively engage in something that you are truly interested in, and not something that you are doing to impress someone else.
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Awesome! Thank you very much
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