Value in Lower Tier MBA?
I am looking to transition into a Finance career, likely through an MBA, and need some guidance on how to maximize my value in doing so. Here is what I believe to be the most relevant information:
· 2+ years experience working as a Data Scientist/Software Engineer
· Undergrad Major: Computer Science & Mathematics; Minor: Physics; 4-year NCAA Varsity Athlete
· ~2.6 GPA
· Family would pay for additional school entirely
I understand that this will not be wowing any admissions departments; I am just looking for the best path forward. I think that the fact that I’m fortunate enough to have my family paying would allow me get real value out of even a lower tier school but I am completely open to hearing anyone’s thoughts. My questions would be as follows:
· What score on the GMAT would I need to fall into the Top 15 range (if at all), 15-30, 30+
· Would a school above 30 or even well above 30 be a viable option given that my only “loss” would be money not earned from working (if full time)?
· Is there another possible way in if MBA is out of the picture?
What matters is your overall profile when applying to MBA programs - gmat score, essays, undergrad (GPA, school, major), work experience, extracurricular's, volunteer work etc... it's a holistic approach. Now if you're concerned about stats you honestly need to some research and simply use google (no offense). Most schools publish data for the classes they admit. So, take a look at the GMAT average/median/80% range of the class and what the GPA averages are and so on. Without knowing anything about your story or narrative - for a top program your GPA is low and 2 years of work experience isn't a whole lot. With that said, you have plenty of time to work on your profile to increase your odds of b-school. Chase that illustrious 700+ score on the GMAT to offset a low GPA, get more work experience, (work on getting promoted, assuming more responsibilities, tasked with interesting projects), volunteer for something interesting, take on leadership opportunities.
You're low on experience but you can definetly get to an MBA program in 2 more years with a high enough GMAT. When you say Finance, what do you mean? Consulting? Banking? Corporate? Accounting? That's really important to know what kind of MBA program you'd need.
Consulting is 'best of the best'. What most on these boards are looking into. You'd need a Top 10 MBA program for a good shot (though its not impossible from other backgrounds)
Accounting and corporate finance I've noticed is easy to get in from lower MBAs, especially if you live in a Finance heavy town. Those programs are easier to get into and would accept a lower experience threshold.
Normally, I would strongly discourage anyone from shelling out close to 200K for anything below a top 5 B-school because the ROI just isn't worth it. No one's going to be impressed you went to Fuqua. But since your parents are footing the bill, you really have nothing to lose. Almost anything to offset your undergrad GPA should help you in the long run.
I get the point you're trying to make, but there are definitely Fuqua / other top 15 MBAs in the EB/BB sphere.
Top 5? So which of the MBA business schools ">M7 are out? A top 15 MBA will get you to a BB bank or a Tier 1/2 consulting firm. I think the value proposition of any MBA depends on its costs (tuition dollars, foregone opportunities) and its benefits (network, jobs). For anyone not on the golden IB->PE track Fuqua, Stern or Darden, hell Kenan-Flagler will probably be worth it.
Go to Nova!
At the risk of going against the grain you're better off going to a quant focused masters like a MFE or anything related. Doesn't matter quality of program as long as school sounds half way decent. With that you'd have a shot at any of the more quantitatively inclined roles on the buyside (maybe not at a top firm but decent). Start there and grind your way up. With your skillset and the way finance is going it'd be insane to go towards fundamental oriented unless you hate quant.
I don't understand this advice. If you're going for generic masters, why not just get an MBA? If he's not looking to get into consulting or another high profile profession, might as well kill 2 birds with 1 stone. The MBA itself should carry him as he advances in rank over the next 5-10 years.
Because he is unlikely to get into a business school with a good name so imo he would be better off getting a semi related degree from a much better recognized school. Also MBA's are greatly diminishing in value for people who have a skillset like his (quant). There are many areas of finance. I am proposing he leverage his strengths (quant skills) to move into areas of finance that value those skills (quantitative research etc) unless he is hell bent on investment banking/consulting (doesn't sound like he is). Quant research and even related areas that are not so hardcore quant (securitized etc) don't value MBAs, hence why I recommend he go to a masters program to rebrand with the best recognizable name as I believe any Ivy cash cow masters (to show he can do a decent GPA) and his skillset could get him something better than he has now. Not a clearcut situation show just trying to provide out of the box solutions. There is a lot more to finance than consulting, accounting, investment banking, and corporate finance.
Why would any half-decent quant program admit 2.6 GPA guy?
Because you never know until you try? If we're being specific I didn't say a half decent quant program, I said the quality of the program didn't matter as long as the SCHOOL sounded half decent. I am not an expert on quant masters but there are plenty of cash cow masters from good schools that are quasi related to finance. I recommend he tries one of them to rebrand so he can show he can do a decent GPA and leverage his skillset. What is your proposed solution?
As someone who wishes they had taken a Compsci/Math undergrad instead of finance, why do you wish to make the switch?
yeah seriously. unless OP is dead-set on IB/MC, then the options available to someone with a Comp Sci/Data science background are way more interesting and lucrative than most post-MBA roles
OP in your case I would definitely recommend an MFE program. PM me
I believe if you land a decent gmat score of 720+, you can get an admission from a top 10, even an M8 school. What is more important is your networking skills and connections - if you manage to secure a finance internship it would be much easier to make a transition. Many schools outside top 20 will have a strong local placement in finance depending on the region, but one thing you need to keep in mind is what you mean by finance? IB? VC? Corp Fin/Valuation practice in a Big4 firm?
Quants are the future and us financial drones are going the way of the dodo. What is wrong with you?
What do you mean by lower tier? Lower tier like Vanderbilt and Georgetown? Is so, they have good ROI but not as great as say Columbia. Some of these lower ranked schools are gems. Especially Vanderbilt, I recently read about their close relationship with Deloitte Consulting & SunTrust IB. If you get a summer internship there, you will have a guaranteed FT offer(as long as you're not a slacker). They're not MBB and BB but you have to start somewhere Emory is another, also consider Rice, WUSTL, Notre Dame, USC, UNC, and a couple more.
I wouldn't waste money on below to 30-35 MBA.
Says you a MAcc grad that can't pass CPA
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