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ShayanY718
Course Students
 
Posts: 2
Joined: Fri Apr 29, 2016 12:35 pm
 

Accounting -> MBA profile Evaluation

by ShayanY718 Wed Jul 13, 2016 6:31 pm

Hi I would love to get thoughts on the competitiveness of my profile.

Stats:

Age: Recently turned 24
Sex: M
GPA: 3.1ish (general upward trend with really low 2.75 in final year)
Ugrad: Top Canadian School (Bachelors in Accounting)
GMAT: Projecting 690-720 (Aim will be for higher)

Experience:
2 years post ugrad and 8 months internship experience in well known Pharma company (Pfizer, Bayer, GSK) in various accounting / finance roles. Despite having no formal management rotational program for my company in Canada , I have been able to gain exposure and experience in varying roles. I started as a Credit Analyst for 7 months and then shifted to Financial Analyst (budget planning) for 7 months and now have been working as Fixed Asset Accountant for past 10 months. I will be starting a new role in the next month as General Accountant (cost accounting). I have taken on increased responsibilities during my positions and can further elaborate if necessary. I am also pursuing my CPA (Chartered Professional Accountant) designation which I should have completed my work experience requirement for by summer 2017 (Exams completed).

Management Experience:
On a high level I have led teams of 3 - 4 people for the entire Fixed asset inventory count for two legal entities across multiple offices/plants in Canada. I am also managing an intern student for a 6 month period but that is the extent of my management experience due to very limited headcount and the majority of transactional accounting being performed in shared service centers overseas.

Recognition:
Received company Award from Tax Dept for exceptional performance on Capital Asset Review Engagement ($500)

EC:
I am a mentor for a Student Organization in my undergrad business school and help current students to navigate through their professional careers and answer questions etc. Also I regularly attend Networking Sessions at the school with other Alumni to help the students develop necessary skills for the business world.
I am also an executive member of Not for profit organization that helps build food baskets for the local community (this past year built over 1000 baskets). I am also a volunteer with national cancer foundation and will become a team lead volunteer in the near future for the different events that we organize during the year.

Target Schools:
Duke
UCLA
Cornell
NYU
Western Ivey
USC

Post MBA Goals:
I would like to use the MBA as a bridge to shift my career from accounting to management consulting. I want to leverage my background to shift towards more high level corporate strategy. I realize there is a gap in my current skill set / knowledge and the MBA will help ease the transition. I networked and made a conscious effort to gain broad experience within my company so that I am dynamic and will have different experiences to draw on in my MBA and post MBA career.

Questions / Concerns
My biggest concern is my gpa as my last year was really low. I will write the optional essay to explain the circumstances around why my performance was so poor. I am hoping that since I passed my professional exams that it might help offset any concerns regarding my intellectual capabilities. I will likely build an alternate transcript with a couple of quant courses. Also even though my changes in position seem lateral, my pay from starting till now has doubled so does that help show progression or no?

I know I am a little early as I do not plan to apply till most likely 2018 but are the schools on my list attainable for my profile ( yes there are some clear reaches and I will need to add couple of safer schools too). What elements of my profile can I strengthen to increase my chances at schools in the 10-20 range. Thanks for all the help!
mbaMissionKate
Prospective Students
 
Posts: 169
Joined: Fri Mar 27, 2015 8:50 am
 

Re: Accounting -> MBA profile Evaluation

by mbaMissionKate Fri Jul 15, 2016 4:15 pm

Hi! Good for you for thinking ahead!

I don't think there's much you need to improve upon in terms of extracurriculars (very strong, just keep that up!) and work experience. Sounds like you are a top performer and yes, the growth in your salary will definitely help to show progression. The management exposure and broadening of your experience is really great too. Just make sure it's clear (either in how you explain the transitions between roles, or possibly in your recommendation letters) that those were planned/logical moves to round out your skillset, not because you didn't want to commit or didn't do well in a certain function. I think that should be pretty easy to explain.

Academics is the only area of concern I have too. Your GPA is low and unfortunately you can't change it. Do plan to write that optional essay. The CPA will help a little too, but the best ways to counteract a low GPA are 1) get a high GMAT (700+) and 2) take (and ace) additional coursework (ideally 2 courses). Quant courses like Stats or Calc (or any courses you failed) are the ones to focus on. If you can do both of those things, I think that will lessen a lot of the concern surrounding your GPA.

If you can do that, I think the list of schools you have is realistic. You may need to add another safety but maybe not, depending on how GMAT goes. Since you've got a head start, do start to research / engage with your schools about a year out from when you apply, and if possible visit campus to see classes, meet with students, etc. Especially a school like Duke that really values its tight knit community.

Good luck, and keep us posted if we can help with anything else!
Kate

ShayanY718 Wrote:Hi I would love to get thoughts on the competitiveness of my profile.

Stats:

Age: Recently turned 24
Sex: M
GPA: 3.1ish (general upward trend with really low 2.75 in final year)
Ugrad: Top Canadian School (Bachelors in Accounting)
GMAT: Projecting 690-720 (Aim will be for higher)

Experience:
2 years post ugrad and 8 months internship experience in well known Pharma company (Pfizer, Bayer, GSK) in various accounting / finance roles. Despite having no formal management rotational program for my company in Canada , I have been able to gain exposure and experience in varying roles. I started as a Credit Analyst for 7 months and then shifted to Financial Analyst (budget planning) for 7 months and now have been working as Fixed Asset Accountant for past 10 months. I will be starting a new role in the next month as General Accountant (cost accounting). I have taken on increased responsibilities during my positions and can further elaborate if necessary. I am also pursuing my CPA (Chartered Professional Accountant) designation which I should have completed my work experience requirement for by summer 2017 (Exams completed).

Management Experience:
On a high level I have led teams of 3 - 4 people for the entire Fixed asset inventory count for two legal entities across multiple offices/plants in Canada. I am also managing an intern student for a 6 month period but that is the extent of my management experience due to very limited headcount and the majority of transactional accounting being performed in shared service centers overseas.

Recognition:
Received company Award from Tax Dept for exceptional performance on Capital Asset Review Engagement ($500)

EC:
I am a mentor for a Student Organization in my undergrad business school and help current students to navigate through their professional careers and answer questions etc. Also I regularly attend Networking Sessions at the school with other Alumni to help the students develop necessary skills for the business world.
I am also an executive member of Not for profit organization that helps build food baskets for the local community (this past year built over 1000 baskets). I am also a volunteer with national cancer foundation and will become a team lead volunteer in the near future for the different events that we organize during the year.

Target Schools:
Duke
UCLA
Cornell
NYU
Western Ivey
USC

Post MBA Goals:
I would like to use the MBA as a bridge to shift my career from accounting to management consulting. I want to leverage my background to shift towards more high level corporate strategy. I realize there is a gap in my current skill set / knowledge and the MBA will help ease the transition. I networked and made a conscious effort to gain broad experience within my company so that I am dynamic and will have different experiences to draw on in my MBA and post MBA career.

Questions / Concerns
My biggest concern is my gpa as my last year was really low. I will write the optional essay to explain the circumstances around why my performance was so poor. I am hoping that since I passed my professional exams that it might help offset any concerns regarding my intellectual capabilities. I will likely build an alternate transcript with a couple of quant courses. Also even though my changes in position seem lateral, my pay from starting till now has doubled so does that help show progression or no?

I know I am a little early as I do not plan to apply till most likely 2018 but are the schools on my list attainable for my profile ( yes there are some clear reaches and I will need to add couple of safer schools too). What elements of my profile can I strengthen to increase my chances at schools in the 10-20 range. Thanks for all the help!
Kate Richardson
mbaMission
www.mbamission.com
kate@mbamission.com


Register for a free 30 minute consult with an MBA Admissions Consultant: http://www.mbamission.com/consult.php
ShayanY718
Course Students
 
Posts: 2
Joined: Fri Apr 29, 2016 12:35 pm
 

Re: Accounting -> MBA profile Evaluation

by ShayanY718 Tue Jul 19, 2016 11:58 am

Hi Kate,

Thank you very much for your help and insight! It is very much appreciated and is motivating at the same time. I will try and focus on bringing up my academic profile as you agreed is clearly my weakest point.

In terms of the additional quant courses, do MBA schools have an expectation of the level of courses you take (1st year course vs 3rd or 4th)? The reason I ask is, I have not taken advanced mathematics courses except the standard first year calculus and second year stats. I just want to ensure if it is appropriate to take similar courses or whether schools expect you to take upper year level courses.

I will be sure to make a few trips and visit the schools in person to be able to get a better understanding of which ones will be the best fit (especially Duke). Is it in your best interest to self initiate an interview for a school such as Duke? Thanks again for your help and I will be sure to reach out down the road for more personalized sessions when it comes time to do my applications. Cheers.
mbaMissionKate
Prospective Students
 
Posts: 169
Joined: Fri Mar 27, 2015 8:50 am
 

Re: Accounting -> MBA profile Evaluation

by mbaMissionKate Tue Jul 19, 2016 5:29 pm

Hi again,

As far as I know, schools are looking for at least an advanced math course (i.e. Calc) and a stats course, so I don't think the fact that you've not taken very advanced courses in those subjects will hurt you. But the more quant courses you've taken the better, so that's why taking one or two more might help you further enhance your profile.

Yes, I recommend the self-initiated interviews at Duke. Great opportunity to speak directly to admissions and add another piece to your admissions file before they decide. Plus it helps to show you're very interested in Duke and planning ahead for that.

Good luck, and please do reach out again if we can help!
Kate

ShayanY718 Wrote:Hi Kate,

Thank you very much for your help and insight! It is very much appreciated and is motivating at the same time. I will try and focus on bringing up my academic profile as you agreed is clearly my weakest point.

In terms of the additional quant courses, do MBA schools have an expectation of the level of courses you take (1st year course vs 3rd or 4th)? The reason I ask is, I have not taken advanced mathematics courses except the standard first year calculus and second year stats. I just want to ensure if it is appropriate to take similar courses or whether schools expect you to take upper year level courses.

I will be sure to make a few trips and visit the schools in person to be able to get a better understanding of which ones will be the best fit (especially Duke). Is it in your best interest to self initiate an interview for a school such as Duke? Thanks again for your help and I will be sure to reach out down the road for more personalized sessions when it comes time to do my applications. Cheers.
Kate Richardson
mbaMission
www.mbamission.com
kate@mbamission.com


Register for a free 30 minute consult with an MBA Admissions Consultant: http://www.mbamission.com/consult.php