please advice and evaluate

[georgetang31]

Hi

I graduated from a Top 30 university in the US with a BA in the Financial Economics. I also earned a Certificate of Management Studies from the University's business school (top20). While in school I was socially active. I was the president of our chinese student association, and the president of my fraternity. During that time I've kept my interest in classical guitar and continued to take lessons in my university's music school (top3). The result was a senior solo recital and a professionally produced album.

Right after college in 2009, I was lucky enough to be offered a job in one of the biggest Broker-Dealer firms in the country. So in the last 2 years I have been working in Manhattan, started from sales assistant and promoted to senior specialist/sales trader last year. It is a financially rewarding job but looking ahead, instead of trading other people's money I would like to management my own firm. Or start a fund of my own. While the goal is not possible in foreseeable future it is my dream which motivates me everyday. In order to move up the ladder I decided to apply for a MBA problem.

However my GPA undergraduate GPA is terrible, cumulative 2.8 is something I am not proud of. Earlier this week I took my first Gmat and scored 680. Another downfall of my qualification is that because my job has been very demanding, I have not done much outside of work in the past 2 years. My decision to apply for a MBA program was spontaneous(in Feb) so I am not very prepared. I'm looking to apply for NYU Stern, and my reach school is Columbia. It is still worth the effort to apply for both? Given my lack of undergraduate academic achievement and my not so stella Gmat score, I am really lacking confidence here.

What are my reasonable chances of getting admitted in this stage of the application process (r3). Can you please give me some advice on how I might be able to standout? I am also prepared for rejections, which will give me time to take my CFA exam this coming June (which will beef up my resume) and retake the Gmat, hopefully get into the 750 range. If thats the case will I have a better chance to get admitted to one of the top schools, specifically Columbia, Kellog, Yale, Duke, and Georgetown, if I apply early for the next academic year?

[mbamission]

Hi George,

Thanks for sharing all those details. To apply this late in the application cycle you typically need to show a compelling reason why it's imperative that you attend the program right now, as opposed to waiting a year. Given that it seems you've only been out of college for two years and you have those academic weaknesses, I would recommend holding off on applying until next year. Additionally, if you apply to those two schools now and don't get in, and want to apply again next year, you'll have to fill out the "reapplication" essay, and thus you won't get another chance to state your main case again in the traditional essays.

With a CFA and a 750 you would certainly be a stronger candidate at those schools -- and a 750 can help combat a weak GPA. Also the additional time would allow you to gain more work and leadership experience and begin some selective community involvement, thus making you an overall stronger applicant.

Hope this helps and good luck!
Daniel Richards
http://www.mbamission.com

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[cowgirl27077]

Hello.

I got my masters degree in IT from England and I graduated with honors with gpa of 3.29 according to US system. I had a hard time finding a job when i moved here and It took me almost 2 years to find ONE. I've working for about 4 months now and thinking about applying to NYU Stern. My GMAT score is 690 and I've about more than 5+years of work experience with IB, big four and oil gas. My biggest concern is 2 years of unemployment...can I get into Stern, Columbia or Chicago. Help

[mbamission]

Hi cowgirl,

A two-year unemployment gap doesn't have to be an application-killer, but you do want to proactively address it in your application, and probably your optional essay too. If you were thinking R3 of those 3 schools, I would encourage you to push it out to next application season. At this late stage the schools are less likely to be receptive to this gap in your resume.

Good luck!

Daniel Richards
http://www.mbamission.com

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