Hi, I know this isn’t exactly CFA talk, but if you guys wouldn’t mind opining… I’m a 3rd year at arguably the top sell-side, graduated magna cum majoring in finance/mis from a solid–but not great (just outside the top 50, for perspective)–school, and expect to score in the lower half of the 700’s on the GMAT. Basically, I’m an okay candidate but don’t stand out in any way at all. I’m worried that my application will get lost in the sea of generic Wall St. types trying to get into the top programs. My interests include renewable energy and conservation (would love to manage a soc. responsible fund one day), as well as teaching (I’m planning to do this after I retire from finance). Outside of my career goals, I enjoy art and travel (have a string of websites dedicated to my travel photojournals). Not sure if any of this information would have any place on my application, and while I’ve attended seminars on alternative energy, etc., I am not an active member of any social organizations or charities. Do you think there is anything I can add onto my app or any facets I can approach on my essays? Only thing I don’t want to do is lie or exaggerate.
Anyone wanna take this one or shall I? Willy
Ok I would definitely emphasis that you came to this very forum and studied all sixty-four cagillion threads on MBA vs. CFA and concluded that, well, the MBA was better. I mean siding with the MBAs in such a hotly contested issue is bound to get you in. Willy
thx…
what’s the top sellside? also, please rank the sellsides by whatever criteria makes them top. What sellside pimps out the smallest cap companies?
I don’t think I used the word incorrectly. ar·gu·a·ble (ärgy–bl) adj. 1. Open to argument: an arguable question, still unresolved. 2. That can be argued plausibly; defensible in argument: three arguable points of law. argu·a·bly adv. If you think I should rephrase, then I would say I work for a highly-regarded broker/dealer.
What you need to do is clarify WHY you want to go back. Have your career goals in mind and how an MBA from XYZ will help you achieve these goals. Do you want to switch roles? If you’ve been offered a third year, am I incorrect to assume that the associate promotion is open? Don’t take my word for this stuff though; I have roughly the same amount of experience as you do on the sell side, but just going by what I’ve heard from people who have gone through the process.
One thing I hear (and read) over and over is that personal accomplishments (ie marathons, travels, extra languages,etc), charitable work and leadership work within your community trumps that extra 50 on your gmat, what BB you worked at or that your was GPA perfect.
I find the leadership charitable work part kind of hard to pull off. I absolutely loathe doing nonprofit charity work…
FIAnalyst: I want a career change. I love my organization as a whole, but not crazy about my foreseeable job progression. I’d love to return, but to an entirely different area. Would love to go into principal investment. I do have a specific group in mind. About making associate, I do think it’s likely either way. Comm, Stern: I agree with both of your points. I kind of wish I’d been more proactive about leading charitable initiatives rather than simply partaking. I feel like if I take on more of a leader position in the months leading to my application, it will look like an insincere attempt to boost my app.
the most important thing you can do is to find the things you’re passionate about and get involved. if you’re career keeps you busy enough that you don’t have time to do other things, that’s cool, but you don’t want to have to explain in an interview how you spent your nights watching american idol and animal planet on the couch. your personality is what differentiates you, not something someone on this forum will tell you. if you add something to your resume just for the purpose of impressing someone on the admissions committee, they’ll see right through it.
commstudent Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > One thing I hear (and read) over and over is that > personal accomplishments (ie marathons, travels, > extra languages,etc), charitable work and > leadership work within your community trumps that > extra 50 on your gmat, what BB you worked at or > that your was GPA perfect. I think this is a stretch. There not going to expect the same level of extracurriculars out of you if you’re coming from a bank because they understand your job requirements, and realize that any extracurriculars you list will, likely, have a lot of fluff. What will set you apart is your essays. Make sure you present them with a detailed plan specifically illustrating both your short and long term goals and why the school you’re applying to is the perfect place for you, all while telling the story of “an aspiring leader”.
Show your leadership, innovations and out box creativity. MBA is unlike CFA. CFA will make you a good executioner by reading 3 years of practical curriculum. Mba focus on developing one into business leaders who can deal with uncertainty, novelty and most importantly lead etc. You don’t need to be geek of anything but you should know what lever should be pulled to make desired effect. I do agree that guys from banks and consulting are very generic and makes them difficult to differentiate. If you are real guru of your trade, then you should emphasize if have u published anything or your acts has been recognized outside office etc. Best S