Hi,

I have a few questions regarding my admissions chances and the process in general:

1) Is holding the CFA charter considered a positive (self starter, quant ability) or a negative (already have learned similar finance topics) in admissions?

2) Can you please address my admissions chances with my target schools below? I am interested in applying in the fall of 2013.

Background: 28, white, male

Goal: Would like to get into a strong finance program that will help me break into investment management.

GMAT: 680 (Q45,V38), AWA 6

Undergraduate: BA in 2006 in Finance 3.3 GPA, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Work experience: Worked with Bank of America/US Bank in a Structured Finance trust group for 5 years, moving from analyst to senior analyst. Specifically, work on CLO transactions including reporting, modeling, and relationship management.

Additional Accomplishments/items: Completed CFA program and volunteer tutoring adults weekly

Target schools:
- Indiana
- Notre Dame
- Georgetown
- Texas
- Wisconsin
- Carnegie Mellon

Thanks in advance for your help!

Hi!! Passing the CFA is in no way considered a negative factor in the b-school application process. Far from it, in fact. Most importantly, it shows you have strong quant skills and are extremely disciplined to sit for what's considered among the most intense professional exams.

As for your list of schools, I think you are a strong candidate for any of these. You seem to have many of the pieces that the AdCom looks for: Career growth, extra-curricular activities and a GMAT that falls into the range for most schools on this list. What will be key to your application is your ability to highlight your professional accomplishments, not responsibilities, and how you will differentiate yourself from other MBA applicants coming from a similar background.

Best of luck,

Rachel Beck


http://www.mbamission.com

Read the mbaMission Insider's Guides (16 individual school titles)

Download mbaMission’s Free Personal Statement Guide

Visit the mbaMission Blog

Follow mbaMission on Twitter