Profile Evaluation

[ishubansal]

Hi , I recently took my second GMAT, but wasn't able to improve my score.

GMAT 1 Nov 2010 690 Q50 V32
GMAT 2 Aug 2011 700 Q50 V34

I have Masters and Bachelors degree from IIT (India). GPA 3.2 Age 28
I have 4 years of experience in financial services in field of Equity Derivatives.
Here I have been working on an offshore platform with Product development and structuring team that develops new equity based products as per clients requirements and also products based on current macro economic climate.

Also I have 1 year IT experience.

Regarding extra curricular a I have been involved with sports in my college and after that.

Please let me know which colleges would be best for me.

Thanks

[mbamission]

Hi ishubhansal,

Thanks for writing in. I'd need to learn a bit more about work experience and goals to name specific programs that could be a good match for you. Your college sports participation is unlikely to have much of an impact as MBA programs tend to focus on your involvement since college. With the information you provided I suggest looking at schools in the top-20/top-25 range.

Best of luck,

Daniel Richards
http://www.mbamission.com

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[ishubansal]

Hi Daniel, Thanks for replying. Regarding my work experience:
I am Working with Equity Derivatives Structuring and product development team. I work in an Offshore platform based in India

My prime responsibilities include :

Structuring Equity Derivatives for institutional clients as per their risk - return profile or desired exposure under cost constrains.

I also Develop Investable Quantitative Trading Strategies for Institutional Clients such as Insurance Firms, Private Banks and hedge funds. This involves identifying appropriate investment signals for different instruments and markets, and include appropriate trading costs to make the strategies practical and investable.

Further I structure and suggest trade ideas based on current macro and micro level research.

I have been doing above mentioned tasks for last 2.5 yrs. My products and strategies are well received and have recently generated good revenue for the firm.
Further i have been working with sales teams across European region and interact with them on day today basis to understand the requirements of their end clients provide appropriate solution to them.

Before this i worked with Exotic Derivatives trading team on the same platform for 1.5 yrs. Here i managed risks of Derivatives structures using hedging strategies.
Further I have applied for CFA charter, which i think i will have before completing my application.

My target schools right now are Booth, Columbia, LBS, Stern and INSEAD.
I am looking for schools that can give me exposure in general management and strategy but also a give me networking opportunities in Financial services. I wish to continue in an front office of an investment bank after the program. Can you please let me know what are my chances, and suggest schools i should target.

Thanks
Ishu

[mbamission]

Hi again, and thanks for providing that extra layer of detail. While your scores are certainly high enough to be considered when applying to the schools you list, my concern is that I'm not seeing enough from your background to differentiate you from the many candidates who are going to have similar backgrounds/goals. For that reason I would label Booth/Columbia as "reach" schools and I think you would be a competitive applicant at the others. Another schools you may want to look at is Cornell.

Best of luck,

Daniel Richards
http://www.mbamission.com

Read the mbaMission Insider's Guides (14 individual school titles)

Visit the mbaMission Blog

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