2nd degree chances

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hello everyone,</p>

<p>In May 2008, I earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Southern California (a highly non-technical degree). I earned a 3.7 GPA cumulative GPA and a 4.0 in my Finance concentration coursework (included 36 concentration course credits, though only 16 were required).</p>

<p>Activities included:
- Co-founded and held leadership positions in two organizations (Undergraduate Student Investment Fund & Finance Learning Center eg. Tutoring)
- Worked part-time as a technology consultant all 4 years</p>

<p>After graduating in 2008, I spent 3 years working as an investment analyst for a large institutional investment manager. I left at end of 2011 for a variety of reasons, but mostly because I decided I ultimately would like to pursue a career in research, ideally as a faculty member at a U.S. university. I eventually would like to study topics including empirical/theoretical asset pricing, behavior and investment patterns of investors, decentralized investment management processes, behavioral finance, implementation of investment strategies with derivatives vs. equity, and several other similar topics.</p>

<p>Based off the professors I've spoken with and what I've read, I think a major in Economics and a minor in Mathematics would provide me with an ideal way for me to start in this direction (eventually hoping to earn a PhD in Finance or Economics and start a career in research). I have also been considering focusing my study on acquiring more quantitative and technical skills by majoring in Mathematics and possibly then minoring in economics... I would go directly to a Masters/PhD, but am simply lacking the requisite undergraduate-level coursework in both Mathematics and Economics.</p>

<p>Accordingly, I will be applying as a transfer student this upcoming summer/fall for Spring 2013 and/or Fall 2013 admission. Given my background, what do you think my chances at at a decent undergrad program that accepts second degree students, such as:</p>

<ul>
<li>UT Austin</li>
<li>Northwestern</li>
<li>University of Rochester</li>
<li>Colombia </li>
</ul>

<p>Sorry for the long post & thank you all for your help!!</p>

<p>EDIT - Oops, one other thing -- I do have what I believe to be very strong recommendations from the Finance Professor I worked with to setup the Undergraduate Fund and from the Finance professor with whom I took the most courses... I believe both will solidly back my plans in their letters.</p>

2

<p>Any thoughts? </p>

<p>I would also very much appreciate any tips for the application process from someone who has earned a second degree from a decent school…</p>

<p>Thanks!!</p>

3

<p>You can’t apply as an undergrad transfer if you’ve already earned a bachelors. You can apply to some schools for a second bachelors or just take the classes you need at a college. Your biggest issue will be money. Can you afford to be full pay? There is no Federal aid for a second bachelors and few schoosls will give you their money.</p>

4

<p>Very fortunately, money is not an issue and I can pay in full… </p>

<p>And my understanding is that while many schools don’t accept students looking for a second undergraduate degree, there are plenty that do. And of the ones that do, I believe you do typically apply as a transfer student (even if you’ve already earned 1 bachelor’s)…</p>

<p>I just have no idea how competitive it is for someone with my background and would sincerely appreciate if anyone could give me an idea… (Given of course that I provide an articulate and logical reason for why the 2nd degree is an absolute necessity for my long-term career goals).</p>

5

<p>Do you have still valid scores? SATs, GREs, GMAT?</p>

6

<p>I do have a recent GRE score of 164 (~800 on old scale) quant / 162 verbal, though I’m not sure what bearing it would have on an undergrad application…</p>

<p>From what I’ve seen, the application requirements for transfers/2nd degree typically don’t even include SATs and some schools explicitly say that SAT scores are not part of the consideration process for transfers / 2nd degree students.</p>

<p>That being said, I did score a 1470 out of High School - 780 math 690 verbal, but those scores probably aren’t valid any more as they were ~8 years ago). If I do need to take the SAT for admission at any school, I imagine I’d score similarly, possibly slightly higher from the review I did for the GRE last Fall.</p>