Advice for strengthening my top MBA chances

Graduate School Business School - MBA
1

<p>Hello everyone. I would like to get into a good MBA program (who wouldn’t) and I was looking for some advice on how to strengthen my chances.</p>

<p>There is a shorter summary at the bottom in case you want to skip all of this!</p>

<p>I am currently a junior majoring in Mathematics and Finance with a minor in Spanish. I have a 4.0 GPA so far (I’m almost through with my math major but still have quite a few finance classes). I will probably graduate with a 4.0 or something close since the hardest of my math classes are over. I love to learn and pretty much everything I have been presented with comes to me naturally. The only problem is that I go to a relatively unknown state university. It’s a legitimate university and it certainly isn’t easy, but outside of the tristate area, I doubt many people have heard of my school. I mostly came here because I got it all paid for and since my parents don’t have a lot of extra money, they encouraged me to go here also. I am starting to regret not going to a better school, but there is not much I can do about that now, so I am just moving forward.</p>

<p>As far as the GMAT is concerned, I have always excelled on standardized test (34 composite on the ACT with a 36 on the math section and a 35 in reading/English) and I plan to put in the necessary work to do well on that. I’m not taking it lightly, but it isn’t a major concern for me compared to other areas.</p>

<p>As far as leadership and school involvement go, I tend to be pretty involved. I am in the Honors program as well as a math and finance honor society. I have been nominated for student of the year in the College of Engineering and Science (math is in that college). I hold a leadership position in our school’s investment club as we are starting a student managed investment fund. Once that is started, I will be one of the leaders or managers for that. I am also active in doing community service, both through religious avenues and non-religious avenues. I also hold a leadership position in the Financial Management Association.</p>

<p>Also, throughout college, I have consistently held a job. In fact, I have consistently held a job since I turned 16. These jobs haven’t been directly related to business (food service, veterinarian’s office, farm hand, library, customer support), but I have been able to maintain a 4.0 GPA throughout college and high school while working and being involved.</p>

<p>I also have good communication skills and most people that meet me like me. I usually interview well.</p>

<p>Once I graduate, I plan to work for three years or so before I apply to an MBA program. What sort of job should I be looking for? I’m hoping to work for a local bank or something to do with investments.</p>

<p>To summarize: 4.0 GPA in Mathematics and Finance, minor in Spanish from an unknown school; probably do pretty well on the GMAT; good community service, school club involvement, and good leadership; no idea what sort of job I need to get after college. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!</p>

2

<p>I forgot to mention something. I could probably stay a fifth year at my university and minor in economics and technical writing (a lot of that is geared more towards designing documents). I could also probably squeeze in some more classes and change my minor in Spanish into a major. Would any of this benefit me or would I be better off graduating in four years without it?</p>

3

<p>Graduate in four years without it. MBA programs could care less what your major is, because the things that will separate you are work experience and the GMAT. Try to get a job in quantitative finance (i.e. trader, financial engineer, etc.) and do well for 3-4 years. If you can ace the GMAT, you will be fine. Also, its important to note that GPA matters less for MBA programs than you would think. Every top programs average entering GPA hovers around 3.5-3.6. Work experience/GMAT/LORs are almost everything.</p>