<p>I just finished my junior year at a public university, where I am a full ride scholarship basketball player. My GPA is 3.2 and I'm a finance major. My freshman and sophomore years I had my mind wrapped around basketball and wasn't thinking about a career outside of playing professional basketball. My junior year I developed a passion for financial analysis and would like to transfer to a top tier undergrad business school with a great finance concentration. My GPA would have been a lot higher if I had this mindset for my first two years, I was on the dean's list both semesters my junior year, as well as numerous awards from our athletic department and conference for academic success. I would have some influencial letters of rec. Would the fact that I am willing to give up my full athletic scholarship to a respectable basketball program to transfer to a respected academic institution help since my GPA is only 3.2. Especially since basketball requires a dedication of at least 60 hours a week to practice, workouts, conditioning, etc. not including travel and missing class. I also have hundreds of hours of community service and am a member of three clubs at school as well as student athlete advisory committee. I would also be able to write an amazing essay. </p>
<p>I am more than willing to give up my scholarship and repeat a year if that is what is required of me. I have researched some of the top bschools northwestern, u of chicago, unc, virginia, nyu, penn, and they take anywhere from 65-75 hours and I already have 92. I would be willing to give up the extra hours I have!</p>
<p>Please let me know your thoughts everyone!!!</p>
<p>My immediate thoughts (I am a Stanford Business school MBA, by the way): why transfer? </p>
<p>Most schools don’t take transfers after junior year, even students willing to give up credits and repeat a year. Those few that I am aware of which do are decidedly not the top tier schools. (I can’t promise to have the absolute gospel on this topic; but that has been my observation). Further, why give up a scholarship?</p>
<p>Instead, a great course of action for you: complete your undergrad degree where you are. Capitalize on your Dean’s List standing, possible name recognition in your area as an athlete, and those influential letters of rec to land a good entry level position in the job market. THEN, after 1-2 years of business experience, go for an MBA. Apply to top schools and high quality schools in the next tier, as well as any good quality school in the state/metro area where you intend to build your career.</p>
<p>Thank you for your comments. My only concern is that I will not be able to receive a job offer from a respectable IB firm or hedge fund out of my university. That is truly my passion, security analysis and portfolio management. That is why I would like to transfer to a top tier school for undergrad, to put myself in a better position to succeed in such a competitive industry. </p>
<p>Does that change yours, or anyone else’s opinion on my situation?</p>
<p>Just because you don’t go to a top tier school does not mean you can’t land a job offer from a good IB firm or hedge fund. Likewise, just because you go to a top tier school does not guarantee you’ll get a job offer from them.</p>
<p>It’s all about what you do while in school. Continue to prove yourself at your current school, and you can definitely land a good job.</p>
<p>Being the captain of a D1 team will play well at some banks and funds. I suggest you contine to do really well and then send lots of resumes out, especially to anyone on The Street who attended your school. You will probably have the most luck with regional firms, however.</p>
<p>I agree with Andele that the MBA should be your goal, but it will take 3-5 years before a top school is likely to be possible.</p>