zoolander

I am looking for some basic information and advice. I want to be treated like an open project. I want you to tell me what you wished you knew or what you wished you did.

my background
I just graduated from a top undergraduate business program. I graduated with a 3.3 gpa. I am currently in the middle of some interviews and god willing I will be employed in the next month or so in the investment management industry. I doing my CFAs and another professional certification exam.

my goal
I want to go a top mba program. I am considering any top 15 us school and some international schools such Oxford, Cambridge, LSB, HKUST.

my question or challenge
Being relatively fresh, what should I do to maximize my chances? nothing is too outrageous(but please be serious and sincere) learn a foreign language? volunteer? pick up a hobby? get jacked? run a marathon? climb a mountain? manage my own portfolio?

marshallmeyer12

Haha wow, you seem pretty determined to boost your credentials. I don't know much about MBA, but I like your ambition .

cbreeze

Get a good job and do well. Top MBA schools pay attention to your job progression and how you contributed to your company. Don't bother with CFA, it has nothing to do with admissions to MBA schools and you won't be chartered unless you have 4 years of investment work experience.

wbelm0nt

Hello and congrats on deciding to go for your MBA.

When I was going through the process I did thorough research. One of my main criteria was the reputation of a school. Since you will be investing tens of thousands of dollars in your education, it is most important to consider your MBA's reputation. Not only will it impress employers, it can also help you make alumni connections and their career center may have more resources to support you. Attending a smaller MBA program may be less competitive, yet just as expensive. Therefore, I recommend attending a larger MBA program so you have many more options after graduation.

Aside from asking peers and former professors from my undergrad, I considered the list on this page: Business Schools Rankings - Businessweek. Please don't hesitate to reach out with any more questions.

gomestar

this. And have a clear reason to want an MBA.

harrisce4

Paint a clear picture to admissions answering three things:
1) Why MBA
2) Why Now
3) Why XX University

If you can articulate those three questions you will be golden. Also, there are Pre-MBA programs for those who just graduated from undergrad and do not have a large amount of work experience. I just completed Fordham's program. It was very helpful, as I took 3 MBA-level courses and could see how well I would do. Yale has a Pre-MBA program as well, but it's a little different. It's more of a info session a few weeks out of the summer where you can go and practice case studies and participate in real classroom activities. Ithaca College and Rutgers offer it as well I believe.

And I agree with the posters above me as well. Get a job, advance in your job, and show them a picture of your short-term and long-term goals. GOOD LUCK.