CFA Level 1 Considered in leux of high quant?

[Mark4124]

I took the GMAT this spring and scored 650 42Q, 38V. On the last practice I took I have scored 690 but mostly because of an extremely high verbal component. I am studying hard and might improve my quant, but it is an uphill battle. All the same I am very successful with "quant" at work and have recently passed the CFA Level 1 (certainly a rather quantative and difficult exam). I also have about 3.5 GPA from a top university. Why do I want an MBA? I majored in history, so for me an MBA Finance is really critical in moving from the brokerage side of the investments business to securities analysis (my desired career). I attended the securities analysis class in the spring during a visit... it was great. CFA in action. Any thoughts on my unusual profile and GMAT quant concern?

[bruno]

Dear Mark4124:

Thank you for your email. Obviously, the higher the GMAT, the better, and we do look at the quant section of the GMAT as evidence of quantitative ability. That said, the GMAT is just one element of an application. We look at the entire application as a whole in making decisions. Even if you do not improve your GMAT further (although if you feel you can, you should try), you should emphasize the other aspects of your application that demonstrate your quantitative ability (work, CFA, college courses, etc.). The optional essay is probably the best place to talk about these things. You also seem to have clear career goals and a clear idea of how an MBA fits with those goals, which is helpful. Articulating those goals well in the application is also important.

I hope this information is helpful.

Best,

Bruno

[Mark4124]

I retook the GMAT today and got a 680. I actually did a little worse in quant but quite a bit better in verbal. 39Q,44V. Again my concern lies in quant, but I hope success in something like the CFA would be seen as evidence of the ablity to handle any math an MBA finance can throw at me.