Continue CFA L2/L3 during MBA? interested, experience, networking

dcfox83

I just passed L1 and am about to start MBA program at a top 5 program. I am an older (33 and married with kid) career changer with no finance degree or experience. I am most interested in HF, BS, etc but open to all opportunities.

My question is: Should I continue to study and take Level 2/3 during school, or focus on MBA studies and networking?

Pros to continuing CFA during MBA: Boost my thin business cred, I'm motivated after passing L1, I'll have more time during MBA than while working afterwards, I'm older and switching careers so need more of a boost than most MBAs, CFA will help with HF and buy-side analyst positions I'm most interested in, if I put CFA off until after school I'm worried I may never get back to it. It would be awesome to graduate with both CFA and top MBA.

Cons to continuing CFA during MBA: MBA course load may be significant especially for non-biz type, studying CFA may cause me to miss important networking opportunities, not certain I'll end up in a field where CFA is valued (may enter consulting, etc), worried I won't be able to give Level 2/3 the time I gave Level I (and thus risk failing).

I welcome any and all advice, obviously I am new to the world of business.

ryanlb

thalerr16 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Thanks all for the feedback. I understand the
> advice to focus on MBA, but it's tough to give up
> working toward the CFA after I spent so much time
> and effort studying for L1. I've got some time to
> decide- I think my first 1-2 months at school will
> help me understand the different career paths that
> are available and how challenging the time
> management is. 250 CFA hours could be do-able
> during the 5 off weeks between quarters and
> shortened MBA weeks.
>
> My path is very different from most: engineering
> undergrad, spent the past 10 years flying fighters
> in the Air Force. Had an opportunity to get out
> and took it, even though it meant applying in the
> dreaded 3rd round at B-schools and tough analyst
> job prospects. Interviewed at HBS (no) and Wharton
> (waitlist). Thankfully, I was extremely lucky to
> be accepted to my first choice- Stanford, starting
> there in a few weeks.
>
> My advice for applicants: Set yourself apart in
> your activities and essays, they want unique
> candidates. Even though I didn't use one, I
> recommend spending a few dollars having one of the
> many MBA consultants out there review your
> essays/app/interviews. It would have helped me.
> Most importantly (and this is an easy one), apply
> in the first round! I'm not a great essay writer
> or well connected, I probably got in based on my
> unique background and a good (780) gmat.


Awesome dude. You got a great opportunity in life right before you. Best of luck

A bit jealous, ur in a top 5 program



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at Tuesday, August 23, 2011 at 02:46PM by Johnnyboyasu.

Howd

YoungBuck Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> thaller, you are making a 780 and you are equal.
> There is no way this guy is white. you are on the
> very very very end of the right tail if you are.


??? What does that suppose to mean? Sorry, not acquainted with American reality.

Rasec

Wendy Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The moral of the story is that you want to hit MBA
> schools' first (~October) or second (~January)
> round deadlines.
>
> Otherwise you're probably going to find yourself
> SOL no matter how remarkable your application is.

Totally agree. I was in a "hurry" once I decided to get my MBA years back and applied at the end of the cycle because I just didn't want to wait another year (I was already thirty). Got waitlisted at all my good schools despite my GMAT scores (not 780, but close) and relatively well-rounded application. Timing really makes a difference.

giants2010

thaller, you are making a 780 and you are equal. There is no way this guy is white. you are on the very very very end of the right tail if you are.

sameeragarwal

thommo77 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
>
> That is amazing that HBS would reject somebody
> like you.


The moral of the story is that you want to hit MBA schools' first (~October) or second (~January) round deadlines.

Otherwise you're probably going to find yourself SOL no matter how remarkable your application is.

SpyAli

Top 0.5% of 60,000 Air Force Officers and one of the first to fly the most advanced aircraft in history; honed analytical skills instructing advanced simulation computer models; ranked #1 in 8 different categories including Flight Lead of the Year 2006 (#1/80); developed global perspective by instructing over 250 aviators from 15 countries and operating at 30+ locations worldwide; proved problem solving ability while leading missions involving over 50 aircraft; chief liaison to collaborative ventures with Fortune 500 companies Lockheed Martin and Raytheon.

That is amazing that HBS would reject somebody like you.

dandman

A handful of my friends have 760 and 770 GMATs. But they're nerds, not fighter pilots.

A H/S/W MBA class will have a number of 780 GMATs, and even a smattering of 790s.

pawn

780, that's officially the highest score i've ever heard someone claim.

transferpricing

thalerr16 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Thanks all for the feedback. I understand the
> advice to focus on MBA, but it's tough to give up
> working toward the CFA after I spent so much time
> and effort studying for L1. I've got some time to
> decide- I think my first 1-2 months at school will
> help me understand the different career paths that
> are available and how challenging the time
> management is. 250 CFA hours could be do-able
> during the 5 off weeks between quarters and
> shortened MBA weeks.
>
> My path is very different from most: engineering
> undergrad, spent the past 10 years flying fighters
> in the Air Force. Had an opportunity to get out
> and took it, even though it meant applying in the
> dreaded 3rd round at B-schools and tough analyst
> job prospects. Interviewed at HBS (no) and Wharton
> (waitlist). Thankfully, I was extremely lucky to
> be accepted to my first choice- Stanford, starting
> there in a few weeks.
>
> My advice for applicants: Set yourself apart in
> your activities and essays, they want unique
> candidates. Even though I didn't use one, I
> recommend spending a few dollars having one of the
> many MBA consultants out there review your
> essays/app/interviews. It would have helped me.
> Most importantly (and this is an easy one), apply
> in the first round! I'm not a great essay writer
> or well connected, I probably got in based on my
> unique background and a good (780) gmat.


I suggest you request a recount and have HBS admissions officers come acquainted with the joys of a simulator or the mental gymnastics required to make it through any US fighter program. Not to mention a quick search of your name highlights you're not a run of the mill F-22 pilot, if there is such a thing. If I were you, I would have used the essays as an opportunity to show how the lessons you learned spearheading a F-22 safety program could have been used to avoid BP's blow-out in the Gulf. Maybe you did and just made them feel silly. Best of luck at Stanford and I'll be looking for your name in the WSJ down the road. If you need a cabinet member, I'll be willing. Kick some ass and harden up a bit. You come across a little too humble. The low hanging fruit needs to know to get out of the way.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at Monday, August 22, 2011 at 11:55PM by Ghibli.