disiz64

Chuckrox8 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> nuppal Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > I just dont buy the "it wont help you argument"
> >
> > If you have two very similar candidates, yet
> one
> > is an l3 or CFA, who do you think admissions is
> > gonna pick? It wont make up for a lousy GMAT
> but
> > it gives you the extra push at the wire.
>
> Absolutely, especially if you are applying to a
> school that is dominated by its finance program.
> The truth of the matter is that the CFA, while
> highly respected amongst industry peers as the
> gold standard for asset management, ER, etc..., is
> not that well known outside of finance.
> Unfortunately it's just the reality of the
> situation and we accept it. How many people have
> we told the C is for Chartered not Certified and
> the A is for Analyst not Advisor. One of these
> days I'll apply to bschool and they better damn
> well know what the CFA Charter is and how
> difficult it is to obtain.

I am as passionate as you are about getting the CFA before B-School. However, I have alternative perspective for you. One of my mentors is am Equity Research Analyst at Janus and graduated with an MBA from Chicago’s Booth. He said out of the whole program (Accounting /Finance) one-two people had the CFA. The people reading your application and essays are not as educated in credentials as you would hope. However, any feather in your cap at >10% unemployment is a feather. There is not as much traction in the USA B-Schools with CFA marketability that you would hope for. Nonetheless when you graduate you will have one-step up in recruiting sessions.

pogo

Thanks all for your comments...
I know how you all feel w/regards to nobody understanding our pain! I took the L1 test last week and when I got back to the bank I work for in Montana, everyone was asking how the 7 went. I even had one officer ask why I took the week before the test off..."when I took the series 7, I only needed a week total to study...you've been at it for a few months??" he said haha. Adding to the feeling of a lack of understanding, the days off were unpaid so this years Christmas presents may be a little weak haha sorry Mom and Pops

Londonrocks

^

Exactly, its maddening how overlooked the CFA is, especially compared to CPA and other designations.

I was at thankgsgiving and someone there was talking about GRE and how hard it was blah blah blah, I then said that I was sitting for level 1 in two weeks. They basically said that the CFA wasn't that hard, and that "becoming an Advisor" wasn't a hard job.

It's so frustrating that people are so ignorant to the make up of this exam series. Yet, at the same time, I find my self not really wanting too many people to know about it, it's like a hidden gem and I don't want it to become cloudy and over used.

__________

"good personality ... or he was known as Lt. Mandingo during his army days."

bapswarrior

nuppal Wrote:
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> ^
>
> Exactly, its maddening how overlooked the CFA is,
> especially compared to CPA and other designations.

Being compared to CPA is nothing. Here are some of the real life responses I've gotten when I told people I am a CFA L3 candidate.

"O great. I am not familar with CFC but I am sure it is good to have."
"Cool. Is that like the 7. I am studying for my 7 and that $hit is intense bro"
"I once had a chance to become a CFP but I decided not to. I think all those certifications are just bull$hit."

Here is the best

"CFA? what is that and why are you doing it? You should be doing an MBA becuase it is boarder and more recognized. I don't know what the hell CFA is and I doubt tons of people do"

Last one still pisses me off when I think about it. It just doesn't get ruder and more ignorant than this. (Plus the guy doesnt even have a "REAL" MBA, he got his from some Mumblefvck State Univ)

Such is life. You just have to get used it.

Kiakaha

$tarving_Banker Wrote:
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> This topic has been discussed extensively on the
> GMAT club forums.
>
> The short answer is "nope"

Unfortunately this is mostly true. It really depends on the adcoms who are looking over your application & resume. That being said, you can only hope that if you're applying to a respectable program they would have the decency of recognizing our pain and suffering.

invic

I just dont buy the "it wont help you argument"

If you have two very similar candidates, yet one is an l3 or CFA, who do you think admissions is gonna pick? It wont make up for a lousy GMAT but it gives you the extra push at the wire.

__________

"good personality ... or he was known as Lt. Mandingo during his army days."

waldziuchna

Yeah it would help but but won't be the defining factor.

trogulj

This topic has been discussed extensively on the GMAT club forums.

The short answer is "nope"

dmar

it gets you street cred

dece2011

I think you could spin it to say that you are always interested in improving yourself and always craving a new challenge and looking to learn as much as possible.

__________

"good personality ... or he was known as Lt. Mandingo during his army days."