求KEVIN大定位

elkyUID: 2391549

Hi,

小生07毕业，刚刚工作2月，希望在09fall能飞越太平洋，背景如下：
1.本科
2.学校中国top10
3.主修计算数学专业（兼读数学和计算机，统计较少），GPA3.60/5.00（不会计算美国4.0的GPA，大概平均分86多这样，不过核心的数学和计算机课成绩保证优秀），8/100左右排名；
4.副修金融，GPA也大概3.56/5.00这样，排名不详
5.无研究
6.无论文
7.实习和学校课外活动不算太丰富
8.无G，T，GMAT
9.现任职一家美国金融机构，在金融业非常知名。工作2个月，职位不是非常好，但是非常确定是金融业。
10.准备 06/08 CFA lv1 中，09fall可能有这个。
11.09fall前可能有一次去USA工作经历

请问：
1.我主要希望读个研，MBA甚至博，来提升竞争力。但是我担心经济负担，我更希望是有奖的博士或硕士，但是我已经全职工作过，不知道这会不会给我带来负面的影响。
2.由于上述2种方向而导致英语考试GRE和GMAT无法选择，TOEFL又报不上名。
3.请问，我如果申请研究型的硕士或博士，可以怎样定位。
4.如果是MBA，可以怎样定位。
5.我现在主要要做些什么准备。

谢谢。

kevinhrmUID: 2158364

1. MBA和博士代表两个完全不同的职业发展道路，博士不是比硕士高一等，两者应该是平行的，只不过代表了不同的职业取向而已，中国国内对博士的概念基本是错误的。你是喜欢学术还是职场，这个要看你自身了
2. 在你没有GT成绩前，没法给你进一步的定位建议
3. 你现在首要的问题是思考清楚自己是喜欢做研究还是在职场发展
4. 你的GPA偏低，直接申商科博士，你的GPA对于申top 100的学校没什么竞争力

elkyUID: 2391549

Thanks ur remarks firstly.
Surely as an full-time staff, I wish I could have an successful even brilliant career. So, you might think MBA is right for me. however, I am thinking of the economic constrain of my family. So, I wanna be more informed of informations about Master and PhD. (COZ I heard that these programs can grant attracting schloorship for candidates.)
I have very clear career objection. however, I so green for all affairs about  study abroad. I would be grateful for your helpful answer.

Furthermore, some questions attached:
1. Taking GRE at Oct 2008 is feasible for me, in that I gonna take CFA at 06/08/2008 and June 2008 GRE is on 06/07/2008. Does this plan affect application?
2. What I have to do to supplement my weakness in my existing academic scores?
3. Will some certifications helpful for me? such as CFA, FRM, CPA etc.. Could them substitute my GPA?
4. The position I am standing at? (For MBA and research program both)
5. What I have to do in order to make me competent for conditions other than career experience?

thx!

kevinhrmUID: 2158364

1. 还是那句话，如果你准备做学术，考CFA毫无意义，对申请也没有帮助。但是如果你走职场道路，考这个是有帮助的
2. 你的本科成绩是无法弥补的，如果你想读博，建议先读硕士，争取拿高GPA。当然，这个建议是基于申请top 100的PhD。如果你不在乎排名，也可以用本科成绩直接申博
3. GPA是申博最关键的因素之一，资格证书对于申博没有任何意义，但对找工作有利
4. 没看懂你的意思
5. 取决于你的职业取向，这个暂时没法给你建议

kathywj16UID: 164596

Kevin has given you very valuable suggestions. Appreciate his help.

In addition, I am just trying to emphazise some areas on which you guys have already had some discussions.
1. From academic application and your future job hunting perspectives, CFA Level 1 won't help you much. CFA Level 1 is very basic. Almost everyone that registered to take the CFA exam could pass it. Therefore, I don't think CFA Level 1 would give you much help on your application.

2. Whether the certificate/license (CFA,CPA or whatever) is going to help you is depending on what major you are concentrating to apply for. Finance, Accounting, MIS, or HR? They all have different types of certificates and licenses. Plus, they are all different. A CFA wouldn't help you at all if you are applying for Accounting. A CPA won't help you at all on your application to HR or Finance neither. This is just a general rule.

3. Nothing can substitute your GPA. Only thing you can do is to get a high IBT and GMAT/GRE. It might be helpful.

4. Your working experience is definitely a plus to some extent, especially, if you are applying for MBA or specialized Master. However, it might not be very helpful for you PHD application, since PHD program is concentrating on your research capability and acedemic ability. Additionally, the value of your working experience that can be added on your application is not just depending on the company you work for. The main thing is what position you are holding. You are in the Financial service, but are you truly working as a Finance personnel, or you are just working as a supporting stuff? This is totally different.

5. You have done a great job on what you have experienced. I am hoping you will succeed academically and professionally.

elkyUID: 2391549

Thank you, Kethy and Kevin both, for your kindly and elaborate reply.