Masters Degree in Finance at Harvard University - Admission/Application Essay Example

Dear Sir, I am applying for financial aid scholarship for studying Master’s degree in Finance at Harvard I have just completed by Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Finance (results awaited) and I am expecting a first class with distinction in this. I am reasonably confident about it, since my BS average score was 85% in first year and 90% in second year. I was also awarded “student of the year” in my second year, which was a great source of motivation for me. I believe that I will perform better in my final year, than the previous two years. Education has always been my priority even under adverse conditions. My family consists of my parents who are peasants and four siblings, all younger than me. My parents are sparingly educated and financially weak, owing to which they have not been able to provide any financial assistance or intellectual support during my formative years. Indeed, it would have been impossible for me to even aspire for a graduation had I not received scholarship all along my educational years. In my entire academic session, I have been a consistent performer. In my A level (2 years high school course after secondary school), I scored an AAA in three subjects (which included advance Maths and Economics) and stood first in Tanzania. In my GCSE level (exam at the end of secondary school), I scored an A in seven subjects and stood first in Tanzania. I am fortunate enough in the sense that the authorities noticed these achievements, and I was awarded the Vice chancellor’s scholarship, Bank of Tanzania scholarship (US $ 10000 per annum) and Academic Merit Acknowledgement Scholarship for every year of my undergraduate studies. Had it not been for these scholarships, my dream to rise above my circumstances would have remained merely a dream. I believe that those words of Thomas Jefferson were not just empty words, when he said “We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” I have merely extended in changing the pursuit of happiness into a pursuit of a dream – a dream to rise beyond the shackles of poverty and illiteracy. I dream big. I know that with a Bachelor’s degree, it might be possible to get a job and improve the conditions of my family’s livelihood. I, however, have a bigger dream. I wish to do my Masters in Finance with only one goal in mind- to participate in the exciting and dynamic world of international finance. On completing my Masters, I would like to work in a professional financial organization– working through the ranks of operations, auditing, and corporate finance, eventually moving into a management position. The Chief Financial Officer in a multinational organization would be my goal; but even then, this is not my ultimate goal. I believe that there must be a greater purpose in one’s life, beyond all individual glories and accolades. After having worked in the industry and having survived in challenging dynamics of International finance and corporate operations, I would like to render my services to my nation. I would like to assist my government – either directly or as an advisor – and bring in my expertise to shape the future of my country. I would like to put my hands-on experience in formulating financial policies, which would be easy to implement and not deter investors. My experience and expertise would allow me to interface effectively with investors and industry tycoons, and help my country in procuring the much-needed foreign investments. Tanzania, despite its rich natural resources, does not have a stable economic growth model. It still operates on basis of old-fashioned bureaucratic and cumbersome policies, which has shackled the free flow of FDI into the country. I wish to change this for the better.   I know that one needs a solid and reliable foundation to convert dreams into reality. For this, my first step would be to gather knowledge from experts in areas of investment planning, strategic planning, international finances and global financial markets, and in this endeavour, I see no better place than the Harvard Institute. In Harvard, I would get an opportunity to work with the greatest minds in the country, and the celebrated fraternity of the Alumni would help me to get a strong foothold in the industry. With this goal in mind, I have chosen my summer internships carefully. In the first year (2012), I did my internship at the Barclays Bank, Tanzania. This gave me an opportunity to work in a reputed international organisation in the area of financial market. The following summer (2013), I resisted the temptation to go to Barclays again and chose to go JP Morgan Chase instead, and worked on investment banking. This opened up my horizons in a completely different arena and gave me a rare exposure into investment and portfolio management. An added benefit was that JP Morgan Chase is in USA and this gave me the experience of working in a cross-cultural environment. This was a hugely learning experience for me, and I am sure that this would stand in good stead in my future career. I sincerely hope that your esteemed institution will consider providing me financial aids in terms of scholarship and a tuition fee waiver. In case a scholarship is not available, I will be obliged to get some form of teaching assistantship (TA) or research assistantship (RA) which would allow me to cover my living expenses. Thanking you, Synopsis of my educational achievements 1. Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Finance from ???? University, Tanzania a. Final Year BS : completed; results awaited b. Second Year BS: 90%; Student of the year award; Summer Internship at JP Morgan in USA. c. First Year BS: 85%; First in Tanzania; Summer Internship at Barclays Bank. Vice Chancellor’s scholarship for all three years Bank of Tanzania scholarship for all three years Academic Merit Acknowledgement scholarship for all three years 2. A Level completed with Advance Maths, Economics and Geography; AAA grades. First in Tanzania. 3. GCSE (Secondary) Level completed with A in 7 subjects. First in Tanzania. Read More