Success - Admission/Application Essay Example

Essay Define long term success in your specific area of interest. How have your previous experiences prepared you for this professional career What areas of specialization within the Carroll School of Management do you believe will be most valuable in achieving your goals What specific short-term career objectives have you set to assist you in achieving your long-term career plans (2 pages) Success is a universal goal, yet defined differently by every individual. In my eyes, long term success means recognition as an expert in the field in which I'm passionate. I recognize that my greatest passion is in the field of investments. I believe a fundamental analysis concentration in the Master in Finance program at BC will provide me with the best opportunity to gain the expertise needed to take a leadership role in helping fellow employees with investment strategies. My short term goal is to devote myself towards gaining a working, graduate-level of knowledge as quickly and completely as possible. Life experience has taught me that success does not happen overnight. It is the direct result of dedication to working harder than the competition. Therefore, I made the decision long ago to throw myself 100% into the fray of work--heart and soul. Words do little when compared with deeds, and I know one must put forth the kind of exceptional effort that speaks for itself. In high school, I worked and studied tirelessly in order to earn a 3.7 GPA, knowing that I would need this in order to gain acceptance to a college with a strong business program. Once accepted into the Isenberg School of Management, at the University of Massachusetts, I carried this work ethic with me, earning a 3.6 GPA. This strengthened my drive as I realized I can live my dream if I set goals and worked towards achieving them. In college, I was fascinated both by the corporate as well as investment sides of the finance world. In those years, I acquired a corporate finance job with Liberty Mutual, which began in the July following graduation. Unfortunately, graduation took place in the previous December. During this time I refused to remain idle, taking up an investment position with a hedge fund group for Investor's Bank. This allowed me to expand my work experience while waiting to begin the program with Liberty Mutual. While working for Liberty Mutual, I realized just how much I'd enjoyed my days evaluating investment funds at Investor's Bank. Six months with Liberty Mutual and I knew undoubtedly that I had a deep interest in investment evaluation-it's where I belong. I left Liberty Mutual and returned to Investor's Bank. My burning desire to not only work but also excel in the field of investments pushes me to aggressively pursue a Master of Finance. Boston College's (BC) Program provides one of the most well designed curriculums I could ask for, with in-depth exposure to various subjects, taught by a world renowned faculty in a globally recognized institution. I seek to pursue a fundamental analysis concentration in order to expand my knowledge of the analytical techniques in investments. From what I've read on the BC website, this concentration is of interest to me and I believe it will develop my knowledge in topics such as enterprise value, free cash flow, economic value, risk/ reward analysis, and the art of management interviews. Moreover, I'm studying for the Level I CFA exam for the upcoming December. A BC education will support the knowledge I'm already absorbing so that, eventually, I'll have a working understanding of comprehensive information that will further enhance my capabilities. My short term goal is to gain credentials to illustrate my knowledge in the field. I believe it's important for me, at this early career stage, to gain such designations in order to place myself in a position of leadership. I wish to influence the thinking of others and be a leader in the direction of the investment field. I plan to go to school part-time while working, in order to gain an integrated knowledge of both the academic and workplace environment. Essay 2 - Why have you selected the MSF program in the Carroll School of Management at Boston College It's obvious that the Carol School of Management at BC is a world renowned program. Financial Times ranks BC 32nd in US schools for the MBA program and the Carol faculty are ranked 6th by the Faculty Scholarly Index. The quality of education at BC speaks for itself. Lecturers have received worldwide recognition for their work. For instance, Dr. Alicia Monrell was among the 100 most influential people in finance voted by Treasury and Risk Management. Such high praise is proof to me that I'll be taught by the very best. Another attraction of BC is the campus environment of the business college. While attending Umass (University of Massachusetts), I truly enjoyed the campus environment and feeling of community. Such an environment allows me to get to know other students with similar life aspirations and a variety of experience. Learning is not something that can be limited to lecture halls. Learning is an ongoing, lifelong process that is available in all aspects of life. While interacting with other students, one is taking part in the learning process. In addition, I'll be in a position to meet those who've already impacted the world market. Jim Cramer, host of CNBC's Mad Money, for example, came to the BC campus to discuss his views of the investment industry. Such experiences with field leaders are inspirational, and assist students such as me in molding our careers. The average BC finance class is approximately 97 students. This moderate size provides greater opportunity for one-on-one interaction with instructors and fellow students. In my undergraduate years, I was crammed into classrooms with over 150 students. I never experienced the close personal interaction smaller class sizes allow. I want to be in a learning environment, not a "degree factory," one that will provide me with the tools necessary to succeed. Essay 3 Please provide any additional information that will highlight unique aspects of your candidacy to the Admissions Committee. The Committee welcomes additional comments you may wish to provide in support of your application. (1 page Life isn't always easy. Mine, in particular, has been difficult. I've pushed myself to learn and succeed in academics, often because people said I couldn't. I was born with severe learning disabilities in language. In grade school, I didn't score high enough to be placed in a school with "regular" students. Through 1st grade, I was in a school called Project Accept, meant for students with severe learning disabilities. There was so much negativity there, as if my learning disability was a stigma. Specialists told my parents never to expect I'd be able to attend a university. However, I refused to let their negativity cripple my ambitions. Determined to defeat my limitations, I fought back, working twice as hard as "regular" students did to absorb the same material. This ethic of hard work, along with the strong support of my parents, led me to succeed in ways that no one ever expected-graduating in the top 25% of my high school class and with honors from Isenberg School of Management at the University of Massachusetts. While attending UMass, I did my best to give back to the surrounding community. Through my Fraternity (Alpha Epsilon Pi), I organized and participated in events such as bone marrow and blood drives, Habitat for Humanity, and other charitable causes. In my sophomore year I was awarded Sophomore Fraternity Member of the Year by UMass for my efforts in academics, Greek life, and community work. I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to continue my path to success by joining the MSF program at the University. The ability to work with the brightest of minds, people who are motivated to succeed, would be an honor and a privilege. I thank you for taking the time to read and consider my essays. Read More