Can someone help me to evaluate my profile for PhD finance

[big123]

Hi,
Can someone help me evaluating my chances of getting through a top 15 US PhD program or top 5 Non-US PhD program.

B.Tech- National Institute of Technology (a top 20 Eng. college in India)
MBA - (a top 15 B. School in India)
CFA, US - Cleared all three levels in first attempt

Exp. Before MBA- Scientist (2 yrs), Defense Res. & Dev. Org (The premier defense res. org. in India)
Post MBA - Business Analyst in BFSI domain, Patni Computers systems(1.2 yr),
Equity Research Analyst, Economic Times (The largest circulating financial daily in India), 2 yr

Can get Recomendation letter from some good prof. who have done their PhD from Stern and Duke..

Also, my exp. in Economic Times is primarily in fundamental research in different areas of capital market.
GMAT Score: 650 (Q48, V32)

Can someone pls tell me what are my chances of getting through. whether i should apply this year with this background or try to improve my GMAT score and then apply next year. But by next yr i will be 31, so will it be late. Pls help me.

Thanks...

[tm_guru]

wrong forum...

[Gecko]

for what its worth - cfa and mba are useless. and like tm_guru mentioned, please post in a different forum ~

[asquare]

I'm moving this thread to the PhD Business forum, where it will probably receive more responses.

[phdhope]

Top 15? I think that might be difficult. Your GMAT score of 650 is about what most schools decide is the minimum score needed to apply. That is a pretty major problem. CFA and MBA are not really good for a phd. As mentioned elsewhere, people like people who have gone to US schools because they usually know the LORs and have confidence in the person's ability to succeed in a Us school. Work experience is good but not really research experience. At age 31, schools might be less inclined to take you on, but I think you really need a higher gmat score if you are thinking of applying only to the top 15 programs in the US.

[Ancalagon The Black]

Top 15 US PhD program: No

Top 5 Non US PhD program: Maybe, with luck.