Does anyone know how applying later in the season affects your application chances? I'm applying to NUS, HK UST, Insead and HKU.

I can either take the CFA level one in December and then apply to the schools in February or I can apply in December. I know the CFA would boost my finance credentials (as I was a journalist before I joined my i-bank) but I'm not sure if a level 1 CFA would compensate for applying so much later.

Mostly I suppose, I don't want to break my back studying for the next two months if it's not going to help me in the end.

Thanks for the help!

<blockquote>Does anyone know how applying later in the season affects your application chances? I'm applying to NUS, HK UST, Insead and HKU.

I can either take the CFA level one in December and then apply to the schools in February or I can apply in December. I know the CFA would boost my finance credentials (as I was a journalist before I joined my i-bank) but I'm not sure if a level 1 CFA would compensate for applying so much later.

Mostly I suppose, I don't want to break my back studying for the next two months if it's not going to help me in the end.

Thanks for the help!

</blockquote>

CFA level 1 will not give you an advantage, too many people taking it now. Even the CFA charter does not turn heads like it used too anymore.

Since you are already decided on going for the MBA, you can cover all thats in the CFA and more if you structure your course of study the proper way.

I would say concentrate on the MBA, forget about the CFA for now.

Also, this piece might be of interest to you:

"MBA, CFA Get Hitched"
What'll it be - a graduate degree in finance or a CFA charter? A growing number of universities have set out to provide the tools to acquire both.

http://news.efinancialcareers.com/NEWS_ITEM/newsItemId-11433