Hi,
I have scored 610 in my GMAT. I have 4.8 years of IT experience. I have MCA degree from Mumbai University.
Can you tell me what are my chances of getting into US based Business school? I would be happy if you can suggest me some good names for which I can apply asap. If possible I would like to start my course in this year itself.
Thanks in advance!
I am in a unique and somewhat tricky situation and it would be great if some of you can throw some light on it.
:
I would like to go for MBA in top 15 b'schools or M. Fin in lbs, princeton (could come out with these 2 univs. after my research).
Pls suggest if its a distant dream or is possible.
:
Also is it that going for a 2nd MBA from good school impossible and i should focus more towards M. Fin. Are there any other good schools offering M. Fin. (with not too much quant focus).
Tougher, but definitely not impossible to target a 2nd MBA from a top school. We get second MBA applicants and from our experience, the 'why second MBA' question becomes very important, even if the school hasn't explicitly asked for it.
Start thinking about what you'll put in that optional essay. And ensure that this extra essay fits in very well with the other mandatory essays. Don't attach it in a piece-meal fashion in the hope that all the pieces will magically fit together. Think of your why now, why this school, what next etc elements as one big story.
The M.Fin degree will take you in a different direction though, so don't look at it as an alternative to the regular MBA. Plus asking for an M-Fin minus the quant focus would be like asking for a Bollywood masala movie without item numbers. Bad example, I know, but I hope you get the point.
- Sameer
MBA Crystal Ball
Hi, Since my earlier post got me no replies 
, I thought i'll refine my query a little and post it again.
Acads :
10th : 90.83% ICSE 2003 ... One of the best schools in Mumbai.
12th : 84.20% ICSE 2005 ... Same school.
BE (IT) : 65 % Univ of Mumbai 2009 ... one of the better colleges.
Have Taken CAT thrice (93, 85, 93):splat: Will be taking it again this year.
Plan to take the GMAT around May 2012, and apply for the Fall 2013.
Work Ex : Dec'09 till Date as an SE.
At Infosys technologies ltd. No extraordinary achievements yet.
EC and Achievements :
Recommended as an officer by the AFSB, Mysore for the 7 SSC M (F) P course (for training and commissioning of Pilots in the IAF) commencing in January, 2011. Unable to join due to medical reasons.
Part of a team (6 members) that won the Skit at the Global Finishing School, Infosys Technologies Ltd., Competing batch strength of 424. I was also the narrator for the fashion show conducted at the same event.
Member of the editorial team of 'Gurukul', a trainee magazine at Infosys Technologies ltd, Mysore.
Captain of the class football team through 3 seasons ('06,'07,'0
of the intra-college sports and cultural event (FACES).
Career Aspirations : Want to switch to Strategy and Management Consulting.
Schools I have shortlisted : 
Tuck, Kellogg, Cornell, Yale, and ISB.
My queries are :
1. Is it a realistic plan? Can a person with my profile, and work ex (3.5 by the time i matricuate and in the IT industry...though i'm desperately looking to break into some consulting firm in the tech consulting field) plan to get into the schools i have mentioned.
2. Given my career goals, existing profile, and a GMAT score > 700 (assumption) ... What more can I do from now till the time I apply, that would really boost my resume and application?
Would really appreciate your views and advice regarding this.
Thanks :)
Hi,
I write not to get a profile evaluation, but to clear a few doubts that i have.
My Profile:....
Would really appreciate your views and advice regarding this.
Thanks :)
Hey thanks, just another thing, can you suggest whether the 2yr PGDM in SP Jain Mumbai is any good for 6+ exp? I know SP Jain MUmbai is generally very good and they have recently started accepting GMAT scores, but not sure if its worth it for 6+ exp
Hi,
I'd really appreciate if anyone can help me figure out certain things that are bugging me since a very long time...
Before directly jumping on to the main question, i'd like to give brief background about myself...
Currently into my 2nd year of BBA(NMIMS) and aspire to get into an Ivy league univ, post some years of work ex, now the roadmap that ive set for myself goes something like this :-
BBA -> PGPXXX(Distance lerning) + work simultaneously (2 Yrs) -> GMAT -> shortlisting of Univ & then with the paperwork and all other formalities...
Issues :---
No 1. Iam planning to enroll myself for a distance education programme with symbiosis( have other options asa well in the form of XLRI, IIM-L & K, but they require atleast one year of work ex,) inorder to fulfill the minimum eligibility criteria for most US Univ... but am a little skeptical about the acceptance of the diploma/ degree whatever i'll get at the end, by universities abroad as i just got to hear from somewhere that if its just a diploma then its of no use and would just be an addon to my previous degree...if thats the case kindly suggest me some other univ who are well recognized and at the same time must hold some value from an academic perspective, also other options apart from distance education will be highly appreciated, keeping in mind my existing profile...
No 2. I have mentally prepared myself to be patient for some years and channelize my efforts and time in an optimum manner...so ideally, looking forward for a 2- 3 years of work ex. and a score close to 650( taking a conservative figure, just in case things do not fall in place) ...so keeping aside the Layer 1(top30/ 50), will that be enough for the Layer 2 Univ ???
Thanks in advance !!!
I have been admitted into HEC Business School for September 2011 and IE Business School for November 2011 and now am really torn about where to go!!
All this while I was aiming at HEC, thinking I had a slim chance of getting through (my GMAT was below their average) but I guess my application reached out to them. IE is has a higher worldwide ranking than HEC in the FT rankings, it's in the top 10 and that's why now I'm thoroughly and genuinely confused.
Mubarkaan ji mubarkaan. 2 offers.
If HEC has always been the top priority for you and your entire focus was on this program then stick to it. Don't let any rankings change the perception you've built about the school based on all that research you've don't already.
Rankings have generalised approach to looking at bschools from their own lens, they don't (and can't) take into consideration individual priorities like the candidate can.
So don't let last minute data overload rock the boat. You never know when the tables turn with these rankings. I'd suggest sticking to your original decision.
- Sameer
MBA Crystal Ball
HI,,,,,,,,,,,,,Frnd.....I need some guidance....I am a B.Tech in Electronics...and am intersted to work in finance sector...I did five certifications --------
....Wat wud u suggest shud i join accenture or continue my serach for a finance job.
Ashu bhaiyya,
This isn't a thread for IIM queries, but I'll respond to your general questions.
Stop gathering certificates, you already have plenty of them. Go beyond the theory now and get some experience. That'll help you more in the future.
Join Accenture and get the money flowing back into your account. if finance is where you want to be, then continue looking for opportunities. But don't let the bird in hand go just coz you think there are peacocks in the bush.
- Sameer
MBA Crystal Ball
hello ...
my profile : average high school..
gmat : 715
currently in final yr of college doing comp engg. (not interested in comp..)
good ec ..
now want to do msc in finance or management ..
with no work experience do i stand any chance ... im considering hec paris and esade spain ...
also give advice on any alternate career options .... i dont know much ...
My queries are :
1. Is it a realistic plan? Can a person with my profile, and work ex (3.5 by the time i matricuate and in the IT industry...though i'm desperately looking to break into some consulting firm in the tech consulting field) plan to get into the schools i have mentioned.
2. Given my career goals, existing profile, and a GMAT score > 700 (assumption) ... What more can I do from now till the time I apply, that would really boost my resume and application?
Hi Pratik,
1. Taking the GMAT is perhaps the biggest thing missing in your profile without which it is hard to analyze. If you score 740 what I will say will be different than say if you score a 680.
2. Unfortunately though your schooling may have been above-average there is nothing quantifiable you can write about it in the application though I'm sure it will provide a lot of stories to say (better if you can show some networking by talking about some alum who went to that school and with whom you have been in touch with i.e. Mr. Ashok Agarwal from my school went onto to do his MBA at Harvard, and I have heard him speak about the many similarities in the educational rigors/ student culture).
3. Your ECs are not exceptional and again it will depend on how you articulate the stories, and more importantly show how you have learned from them.
Net, net I think the top schools will be a stretch for you because of your demographic disadvantage and lack of a huge spike in either of the 3 areas (acads, workexp, ECs) to get a stab at the top schools (and in return at the top consulting firms).
My take is work on pursuing some passion, and show growth/ability to deliver through it. Secondly at work see if you can get an opportunity to work outside the country, in a different function, or show career progression by doing something out of the ordinary (a bigger, better project is NOT going to be good). Apart from this try doing something that has always interested you but you never found the time for it - learning a foreign language like French for example (considering you did your schooling in Mumbai I assume you have a base - unless you took Marathi).
Hope this helps,
Arun from CrackVerbal
Hi,
I'd really appreciate if anyone can help me figure of certain things that are bugging me since a very long time...
Before directly jumping on to the main question, i'd like to give brief background about myself...
Currently into my 2nd year of BBA(NMIMS) and aspire to get into an Ivy league univ, post some years of work ex, now the roadmap that ive set for myself goes something like this :-
BBA -> PGPXXX(Distance lerning) + work simultaneously (2 Yrs) -> GMAT -> shortlisting of Univ & then with the paperwork and all other formalities...
Issues :---
No 1. Iam planning to enroll myself for a distance education programme with symbiosis( have other options asa well in the form of XLRI, IIM-L & K, but they require atleast one year of work ex,) inorder to fulfill the minimum eligibility criteria for most US Univ... but am a little skeptical about the acceptance of the diploma/ degree whatever i'll get at the end, by universities abroad as i just got to hear from somewhere that if its just a diploma then its of no use and would just be an addon to my previous degree...if thats the case kindly suggest me some other univ who are well recognized and at the same time must hold some value from an academic perspective, also other options apart from distance education will be highly appreciated, keeping in mind my existing profile...
No 2. I have mentally prepared myself to be patient for some years and channelize my efforts and time in an optimum manner...so ideally, looking forward for a 2- 3 years of work ex. and a score close to 650( taking a conservative figure, just in case things do not fall in place) ...so keeping aside the Layer 1(top30/ 50), will that be enough for the Layer 2 Univ ???
Thanks in advance !!!
I am happy that you are planning so much in advance. Having said that I am a bit apprehensive that you might end up doing any of what you wrote above. If you asked *me* when I was in the 2nd year of my college I had no clue. But even had I guessed I would not have come remotely close to guessing what really happened (IT -> Management -> Entrepreneurship).
Also don't look at an MBA as some holy grail - a panacea for all your ills. It is not. It is just a means to the end. You need to figure out what that end is. And I feel at 19, and in 2nd year of college you are in the process of finding it out. So don't sweat. Enjoy you time at college - learn new stuff - meet new people - get good grades. Stop worrying.
Remember what John Lennon said "Life is what happens, when you are busy making plans".
I know I didn't answer your question directly but if you are able to understand my post you will realize I have indeed answered it.
Cheers!
Arun - CrackVerbal
hello ...
my profile : average high school..
gmat : 715
currently in final yr of college doing comp engg. (not interested in comp..
good ec ..
now want to do msc in finance or management ..
with no work experience do i stand any chance ... im considering hec paris and esade spain ...
also give advice on any alternate career options .... i dont know much ...
Please go through this thread first:
http://www.pagalguy.com/discussions/international-educational-options-beyond-the-mba-25033375
You can also ask relevant questions on that thread AFTER having done your research on the schools.
Arun - CrackVerbal
Hi Arun,
Thank you for your valuable insights.
I am currently preparing for one final shot at the CAT, and other b-school exams for the Fall 2012 courses. The GMAT + Phoren-se-MBA is a back up plan lest i don't make it to a bschool in '12. This is why i haven't taken the GMAT yet.
I agree, the acads+wrkex+EC value is quite low, and it really is a downer... (Should have taken the IIT JEE more seriously).
I did not take Marathi in school, and i'll be beginning German classes soon.
When i asked "What more can I do from now till the time I apply, that would really boost my resume and application?" i was referring to professional courses or certifications that could help my bid for a career in consulting. There are multiple forums on PG that advice courses like CFA, etc for guys keen on Finance...Was wondering if a strategy consultancy aspirant has any courses that he/she can opt for.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Cheers, and Thanks a ton.
Hi Pratik,
1. Taking the GMAT is perhaps the biggest thing missing in your profile without which it is hard to analyze. If you score 740 what I will say will be different than say if you score a 680.
2. Unfortunately though your schooling may have been above-average there is nothing quantifiable you can write about it in the application though I'm sure it will provide a lot of stories to say (better if you can show some networking by talking about some alum who went to that school and with whom you have been in touch with i.e. Mr. Ashok Agarwal from my school went onto to do his MBA at Harvard, and I have heard him speak about the many similarities in the educational rigors/ student culture).
3. Your ECs are not exceptional and again it will depend on how you articulate the stories, and more importantly show how you have learned from them.
Net, net I think the top schools will be a stretch for you because of your demographic disadvantage and lack of a huge spike in either of the 3 areas (acads, workexp, ECs) to get a stab at the top schools (and in return at the top consulting firms).
My take is work on pursuing some passion, and show growth/ability to deliver through it. Secondly at work see if you can get an opportunity to work outside the country, in a different function, or show career progression by doing something out of the ordinary (a bigger, better project is NOT going to be good). Apart from this try doing something that has always interested you but you never found the time for it - learning a foreign language like French for example (considering you did your schooling in Mumbai I assume you have a base - unless you took Marathi).
Hope this helps,
Arun from CrackVerbal
Hello Friends,
I took GMAT a few days back and here is my profile for your assessment. Please be frank in providing opinion. Is it worth a shot for Indian Univs -the IIM's and ISB. I am only interested in 1 year programs. Your insights will surely be helpful!
Academics:
GMAT 690(Q48, V35 Total 88%), AWA: 5.5
10th 78% (CBSE Board) , 12th -83% (CBSE Board)
B.Tech (IT) from Kurukshetra University in year 2004. (Percentage -70%, Branch Topper -83%).
Professional:
7 years core experience in one of the leading IT company.
International exposure (Chicago, U.S) for about 3 years.
Experience of working with clients like GE
Has experience of working in Mortgage and Retail domain related projects.
Extra-Curricular:
.State level Chess champion. Won chess championships for record 3 years during college
.One of the main organizer of the yearly cultural event in the organization and at college level. Acknowledged for methodical and successful management.
Won several accolades from school to this level in Literary and Debating events, Quizzing and in various sports events.
Interested Institutes:
IIMA, ISB, IIMB and INSEAD
Questions:
a) Which schools should I apply to?
b) When should I apply?
c) I do not know which MBA program is right for me. As, currently, a part of consulting firm, will "Consulting" be right?
d)Due to strict immigration laws in Europe, can there be problems in getting right opportunities, if I do MBA from INSEAD or other MBA school from Europe.
e) I am interested in 1 year MBA program. Is that OK?
Note: As I am newbie and just started to pursue my MBA dream, questions above could be little dumb. But thanks in advance for your solid response
Consultants -- Could you please respond to my query.
Thanks a lot Sameer. Reaaally cleared my mind... Don't visit this site a lot but I think I need to start doing that. 😃
I am happy that you are planning so much in advance. Having said that I am a bit apprehensive that you might end up doing any of what you wrote above. If you asked *me* when I was in the 2nd year of my college I had no clue. But even had I guessed I would not have come remotely close to guessing what really happened (IT -> Management -> Entrepreneurship).
Also don't look at an MBA as some holy grail - a panacea for all your ills. It is not. It is just a means to the end. You need to figure out what that end is. And I feel at 19, and in 2nd year of college you are in the process of finding it out. So don't sweat. Enjoy you time at college - learn new stuff - meet new people - get good grades. Stop worrying.
Remember what John Lennon said "Life is what happens, when you are busy making plans".
I know I didn't answer your question directly but if you are able to understand my post you will realize I have indeed answered it.
Cheers!
Arun - CrackVerbal
Many thanks for your quick response,
Not to put this as an argument or something, its just that since iam on the verge of entering my 3rd year, i thought its high time for me to take a call, whether or not i should be taking the college placements, and i do respect your advice of holding on for sometime, but the reason am in a hurry at this moment is because iam really obsessed with 'Entrepreneurship' and have couple of plans ready to be executed (One of which would feature a test run, this summer) and MBA as we all know acts as a cushion point. However, i have a clear vision in mind, MBA obviously is a part of my master L-Plan (Life) and i have very well defined what i wish to achieve out of it...
At the risk of sounding philosophical - Iam aware of the fact that "Even the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry" but at the same time i also believe that "God helps those who helps themselves or at least make an effort to figure out what really matters to them" and this dear sir is my first step towards it.
Over the last 2 or 3 years, i've experienced numerous things, like working in a start-up, meeting new people (as part of the clientele), going out for various competitions across the country, taking a break(off to luttack:cheerio:), and doing all sorts of the crazy and whacky things that one could possibly imagine
...but, now when it comes to choosing future courses of actions, it seems that every moment is like an Opportunity Loss in this cut-throat competitive environment...As a result, its of vital importance to at least have a blue-print ready, if not the complete plan-out, hope you understand my concern :thumbsup:Thank you !!!
Hi consultants.
I'm a scientist working in DRDO for past 3 years. I'm a 2007 pass-out in Mechanical Engineering (CPI 7.27/10) from Jamia Millia Islamia in 2007. Worked at Honda Motorcycles and Scooters India for ten months before joining DRDO.
I had earlier thought of going for the GMAT this year but then decided to work a bit on my profile for I do not want to make a half-baked attempt considering that applying etc. alone will cost about Rs. 75-80k.
Now here's the story. I'm hopeful of getting promoted this year itself (touchwood!). Worst case scenario: I'll be promoted by July next year. If it happens this year, it will be an 'outstanding' promotion and if it happens next year, it will be a 'normal' promotion. I'm very keen to write the words 'Promoted under 'outstanding' category, the best there is.' in my B-School app. :cheerio:
Now, I'm working on my profile by joining some NGO's (already started) so that by the time I take GMAT next year i.e., July 2012, I shall be having some extra-curricular (read NGO) work to show in my app.
In the meantime, since I feel I have the time and can manage to do it, I plan to appear for CFA L1 in Dec 2011 and, if all goes well, for CFA L2 in June 2012. I'm doing this for two reasons; first, to add value to my profile all the while utilising some of my free time and , second, to have a stronger case for pursuing a career in finance despite my not having any finance background and work-ex.
So, in bullet points, here's the plan by June-July 2012:
1. Clear CFA L1 and L2.
2. Some solid NGO work (for extra-curriculars).
3. Get promoted. I've heard it counts in B-School app.
Now what's left is finance and I'm quite in the dark and nonplussed when it comes to that.
From what I've read on the internet, an MBA from a top US B-School can cost anywhere around $180k (WTF! :banghead:). Now that's a huge sum for me and I simply cannot hope to pay that even by selling myself. 
And that's where come loans into the picture. (Aha!) Gareebon ka sahara. 
But then, I don't know the following:
1. Of this $180k, how much can I hope to get a loan for? From Where? With or without a co-signor? US or desi co-signer?
2. How much money should I be ready to spend out my own pocket straightaway; as in liquid assets? I can at most spend Rs 10 lacs.
3. Do the B-Schools require me to present proof of any particular amount of liquid assets at the time of application? Does the visa process require so? What is that amount likely to be? (This is the most worrisome aspect) What amount am I required to show in liquid assets at the time of application to B-School and during the visa application?
I request the consultants to answer these queries and also comment on my plan to improve my profile before I actually apply in 2012. 
Regards.
I appreciate everyone's hard work and commitment to *boost* your career prospects :cheerio:.But working in a *NGO* for the heck of it , doesn't sound like anything close to being human to me. If being an altruist is not your cup of tea, don't be! I don't see any point in doing that.Now that I have said this,I also want to make it clear that, I don't evangelize altruism either.If you still want to do something to the society and not willing to just do it without anything in return , that's totally fine. Heard of *Social Entrepreneurship* ? Just do that!
Pardon me if I am sounding a little to harsh, but I just wanted to say this loud and clear.
Thinks , Isn't it our birth right to do things that we are *actually* willing to do, even at the cost losing a seat in one of those pseudo schools?
or is it too much to ask for?
PS:Have been in PG for the past few years and probably this should be my second or third post.Have seen responses like this for so long , just wanted to make a point today. Otherwise this is not intended for any particular user.
PPS:This post may also get deleted by the admin for irrelevant discussion. But still, just wanted to say this! Thanks!
I appreciate everyone's hard work and commitment to *boost* your career prospects :cheerio:.But working in a *NGO* for the heck of it , doesn't sound like anything close to being human to me. If being an altruist is not your cup of tea, don't be! I don't see any point in doing that.Now that I have said this,I also want to make it clear that, I don't evangelize altruism either.If you still want to do something to the society and not willing to just do it without anything in return , that's totally fine. Heard of *Social Entrepreneurship* ? Just do that!
Pardon me if I am sounding a little to harsh, but I just wanted to say this loud and clear.
Thinks , Isn't it our birth right to do things that we are *actually* willing to do, even at the cost losing a seat in one of those pseudo schools?
or is it too much to ask for?
PS:Have been in PG for the past few years and probably this should be my second or third post.Have seen responses like this for so long , just wanted to make a point today. Otherwise this is not intended for any particular user.
PPS:This post may also get deleted by the admin for irrelevant discussion. But still, just wanted to say this! Thanks!
Dude! Seriously?
Tell me what's wrong in working for an NGO in the hope of getting something in return?
I'm not asking anything for free. I'm giving my time and energy to this. What's wrong if I desire a little recognition in return?
Why not look at it this way; the people whom I'm working for are also gaining in the process.
If every MBA aspirant today decides to do some social service, even if in the hope of getting something in return, the people whom they'll be working for do not stand to lose anything anyways.
I think that's enough for an 'explanation'. Spare me your rant.
Peace.
Tell me what's wrong in working for an NGO in the hope of getting something in return?
Why not look at it this way; the people whom I'm working for are also gaining in the process.
Hmmm...discussions getting interesting. Here's my take on this.
When I was applying to bschool, I hadn't worked in an NGO. And I didn't feel the need to do so for the sake of my MBA applications. However, informally I was involved (still am, actually) in my own little way of giving back to society. But, I chose to keep it private and not disclose it in my MBA application. I don't think it affected me in an adverse manner at all.
That's one side of the story. The other way of looking at this is as follows.
If the thousands of applicants (from India and outside) at least start thinking about social work (and more importantly the concept of 'giving back') seriously after getting some real world experience with some of the causes that need a helping hand, then I'm hopeful at least a small percentage of guys will continue to think of it after completing their MBA programs.
And in their super-sized avatars, if their little gestures (maybe in the guise of corporate CSR or in a personal capacity) can make a not-so-little-anymore impact on some good cause, then so be it.
Unfortunately, the issue starts when people look at the entire application process as a check-box driven formula. And that's when all extra-currics in the application (not just NGO) fall flat.
Making money, doing good and having a high-flying post-MBA career need not be mutually exclusive.
What say?
- Sameer
MBA Crystal Ball
Sameer ji u rock is all i can say.
Well said.
Its an individual perspective. I will do anything to get into the school i dream of, get good scores,have good EC's anything i can impress the adcom - i will put in my efforts even if i dnt like doing it.im not morphing something or fooling anyone.
i guess all of us do not have the *luxury* to do things only we like to do.
if that was the case i would want to be in hawai at this very moment. Period.