hi jeremy
tks for this wonderful initiative on ur part....i wish to know
1) is there any distinct advantage of doing an mba from a GLOBAL (read US) top 20 bskool over say IIM A or B?
2) is doing an mba in say the USA gonna make it impossible for me to come back and work in india? (assuming that i have family responsibilities and that i'd like to get back to india asap) I've heard that indian companies dont value mbas done abroad.
3) will it be tough for me to put to practice mba knowledge from one country (say USA from a top b school) for a company in another country (say india)?
4) will it be that only foreign companies established in india would employ me if i want to work in india after having done an mba abroad?
5) abt the money factor, do b schools abroad ever offer any fees aid?
i know these sound like juvenile queries but i really need these answers bcos these things do confuse me a lot.
Greetings Jeremy,
You are doing a great help to all of us with good insights. That prompted me to post my case and get some valuable suggestions from you. This is my profile in brief
Indian - Male - Age 27
X - 84.4%
XII - 90.8%
Mechanical Engineering (JNTU) - 86.02% - 7th Position among say 1000 mechanical engineers passing very year through that university, Best Outgoing Student for allround perfoemance in academics, sports and extra-curricular
GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering) All India rank of 71 with a percentile of 99.71 (qualifying exam for Masters in India)
Masters in Industrial Engineering (SCM and Operations Management Specialisation)- 86.5% - 1st Rank - Gold Medallist, Best Outgoing Student
Experience (3.7 Years experience would be close to 5 years by the time i apply. No international experience)
After Bahcelors
---------------
ING Vysya Bank - Management Trainee - 8 Months
Reliance Industries Ltd. - Asst Manager - Oil and Gas - 15 Months
During Masters
-----------------
Citibank -Investment Banking Division - Intern - 2 Months - Got an employment offer from them
Deloitte Consulting - Intern - 4 Months
After Masters
--------------
Deloitte Consulting - Assistant Manager -5 Months - ERP Functional Consulting
SAP Consulting - Associate Consultant - 12 Months - SAP Functional Consulting - Current Employer
Along with my current job i also teach operations Management in a MBA college during week ends. Its a regular course for the students where the classes are scheduled in the weekends
Extra- curriculars
-------------------------
Sports (College Level Football and Volley Ball), Placement Co-ordinator during Masters and Organising member of business events.
Curriculars
---------------
National Level Paper Presentations.
MBA Areas of interest
---------------------
Strategy and Operations Management
This is my profile in brief and i have not yet taken my GMAT but preparing for it and aiming for an MBA from good school in US.
1. How does my profile stand in general for TOP 5 B-schools?
2. What GMAT score inline with my profile would give me a best shot?
3. Based on your experience, can you suggest some schools where i have the best chance for admission?
Thank you and Regards
MBAfate
Thanks for answering our queries & guidance:
I kindly request to evaluate my profile & help in deciding how can improve the same. Pls answer the question about personal accomplishments (last Q).
Academics: B.E. Production from Pune University, First class with Distinction, Aug.2005. I was in First 10 students among 80. Avg. Extra Circulars Activities at College level. GMAT: Yet to be given. Preparing for the same. Confident of getting good score because as usual I started preparing well in advance. 1. Working as a Principal Consultant with Private Consultancy Firm affiliated to H. B. Maynard, Cop, USA. It's a Manufacturing related Consultancy with domain expertise in MOST (Maynard Operation Sequence Tech.) which is a work measurement Tool.
2. Consulting Assignments Handled in Blue chip companies: Honda, Mahindra & Mahindra, ITC, Gabriel, Kirloskar, Perfect Circle (Dana Cop) etc.
2. Responsible for various Initiatives In Company like: Knowledge Management Awareness & Implementation (ongoing), Starting Knowledge Sharing group, contributed to Local Lateral thinking club, etc., Responsible for initiating Quarterly News Letter/ Magazine of the Company.
4. Community Services: Affiliated with Vipasyana Meditation Centers, Counseling to poor children in schooling at hometown. Taught Pranayama to children in my Building & many others. I have been involved in serving people at Vipassayana centers on weekends.
5. Extra Curricular Activities : Conducted Yoga, Meditation & Pranayama Training Programs for company consultants, Authored articles on websites on subjects like Lateral Thinking, Philosophy, Manufacturing related. Planning to write a small book about my personal exp/ Learning in life till now in next couple of years.
6. Professional Achievements:
1. Awarded with "Outstanding Employee of the Year" in 2006-07 (first year of Professional exp.)
2. In each of projects (mentioned above) the concerned client has increased productivity by at least 15 -20 % by either increasing production or decreasing manpower (which is lifetime saving).
3. Certified BASIC MOST Applicator by H. B. Maynard Co., USA.
4. Certified MINI MOST Applicator by H. B. Maynard Co, USA.
Personal Achievement: Overcame disability of stammering in last 3-4 years. I have done this with constant practice, Auto-suggestions, Meditations tech, using tech.of Sub-conscious mind development.:
Queries:
1. What kind of First impression the above profile creates? Secondly Do I even qualify for Top-15 US B-schools?
:neutral:
2. Considering that I am 23 and will apply in next couple of years how can use this time available to me?
3. Should I mention the above mentioned personal achievement in essays or this will against me as lack of communication skills? :wow:
4. I was advised that I dont have that Wow factor in my profile, so I should focus on Accomplishments for the same. Would you like to add something on this front?
5. As a consultant how can I differentiate my profile from rest, I mean if I am standing on the edge (when compared with other consultants) what can differentiate me?
6. In general what are the loopholes you can find in my profile? I mean what the things you are not finding in my profile as compared to students who get admitted? Say for e.g.; Lack of International work exp or something like that which will weaken my application?
How can fix the same (if Possible)?:neutral:
Sincerely,
Jeremy Shinewald
MBA Mission
www.mbamission.com
646-485-8844
Skype: MBAMission
Notmykind SaysThanks for your reply. I have moved two level technically. From frontline sales representative > sales supervisor>sales manager. This is the hierarchy, I have traversed so far. You are assessement is correct. I will then focus only on two schools at top(Michigan and Kellogg) and the lower tier schools that you listed.
Hi Jeremy,
I know my query is a little premature, but could you please give me an idea if I have the slightest of chance in securing an admit or possibly a deferred offer from one of the top 10 schools. Else, How can I improve my profile in the next couple of years to improve my chances?
My Profile:
I am 21/M, will graduate from IIT Roorkee with a dual degree (Bachelors & Masters) in Computer Science.
GPA:8.2/10.
Taking GMAT soon, am very confident about an extremely high score.
I have zero full time workex.
Have worked with Goldman Sachs as a summer analyst.
I have done a 2 month summer internship with a research institute for Statistics in Austria building statistical models.
Have also been with the National Univ of Singapore for a semester long exchange program.
I have a keen interest in Finance, have topped my class at IIT in both of the 2 Economics courses I have studied. My Master's dissertation is an interdisciplinary work between Computing & Finance.
Post MBA, I am looking at a trading profile with an Investment Bank or a Hedge fund.
Sports:Zilch
Community Service: Been involved with NSS a bit, but nothing extraordinary
I think I can get a pretty diverse set of strong recommendations from people at IIT, Goldman Sachs & the National Univ of Singapore.
Is there any top School in US or probably even UK where I may have something of a chance. Also, looking at my profile, if not now, which schools do you think are more likely to accept me after a couple of years of work experience?
Best Regards,
Rohit
snip .. snip.. snip.. snip...
With HBS releasing its essay questions this week and with many more programs promising to do so in the coming weeks, we are re-launching our essay analysis series, in order to help MBA candidates discover their potential paths. (Stay tuned to our Blog for ongoing updates to this series.)
Sincerely,
Jeremy Shinewald
MBA Mission
www.mbamission.com
646-485-8844
Skype: MBAMission
As announced by HBSs Director of Admissions and Financial Aid, Deirdre Leopold in an online chat with BusinessWeek in late May, HBSs essays have indeed changed. Whereas HBS previously did not offered its candidates any flexibility in its six required essays, the admissions office will now only ask candidates to complete two required essays and then select from three of six optional essay topics. Beyond these structural changes, most notably, HBS has added questions on global/cultural experiences and dropped its question on ethics.
Our analysis of each essay follows:
What are your three most substantial accomplishments and why do you view them as such? (600-word limit)
This mainstay of the Harvard application challenges the reader to display depth of experience. Generally, the candidate should be showcasing different dimensions within the three sub-sections of this essay; a selection of professional, community and personal accomplishments (not all need to be represented) is important.
While this is the longest single essay in terms of word limit, many treat it as three mini-essays, so it is actually quite challenging to construct it within these confines. Further, it is important that you remember that the experiences themselves are not everything. Indeed, there are two elements that need to be addressed -- the story of your accomplishment itself and then a reflective element (why do you view them as such?). The second half of this question cannot be ignored; your personal thoughts are no one elses and can differentiate you from the pack.
What have you learned from a mistake? (400-word limit)
As noted above, HBS has dropped its question on ethics and may have replaced it with this essay, which is a different test of character. What is interesting about this question is that AdCom is not asking you for a failure or a setback (both of which allow you to shift the blame to others or to circumstances) but for a mistake (where there is no avoiding responsibility). Simply put, mistakes are due to decisions, not circumstances. Thus, candidates are forced to be much more honest about their experiences and either take or place responsibility. Of course, this essay is not just about the mistake itself, but is about learning from the mistake. So, you will need to be introspective and show that learning led to tangible change in thought or action.
Please respond to three of the following (400-word limit each)
Discuss a defining experience in your leadership development. How did this experience highlight your strengths and weaknesses?
With HBSs emphasis on leadership, it is unsurprising that this essay remains from last year. However, the keyword is not leadership, but is defining. Clearly, there needs to be a climactic moment in your story in which your philosophy changed or was revolutionized. Thus, strong momentum in a single direction is crucial and then this transitional event needs to standout and show its force. It is important to note that this essay does not need to come from your work experience; the magnitude of the event is more important than the locale.
Again, the second aspect of this essay demands introspection. You cannot merely trot out clichs about strengths and weaknesses, but should reflect and try to get to the core of your leadership style. You might find it difficult to be forthright about your weaknesses, but by identifying those that are not damning (meaning those that will not undermine your ability to succeed at HBS) and explaining what you learned from them, you will get the credit that disingenuous statements (i.e. My weakness is that I am too passionate about my work) will only undermine.
How have you experienced culture shock?
As mentioned above, this is a new essay question and one that seeks to explore how you can relate to others or a new environment, amid significant change. Many will restrict their thinking to international experiences, but you may have experienced a new culture in your home country or backyard. In this essay, the key is to show that you are adaptable and embrace change with ease. For you to write a solid essay, you will need to reveal a moment/experience where you were well outside of your comfort zone and reveal your ability to create a new comfort zone or accept anothers.
What would you like the MBA Admissions Board to know about your undergraduate academic experience?
This question is quite open-ended, so you are not constrained to a discussion of your entire academic career; you can be selective and showcase the aspects that put you in the most positive light. This is an opportunity to explain your choices (school/major) and show intellectual vitality, not to review your coursework (the AdCom has your transcript) or explain bad grades.
While academic is the operative word in this essay question, it can be interpreted broadly. Your academic experience can extend beyond the classroom and into vigorous discussions with professors during office hours, for example. The idea is to show that while you were an undergraduate, you were seizing opportunities to explore ideas and then develop your own interests, thoughts and worldview. You should try to create momentum and show that you seized the opportunity to discover your passions and commit yourself to a course of study (regardless of whether your major was electrical engineering, history, management, etc.). Still, this does not mean that you can only discuss your major; that quirky surrealist cinema or fascinating modern architecture course that was well outside of your major, might be the perfect fodder to prove your intellectual growth. Even if your time was not academically fulfilling, it is important that you show that such experience gave you a clear direction.
Finally, it is almost a clich, but HBS is looking for leadership in everything that you do. So, if you can illustrate that you aided others in learning or expanding their horizons (peer tutoring, facilitating a conference, etc.) then this part of your academic experience could be an implication of future contributions at HBS, which could be quite appealing to the AdCom.
What is your career vision and why is this choice meaningful to you?
This question offers you flexibility in discussing your career path, which is almost unheard of amid the top-ten schools. Still, just because there is no blatant request for short and long term goals, you still cannot afford to be whimsical. You need to be focused in your ambitions and ensure that your path flows from an existing foundation to ensure credibility. HBS wants to be sure that they restrict the illustrious HBS experience to those with clear vision, potential and purpose. The latter aspect of the question (why is this choice meaningful to you?) places the onus on you to explore your own motivations. The structure of this question prevents superficial answers and forces you to show a fundamental understanding of your choices going forward.
What global issue is most important to you and why?
We start our analysis of this essay with a cautionary note: this is not the place to voice your political views or air grievances. In this essay, you have the opportunity to show that you are keenly aware of the world not preachy -- and that you take personal ownership over issues that are affecting your conscience, community and beyond. So, you should not just attack a political or social issue, but must consider your personal connection with it. An excellent essay will show an unusually strong relationship with the matter and prove that you are deeply affected by its implications. Further, it will hopefully showcase more than your emotional reaction to it, but also show that you have been active in raising awareness or taking steps to address it.
What else would you like the MBA Admissions Board to understand about you?
Last year, HBS stopped offering a place for additional information in its application, likely frustrated by how many candidates used the space to make excuses about their GMAT or grades. By creating this essay, HBS essentially forced candidates to make choices about how they would use their precious essay space and therefore mitigated those who were justifying that which did not need to be justified. Regardless of the history of this essay, if you have an unusual problem within your profile, this is the place to discuss it. If you do not, this question allows you to creatively highlight an experience that did not fit neatly into your other essays. Keep in mind that after four other essays the challenge will be to offer an entirely new dimension of your personality.
Hi Jeremy,
I'm here to present a peculiar case. First of all, I'm planning to apply for full time courses like MS in Marketing in universities like DUKE and Texas A&M; for spring 2008. Please go through my profile below. Please let me know the answers to all my questions, which are appended at last.
My Profile:
Age:23
Xth:76% (CBSE)
XII:95% (MPC)
B.E:81% (Electronics and Communications Engineering)
Score details:
GRE:570+780=1350
TOEFL=97
Personal Achievement:
Our team received "Project of the Year Award" in one of India's top most MNC for our work in "Ethernet Fiber Node" project.
I was selected for Republic day camp (A prestigious camp at National Level) at New Delhi in 1997, represented as best cadet in NCC. I was one among eight people selected from my state.
Stood 1st in paper presentation at MVSR (A National Level Certificate). Topic I presented was "Mica motes and their applications".
I stood first in "Fresher's event" conducted by Wipro Technologies.
I was Secretary for IEEE Student Branch, Vasavi College of Engineering.
Extra Curricular Activities:
I presented a paper in my company. Topic was "Deep submicron levels in VLSI".
I was the coordinator for "KRIYA", a technical fest affiliated to IEEE.
I was also the coordinator for "EUPHORIA", a cultural fest of Vasavi College of Engineering.
I've participated in on the spot events in "SHAASTRA" the technical fest in IIT Chennai and stood 3rd among IITians in the event "Unconventional Flying Machine". I've also achieved a "Merit certificate" in another on the spot event "Project-X". Both are National Level certificates.
Represented as captain of college for Inter College Chess Championship and stood 4th amongst all colleges participated. (60 colleges have participated).
I was also one of the finalists for presenting a Project called "Warning systems" in "ACUMEN" a National Level techfest of Vasavi College of Engineering in Final year.
Stood 1st in Technical Quiz in "ACUMEN"-2004.
I Stood 1st twice for the event "Technical Treasure Hunt" in "ACUMEN" 2004 and 2005.
I've also organized and participated in events SPAC and STAC affiliated to IEEE in Vasavi College of Engineering in 2005 and 2004 respectively.
Interests and Hobbies:
I was a member of IEEE from 2003-05.
I've also participated in "Linux Software Freedom day" at Osmania University affiliated to IEEE.
I've participated in technical quiz at JNTU.
I've been an active member of SACH (Save a Child's Heart) Organization, an Apollo Charitable Trust.
I've been a volunteer at the Blood Donation Camp organized at my college in Jan 2002 and Aug 2003.
I also write poems and publish them in blogs.
Current status:
Working in India's one of the top MNC from 12th September 2005 to till date. I'm working in Core electrical field called VLSI.
Professional Experience:
VLSI Circuit Design:
- Worked in the set up of the lab for a US based client, which included assignment like Network Management and Coordinating different teams.
- Worked for a US based client in analyzing his product for RoHS Compliance.
- Designed a Fast Ethernet Card for European Telecom Giant. The Ethernet Fiber Node (EFN) is used as a first level aggregation Switch in EDA (Ethernet DSL Access) Network. This supports 24 FE electrical down link ports and 2 GE combo (Electrical/optical) up link ports. The Ethernet Fiber Node aggregates the 24 down link ports data and switches them on to 2 electrical/optical uplink ports and vice versa. Three 100Mbps 8- port Fast Ethernet transceivers are used for 24 down link ports and two 1Gbps transceivers are used for 2 uplink ports.
- Performed both pre and post signal integrity analysis for an Indian Telecom Giant.
Microwaves Application: Final year Project on "DETECTION OF BURRIED OBJECTS USING MICRO WAVES".
P.S: No international exposure.
I'm interested in the field of Marketing. I've certain questions in mind.
Questions:
1) How is an MS degree different from MBA and what would be the future of such programs?
2) How would the adcom view my application, when applying to above mentioned univesities.
3) What are my chances to get an admission?
4) How best should I answer to questions like, Why do you want to pursue MS in Marketing program at ---- School?
5) What are your career goals and how will this degree help you achieve those goals?
6) Describe your background, interests, personal and professional accomplishments and how they demonstrate your potential for success in this degree and your career.
7) Describe an ethical dilemma that you have personally encountered. What alternatives did you consider and why? DO NOT tell us what you decided to do.
How best should my SOP be written in order to impress the adcom?9) Can you suggest some more colleges for such courses?
Please let me know your views on each question individually as it would be greatly helpful in the advancement of my career.
Thanks in advance,
Awaiting your reply,
K. Praveen Kumar
Everyone,
I have interacted with Jeremy over the past few days, and he has been overly generous with his time and advise. He has answered my emails, spent time with me over the phone, given me some invaluable insights gone over aspects of my profile, and has finally advised me that I probably will do well enough without his services, possibly saving me a lot of money.
It has been truly refreshing to interact with someone that conscientious and I think it speaks volumes for the standards by which MBAMission conducts itself, and the quality of services they provide.
I felt that the best way of expressing my thanks to Jeremy/MBAMission would be letting all of you on this thread know of my experience.
Jeremy, once again, my sincerest thanks. You are on top of your game!
Sincerely,
Jeremy Shinewald
MBA Mission
www.mbamission.com
646-485-8844
Skype: MBAMission
Northwestern (Kellogg) Essay Analysis
Kellogg has just released its 2007-2008 essay questions and changes are afoot. At last, the school has eliminated its (now former) essay three, a request for applicants to evaluate themselves. Our guess is that the Admissions Committee was tired of reading one essay after another exclaiming admit! Further, Kellogg has reduced the demands of its short essay section, now only requiring that you answer two of three choices (not including the fourth which is required for re-applicants), instead of three of five, as in past years.
Note: Because Kelloggs essay questions are so broad and flexible, it is important that you map your ideas before you attack these essays. By doing so, you will avoid repetition and ensure that you will be able to play to your strengths.
All applicants are required to answer questions 1, 2 and 3 in addition to 2 of the optional essays in question 4.
1.) All applicants must complete A OR B as appropriate:
A - Master of Business Administration applicants only: Briefly assess your career progress to date. Elaborate on your future career plans and your motivation for pursuing a graduate degree at Kellogg (one-two pages double spaced).
B - Master of Management and Manufacturing applicants only: Briefly assess your career progress to date. How does the MMM program meet your educational needs and career goals? (one to two pages double spaced).
Because of significant overlap from school to school, we have produced a document on personal statements and are more than happy to offer it to anyone interested. Please email [email protected] for an electronic copy which will help you approach this essay. While Kellogg is not as rigid in its request for future career plans (instead of short and long term goals) it is important that offer a clear vision for yourself going forward and then discuss exactly how your Kellogg MBA will facilitate these goals.
2.) Each of our applicants is unique. Describe how your background, values, academics, activities and/or leadership skills will enhance the experience of other Kellogg students. (one to two pages double spaced).
This essay is broad and sweeping in nature so it allows you to strategically showcase a mix of your greatest strengths professional, community, academic and personal. You should attempt to select a diversity of experiences and present them in such a way that you will be able to relate them back to your ability to contribute in a variety of areas for example, the classroom, your study group and the community at large. A successful essay will be one which not only details unique personal strengths, but also clearly illustrates how these strengths will be put into action at Kellogg, meaning that you will have an opportunity to show your intimate understanding of and connection to Kellogg.
Please see our Monday Morning Essay Tip: Your Contribution
3.) How have your past and current leadership experiences prepared you for Kellogg? What leadership areas are you hoping to develop through your MBA experience?
In essay two, you needed to consider how your experiences enabled you to contribute to Kellogg. Similarly, in essay three, you are not just to consider how your experiences have made you a better, more capable person, but how they have prepared you for Kellogg itself. Further, this essay has a critical component in terms of how you intend to develop going forward. This does not mean that you should deride your existing skills, but it does mean that you should be open and honest in discussing areas that you need to bolster in order to become a more complete leader (which can and should be entirely positive and constructive). Because this question asks how you will develop at Kellogg, it is important that you show an intimate understanding of the Kellogg experience in order to write a successful essay. 4.) Applicants must answer 2 of the below essays. (Re-applicants must answer question 4D and 1 other essay).
4A - Outside of work I
4B - I wish the Admissions Committee had asked me
Essays 4A and B are essentially free opportunities for you to discuss anything vital compelling stories or differentiators that you have not yet showcased. Basically, you could not ask for a better opportunity to show the Admissions Committee how you are unique. Many candidates use these essays to discuss a hobby or interest. It is important that, if you make this choice, you express an inordinate passion otherwise you are offering a boring window into your life. Ask yourself, How can I show that I take this passion further than others?If you are going to answer both of these questions, it is a bad idea to answer them in a similar way two passions for example. If you can offer dramatically different experiences, then proceed with both essays. This should not be a default option, but an opportunity to offer something new and different in each essay.
4C - Describe the most challenging professional relationship you have faced and how you handled it.
In only a few short paragraphs, you need to capture the imagination of the Admissions Committee with a story of the difficulties that you encountered.
Because of the space limitations, you will need to start the essay in a detailed and descriptive way to help convey the intensity of the experience. Then, you will need to transition quickly and analyze the actions that you took to diplomatically navigate this situation. As the reader completes this essay, he/she should understand that you exercised discretion and judgment. Implicitly, the reader should understand that if you are in a study group at Kellogg, you will be sensitive to others, even if they are out of line.
4D - (Required essay for re-applicants only)Since your previous application, what are the steps youve taken to strengthen your candidacy?
Whether you have improved your academic record, gotten a promotion/taken on a new and exciting project, increased your community involvement or taken on a personal challenge of sorts, the key to this essay is that you convey a very deliberate path of achievement. Kellogg wants to know that you actively strived to improve and that you seized the opportunity during the past year, because your Kellogg MBA is vital to you. This essay question will be vastly different from candidate to candidate. We are more than happy to provide one-on-one-guidance to ensure that the above agenda is met.
Hi Jimmy!
am interested to apply for top global b schools with substantial scholarship, but my gmat score is little bit on lower side. Please guide me how can I ensure my admission in 2008 batch. My profile is as follows.
GMAT SCORE : 680 (Q50,V31)
Work Experience: Working with one of the largest energy utility of the world( 6th largest and most efficient utility- as per many international surveys) and one of the fortune 500 company. I have total experience of 11 years mainly in Operations, management-systems area.
In last two years I have got 98.5 & 93 percent marks in performance appraisals even after normalization at all india level.
Education:
*Bachelor of technology (Electronics) 1994 with 4.907 CGPA out of 5.00 CGPA FROM GB PANT UNIVERSITY,PANTNAGAR,INDIA.
*MASTER OF TECHNOLOGY (2006) From Indian Institute of Technology-Delhi, INDIA WITH 9.67 CGPA OUT OF 10.00.
Besides studies: I have won many talent hunt competitions for young managers organized at national level in India. Organized several free medical camps with leading hospitals for the needy. Organized several Organization-level events in Organization; few awards in organization and college.
I have published 3 papers on modelling and controls in National and International confereces.
Please guide me, where should i apply and how to strengthen my application.
Sincerely,
Jeremy Shinewald
MBA Mission
www.mbamission.com
646-485-8844
Skype: MBAMission
Thanks for your reply. I have moved two level technically. From
frontline sales representative > sales supervisor>sales manager. This is the hierarchy, I have traversed so far. You are assessement is correct. I will then focus only on two schools at top(Michigan and Kellogg) and the lower tier schools that you listed.
It seems to me that your record of promotions with brand name firms is a big asset, but what else do you have to offer? No community service and a few extra-curriculars that are a few years old? From the information you have provided, the top-ten schools in what is shaping up to be an ultra-competitive year should be a reach for you. I write this, even if you were to do quite well on the GMAT.
Sincerely,
Jeremy Shinewald
MBA Mission
www.mbamission.com
646-485-8844
Skype: MBAMission
Hi Jeremy...
Can you please evaluate my profile.
I am male/Indian/25 years
Education:
-----------
Class X : 82% ( National scholarship for topping the CBSE mathematic examination)
Class XII : 88% ( National scholarship for topping the CBSE Chemistry examination )
B-tech : 8.34 ( from IIT Guwahati)
( Did the summer internship in NTU, singapore)
professional:
--------------
Working as a field engineer for Schlumberger for the last 1 year( It's an oil and Gas services company ) currently posted in Saudi Arabia ( but have travelled across the globe on this job)
Prior to this I have worked with IBM for around 2 years in India with some onsite experience in US.
performed rather well in IBM and rose quickly to leadership position as in..switched from software development to managing people.. ( have loads of appreciation certifiactes.) but then Schlumberger happened and I decided to go for it mainly because of lucre and also because i was bored of the software profile.
here in Schlumberger, my work comprises ...going to the rig site...ensuring the smooth drilling operation...( by which I want to emphasise..the kind of human interaction...dealing with the client...labours etc) etc..
EC
---
Won a couple of technical contests at college..
Won/particpated in Cultral festivals...
Played cricket at colleg level and also at district level..
Community service
----------------------
NONE
The major concern is that after graduating in Mechanical engineering....switched to software industry and then again from software to Oil and gas sector....does it matter???
I'll take GMAT in arnd sepetember and plan to apply next year .
I am aiming at top 10...do i tsand a chance???
Rahul
Thnks for your post. If you want comprehensive feedback, you will need to provide me with more than "ok types" of extra-curriculars and community service. I will need some details of your experience. Also, which investment bank are you working for? Brand name should make a difference in this field. Let me know...
Sincerely,
Jeremy Shinewald
MBA Mission
mbaMission - Boutique MBA Admissions Consulting | Home
646-485-8844
Skype: MBAMission
HI,
Would be great if you could share some thoughts on my apping,
Here is my profile:
Experience - 4 years (shud be 5 when i join)
2+ years in one of the TOP MNC ( Technology sector), now with a renowned Investment bank (analyst + technology )
GMAT - 700 (85+ % in both sections)
Education - pretty decent acads - schooling (90%, 95%) ,college (84%) - close to 3.5 in GPA terms i think.
Extra curriculars
Ok types - have some leadership experience to show as well.
Community service
Ok types, involved in corporate initiatives - though not any member of NGO.
Planning to apply to Wharton,Stanford, Haas,Tepper,sloan and yale. Let me know what you think of the direction and would be great if you share some insights in what wud be the chances of getting an admit with the above said profile.
I have answered your question below:
1) is there any distinct advantage of doing an mba from a GLOBAL (read US) top 20 bskool over say IIM A or B?
I am sure that there is a distinct advantage in completing a US MBA if you want to work abroad. I would assume, but am not sure, that if you want to work in India, then IIM, under certain circumstances may be a better choice than everything but the top few schools.
2) is doing an mba in say the USA gonna make it impossible for me to come back and work in india? (assuming that i have family responsibilities and that i'd like to get back to india asap) I've heard that indian companies dont value mbas done abroad.
I dont think that this is true. I think that your MBA will be entirely portable. The question is, financially, is it worth your investment? I would guess that if you know you want to return to India, you might be best off at an Indian school.
3) will it be tough for me to put to practice mba knowledge from one country (say USA from a top b school) for a company in another country (say india)?
No the fundamentals of accounting and finance will be equally applicable. You may have a more nuanced approach to the soft side of marketing or communication, but other than that, it should not be a problem.
4) will it be that only foreign companies established in india would employ me if i want to work in india after having done an mba abroad?
Again, I dont think that this will be the case. I am sure that an Indian firm will be impressed that you went to the expense and took the risk of getting an MBA abroad.
5) abt the money factor, do b schools abroad ever offer any fees aid?
Yes, many schools have generous financial aid programs.
hi jeremy
tks for this wonderful initiative on ur part....i wish to know
1) is there any distinct advantage of doing an mba from a GLOBAL (read US) top 20 bskool over say IIM A or B?
2) is doing an mba in say the USA gonna make it impossible for me to come back and work in india? (assuming that i have family responsibilities and that i'd like to get back to india asap) I've heard that indian companies dont value mbas done abroad.
3) will it be tough for me to put to practice mba knowledge from one country (say USA from a top b school) for a company in another country (say india)?
4) will it be that only foreign companies established in india would employ me if i want to work in india after having done an mba abroad?
5) abt the money factor, do b schools abroad ever offer any fees aid?
i know these sound like juvenile queries but i really need these answers bcos these things do confuse me a lot.
Clearly, your academics are a strong point and you have a history of promotions which bodes well. Further, the fact that you are teaching at an MBA level is impressive and shows innate leadership and communication skills. Finally, your athletics and bolster your leadership themes. Have you taken the GMAT? If you do well on the GMAT, I think that you might challenge for a school in the top-10. You should consider schools that are 8-15 to be competitive.
Sincerely,
Jeremy Shinewald
MBA Mission
www.mbamission.com
646-485-8844
Skype: MBAMission
Greetings Jeremy,
You are doing a great help to all of us with good insights. That prompted me to post my case and get some valuable suggestions from you. This is my profile in brief
Indian - Male - Age 27
X - 84.4%
XII - 90.8%
Mechanical Engineering (JNTU) - 86.02% - 7th Position among say 1000 mechanical engineers passing very year through that university, Best Outgoing Student for allround perfoemance in academics, sports and extra-curricular
GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering) All India rank of 71 with a percentile of 99.71 (qualifying exam for Masters in India)
Masters in Industrial Engineering (SCM and Operations Management Specialisation)- 86.5% - 1st Rank - Gold Medallist, Best Outgoing Student
Experience (3.7 Years experience would be close to 5 years by the time i apply. No international experience)
After Bahcelors
---------------
ING Vysya Bank - Management Trainee - 8 Months
Reliance Industries Ltd. - Asst Manager - Oil and Gas - 15 Months
During Masters
-----------------
Citibank -Investment Banking Division - Intern - 2 Months - Got an employment offer from them
Deloitte Consulting - Intern - 4 Months
After Masters
--------------
Deloitte Consulting - Assistant Manager -5 Months - ERP Functional Consulting
SAP Consulting - Associate Consultant - 12 Months - SAP Functional Consulting - Current Employer
Along with my current job i also teach operations Management in a MBA college during week ends. Its a regular course for the students where the classes are scheduled in the weekends
Extra- curriculars
-------------------------
Sports (College Level Football and Volley Ball), Placement Co-ordinator during Masters and Organising member of business events.
Curriculars
---------------
National Level Paper Presentations.
MBA Areas of interest
---------------------
Strategy and Operations Management
This is my profile in brief and i have not yet taken my GMAT but preparing for it and aiming for an MBA from good school in US.
1. How does my profile stand in general for TOP 5 B-schools?
2. What GMAT score inline with my profile would give me a best shot?
3. Based on your experience, can you suggest some schools where i have the best chance for admission?
Thank you and Regards
MBAfate
As you plan for the future, I recommend that you read a series that we posted on our website: http://www.mbamission.com/blog/category/long-term-mba-planning. Essentially, my best advice to you is keep following your passions and you will find your way to the best school possible. Very few people get into top-schools do so by executing on a well-orchestrated plan. Instead, they do so by seizing every opportunity before them and making the most of each.
Thus far, you seem to be living your life to its fullest - standout professional accomplishments, extensive community involvement and a book on the way. I don't think that there is a single path - just keep outperforming and distinguishing yourself via your actions. When there is an opportunity, take advantage and go with it. I know this sounds very wishy-washy, but it is my best advice, because at this point, you don't seem to have any glaring weaknesses.
Sincerely,
Jeremy Shinewald
MBA Mission
www.mbamission.com
646-485-8844
Skype: MBAMission
Hi Jeremy,
I know my query is a little premature, but could you please give me an idea if I have the slightest of chance in securing an admit or possibly a deferred offer from one of the top 10 schools. Else, How can I improve my profile in the next couple of years to improve my chances?
My Profile:
I am 21/M, will graduate from IIT Roorkee with a dual degree (Bachelors & Masters) in Computer Science.
GPA:8.2/10.
Taking GMAT soon, am very confident about an extremely high score.
I have zero full time workex.
Have worked with Goldman Sachs as a summer analyst.
I have done a 2 month summer internship with a research institute for Statistics in Austria building statistical models.
Have also been with the National Univ of Singapore for a semester long exchange program.
I have a keen interest in Finance, have topped my class at IIT in both of the 2 Economics courses I have studied. My Master's dissertation is an interdisciplinary work between Computing & Finance.
Post MBA, I am looking at a trading profile with an Investment Bank or a Hedge fund.
Sports:Zilch
Community Service: Been involved with NSS a bit, but nothing extraordinary
I think I can get a pretty diverse set of strong recommendations from people at IIT, Goldman Sachs & the National Univ of Singapore.
Is there any top School in US or probably even UK where I may have something of a chance. Also, looking at my profile, if not now, which schools do you think are more likely to accept me after a couple of years of work experience?
Best Regards,
Rohit
Hi Jeremy,
Thank you for reading through my profile and taking your time off to reply.
Once through with GMAT, i would look forward to interact with you through your organisation for my applications. Thanks again and these lines that you have wrote are the first lines of encouragement for me in my journey towards MBA and i will always remember this.
Thanks for your inquiry.
Clearly, your academics are a strong point and you have a history of promotions which bodes well. Further, the fact that you are teaching at an MBA level is impressive and shows innate leadership and communication skills. Finally, your athletics and bolster your leadership themes. Have you taken the GMAT? If you do well on the GMAT, I think that you might challenge for a school in the top-10. You should consider schools that are 8-15 to be competitive.
Sincerely,
Jeremy Shinewald
MBA Mission
www.mbamission.com
646-485-8844
Skype: MBAMission
Hi Jeremy,
I am planning to apply for the Class of 2010. I am primarily interested in consulting and have picked Kellogg+Chicago+Insead for Round 1 and Wharton+Tuck for Round 2. Would request you to evaluate my profile.
Undergrad: B.Tech (Materials and Metallurgical Engineering), Class of 2005, IIT Kanpur. 6.2/10 with a couple of F's. Top drawer extra-curriculars at campus (part of the institiute debating, quizzing, dumb charades teams-national certifications/represented the campus on quiz shows on BBC), won numerous events ranging from movie making competitions to sports events. Similar profile at school as well where I won some international and national debates etc.
GMAT: 760 (Q50,V42). AWA: 6/6
Work-ex:
I work as an Analyst in the field of Analytics for a UK based financial services major. Experience in the areas of marketing analytics, customer retention, forecasting and predictive analtyics. Been in the same firm all along since October '05. Was in a smaller business research role at another firm for a couple of months - am not planning to include that in the resume.
International work ex of 6-7 months which includes an ongoing consultant stint at the Malaysian arm of my firm (as part of their Quality team) where I have been responsible for setting up MI processes and ensuring implementation. Have also generated significant business for my India arm - to the tune of couple of man-years. I am now moving to a Client Servicing role for a couple of months as part of the above stated 6-7 month period wherein I will develop client focussed analysis.
I have been reporting to the COO of the Malaysian arm for about 4 months now and she can be one of my recommenders. Alternatively, might get my senior manager to recommend as he could take out more time and will be more flexible to write what I tell him! Any pointers on this one? One will be from my manager.
Duration: 2+ till date. Will be 3 when I join.
Additional info:
-Level 1 diploma in French from Alliance Francaise, Kuala Lumpur. Should be able to get a Level 2 diploma as well by the time I apply.
-Have passed 1 actuarial paper - Economics, recognised by Actuarial Societies of India and UK.
-Minimal community experience till date.
-Lots of involvement in other activities at work such as founding a budgeted club. Certain other initiatives have borne fruit and are in practise. I can ofcourse quantify them.
-Freelanced for a while for an advertising agency as a copywriter while working full-time
That's it I guess! Looking forward to your feedback.
Hi Jeremy,
Will appreciate if you can analyze ISB's essays too. I am listing them down for your quick reference.
The ISB culture stresses on a diverse mix of students; life at the ISB is a unique experience for the students. How will your candidature contribute to this culture at the ISB? (300 words max)
A million dollars or knighthood: what would you choose and why? (300 words max)
You have a new manager who has just joined your organisation. As a part of the handover, the outgoing manager is describing each person reporting to him. How do you think the outgoing manager will describe you to the incoming manager? (300 words max)