Ask Sameer Kamat | Author of 'Beyond The MBA Hype'

Sir I seek your opinion regarding my career direction. I will put my complete profile in front of you, my expectations and my goals basis which kindly suggest me some options.
10th: 93.4%
12th: 83.2 %
Btech computer science: 6.94 (cgpa upto 4th sem,from nit allahabad)
Work-ex: NIL
Age: 20 yrs , Single
I am entering 3rd year and not at all interested in my technical education and in order to get out of it, i want to get into a Mba program
But the thing is that i am very confused about which exam to go for that is for cat or for gmat
i come from a very middle-class economic background, and since i have got about 2 years to prepare well for gmat/cat, what you think will benefit me in long time run
actually i am very much into reading, have a decent english, and i want to give my best shot to my first gmat/cat attempt when i give it in final year , and i would like you to guide me on how to go about covering each and every aspect.
one problem that i am encountering is that i dont have a solid co-curricular backgrounds
please guide me firstly on which exam to follow up, cat or gmat ???

p.s. i have always wanted to get out of india and settle abroad, and studying in india is my second priority

Hello Sameer

I am a newbie, registered a while ago but only recently have I started lurking around here.

Anyway, I have recenly finished my B Tech from IIT Madras. But I have a really poor GPA (2.0 on USA scale) and haven't got placed in campus recruitments either.
I have a strong urge to do a course in MBA. But I'm not really sure if it would really be a worthwhile experience because of my low GPA and lack of any meaningful work experience.
I haven't even got any clue as to which kind of universities I should be applying.

I have just started preparing for GMAT. I hope I get a decent score, when I finally give an attempt, so as to make my profile carry a decent weightage for applying MBA abroad.

Please give me your valuable suggestions :)

Hi Sameer,

Have gone through many of your postings and definitely those are helpful.

We are aware of few business school rankings ans as always, ranking works on their own way. Many a times ranking means conformance to certain framework, which may or many not be necessarily the best.

So, stripping down the hypes, remove starting salary from the equation, removing the brand connotation, remove the cost aspect ..
How do you rank the schools based on their LEARNING. I know it is a big term, probably subjective too but definitely there will be schools where majority feels that they really learned something. I guess many knows the concept of 'getting the degree' or job.

MBA is a life changing learning and I am focusing more on that aspect. The reason is simple, I have experienced that when you have the right knowledge and attitude, rest of the things naturally follow you.

So what do you suggest in US and EU. For simplicity, lets keep the Finance and Consultancy aside.

How do you rank the schools is US and EU?

Thank you very much for addressing this grey area.

@Abhi.IRD said:

Hi Sameer,My brief introNationality: IndianXth-81%










Not sure why felt the need to specify nationality ๐Ÿ˜ƒ

But now that you have, let me add...Jai Hind!
@Abhi.IRD said: Please throw some light on whether my profile is competitive for the selected Bschools, and what are the areas which needs to be improved. With this profile do I stand any Shot at these B-Schools.Regards
As mentioned in the first post, I can't talk about chances for specific schools, as our evaluation process for doing that is far more comprehensive and indepth and goes beyond basic info like GMAT score and work-ex. search for MBA MAP to know more.

But I can share some inputs on the profile. You've mentioned you want to get back into trading after your MBA. If you are already in a trading role, why would you need a degree to get back to the same industry and role.

It does help you that you aren't taking on the IT folks head-on.

Good luck with the GMAT, buddy.

- Sameer Kamat
Founder | MBA Crystal Ball

Crystal what? --> http://www.pagalguy.com/forum/international-indian-mba-schools-accepting/62774-ask-a-consultant.html#post2537289
@Abhi.IRD said:

Hi Sameer,My brief introNationality: IndianXth-81%










Not sure why you felt the need to specify nationality ๐Ÿ˜ƒ

But now that you have, let me add...Jai Hind!
@Abhi.IRD said: Please throw some light on whether my profile is competitive for the selected Bschools, and what are the areas which needs to be improved. With this profile do I stand any Shot at these B-Schools.Regards
As mentioned in the first post, I can't talk about chances for specific schools, as our evaluation process for doing that is far more comprehensive and indepth and goes beyond basic info like GMAT score and work-ex. search for MBA MAP to know more.

But I can share some inputs on the profile. You've mentioned you want to get back into trading after your MBA. If you are already in a trading role, why would you need a degree to get back to the same industry and role.

It does help you that you aren't taking on the IT folks head-on.

Good luck with the GMAT, buddy.

- Sameer Kamat
Founder | MBA Crystal Ball

Crystal what? --> http://www.pagalguy.com/forum/international-indian-mba-schools-accepting/62774-ask-a-consultant.html#post2537289
@ps25 said: Ordered your book.
Waiting with bated breath for your brutal and honest review.


@susmita89 said: Hello Sameer Sir, 1. I always had a fascination for RBI/NABARD/ World bank /IMF from my plus 2 Days because of the nature of work and also, the prestige that it brings with it. I have a keen interest In economics and Finance (to some extent). But I do not know whether MBA is the only way to get through the dream jobs That I have on mind. So the question is : Whether an MBA or Not?

I don't think an MBA at stage would really help. Many of the bigger companies (including the ones you've listed) might be doing good work. But the external perception can be disconnected from the reality of how things work (or don't) from the inside.
2. ...I am kind of introvert so pushing customers to open account and yet another account for his 6 yr baby ! and his cousin etc was not my thing.I saw no improvement there. Hope to join a PSB soon but My question is : Will this 1.5 year gap be a real problem? In that case I have to show some work ex.I dont really want to show a fake work ex, but if it has any bearing on my future, then probably I have to.
It too guts to do what you did. It was an extreme step that folks generally resist till things get unbearable. Most in your position might have continued to grin and bear it. Hats off to you!

Don't fake anything. Not a good idea to start a new relationship (whether it's bschool or your next employer) on a lie.

But at the same time, be prepared to answer a lot of uncomfortable questions.
I am focusless at this point doing nothing but wasting time as I DON'T want to join a retail bank but HAVE TO coz theres no better option for a graduate, I cannot afford an MBA / higher degree because of monetary constraint.But I dont want to continue leading a clueless life and end up frustrated.
If it's the work that the companies/organisations from your list do that interests you, don't aim for the biggies immediately. Try working with smaller institutions (probably even NGOs) that are doing similar work but on a smaller scale. Learn the ropes and find out whether you really like to do it for the rest of your life.

Don't keep waiting for the BIG breaks. Nobody gets them...except celebrity kids. In the interim, keep an eye out for smaller internship options that'll keep your skills fresh and polished (and those that do not involve 6 yr children). Like this one here: http://www.mbacrystalball.com/blog/work-with-us/

Good luck, Susmita.

- Sameer Kamat
Author | Beyond The MBA Hype

hi, my CGPA IS 7.11 out of 10.what can be my possible score in the scale of 4??
@home11alone said:
GMAT: 750
Last year CAT: 99.43
GPA : 7.43(absolute grading), from IIT-BHU
:
What i expect to know:
1.If you could expand my pro/con list so as to help me better evaluate my situation or something i might have stated in my pro/con list that may not actually be true.

2. If somebody could compare job opportunities post graduation in both scenarios, i would be really grateful.
3. Any other advice











Other points to consider:

- when (local) folks with more experience are struggling to get jobs, how would your degree help you get an upper hand?

- how flexible are you willing to be in terms of starting salaries and designation?

- in the worst case scenario, will the degree help you get a job back in India?

- Sameer Kamat
Author | Beyond The MBA Hype

Can you handle the truth? --> http://www.pagalguy.com/forum/international-indian-mba-schools-accepting/72398-ask-sameer-kamat-author-beyond.html#post2953017
@adcool.77 said: Hi,
Please evaluate my profile:


Can you pls post this on the relevant thread for profile evaluations: http://www.pagalguy.com/forums/gmat-accepting-bschools/ask-consultant-t-62774

- Sameer Kamat
Author | Beyond The MBA Hype


Mitu kaun? Read here --> http://www.pagalguy.com/forum/international-indian-mba-schools-accepting/72398-ask-sameer-kamat-author-beyond.html#post2953017
@chibs07 said: Hi SameerI'm a software engineer working in a Aviation product based company for the past 2.5 years. Following is my profile:12th - 87% B.E in Electronics and Communication - 68% with 3 backlogs (all recovered in the next semester) :I'm holding out on giving my GMAT due to this confusion and wasting my time unnecessarily while admissions deadlines are about to be put out by most universities in the coming months. Please help me out with the options in an MBA or suggest me some fields that could go with my profile and help me get an admission within the top 50 universities. If not then please help me out in making a start as to what analysis I should do about myself to get my head straight and decide on my future.Thanks and Regards!
Why delay the GMAT? It is independent of your choice of specialisation.

Like you said, time is running out and the Round 1 deadlines are just a couple of months away (lesser if you consider schools like ISB).

Even if you have no clue whatsoever about the rest of the application, the score is valid for 5 yrs.

You would need to have some basic direction, though, before you start your apps. And a faint idea about finance will not help, as a full time job doing number crunching would be very different compared to the occasional and casual reading of finance articles.

If you have friends working in other depts, have a talk with them over lunch. Ask them what they do. Initially they give a larger-than-life view, but slowly the facade will fall and they'll get real.

That should give you some first hand data to evaluate.

- Sameer Kamat
Author | Beyond The MBA Hype

Looking for second hand career info? Read more --> http://www.pagalguy.com/forum/international-indian-mba-schools-accepting/72398-ask-sameer-kamat-author-beyond.html#post2953017
@foreign_dreamzz said: Age: 20 yrs , Single I am entering 3rd year and not at all interested in my technical education and in order to get out of it, i want to get into a Mba program p.s. i have always wanted to get out of india and settle abroad, and studying in india is my second priority
That would be like jumping from the frying pan into the fire, bro.

Wondering if you read the book at all?

- Sameer Kamat
Author | Beyond The MBA Hype

If you are not looking for quick and easy solutions, read more --> http://www.pagalguy.com/forum/international-indian-mba-schools-accepting/72398-ask-sameer-kamat-author-beyond.html#post2953017

Hi Sameer,

Some basic acad info about me:

Xth:95%

XIIth: 95%

Economics(H): DU: 70%

No spectacular extra-curriculars, but decent participation.

Joined the Data Analytics team of a consulting KPO a couple of months back.

I am interested in pursuing an MBA in Finance. However, I am not too sure if this kinda profile is likely to make the cut at a top B-school abroad. Also, as far as I have heard funding for MBA is hard to come by. Is the high cost worthwhile? Or should I set my mind to CAT and go for an MBA from India instead.

Waiting for your response.

@estel123 said: Hello SameerI am a newbie, registered a while ago but only recently have I started lurking around here.Anyway, I have recenly finished my B Tech from IIT Madras. But I have a really poor GPA (2.0 on USA scale) and haven't got placed in campus recruitments either. I have a strong urge to do a course in MBA. But I'm not really sure if it would really be a worthwhile experience because of my low GPA and lack of any meaningful work experience.

That is quite low, buddy.

Any credible justification for it? Or do we just file it under jawani ki bhool category?

Plus you haven't talked at all about why you have the strong urge for an MBA.

- Sameer Kamat
Author | Beyond The MBA Hype

How to make your jawani hotter than Sheila's? --> http://www.pagalguy.com/forum/international-indian-mba-schools-accepting/72398-ask-sameer-kamat-author-beyond.html#post2953017

@MartianOnEarth said:
That is quite low, buddy.Any credible justification for it? Or do we just file it under jawani ki bhool category?Plus you haven't talked at all about why you have the strong urge for an MBA.
- Sameer KamatAuthor | Beyond The MBA Hype How to make your jawani hotter than Sheila's? --> www.pagalguy.com/forum/interna...
jawaani ki bhool mostly

About the strong urge... I have completely lost interest, as well as prospects, to make my career on the technical side. I am desperate to kick start my career all over again. That is the main reason I am looking into an early career MBA option.
Please suggest me good schools that would perhaps give me a chance based on GMAT score.

@WouldBeCrazy said: Hi Sameer,Have gone through many of your postings and definitely those are helpful. Many a times ranking means conformance to certain framework, which may or many not be necessarily the best.So, stripping down the hypes, remove starting salary from the equation, removing the brand connotation, remove the cost aspect .. How do you rank the schools based on their LEARNING.
All that stripping that you've recommended would leave the existing international MBA rankings with only a fig leaf to protect their modesty and credibility, saar.

How do you rank the schools based on their LEARNING. I know it is a big term, probably subjective too but definitely there will be schools where majority feels that they really learned something. How do you rank the schools is US and EU?Thank you very much for addressing this grey area.
Gurudev, I'm too lowly a creature to start another ranking.

So let me just give you an idea to get started. The theory you learn would be pretty much the same whichever school you go to.

Go for the school where you think all your classmates would be better than you. You'd be spending far more time with them than your professors.

Now go ahead and rank them yourself based on what YOU want to learn from them and the school resources you want to use. You'd realise your list will be different from others'.

Another reason why there can't be one single ranking that'll make everyone happy.

- Sameer Kamat
Author | Beyond The MBA Hype

Stripping down to the ultimate truth here --> http://www.pagalguy.com/forum/international-indian-mba-schools-accepting/72398-ask-sameer-kamat-author-beyond.html#post2953017

Hi Sameer,

Read your book and found it informative but unfortunately couldn't relate it to my situation.

Brief about me - i have 9 years of working experience and am currently a project manager in a Auto company in india. work mostly with high tech projects that we outsource to Vendors/Suppliers (also lead cross functional teams with representations from various depts. such as purchasing support, quality and techincal product development).

Increasingly i find that the path i have chosen seems to have hit a dead end - i.e I see that there is no next step in this unless i change my track. this is where i started researching MBA as an option. Why did i choose this - quite simple i wanted to get more exposure to this business and this was an opportunity to see "the other sides"

I am quite interested in areas of supply chain management, strategic sourcing and in general working for companies wanting to make a foray into emerging markets and helping identify strategic partners/suppliers. My impression of MBA is that i should be able to expose myself to an education that is a)different from what i have always been linked with ( i am an engineer and did work for a while as a SW guy before deciding to switch roles) b) prepare me atleast with Theoretical concepts of business c)develop & enhance soft skills/mindset to further develop as a preofessional.

First of all i dont know whether my interest is something that MBAs really do (unfortunately i do not know anyone who is really an MBA that i can openly ask such questions to).

Second - i am 31 years old and want to understand whether such a change in track is feasible (my motivation for this change is the fact that my current role does expose me to people who work on the strategic side of things and this has led me to be interested in that kind of work).

Third - (A standard indian question) - how much does GMAT matter at my age (i have two scores 710 4 years ago and 680 - 2

Hope you will be able to throw some light.

Thanks
Nishant

@MartianOnEarth said:
All that stripping that you've recommended would leave the existing international MBA rankings with only a fig leaf to protect their modesty and credibility, saar.
Gurudev, I'm too lowly a creature to start another ranking.So let me just give you an idea to get started. The theory you learn would be pretty much the same whichever school you go to.Go for the school where you think all your classmates would be better than you. You'd be spending far more time with them than your professors.Now go ahead and rank them yourself based on what YOU want to learn from them and the school resources you want to use. You'd realise your list will be different from others'.Another reason why there can't be one single ranking that'll make everyone happy.- Sameer KamatAuthor | Beyond The MBA Hype Stripping down to the ultimate truth here --> www.pagalguy.com/forum/interna...
Thank you so much ..)

Dear Sameer Sir,

I am a 31 years old prospective Indian applicant and considering full time MBA. I secured 710 ( Q=50, V=35, AWA=4.5) in GMAT 2012. Presently working with a PSU, Bharat Petroleum Corporation limited, as an Assistant Manager and having 7+ years of experience. My main urge to do MBA is because of the following reasons:

1. I am facing the demerits of PSU( all gadhe-ghode barabar) and like to aspire and achieve bigger in my career.

2. If I will switch to private company directly then may face a lot of problems because of my job profile ( site engineer), so want to earn an MBA so that my reach to decision making position after a few years of post MBA.

My queries/apprehensions are as follows:

  1. Am I thinking in the right direction? Is it worth to do MBA after leaving a good corporation and secured job with a package of 12 l.p.a?

  1. Should I consider tier-1 US schools( Duke, Mccombs etc.) with heavy expenses/fees, keeping in mind that their application fees are also at the higher side? Or should I limit myself to Indian 1 year MBA and tier2 US schools which may provide scholarships( Rice, mays, ASU, Smeal,Broad etc.)?

  1. Will my overage be the problem in recruitments post MBA?

I am very confused and not able to think and decide clearly. I am counting on your advice and response. Kindly guide me.

Thanks and regards,

Ashish Agarwal

GMAT score: 710 ( Q=50; V=35 AWA=4.5)

Citizenship: Indian

Age: 31

Class-X: 85.4% from C.B.S.E.

Class-XII: 77% from C.B.S.E.

Degree: B.Tech (Electronics Engg.)

College: KNIT Sultanpur ( a state govt. college)

Year of graduation: 2004

Percentage: 71% (ranked 7 out of a competitive class of 60)

Marital status: Married

Years of experience: 7+ years

Current Employment(2006-present): Bharat Petroleum Corporation limited (a govt. enterprise and a Fortune 500 Company) as an Assistant Manager.

Experience: Oil & gas Sector-Cross country pipeline projects encompassing designing, tendering, planning, engineering, and site execution, liasioning with statutory authorities.

Past Employment Shyam telelink Limited( now MTS)(2004-2006)

Experience: (Telecom service provider) Worked as a node incharge, handled the customers complaints & new connections, led the 6 members technical staff.



Hi Sameer,

I am looking forward to enrolling for an MBA program. But I am a little stuck up with possible positions at work post MBA. Let me explain:

I have been working in the IT industry for over 9 years. Have exposure to services, core product development and project management.

Post MBA goals : Want to progress my career to IT Consulting domain.

Question : With over 9 years of experience, what sort of role will I manage to get in this domain? Candidates with only a few years of experience are also working in the IT Consulting domain as BA etc. I am loathe to think that I will land up as a BA in this domain. Your esteemed opinion is sought on this issue ...