Hi Guys, I’ve been going through the forums, and this place is absolutely great. Lots of useful stuff for prospective B-School applicants. Forums are a great place to interact, learn about the application process, and have your queries/concer…
Hi Guys,
I've been going through the forums, and this place is absolutely great. Lots of useful stuff for prospective B-School applicants. Forums are a great place to interact, learn about the application process, and have your queries/concerns addressed.
One thing though that I thought may be lacking on the MBA abroad threads is a perspective from someone who has recently been though the process. When I applied, what helped me the most was the guidance of a top b-school graduate who mentored me through several key steps such as college selection, resume building and essay preparation. So, if you all are interested, I would love to provide feedback on any issue related to doing an MBA abroad - whether its assessing your profile, brainstorming through an essay, or even addressing small concerns.
Just a brief history about myself - I was admitted into Harvard Business School last year, where I have deferred admission till 2011. I am working on my own start-up in Delhi right now. Previously, I had graduated from The Doon School in India, and then went to study at Amherst College, the top liberal arts college in the states. I spent a year studying the PPE program at Oxford University. I then decided to go to business school and took the GMAT (770).
I realized during the MBA admission process, that writing applications was an art that did not come naturally - no matter how skilled or deserving you think you are, it is your application that ultimately speaks for you. In order to then make your applications outstanding, you need to put in a lot of committed effort. As tough as it sounds, if you do it right, you will succeed.
If any of you have queries, or want assistance with any part of your application, reply to this thread and I will do my best to get back to you as soon as possible.
Good Luck,
Umang
Hi Umang,
I am currently a final year student at LSR pursuing economics honours. I am only looking at Harvard right now because its one of d only top business schools which admits some final year undergrad students in their MBA program. I personally do not think that I am ready for pursuing MBA right after undergrad but I am applying right now with the intention of getting a deferred admission. The deferred admission will allow me to gain some experience in the financial sector before MBA and access to career services of HBS.
My profile is as follows:
1) GMAT - 760
2) Undergrad - 71%(1st 2 yrs)
3) 12th - 93
4) 10th - 89
5) Excellent ECA
6) 5 week internship at CNBC
7) NCFM & AMFI qualified
Another point I am apprehensive about is that I do not have any international exposure or the kind of opportunities available to undergrads in other countries. Please let me know if you have any opinion regarding the same.
Hi Umang,
I am currently a final year student at LSR pursuing economics honours. I am only looking at Harvard right now because its one of d only top business schools which admits some final year undergrad students in their MBA program. I personally do not think that I am ready for pursuing MBA right after undergrad but I am applying right now with the intention of getting a deferred admission. The deferred admission will allow me to gain some experience in the financial sector before MBA and access to career services of HBS.
My profile is as follows:
1) GMAT - 760
2) Undergrad - 71%(1st 2 yrs)
3) 12th - 93
4) 10th - 89
5) Excellent ECA
6) 5 week internship at CNBC
7) NCFM & AMFI qualified
Another point I am apprehensive about is that I do not have any international exposure or the kind of opportunities available to undergrads in other countries. Please let me know if you have any opinion regarding the same.
Hi Umang,
I am currently a final year student at LSR pursuing economics honours. I am only looking at Harvard right now because its one of d only top business schools which admits some final year undergrad students in their MBA program. I personally do not think that I am ready for pursuing MBA right after undergrad but I am applying right now with the intention of getting a deferred admission. The deferred admission will allow me to gain some experience in the financial sector before MBA and access to career services of HBS.
My profile is as follows:
1) GMAT - 760
2) Undergrad - 71%(1st 2 yrs)
3) 12th - 93
4) 10th - 89
5) Excellent ECA
6) 5 week internship at CNBC
7) NCFM & AMFI qualified
Another point I am apprehensive about is that I do not have any international exposure or the kind of opportunities available to undergrads in other countries. Please let me know if you have any opinion regarding the same.
Hi Shreya,
Your profile looks great and your GMAT score is especially impressive. You're right in saying that HBS admits a decent number of students directly from college. However, many of them now are through the 2+2 program (2+2 Overview - MBA - Harvard Business School) which grants admission, and allows students to gain work experience for two years before starting their MBA. There's also the Silver Scholar's Program at Yale that admits student directly after an undergraduate degree that you could consider (Yale School of Management - College Seniors)
This being said, if you prove to the admissions committee that you're deserving of being admitted now, they will accept you. The key for you will be to show maturity, a clear career vision, and the ability to thrive in an academically intensive environment. As for your other apprehension about international exposure, you shouldn't worry about that too much at all. One of the reasons why they value you as an applicant is because you bring a unique perspective to campus as an Indian.
Let me know if you have any other questions.
Umang
I'm also addressing queries from my previous thread here:
Silent Cacophony:
It really depends with undergrad grades, if you have a lot of work ex and have been out of college for a while, then it carries less weight than it would for a recent graduate. Furthermore, as international students, since they might disparities between universities in India, a strong GMAT score can compensate (at least, in part) for weak academics.
In terms of brandnames from previous institutions, I don't think that's a problem. For instance I know a lot of people at top business schools in the US from what people would consider lowly ranked state universities. The key for you would be for your essays to demonstrate how you excelled wherever you went.
Hi Shreya,
Your profile looks great and your GMAT score is especially impressive. You're right in saying that HBS admits a decent number of students directly from college. However, many of them now are through the 2+2 program (2+2 Overview - MBA - Harvard Business School) which grants admission, and allows students to gain work experience for two years before starting their MBA. There's also the Silver Scholar's Program at Yale that admits student directly after an undergraduate degree that you could consider (Yale School of Management - College Seniors)
This being said, if you prove to the admissions committee that you're deserving of being admitted now, they will accept you. The key for you will be to show maturity, a clear career vision, and the ability to thrive in an academically intensive environment. As for your other apprehension about international exposure, you shouldn't worry about that too much at all. One of the reasons why they value you as an applicant is because you bring a unique perspective to campus as an Indian.
Let me know if you have any other questions.
Umang
Thanks for the quick reply. I am not eligible for the 2+2 since I am already in final year(senior). Although I am pretty clear about my vision and also ability to perform well in an intensive academic environment, I am not too sure about how to convince the adcom that I am a mature(professional & personal) applicant. I have held positions in college and school & was associated with Google for a year as campus ambassador plus my internship but will this be relevant?
Shreya,
Positions of leadership are a great way to show your 'maturity', so do stress on experiences you have had in that capacity. Your google internship is great if you can talk about the sort of responsibilities you had and how you handled them. Furthermore, if your recommenders can talk about how you're comfortable with authority, responsibility etc. you should be in good shape.
hope this helps.
Hy ccmba .... thanks for helping us out . I want you to please analyze my profile and tell me if i am suitable to apply to HBS.
X . 79.8%
XII .65%
Bachelors . 58%
GMAT - 720
GRE - 1440
IELTS 7.0
Work Experience. 2 Yrs As A Quality Control Manager At One of Leading COmpanies. At 19, Started my own business and to date its still going on . I had to join the company as QCM because of family terms but even during that time I was still onto my business. Its Been Quite Successful. I Know 6 Languages.
What do you think ?
Hy ccmba .... thanks for helping us out . I want you to please analyze my profile and tell me if i am suitable to apply to HBS.
X . 79.8%
XII .65%
Bachelors . 58%
GMAT - 720
GRE - 1440
IELTS 7.0
Work Experience. 2 Yrs As A Quality Control Manager At One of Leading COmpanies. At 19, Started my own business and to date its still going on . I had to join the company as QCM because of family terms but even during that time I was still onto my business. Its Been Quite Successful. I Know 6 Languages.
What do you think ?
Hi Aliz_khanz,
From the limited information you've shared, you seem to have an interesting profile. Though it is isn't a top priority for admission, your academics seem a bit weak in school (this really shouldn't matter) and college. The thing is that with only two years of work ex, your acads and college experience will carry significant weight. That being said, your GMAT score is about where the median is, and with strong essays convincing them you're right for Harvard, there's no reason not to give it a shot.
If you're applying this year itself, my advice would be to target a good mix of b-schools - you can aim for Harvard but also ensure you apply to other slightly less competitive, yet fantastic, schools such as Tepper, Darden, UCLA etc.
Thankyou So much ! 😃 I really appreciate your help. God Bless U !
Hi Umang,
Thanks for taking up this initiative. Honestly I was waiting for someone like you who has been there, done that to help clueless souls like me!! 
So here's my profile...
Undergrad: B.Tech from NIT - 62% (First class - highly competitive class, only abt 15% of class had greater than 70%)
GMAT: 620 - 
- Will be retaking the exam sometime by Dec
Work exp - 4+ years:
- 1.5 yrs in Corporate planning - Planned & managed real estate of over 3 million sq.ft for the company across 6 cities in India.
- 1.5 yr in Business Operations - Setup & managed a program management office (PMO) for the 2nd largest vertical of the company in India. Managed Reported & tracked over 100 metrics across various functions like HR,finance, resource management & operations. Recommended actions directly to the Director who took startegic decisons based on these metrics
- 1 yr in HR / proficiency development program - helped improve profiiciency levels from 2.5 to 3.5 (scale of 1-5, 5 being the highest) of more than 3000 employees across the firm (recognized as one of the top 10 strategic initiatives across the firm)
Extra Curricular:
- Initiated a voluntary program at my company (outside working hours) to mentor & groom new hires in the firm - this was so succesful it has now ceased to be voluntary & become a full time program
- Led & organized a management fest at college (was one of the 6 members of the core committe that managed the fest)
- Coordinated several initiatives in college fests & in the the placement process
Post MBA Goals:
Given my background in planning & operations I would like to major in strategy & minor in operations.
Following are my questions to you:
1) Given my goals & exp what should be my target schools?
2) I have also done a post graduate diploma in business administration (part time) alongwith my job during the 1st year which I didnt mention earlier. Although the course content & its standing isn't that great, it helped me understand the basics of management. Should I mention this degree in my apps? If yes, would it help give me some added credential to my app?
Thanks in advance for your inputs.
Hi Umang,
Appreciate your initiative. Any specific reason for deferring your admit to HBS?
I need your help with a query regarding school selection.
My profile is as follows:
GMAT - 740
Undergrad - B.E First class from Mumbai Univ. Top 10% in class.
Work ex - 5 years till I join Bschool
- I worked as an analyst in banking technology in Tokyo and the Middle East.
- Currently work as a Project Manager in a startup. Responsibilities include proj. management, pre-sales, team building, client deliveries and evaluation/monetization of new techs.
Post MBA goals: Gain business management experience, build a team and open my own consulting firm focussed on consulting for SMEs to handle their project management, marketing, sales and operations on a piecemeal basis.
I share a tremendous rapport with my current boss (founder of my current company) and am receiving a very good support from him for my MBA plans. He recommends that I work in MC before moving to open my own firm and I am inclined to take his advice.
I have applied to a couple of schools (Rotman and Wharton) and am looking to round off my apps by applying to 2 out of Tuck, Darden and Fuqua.
I want to make sure that my school selection is spot-on to ensure that I have a fair chance at making it to one of these schools. I particularly like the programs at Tuck and Darden, but both are small towns and self-contained. I am wondering if that would be a negative in the long run when it comes to recruitments.
Whats your take on my school list?
Hi Umang,
Thanks for taking up this initiative. Honestly I was waiting for someone like you who has been there, done that to help clueless souls like me!!
So here's my profile...
Undergrad: B.Tech from NIT - 62% (First class - highly competitive class, only abt 15% of class had greater than 70%)
GMAT: 620 -- Will be retaking the exam sometime by Dec
Work exp - 4+ years:
- 1.5 yrs in Corporate planning - Planned & managed real estate of over 3 million sq.ft for the company across 6 cities in India.
- 1.5 yr in Business Operations - Setup & managed a program management office (PMO) for the 2nd largest vertical of the company in India. Managed Reported & tracked over 100 metrics across various functions like HR,finance, resource management & operations. Recommended actions directly to the Director who took startegic decisons based on these metrics
- 1 yr in HR / proficiency development program - helped improve profiiciency levels from 2.5 to 3.5 (scale of 1-5, 5 being the highest) of more than 3000 employees across the firm (recognized as one of the top 10 strategic initiatives across the firm)
Extra Curricular:
- Initiated a voluntary program at my company (outside working hours) to mentor & groom new hires in the firm - this was so succesful it has now ceased to be voluntary & become a full time program
- Led & organized a management fest at college (was one of the 6 members of the core committe that managed the fest)
- Coordinated several initiatives in college fests & in the the placement process
Post MBA Goals:
Given my background in planning & operations I would like to major in strategy & minor in operations.
Following are my questions to you:
1) Given my goals & exp what should be my target schools?
2) I have also done a post graduate diploma in business administration (part time) alongwith my job during the 1st year which I didnt mention earlier. Although the course content & its standing isn't that great, it helped me understand the basics of management. Should I mention this degree in my apps? If yes, would it help give me some added credential to my app?
Thanks in advance for your inputs.
Hi accguy,
You're target schools really depend on a number of factors. If you're targeting the top schools, it would be useful if you could raise your GMAT score to 700 (though this is not a hard and fast rule - I know quite a few people who got into HBS with scores in the low to mid 600's). Given your desire to major in strategy and operations, you could tentatively start looking at schools like MIT, Michigan, Carnegie, Purdue.
Definitely mention your part time diploma - it adds another dimension to your application. Since you're saying the content wasn't that great, don't put too much emphasis on this but do mention that you did it to gain a better understanding of business and management. This will show to admission officers that you are committed, and are willing to go that extra mile to get exposure.
Hi Umang,
Really appreciate your gesture and efforts to help mba aspirants. Need your advise wrt applying to b-schools in US. First a brief background :
1) Bachelor of engineering in IT - 57 %
1) GMAT : 650
2) Work Exp: 6 yrs
a) 12 months : self employed / Linux administration / networking support
to small businesses
b) 18 months :
Worked with a quasi - government organisation which implements systems for the Income tax department and other government projects . Profile was design & analysis of test cases, troubleshoot production problems, leading the helpdesk team
c) 3 & 1/2 yrs : Switched career from IT to commercial shipping - worked as a demurrage analyst negotiating on claims with all the Oil majors of the world ( Shell, Chevron, Exxonmobil, BP, Total, Petrobras etc.....) -lead & managed the demurrage portfolio for the largest fleet & with the best performance in the business. contributed to revenue in millions of USD. Also travelled to the US office
With avg acads & gmat but a diverse work exp, do i stand a chance in say US b-schools ranked from 10 to 30.
Please guide.
Lalit
Hi Umang,
Congratulations on the HBS admit.
Can you let me know your views on R1 vs R2 for Harvard? I have missed the R1 and am a bit concerned after hearing from a lot of people that R2 has lesser chances vs R1.
Thanks,
MS
Hi,
Can anyone evaluate my resume and suggest me few good schools which i can have as a target and the areas i have to improve.
Profile:
10th-80.3%
12th-85.6%
B.E-80%
Masters in EE(did it in University of Southern Califonia)-GPA-3.36
GMAT-yet to giv(aiming for 700+)
Extra curricular activities-
Department secretary in undergrad for an year
Executive member in Lok satta party(a regional political party)O
Work exp-
Undertaking family construction bussiness(construction of National Highways).I will have 2 yrs exp by 2011 fall.
I have few schools on my mind ISB,USC,UCLA,Nanyang
please suggest me few schools in which i can make a cut.
Hey Umang
Congrats on the HBS admit, man! you have a killer profile!!!
Could you offer me some assistance by reviewing my profile?
Below are my stats
10th: 89%
12th: 87%
Engg(Mumbai university): 63%
GMAT:690(q47,v3
5.5
Have been working with HSBC for the past 2.5 years as a Software Engineer/Designer for their E-commerce arm and am the owner of a service currently used by 64,000 organisations as well as being the designer/owner of the billing architecture developed by HSBC to bill the 300,000 organisations using its services as well as am involved in certain secret yet soon to be declared projects but would be under a confidentiality agreement..so cant speak about that in the apps.
Extra curriculars are excellent during school :quizzing,debating, head boy,district level tennis(although have no certis to prove it..just some trophies)
College: have won a few inter collegiate management contests but not much to hark about
Office: have been involved in various Social service activities as well as organising events..but again no certis and no proof. :)
I have applied to ISB till now..currently writing the apps for IE,Nanyang,NUS
From US side thinking of targetting Mccombs,Thunderbird and prob Stern.
Safety schools are Syracuse and AIM Manila
What do you think? whether I should lower my sights and try to aim lower than the schools I am applying to?
Thanks in advance!!
Hi RockyB,
Sorry it took me a couple of days to get back to you. With your profile, I think you should be exactly what the schools you have applied to are looking for. In terms of recruitment, it really depends on the kind of jobs one is looking for. Business schools in cities tend to have greater access to recruiting in banking and finance firms, for example UChicago and NYU-Stern. This being said, it's more important to go to a better school, even if its not in an urban setting. There will be plenty of opportunities at schools such as Darden, Fuqua, and Tuck to land yourself a really good job. I think your selection of schools is pretty astute and I'm glad to see you're not just going by rankings and applying to the top 4 schools.
Hi Lalit,
The strongest point you should be looking to bring out in your applications is your work experience. Remember, admission officers read only what you tell them, and since you graduated from college a while ago, focus primarily on building a story around your work ex and your future goals. If your shipping job is the most recent, which I think it is, I would talk about this experience and highlight why it wasn't a arbitrary career switch, but a planned progression that now involves you doing an MBA.
I definitely think you could be looking at school 10-30; a lot of their average GMAT scores are around the 650-670 mark and your strong work experience should work in your favor.