[Accepted]

Originally Posted by iim.aspirant

Dear Jennifer,

I am targeting the 2009 entry at 10-20 ranked US Schools. Though I like INSEAD, Darden, Tepper and Stern, I am not sure of my chances as well as other schools where I should apply. But first, my profile at a glance:

Electrical Engg from one of the top colleges , 720/5.5, 4 years work-ex by June 09 - (presently) front-end research in a strategy consulting firm as a senior analyst, (past) 2 years equity research (US cap goods sector) as an offshore associate of a top-3 US IB client in Mumbai(my ex-company's client, and I worked as a full time equivalent (FTE) associate). I can get recos from the analysts I worked with - two of whom are Director/VPs in NY. My acads are average (first class but no distinction), but I believe my extra curriculars and varied work-experience should somewhat compensate. Also, I was actively involved in corporate trainings and recruitment in my previous organization.

I am interested in pursuing a career in MC.


I have won few certificates in litrary activities such as debates, GDs etc and other events such as Business plan and business case contests in various colleges across India. Though I have not pursued social service as a full-time activity, I do make sure that I donate enough to sponsor 5 cataract operations each year and have also sponsored 1 child's complete education. Besides this, I am a frequent blood donor.

While in college, I started a club that was aimed at improving the communication skills and business acumen of engineering students. This was because I realized even the best students found a tough time writing cover letters/ CVs, and such an effort would go about helping them. The club was a success and drew almost 100 members in a short space of time.


I changed my job because after two-years of back-end work, I had nothing much to add to my cv/learn, and the front-end role came as a pleasant breather, an opportunity to learn further, and gain diverse work-ex. Though I am quite happy with my career progress till date, I will soon come to a point where my company will only hire MBAs (as consultants), and hence, I see not much further upside to my growth. An MBA, therefore is what I am looking at.

Coming back, what more should I do and which schools should I really look at ?

Regards
I.A

Hi, I.A.
Those schools sound like good targets for you, but this coming year may be a bit early. You might want to consider giving it another year and really concentrating on two things in the meantime:

1) Leadership at work: You may have this, but it isn't clear from what you summarized for me here. These programs are looking for the equity analysts/researchers who are able to identify growth stocks, areas for niche investment, or even tapping new markets to sell their research. If you are able to demonstrate that kind of insight and influence in the coming year, your application will be much stronger.

2) Community leadership - What you are currently doing is obviously wonderful, but it doesn't demonstrate leadership of peers and people who don't need to follow you. Perhaps you could organize a group to contribute to the community through work? This grows your impact beyond just what your own two hands (and myriad veins!) can do

You do seem to have good statistics and a nice international background working with the team in NY, fitting for the schools you are targeting. I just believe that the extra leadership experience will demonstrate your readiness for the MBA and future career in consulting.

Regards,
Jennifer Bloom, CPRW
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