2008 MBA (international - U.S.) Aspirants Joint

[AbhinandanShah]

Hi People,

Let this place be for people who are aspiring for 2008 International MBA, in United States. Instead of giving a long introduction let me introduce who this joint is typically meant for...

1. Yes overwhelming majority of Demographically challenged Indian Software engineers, working in different companies all over the place.

2. Who would hav 2/3 Years of Work Experience by 2008.

3. Who have a burning desire to do MBA in the United states.

4. People who are not potentially Rich, but still want to pursue their american dreams, on the basis of their meticulous planning and execution.

5. People who want to do something extraordinary to grow up from the monotonous IT industry, and become leaders.

People are requested to share their views on the following.

1. Because of Demographical challenges (being too common), what should an IT professional target in the Global MBA Scenario?
(Precisely which schools, on the basis of what applying criteria)

2. Financial challenges (Precise notes)
(Though people will find similar threads helping; I want specific information to help us all for a good cause)
Financial challenges will include (initial investment) A potential savings plan, a relatively precise expense forecast, scholarship challenges, etc. Need not be all in the same post, people can jst put in bits and pieces, I would love to gather and summarize..

3. Psychological barriers - What are the psychological barriers one needs to break in order to be there amongst the best of the best...

4. Specifically for IT - All the tips that you can think of for people in IT looking forward for an international MBA.. is the situation for them all that hopeless?

5. 2008 Target - How should a timeline be decided for people who are targetting 2008 admissions.. Say GMAT will be in early 2007.


I know the questions do not quite express wat they want to ask, but pls if you need any clarifications... Blast me!!
Arguments are most welcome!


Cheers,
Abhinandan
Catch this thread soon.... Thanks PG we awe a lot to PG community....It Rocks

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Life is a dream, a dream is a dare...
& Its the Daring which will take you where no one else has gone before....

[mumbai_dude]

I won't answer this Sequentially - Bear with me for that

5. Take GMAT & TOEFL whenever you feel you are ready - before Oct 2007 for fall 2008 entry

3. Simply believe that you, as an individual, have to convince a set of people that you can make a difference to 100 other "potential" future classmates

4. IT or not, you will always find competition. Focus on yourself and try to prove with your numbers and your career growth, that you are the one they would love to pick.

2. Save maximum money possible in any investment that will protect your capital with less risk + add some return on that capital. Target to Save atleast 3 Lakhs INR by yourself. 2 years & 3 lakhs is not really unachievable. Figure out how much your parents can put in. If possible, cajole your relatives/CLOSE family frenz to help you in some way. Raise atleast 15 Lakhs INR this way. About 20 Lakhs INR will be available as loan. Internship will fetch you about 5 lakhs. I guess 40 Lakhs INR is enough for all Tier2 B-schools. If you are going to top 15 B-schools, relax - don't worry about finances.

1. Try and be yourself. Forget demographics - It's really **crap**

One major point: If you cannot show achievements in your career or any career progress, think of applying a year later: haste is waste. Delaying by one more year will help a lot.
If 2008 intake is early for YOU, try 2009. Never underestimate the power of work exp - it teaches you more than a B-school can

[AbhinandanShah]

Hey mumbai_dude,

That gives a lot of Insight. Thank you very much indeed. Untill I think Im good enough, I will look a year later, and try to get things in my kitty... Do you really think the demographic thing is **Crap** ? Can you please share some more thoughts on that?

[AbhinandanShah]

Hello Dude..

Thank you very much indeed for your insight. You are very right, unless I have some baggage in my kitty, I shouldnt shoot myself out at a b-school...coz chances are disappointment & wastage of money will follow. But can u please share more thoughts on your view of demographics is it really **CRAP** as you mention? Competition.. I dont fear about.. Hav made up my mind to beat it... I want other people to gain from PG advise, coz I have observed, some people cant jst start untill they see something concrete shaping up in their minds... All the senior PG members can jst do that to guide us... Thanks for your continued support...

[mumbai_dude]

Maybe the word **crap** was little harsh - but I will tell few words that would make it sound true.

(Note: There is no gender bias here.)

First, demographics will come into play if you are not having a "different" story. A moderately different story would surely involve "demographics" factor. On the other hand, if you have "different" story, your demograhics have no meaning

Consider this:
Mr. A - Indian IT male 2 to 4 yr exp - Team member to Team lead - Moderate achievements;
Mr. B - Indian IT male 3 to 5 yr exp - Team leader to Project leader - Moderate achivements
Mr. C - Indian IT male 2 to 5 yr exp - Team member to Project leader - High achievements @work - Patent of an idea pending; During Onsite trip, contributes to some social activity in visitng country; Gets involved in many functions within the firm


If I were to evaluate Mr. C, I would accept him irrespective of whether he is Indian IT male or not. WHY? because he is among "the best" category where people are admitted without considering demographics

But Mr. A & B are in "Moderate" applicant pool and hence demographics apply to them. Since they are high in number, the chances of neither being admitted is high.

SO you have to decide which category you must belong to.

[mumbai_dude]

Portray yourself as what you are - never hint at your demographics at any point in your application.

Simply tell about your achievements, your goal, your professional likes and dislikes, your potential - At this point, demograhics have no meaning.

Move yourself from "Moderate" category to "best" catgory and your demographics would never be in your way.

[AbhinandanShah]

Thanks.. I really count that.. Can you also share your views on the community service etc. i.e. the differentiating factors, mentioned on the forums, Really should one give them a lot of thought, or is it just the ART of writing essays?

[mumbai_dude]

Rule 1: Thou shall never fake anything in application
Rule 2: Thou shall be a good writer - Means, the art of smartly painting your profile, is essential
Rule 3: Thou shall be a part of social/community activities only if seriously interested in the activities. Doing it only for the sake of applications will be easily exposed in interviews.
Rule 4: Thou will first be a successful professional, then a "community" guy - Means, your pofessional achievements (small or big) matters a lot; if many similar aspirants are seen, then your community involvement matters.

If your GMAT is atleast the B-school's Average (or minus 10 or above average) and your undergrad was decent enough, the above rules apply.

So concentrate on GMAT, work experience and if really interested, community activities.

[pillagadu]

Hi everyone...

can anyone tell me if doing MBA is worth the cost? I mean... will salaries after the MBA is worth the effort? And if anyone know any details about the campus placement offers etc...please enlighten me....

Thanks....

[AbhinandanShah]

Well Well Well, It definitely is worth it... If you are game for it! Success is relative, no degree can make you god, but your performance can. Statistically YES IT IS MUCH MORE WORTH THAN THE COST! Placement offers... d00d search elsewhere on the forum u ll find loads... also go through many B scools websites which offer tonnes of information. Happy hunting.. Miles to go my friend... Research well n form your opinions.. U r at the right place! cheers..