[pagalguy]

I have a gmat of 720, bad undergrads, horrible masters acads and IT workex of um.. say 5 years on entry.. koi chance hai hamara ?

[JackOfAllTrades]

Hi Simba,

I'm an applicant to Fuqua, probably R2, my apps are not mature yet.
I want to have a truer picture related to Post MBA Career.

I'm from a very competitive pool Indian/IT/Male/24. But have a few things to differentiate myself from the "crowd"
I want to pursue a career in IT Marketing Post-MBA. But I'm flexible to move to FMCG as well. (well, that's one more reason for an MBA - "flexibility"). Although Duke's website does show a nearly equal placements in Marketing as well as Consulting. (It can be IT Consulting also - suits me).
So overall, Duke is till now the "best fit" school for me. But is my explanation convincing. I mean I'm open to many fields but the keywords are "IT", "Marketing" and "Consulting".

Could you just give me pointers as to how to make it more convincing enough for the AdCom on "Why MBA".

Thanks in Advance.
NP

[Simba]

Originally Posted by pagalguy

I have a gmat of 720, bad undergrads, horrible masters acads and IT workex of um.. say 5 years on entry.. koi chance hai hamara ?

Chance to hain if you are able to convince us about working well in 'teams' & a realistic Post-MBA goal

[Simba]

Originally Posted by JackOfAllTrades

Hi Simba,

I'm an applicant to Fuqua, probably R2, my apps are not mature yet.
I want to have a truer picture related to Post MBA Career.

I'm from a very competitive pool Indian/IT/Male/24. But have a few things to differentiate myself from the "crowd"
I want to pursue a career in IT Marketing Post-MBA. But I'm flexible to move to FMCG as well. (well, that's one more reason for an MBA - "flexibility"). Although Duke's website does show a nearly equal placements in Marketing as well as Consulting. (It can be IT Consulting also - suits me).
So overall, Duke is till now the "best fit" school for me. But is my explanation convincing. I mean I'm open to many fields but the keywords are "IT", "Marketing" and "Consulting".

Could you just give me pointers as to how to make it more convincing enough for the AdCom on "Why MBA".

Thanks in Advance.
NP

Sorry I am unable to understand ur question.. are u saying how to distinguish urself or how to address Why MBA or Why Fuqua??!! Can u tell me clearly what u are asking?!

[gulls]

Hi Simba,

thanks for yet another initiative. Have browsed through lot of your articles and blog. good fun.

I have 8 years of work experience and an admission offer from IIMA PGPX. While I grapple with all those questions regarding doing MBA in India and 1 year vs two year program etc etc, need to know a few things from you about Duke.

I wanted to know more about the general management focus at Duke. How is the cross functional learning at Duke ? Its important because I need a general management program to get a vertical push in my present industry post MBA.

I have IT background and good financial services domain expertise. working for a bank now. How are lateral placements for experienced international students at Duke ? Specially people like me who have good international exposure ( though only a few months in US) and around 9 yrs experience when I will enter the school. I really dont want to reboot my career and start at entry level in another industry for a few thousand dollars more.
I know its a subjective question but if you can provide some stats or general perception, it will be great. I could not find much on website.

One think I have started liking about Duke (the more I read about school) is their team oriented culture. something I can easily associate with as opposed to that "individual" excellence kind of cutlure at IIMA or whatever I have known about Harvard through almuni.

Last question is regarding transcripts. I cant travel to India to get my transcripts and really doubt if it will reach me without going to my institute in person. I have written to Duke adcom about it but have not received a reply so far. Is there any way this can be handled ?

Thanks in advance.

Cheers
G

[Simba]

Originally Posted by gulls

Hi Simba,

thanks for yet another initiative. Have browsed through lot of your articles and blog. good fun.

I have 8 years of work experience and an admission offer from IIMA PGPX. While I grapple with all those questions regarding doing MBA in India and 1 year vs two year program etc etc, need to know a few things from you about Duke.

I wanted to know more about the general management focus at Duke. How is the cross functional learning at Duke ? Its important because I need a general management program to get a vertical push in my present industry post MBA.

What would you like to know about the general management at Fuqua? Cross-functional learning happens by working with cross-functional teams or by taking different electives in the 2nd year to suit ur MBA for a general management role. We have a no. of electives which u might look at Fuqua website to see which one might suit u the best as u proceed .. here, its more like, u chose ur own path!!

I have IT background and good financial services domain expertise. working for a bank now. How are lateral placements for experienced international students at Duke ? Specially people like me who have good international exposure ( though only a few months in US) and around 9 yrs experience when I will enter the school. I really dont want to reboot my career and start at entry level in another industry for a few thousand dollars more.
I know its a subjective question but if you can provide some stats or general perception, it will be great. I could not find much on website.

International students are going to find it harder to find jobs.. theres no doubts about that.. We will have a much harder time in spite of the #years we bring in prior Fuqua. As everyone knows, jobs here are not as easy as in India where companies just come & pick u up.. here u go out of ur way to get the job u want!! International exposure might be a lil added bonus.. that too if you can show a quantifiable no. of years. You would never be at the entry level.. as u are an MBA .. you will enter Deloitte or McKinsey as a Senior Associate.. Stats I dont have.. but the general feeling is that - it will be hard for international.. be it at Fuqua or at any other school!!

One think I have started liking about Duke (the more I read about school) is their team oriented culture. something I can easily associate with as opposed to that "individual" excellence kind of cutlure at IIMA or whatever I have known about Harvard through almuni.

Hmmm.. Tuck is a good team school too!!

Last question is regarding transcripts. I cant travel to India to get my transcripts and really doubt if it will reach me without going to my institute in person. I have written to Duke adcom about it but have not received a reply so far. Is there any way this can be handled ?

Call the Admissions immediately and speak to them. We normally underestimate the value of talking to the Admissions. They are one helluva untapped resource.. by calling and enquiring u are showing ur genuine interests!! May be they will even remember ur name when they read ur app.. who knows... All I am saying it - get it checked & verified by Adcom rather than just waiting for a reply email.

Simba -

[chandler]

Hi Simba, do you know Shaheeda Abdul Kader ? She is an alumni of Fuqua and owns a chain of jewelry retail in India under the banner of "Damas". She represented Fuqua in the MBA tour event in Bangalore last month. Nice lady :-)

[Simba]

Originally Posted by chandler

Hi Simba, do you know Shaheeda Abdul Kader ? She is an alumni of Fuqua and owns a chain of jewelry retail in India under the banner of "Damas". She represented Fuqua in the MBA tour event in Bangalore last month. Nice lady :-)

Possibly you cannot expect me to know the thousands of Alums graduated from Fuqua .. Seriously though, Its great to know that... Damas.. arent they into Diamonds??? Wonder how many MBA tours happen... something is scheduled sometime in Winter also, I think!!

[obelixous]

Could you confirm whether admissions-info@ fuqua.duke.edu is the correct address to correspond with Admissions Office? I have written to them twice in the space of last week but I did not get a response. I want to confirm whether Notarized Marksheets are acceptable instead of Sealed Transcripts? Also is it Ok if couriered material reaches Fuqua after the Oct 27 deadline?

[Simba]

Originally Posted by obelixous

Could you confirm whether admissions-info@ fuqua.duke.edu is the correct address to correspond with Admissions Office? I have written to them twice in the space of last week but I did not get a response. I want to confirm whether Notarized Marksheets are acceptable instead of Sealed Transcripts? Also is it Ok if couriered material reaches Fuqua after the Oct 27 deadline?

The email address is ok but you gotto understand that this is the peak time of the year with R1 closing in pretty soon. They many or may not send u a quick reply. I wouls suggest you to go to the Sify Centre & place an international call & get this things clarrified.

My perceptions :-
1) Notarized may not be sufficient .. They know that getting notarized is way too easy in India. You may be better off getting this confirmed ASAP!
2) Hmmm...Not sure.. but why are u sending in so late?

Hey, are u all done with interviews? You should interview before you apply right? Or is it after u send in ur app!! have forgotten what I did...


Simbaaaaa