Admitted to Cranfield with 50% scholarship

[shamarao]

Hi all,

I also got a conditional offer from Cranfield, becos I have to submit one recommendation yet.

I am planning to join this School. They will be informing me about the scholarship status on 13th April. Can someone tell me about other sources of funding.

My Profile:
Mech Engg.
GMAT: 700
Working in SPIC (India, Kuwait & UAE) for 4 years.

[amit175]

Congrats !!! All the best for your scholarship

[fidel mehra]

congrats to all who got in.i applied for m.sc(marketing and other) in birmingham university nd cranfield (hv not given toefl or gmat as of now).plz tel if i can get a entry this oct session.i have recieved a form from both the colleges a gmat of 550 + and toefl 6.5 for cranfield and 6.o for bir uni.plz tel if i have to give both tests or 1 of them will do for cranfield m not sure .also plz tel will it b worth going for these courses if i dnt get scholarship.m in my final year b.sc(hons.)

[fidel mehra]

actly 6.5 is for ielts for cranfield n 4 toefl it is 237 in computer test n 580 in written test.

[amit175]

I have received a few PMs about my interview experience, so for the benefit of all I will make the information public.

After submitting the app and mailing the supporting documents, I received an interview call from Cranfield. The interview call also had an essay on "The business leader I admire the most and why". I sent in my essay a week before the interview.

My interview was scheduled for 8p.m. IST. As I was heading home from office (at 7 p.m.) , I got a call from Sean Rickard, Admissions Director, Cranfield. After exchanging greetings, he asked whether I was expecting a call from him. I politely replied "I was but in an hour from now". Sean: "Its 2.30 now". Me: "....." (silent.. re-calculating the time difference between India and UK). Sean: "Oh. its 1.30 now" I chucked on the phone. Then he said he would call me at 2.30 (i.e. 8 p.m. our time).

The interview started on a jovial note because of this. Sean repeatedly apologized for his mistake, and I was trying to suggest to him that it was perfectly fine. Then the interview started.

First he asked me to summarize what I had mentioned in the essay. I did that quite well (having attended a presentation dynamics workshop at office, the same week).

Then he asked me whether Bill Gates (he was my most admired leader) was a good leader because of his ideas or because of his leadership skills.
My response: Its both. By ideas you provide a direction to the company. By leadership skills, you help people align your idea and vision with theirs.

His second point was, Bill Gates might just have been lucky to make a fortune from his idea. I pointed out that Bill Gates' had faced a rejection for his idea from IBM, but still chose to pursue his idea, which spoke about his "conviction" and ability to "reject rejection".

Next question: Is Bill Gates really an example of a great leader. He has discretionary powers, unlike others who have to work towards influencing people to get their way.
My response: I don't quite understand the meaning of the word "discretionary" (actually I had heard it as "disquestionary"... don't bother searching on dictionary.. doesn't exist). After he explained it to me, I rephrased the question in my own words, and then replied tha Bill Gates had actually fostered a culture of flatter organisations. I also cited that the Microsoft built their internet strategy, after one of its employees shot off a mail to Bill saying that something had to be done around internet, else Microsoft would go out of business. This meant that he was not taking decisions atr his own discretion.

Next question: Is there any decision that Bill Gates has taken that has been against the interest of his company?
My response: (Actually I was caught offguard here). The only thing I can think of right now is Microsoft's Corporate Social Responsibility programme. But I am not sure, that could be construed as against Microsoft's interest.

Next question: (Actually a continuation of the earlier one) There is a lot of talk about Microsoft's monopolistic way of business. There have been charges against Microsoft by the EU, and some of Bill Gates' actions in that regard are not really in the best interest of Microsoft.
My response: (best of the lot) In the software business, the boundaries between different offerings are quite hazy (not the right word... should have used thin). Added to it, the reproduction cost is almost zero. It is easy for an OS manufacturer to bundle softwares like web browsers in the OS. Infact, the single product manufacturing companies should actually be relooking at their business strategy. Did they not identify it as a risk that there was a Microsoft who could get them out of business. I actually support Bill's statements and actions in this regard.

Next question: Why do you want to do your MBA at Cranfield

Next question: Have you met any of our alumni
My response: I was hoping to meet your alumni at the World MBA Tour, but unfortunately he didn't turn up. I have been reading the student experiences on the Cranfield Diary.

Thats about it. It must have taken just 15 minutes for this phase of the interview. Then came my turn.

After I asked a couple of questions (none about scholarships),

Sean: I see that you have applied for the Feeshare scholarship. Most people think that it is 50% of the fees.
Me: I too think so
Sean: Actually, the board would meet and decide on the amount which could even be upto 30% of the fees.
Me: Ok

Sean: So, you are single. I hope u understand that this is a residential course. Will you be able to live here for a year.
Me: Yes, Why not?
Sean: (Chucking)..WHY NOT...I was just asking you a question (He might have said something else after WHY NOT. I am not sure I picked it correctly.). No I just wanted to ensure that you understand the issues. .... (Though I would have liked to, I didn't ask, what issues).

Sean: I am sorry once again for given you a premature call.
Me: Its perfectly fine

Sean: Nice talking to you
Me: Nice talking to you, too

[HRH]

hey... good post about the interview.. am in the process of writing about my interview, will post it asap.
meanwhile, what are the funding options you are looking at? i am looking at asking my current employer (engineering manufacturing industry) for a sponsorship... i know it works in IT, dunno about old economy... lets see..

[amit175]

Originally Posted by HRH

meanwhile, what are the funding options you are looking at? i am looking at asking my current employer (engineering manufacturing industry) for a sponsorship... i know it works in IT, dunno about old economy... lets see..

As mentioned in one of my earlier posts, I am looking at Paras education. BTW, I was always under the impression that sponsorship works better in old economy than new economy, especially not in IT where very few people stick with the company for more than 2-3 years. If you know of IT companies that sponsor such lavishly expensive courses, please let me know. I will put up a case with my employer.

[RPJ]

I have been admitted to Cranfield. Received an email last week from Eileen confirming the same. Thanks everyone on this forum.

Cheers,
RPJ

[smoorthee]

hi guys,

i am a silent member of this group. thanx for all ur posts it really hepled me with my intview.

i got admiited to cranfield but no aid just a fee grant of 3000 pounds. can someone shed light on loan options.

i hav 3yrs of work ex in IT
gmat - 650
and fyi iam currently workin in us.

cheers,
Moorthy/S

[rebel1]

Hi HRH,

Can you please write about your interview?
I have my Cranfield interview on the 30th May.

Cheers,
Ravi