Admitted to Cranfield with 50% scholarship

[bhatv]

Hi All,
Thanks for the congratulatory posts..I will soon be posting particulars about my interview which surprisingly exceeded the 1 hr slot as declared earlier.
In the meanwhile, does anyone have inputs on bank loans in the UK??
More to come from me abt my interview with Sean..
Cheers
Vishal

[amit175]

Originally Posted by bhatv

Hi All,
In the meanwhile, does anyone have inputs on bank loans in the UK??

Congrats Vishal. HSBC UK offers loans to Cranfield MBA students. Please visit the Cranfield website to get the e-mail address of Barbara Green, HSBC UK.

[RPJ]

bhatv - whats your gmat score ?

[bhatv]

Hi All,
Many thanks for the useful info on the HSBC loans..

Well..my particulars are as follows:
GMAT 660.B Tech(Ceramic Engg.-IT-BHU),Good acads,13 international publications-though all research based, 4 yrs work ex (1 with Tata Steel and 3 in China -partner co to Mittal Steel),profile - Technical Services, Quality Assurance and Research & Development...OK.. ECA (mix of literary,sports,music) (district+international -China).

I) As usual,the interview began with exchange of pleasantaries and we shot off with me summarising the written assessment essay. My essay revolved around J Welch (though while submitting I was thoroughly hesitant with my writing style which appeared more didactic , rather it could be tremed as truly biased..) Yet ,I decided to put in what I felt about Welch..I think I did that well.(summary took about 10 min.).

Questions on the written assessment
a) Does a leader must have innate entrepreneurial traits or does he need to possess a strategic bent of mind? Which do you think is more important.
b) Why do you think Welch has entrepreneurial traits.
c) What do you think has been Welch's greatest achievement?
d) What in your opinion has been his greatest mistake?
e) Do you personally approve of his huge compensation packages and accrued benefits?
f) Which leader in India do you think is similar to Welch and why?
g) Do you think that leaders at times have to take strict independent decisions?
h) Dont you think Welch was too demanding from his managers? Would you take a similar stance if in his position? Has GE really grown under Welch or has merely carried on a momentous organization.?
i) Dont you feel that Welch is over-valued?

II)
a) Why did you choose China?
b) What is the reason why despite being the worlds largest steel producer, the lowest cost producer of steel is in India-Tata Steel?
c) Questions on my experience with the Chinese?
d) Questions on Refractories-was quite surprised with the same.

III)
a)What in your opinion is the most stark difference between a Chinese business model and an Indian business model?
b) China is outpacing the world with its low manufacturing costs. What will you suggest to curb this keeping in mind that you have to take care of interests of both China and the ROW.
c) 30 years down the line, whch nation out of China/India would have a stronger economy? Will india overtake China? (followed by questions on justifying my choice)
d) Does China have business leaders like Welch ?- (Was caught offguard on this one..)
e) Why did I choose Refractories when I had options to pursue MS immediately after my Bahcelor's.
f) How different was it working with in a similar industry in India and China.

IV)
a) Why did I apply so late?
b) Explained the meaning of Feeshare schols..again iterated that I was quite late..
c) Whether I would be moving with my spouse or not?Limited acco.need to apply fast (I got the hint that I am thru!!! at this stage)

V) Questions to Sean
a) Is there any criteria for segregating the intake into 2 streams?
b) What kind of grading pattern do they follow and why? (relative or absolute)
c) How are the employment stats for people with work-ex lesser than the quoted average of 8 yrs.

That was all..
I thought I spoke too fast coz he requested me to repeat my responses on several occasions..had an inkling that I might just not make it coz towards the end, he dint sound very promising on the employment stats of people with lesser work ex.

Nevertheless, I am glad that I could finally make it through. Now its only a matter of arranging finances..Hope something turns up favorably...
Cheers
Vishal

[sandeep1gupta1]

Hi Folks,
I join this forum today as an alumni from Cranfield MBA (2005 batch). I reached this forum simply because an article in which I had been quoted was posted on this portal (so much for my claim to fame )

It is great to read about your success and many congrats to all those who have made it!

I work in the UK now and shall be happy to take any questions you may have. Those who have been reading the diary postings may have seen a few from my side too.

Regards
Sandeep

[cybericy]

Hi Sandeep,
good to have you here. Could you drop in a note about your profile when you applied to Cranfield.
I've heard job opportunitues post a cranfield MBA is very average ( especially for people with experince on the lower side of their average ).

Your first hand experience / views would help lots.

Cheers
icy

[ahmadazeem777]

Originally Posted by cybericy

Hi Sandeep,
good to have you here. Could you drop in a note about your profile when you applied to Cranfield.
I've heard job opportunitues post a cranfield MBA is very average ( especially for people with experince on the lower side of their average ).

Your first hand experience / views would help lots.

Cheers
icy

Hi Sandeep, like ICY I also have similar set of views... so pls answers his question

PS :- pl let us the employment prospects after MBA from OXford, Cambridge, Manchester ...

Thankx
Azeem

[sandeep1gupta1]

Hi Icy and Azeem,
Prior to Cranfield, I worked for 13 years in India. I have done my BCom (SRCC), CWA and MBA(FMS) and came to Cranfield in Sept 2004.
The jobs you can get depend a lot on your past experience, your clarity of focus as to where do you want to go and how well you work towards it. MBA is not a magic wand and unless you sow, you won't reap.
The length of work experience is relavant although not the only thing to depend upon. I know of my batch mates who got great jobs with just 5-6 years exerience while a few with much longer experience had to struggle to find a good job. It is a function of how choosy you wish to be, etc.

Unfortunately I cannot comment on job prospects after Oxford, Cambridge, etc.

I am not sure if a generalisation on Cranfield jobs being average is correct. No MBA guarantees you with a job. An MBA is an ingredient in the dish, not the complete dish itself. My batch has a pay range of £40k p.a. to £100+ and it depends on the sector you go in, the experience (and its relevance) you had before MBA and how much efforts you put in to get good jobs. It is also a function of how well can you sell your profile (read this as CV making skills and interview skills).

Hope this helped.
Regards..........Sandeep

[cybericy]

Thanks for the info Sandeep ... 13 years of work exp .. Guess very few of us on PG can match that

Anyways, thanks for the info... definitely agree with you abt MBA being an ingredient to a good career.
see u around !

[ahmadazeem777]

Originally Posted by sandeep1gupta1

Hope this helped.
Regards..........Sandeep

Thankx Sandeep

The info which you provided us is surely of help...

Azeem