[Da~Aks~Effect]

Hey Guys,

I havent been through an alumni interview before for any of the universities. Anyone has any experiences to share?
I would be attending one on the 10th of this month and need to prepare for the same.

My thoughts on the same:

a. Dress well. Nothing better than seeing a clean shaved guy dressed in the pastel shades and a tie!! For the fairer sex, a blazer suit with a nice shirt inside will give a women-in-business look. Remember, first impressions do help!! Needless to say reach before time and make sure your hair is in place and so is your tie.
b. Do your homework well. It sounds great if you just happen to mention that "John Beakes, the Professor of Industrial Relations, did his major in IR after having worked in Consulting for 6 years" Shows your preparedness!!
c. Go through you application essays thoroughly. You are being assessed for consistency in your thought process!
d. Plan your lies. If you cant carry it, dont get them along to the interview!!
e. Listen, think and then answer. Unlike telephonic i/ws you can buy more time to think during a personal interview. Your activities/body language can keep the person busy while you do so. No voice required :Fade-col:
f. Do your homework about the interviewers profile. It can get him talking. It adds a personal touch to the conversation and might turn out to be a learning experience for you too.
g. Prepare your list for the "Got any questions for me?" part. You may gain an insiders perspective. Questions need to be direct and pertinent.
h. Mind you table manners, if meeting over a coffee or snack.
i. Be polite. Remember, the demeanour you carry helps the interviewer to picture you as a future leader. (Yes they are trying to check your potential and marketability too!!)
j. Thank the interviewer for sparing time for the meet. Common, lets be fair here!! :angel:

Anyone with more tips, please post.

Cheers,
Aks

[Da~Aks~Effect]

Hi Guys,

Scholarship decisions at MBS are made at the month end each month till they are exhausted.
Heard from Helen Dowd, Asst Dir, Admissions at MBS about the scholarships.
She said that I was not offered a schol in this round.
This was followed by a personal mail from Helen saying that I shudnt get dissappointed and that I wud be considered for schol in the committee meeting on the 30th April.
Now the fishy thing is... this coincidentally happens to be the last date for me submitting my offer acceptance.

I have got admits from Machester/ Boston Univ (with full schol)/York Schulich.
Am yet to hear from Erasmus.
Any suggestions anybody?

Cheers,
Aks

[Da~Aks~Effect]

Hi Guys,

Have uploaded a poll that will help me in my decision.
Request you to please vote.
Do remember, that I have an IT services background and wish to take up Business/Strategy Consulting.

Eagerly awaiting your responses.
Cheers,
Aks

[harshg]

chose whichever university has the best looking girls..

btw looking at the expression of interest in your session with Ms Tufft I believ you should chose MBS.

have not taken your poll.

[Da~Aks~Effect]

Manchester has an avg 22% female candidates... so not much scope there.
But then, all you need is that 1 person to tag along with right

Am inclining towards Manchester, on the sole basis that it is a rising brand and that is showing a lot of promise.
I spoke to a few MBA students in Coventry Univ.... whom I met in the bus today. All of them spoke high of MBS.
There was a factor of "home ground" advantage in this chat we had none the less.

And harshg please do consider taking the poll!!

Get the numbers going guys!!

Cheers,
Aks

[harshg]

Quoting from something which Psycho-d circulated as a response to a query on one of the Yahoogroups.

While chosing the college I would apply to; the factors I would consider would be; in decreasing order of merit :

(a) Geography (cuz I needed a place where my wife could work as well so knocked off US and Canada) --true for Psycho-d not me .. but would love to remain in India and/or work amongst Indians.


(b) Duration (I was looking at 1-year, 15-month programmes) Very important .. as some of us are already in the middle management level and are fast aproaching middle age the lesser time we spend off job market the better it is. Also relevent is the cost impact for a 24 months program especialy because someone like me will have to shell out appx GBP 5K for each quarter just to live in the UK.

(c) Rank\Brand Name (in US-News, BW and FT rankings) .... I would also get hold of the placement consultants opinion as far as the ranking is concerned.. and also get the India prespective (Brand recall of the college in India) because I want to get back to the Indian job market the moment I pay off my student loan.

(d) Post-MBA employment opportunity in that region (getting work-permit after MBA in that region)....If I plan on a foreign MBA then I would rather earn in the same (or more valuable) currency in which I have spent ; hence a MBA in UK would mean a job in UK or the Continent (and not in India) while I am single, and hopefuly producing a new breed of Britons who have more superior intellect and better looking than the current crop.

(e) Non-collateral loan (this was the factor that wiped out most colleges from my list)..My favourite ... Alladeen Alladeen Allah humko kuch na deen .. have never been in favour of selling off the family farm for padhai. Isn't that the reason most of us started on the job market without completing the masters and waiting on to write the UPSC exams.

(f) Course-curriculum/Fit/Faculty/Environment

(g) Post-MBA placements"

(h) I would also look at the alumni in the Industry I plan to get in; post my MBA ..... Networking ver 1.0

(g) and I would also look at the batch of peers -- especially the demography of the last year's academic intake. ......Networking ver 1.1

[Simba]

2 things, if its of any use...

1) MBS has probably the best Adcom I have ever seen. They are the best & the most helpful!!

2) Before you make any decisions, talk to current students & alums. I dropped MBS after I did.

Cheers,
Simbaaaaaa

[Da~Aks~Effect]

Originally Posted by Simba

2 things, if its of any use...

1) MBS has probably the best Adcom I have ever seen. They are the best & the most helpful!!

2) Before you make any decisions, talk to current students & alums. I dropped MBS after I did.

Cheers,
Simbaaaaaa

So does that count as a vote against Manchester?
So where does your vote incline to... Boston or York?

It would be great to hear your thought process on why you opted out of MBS?

BTW guys.. keep the numbers going? VOTE NOW!!

Cheers,
Aks

[saxenaak]

Hi Simba,

I am also an MBS admit and very much interested to know why you opted out of MBS? was it in favor of better options at US or you did not find the MBS altogether a good business school?
what did you find out about it? Please share your opinions and research.

Thanks,

[sinhabh]

Hi There,

This is a really good thread!!!

I am an MBS aspirant and have got an interview call from them after my application passed the screening procedures at MBS.

However there is some confusion and am hoping that some of you can clear it.

Actually I interviewd with them prior to applying amd was asked the same questions that Daks Affect has posted. The interview lasted about 35 - 40 mins. Was interviewd by Heather Spiro Associate Director Programmes Mumbai at the taj president in Mumbai on the 13th of feb....however now I have got an invitation to another interview from them ...this time by Helen Dowd .... the first interview went off very well .. and now i am wondering why they are asking me for another interview.....anybody faced any similar problems...please advise

ps i wrote to them stating this and still havent got a reply

keep tuned on this one
sinhabh