Ask Jeremy @ MBAMission.com - What it takes to get to the best global business school

[jeeves sunil]

Hmm,

Mba mission .

if the gmat score is say 750 i.e. i reduce my statistical weakness to one..does that still make the top 15 a stretch....

please note i am outstanding in my current job/peer group( documented).and hold a product manager rank
Do give it a though but be frank,

pragmatic individuals should accept reality

one more thing how is 15+ for employment prospects in strategy??

cant invest further time if there is gonna be a no win......

Originally Posted by MBA Mission

Sunil,

Thanks for your inquiry. For now, with weak academics, it is imperative that you get your GMAT score much higher. As you surely know, you have a very competitive peer group and it is difficult for you to compete if you have not one, but two statistical weaknesses. Also, it seems that all of your community activities are from college and that very little is contemporary. I think that the top-15 will be a stretch, unless I am missing something.

Sincerely,
Jeremy Shinewald
MBA Mission

www.mbamission.com
646-485-8844
Skype: MBAMission

[MBA Mission]

MBAMission’s analysis of essay questions continues today with Columbia Business School.

Sincerely,
Jeremy Shinewald
MBAMission

www.mbamission.com
646-485-8844
Skype: MBAMission

Next: Chicago
Previously Posted: HBS

ColumbiaUniversity

1. What are your short-term and long-term post-MBA goals? How will ColumbiaBusinessSchool help you achieve these goals? (Recommended 1000 word limit)

Essay one is essentially a personal statement and the operative word is “personal”. In this essay, you need to tell your story in a clear and compelling, but most importantly, intimate way. Therefore, you cannot afford to be generic or vague; you need to discuss your past, present and future with insight and focus.

Interestingly, in Columbia’s case, there is no explicit request for information about your career history. Still, you need to offer brief context in order to make your future goals relevant. By offering context into your past experience, you can turn what might have seemed naïve into an entirely reasonable statement.

Your short term goals need to flow from this context and show very clear direction and purpose. It is not enough to write, “When I graduate I want to go into marketing” or “With my MBA, I will enter the field of consulting”. What kind of marketing – consumer products, business to business? What knowledge do you have of this business and why will you excel in it?

Remember, this is not a statement of dreams, but a statement of purpose. So, it is important that as you develop your short term goals you consider the specific role you will play, the reasons why you will excel in that role and hopefully show insight into why there may be an identifiable need for your skills in this position. You can take any direction that you so choose from your short term goals as long as there is a causal connection with your long term goals. Your long term goals can be less specific than short term goals; they essentially represent an ideal aspiration if short term goals are reached.

Columbia explicitly asks: “How will Columbia Business School help you achieve these goals?” A common mistake among applicants is simply to compliment the school. The spirit of the latter half of your personal statement should not be “CBS is great”, but “I will utilize specific CBS resources to achieve ambitious goals.” And, the idea is not to generate a list of “specific CBS resources”, but to develop a well thought out themes or arguments – almost like stating your case to the jury – where you prove that by taking advantage of specific programs within a few disciplines that directly relate to your career, you will achieve your goals.

It is important to not only show your academic and career fit, but also your personality fit. If you have visited Columbia and/or spoken with alumni, students, professors or admissions staff, it can be helpful to show your connection, so that your knowledge of the school does not seem superficial and your interest is sincere. Also, while schools do not explicitly ask you what you can offer, word count permitting, it is generally a good idea to discuss ways in which you can contribute in class and beyond, if this has not been accomplished implicitly throughout the essay.

2. What has been the greatest challenge to your value system that you've faced and how did you handle it? (Recommended 500 word limit)

Sometimes it is easier to explain what you should do in an essay by first explaining what you should not do. Inevitably, a candidate always ask if a story like the following would work: “My boss told me to trade on inside information and I said ‘no.’” In such an instance, there is no challenge to your value system; no one should be trading on inside information; no one should be breaking the law.

In essay two, you need to start by offering an example in which there were two reasonable options which stand in stark opposition to each other -- both with positive and negative aspects -- and explore how you made your choice. In such circumstances, the outcome is less important than your reasoning. The committee is seeking to understand your thought process and trying to recognize the reasonable, logical and ethical applicant within.

3. In discussing Columbia Business School, Dean R. Glenn Hubbard remarked, "We have established the mind-set that entrepreneurship is about everything you do." Please discuss a time in your own life when you have identified and captured an opportunity. (Recommended 500 word limit)

The key to understanding this question is to recognize that entrepreneurship is not narrowly defined to mean “creating a business” but is more broadly defined as “capturing an opportunity”. Your example certainly could come from within the confines of the typical definition, but it could also come from innovating within your existing company, expanding the role of a community organization or from your personal sphere (if you seized a remarkable growth experience), etc. The bottom line is that there are many “right” answers for this question and you need not be intimidated if you have not started a company from scratch.

In this essay, your choice of language will be key to emphasizing that you did something creative in order to identify the opportunity. (Even if the idea was near or at the surface, you still possessed vision that others did not). After telling the story of how you identified the opportunity, you should explain the process of capturing the opportunity, focusing on the tangible impact that you had on this process and on how you helped bring the idea to life. Finally, you should briefly reflect on your accomplishment and key learnings. While CBS does not explicitly as for such analysis, it is most often helpful, as it shows a humility and appreciation for the experience, not just the results.


4. Please select and answer one of the following essay questions. (Recommended 250 word limit)

a. Please tell us what you feel most passionate about in life.

b. If you were given a free day and could spend it anywhere, in any way you choose, what would you do?

Many candidates will use the first two essays to showcase their professional and community experiences. Essay three is often an opportunity to showcase personal aspects of your profile. In both options A and B, the topic is not as important as your ability to truly express an inordinate love of the hobby/ethereal experience/activity/event. The reader is interested in learning something unique about you via your experiences and his/her attention will not be captured by experiences that are typical or lack intensity or emotion. Only by showing how your relationship to this experience is unique will you truly stand-out.

[MBA Mission]

Thanks for your inquiry.

I am sorry but I was a bit confused by your shorthand within your post with regards to your work experience. Have you jumped several times since the beginning of your career? What is the nature of your work – solitary or team? Have you been promoted or shown leadership/entrepreneurship?

Sincerely,
Jeremy Shinewald
MBAMission

www.mbamission.com
646-485-8844
Skype: MBAMission

Originally Posted by Abhi_Insane

Jeremy,

Please give suggestions to me too........as I am primarily looking for one yr MBA.
The factors of considerations r........

1)Brand name
2)ROI......
3)Placements
4)Chances of selection.

My profile is :

AGE :25. 26y the time I join( hopefully)
EDU: B Tech; NIT/REC,Bhopal.(2003), 72 %.Loads of extra curriculars.....sports ,tech,cultural
WORK EX: IT total 3 yrs..total.......(3.5 or 4 by the time I join....July)
HCL Tech..... Software engineer........fresher to till Jan 06........
Sterling Commerce( AT&T ) .......Delivery Consultant........currelty........total 3 yrs so far.
GMAT: 730.

PREF: 1yr MBA........2 will do......but inclined towards 1 yr.Primarily europe.....
COLLEGES UNDER CONSIDERATION: 1) INSEAD 2)IMD 3)LBS 4)Oxford 5) 6)RSM 7)ISB ....................NUS ............

NUS is a distant third..............Please also throw light on NUS placements............backed by facts or personla info............no 'overheard' talks please..........

I want add couple of US colleges to the list too...........Namely 1)Stanford and 2)Wharton...........But I am wary of the fact that these colleges requires one to have and extraordinary profile( In fact most of my European colleges will reqi ti too!)..........

I want to add that I have taken initiatives at my corp level too( training ppl,taking interviews.......i have been promoted too).........

Iwant to have ur first impression.Do u think that my profile has enough meat to attract the 'bigshots' or do you think that I should lower my aspirations(I really don't want to go to a rel unknown college).Also, please help me add more value to my basic profile............

Thanks and Regards,
Abhishek.

[avomc]

Dear Jeremy

Thanks for the MBAMission’s analysis of essay questions. They are quite informative.

Would you be analysing essays of Indian Schools ( IIM A, ISB) as well?

If so, Please analyse the following. It would be helpful to many of them here as a big junta is applying Indian schools

IIM A
1. What do you expect to gain from the PGPX course at IIMA?
2. Describe a situation that has demonstrated your leadership qualities.
3. Describe the single event or achievement that has significantly influenced your life.
4. Give a description of yourself stressing the personal characteristics that you feel are your strengths and weaknesses.
5. Any other information that you believe will help us make a favourable decision on your application.

ISB

1)What, in your opinion, makes you distinct from other applicants to ISB? How will that add value to other students and ISB? (300 words max)

2)What are the three things about yourself that you would like to change? Why? (300 words max)

3)You are applying to your dream job after ISB. Please prepare a cover letter accompanying your CV. (300 words max)

4)You are part of a team which has been assigned a project with a tight deadline that is not extendible. One of the team members fails to deliver on the part of the project assigned to him at the fag end of the project despite his assurance. All the other members of the team have performed flawlessly and completed their parts. There is no way that the project can now be completed even if all the team members provide their utmost help. Appropriate punishment has now to be meted out by the management. The team member is willing to own up his shortcoming and shoulder the responsibility. Should all the team members share the responsibility for failure equally or should they allow that particular team member to get all the blame and punishment? Take a firm position on the issue and support your stand with relevant arguments. (300 words max)

5)Please provide additional information, if any, that will significantly affect consideration of your application to the PGP (300 words max)
This essay is optional. The system will allow you to submit your application, though it shows as "Incomplete" in the application inspector.




Thanks
Vomc

[Abhi_Insane]

Jeremy,

Sorry for the short hand.No, I haven't jumped in my career regularly. After I got my placement in the college in HCLTech( Indian IT top 5)........I worked there for more than two years have recently switched to Sterling Commerce(AT&T).......I am basically into IT product consulting( they call it professional services here.......).Ye I have been promoted once in HCLT and also these ppl at At&T took me at a level above my previous position.

Lemme give my backgroung in detail again.............

I happen to be an engineer from NIT/REC,Bhopal( tope 15 engg.) in 03. I atarted working from Oct '03. During the course of my college I have a lot of extar currics. ranging from technical presentation( 1st prize), to organizing tech and cultural events, to being in the college team for Badminton and Cricket to being in the lirary and tech.socities..............Of course, I back them all by certificates.I got the first palcement in the branch in the college.

I have doing job ( and nothing much extra) since I passed out and started working.I have recently taken couple of initiatives........1) I am working with an NGO to educate poor ppl and have taken up the challege of the 'Amway' business module to be a part of their chain...........

I took GMAT and have a score of 730.( if u suggest that it is not gud then I can still plan to give it again).........

I want to be into pure consulting ( hopefully else IT consul. might do........) and I am primarily looking at European colleges..........I may apply to US colleges too.....

the colleges in the runnign are.

1) INSEAD,France
2) LBS,London
3) IMD,Switzerland
4) RSM,Reooerdam
5) Oxford/SAID,UK
6) Cambridge,UK
7) Wharton/Stanford/Kellog( 2 out of 3)
ISB, India
9) NUS,Singapore/CEIBS,Shanghai......( either of the two)

Reading at my basic profile,I want to have an insight about my chances at any of these ( Europe/US) colleges. I request you to be very direct and guide me.Please let me know if I need to lower my aspirations..........

Thanks anr Regards,
Abhishek.

[himanshumohan78]

Hi Jeremy,
I will be grateful if you can tell us what are top 5-6 US B-schools
good in Technology MBA .

Thanks.

HMG

[ahmadazeem777]

HI Jeremy,

Last week I attended ISB Info session ... I took this opportunity to get my profile vetted by adcom... the said you have more than resonable chances of making it to ISB... I further asked the, if these NCFM (National Stock Exchange of India's certification in Financial Markets) certification are going
to be of any vaue addition to my profile ... they was was "not really"..

My question to you is wether this certification would be of any value addition to my profile, while applying to US/Canadian B Schools .. if it is ... then I can still get 3 more (I already have 5 ) before applying to US b schools.

PS :- Please suggest me colleges which are good for Investment Banking (with a major focus on Mergers & Acquisations) ....and a strong placement Dept

Thankx In advance.

Azeem

[avomc]

ahmadazeem777, Can u post Ur profile

I dint know that ISB reviews Ur profile before hand, can we get done over the website? who does this at info session?

thanks

[amitnsitian]

Hi Jermey,

You are doing an amazing job by helping out people through PG.

I am basically targetting ISB this year. below is an essay which is a part of the application process. Kindly go through it and then I will ask my query. Here it is

You are applying to your dream job after ISB. Please prepare a cover letter accompanying your CV. (300 words max)

Thanks for reading the complete question. My query is what are they trying to extract out of the answer to such a question. Rest of their questions are pretty straight forward.

Thanks and Regards,

Amit Agarwal

[sanket11]

Hi Jeremy,
First of all thanks a lot for your efforts in answering our quires. I really appreciate for your insights. Pls, Guide me by evaluating my profile.
I am Sanket. I am 22 years & my short term goal is to do MBA from Top 10 B-school in US at the age 25/26 for which I am targeting . One may feel that I have started too early but I really want to plan my career in very meticulously.
(Really sorry for the long post )

ACADEMICS:

Xth: 82 %.
XII Th: 81%.
Engg. : B.E. Production [2005 Pass out] from Pune University.

First Yr: 54 % Second Class. [Screwed Up Here]
Second Yr: 57 % Higher Second Class.
Third Yr: 60 % First Class.
Final Yr: 67.5 % First Class With Distinction.
Aggregate: 60 %

The point to be noted is I have consistently improved my performance from Higher Second class to Distinction throughout the Engg. This shows my ability to introspect and improve on it but I feel Inferior to The IIT Graduates who excel in their B.Tech.

WORK Ex:

I am working with A Private Consultancy Firm as Entry Level Consultant since Graduation. We provide consultancy in Productivity improvement using MOST [Maynard Operation Sequence Tech.] which is Work Measurement Tool.
We have direct collaboration with H.B. Maynard Co. USA i.e. we are the Branch of Maynard’s in India. We are responsible for the Complete South East Asia Region+ India for MOST i.e. we are the only Authorised Consultancy providing MOST implementation Services to the organisations.

JOB PROFILE:
Right Now I am working as a Junior Consultant. Since joining I have handled two projects [duration 3 to 4months], one of which is handled independently. Within a year I can expect at least 4 independent Projects/ year [duration 3 to 4months], in which I will be working as a Project Leader.
Each Project gives me an opportunity to LEAD a team of at least 4 members. This will lead to a Consistent Leadership Experience. Also I will be working with Top Notch Multinationals [Already worked with Honda, ITC, Perfect circle (Anand Group)].
So, the pithy is I will be consulting & handling 15/16 Productivity Improvement Projects with Top Notch Multinationals in next 3 years when I will apply to MBA.

CAREER PROGRESSION:

Junior consultant--------Principal Consultant------------ MOST Trainer (will be conducting 5 day Training Program for Teaching MOST)
I am confident of this Career Progression over next three years.
Extra Curricular:

• Writing is my passion. Already started blogging. Blogged 7 Articles ranging from subjects like Lateral Thinking, Spirituality, philosophy & Creative writing. I am getting very good feedback to it.

• I have started writing a Non Fiction book titled as “CONCURING THE ‘I’ ----- THE BATTLE WITHIN”. This book is all about my experiments with spirituality. In it I am trying to summarise the role played my Ego in Humane Life. I am trying to explain with simple day to day examples, how our all activities are Ego—centred. My profound background in spirituality forms basis for the book. I am planning to publish the book within next 24 months. I believe that this will be one of the Differentiating factors in my application. ( If I am not wrong)
• Successfully completed 10 days Vipasyana Meditation Course last year.

COMMUNITY SERVICES:

• Volunteered at 10 days Vipasyana Meditation Course as Dhamma-sevak, which in short means I served people for 10 days.

• Conducted Work-shop for our 15 company member which was all about Pranayama & other Breathing Tech. for Stress Management. (Will conduct some more work-shops in near future.)

• Mentored some group of children for competitive exams & teaching them the Pranayama & other Breathing Tech.

GMAT: Planning to take (confident of getting 700+).

MY QUIRES:

• How can I best utilize the time available to me (at least 2 years) to make my unbeatable application? Pls, mention some points where my case looks weak to you and also How should I overcome these weaknesses?

• Another thing to mention is the size of my company. As MOST is much specialised subject and we do not believe in diluting the value of MOST Consultants, it is intentionally kept limited to 25 Consultants. Will that be against me? The quality of the exp. as I mentioned is incomparable but is the size factor worrisome?

• What is your opinion about my Academic Performance at B.E. level? I think it is good for the last two years but I am not sure about the first two years. Do you believe I meet the minimum criterion for Top -10 B-schools? If you have little bit of doubt also, pls mention it, so that I can take some additional courses. I believe that I have sufficient time for the same.
• You have mentioned taking additional courses like CFA. I have an option of choosing between Distance Learning MS or CFA as you mentioned. What are the other courses that I can consider? Or I should go for CFA?
• Another thing about Community Services.Because of intensive travelling I am not able to contribute to any particular org. How should I deal with this problem?

(Really sorry for the long post & Thanks in advance.)