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

[gaurav.inf]

Hi Jeremy,

I am 27 years old male engineer from India.
I am aiming for top business schools (Preferably 1 year) outside India. I would highly appreciate if you can review my profile and suggest which colleges I should target.

My profile:

1) GMAT: 690
2) UG: Excellent acads - Silver Medalist (From one of the Top Engineering colleges in India)
3) Extracurricular: Average
4) International Work-ex: More than 2 years in UK
5) Total Work-Ex: Around 6.5 years by Sep, 2009 (Working in Infosys Technologies)
- Working as a team leader from last 2.5 years
- Rapid Promotion to Project Lead's position
- Received couple of awards
6) Involved in community work.
7) Learning French

I am working in projects related to Manufacturing services (Aerospace & Auto Domain) and want to work in Management Consulting post-MBA in same field.

Could you please evaluate my profile and suggest me the right colleges?

Thanks,
Gaurav

[Dr MBA]

Hi Jeremy, I have been reading these dozens of pages of your analyses with interest. You have shown enormous patience & depth of understanding, and I'm glad to be able ot ask your advice.

I'm a 34 year old surgeon from India, working in Dubai. I have a very diverse work experience, speak five languages (three learnt after becoming a doctor) and am interested in a general management MBA that will get me into Healthcare management, hoping to rise to strategy. I have 770 in GMAT, am working on my quants firther with MBAMath. My question is
1. Have I left it for too late in terms of age?
2. I am looking at Tuck, Duke, Chicago, ISB, Maybe Darden, (i want HBS, but i feel my age will be more of a problem there) Are there any other places i should be looking at? Wharton healthcare is supposed to be great, but is it beyond my reach?
3. I have earned very low wages by the standards of even Indian non-healthcare industry while i was i India. (Standard for my field, maybe a bit above normal) Will that be a problem?

[ssikka]

Hi Jeremy

Could you please provide insights on essay analysis for ISB (2009 class).

1.Please give three reasons why ISB should admit you into the class of 2010. These reasons should ideally differentiate you from your competition. (300 words max )

2.You are contesting the election to be the President of the ISB Student Body. Write a speech you will deliver to the student body on why they should elect you as the President? (300 words max)

3.CASE : You have been appointed to head the team to build a dam across the River Zumba. Success in this project is critical for your company and would earn you a promotion. Failure would mean that your company would be bankrupt and will take along with it, its investors and its employees. Building a dam across the river would result in deforestation of a portion of the rainforests and would mean relocation of the tribals and destabilization of wild life at Zumba. There is resistance from environmental groups against your project. You are meeting the head of the resistance movement in one hour wherein you would have to explain your decision. Describe what you would do and why? (You will be evaluated on the creativity and practicality of your solution). (300 words max)

4.Optional
Please provide additional information, if any, that will significantly affect the consideration of your application to the ISB. Please do not repeat information which has already been stated elsewhere in the application. You may use this to clarify any breaks in education/work, inform about any other item which you think has not been covered elsewhere etc. (300 words max)

Thanks for all your help.

[nishant_tyagi47]

Hello Jeremy,

I'm right now working with a MNC in ITES sector, my profile is as below:

Xth- 73%
XIIth- 69%
B.Tech- 72%
Work Ex- 2.8 years
GMAT-700
Designation- Sr. Quality Analyst
Handling 3 different teams- total 40 associates under me.

Apart from this I have lot of achievements and initiatives on my name along with many motivation drives run by me as part of my leadership skills in my organization. And for social participation I've been awarded by my VP for initiatives that I've taken for our society as part of CSR.

Along with all these, I'm have good comand over basic management concepts and subjects.

Being in ITES sector, I hope i fulfill the demand for diversity in terms of experience as required by most of the international colleges. My field of interest for MBA is Service Marketing/International Business.

Though I never had a foreign trip, but am good in handling international client. Right now I'm dealing with one of the Giant telecom company in Canada. And I can have recommendation from them as well.
I'm planning to apply for 2009 batches.

It woud be great if you could comment on my profile and show me the real picture. Also can you suggest me some colleges and any other area where I should excel myself.

[abbaby05]

Hi Jeremy

Firstly I really appreciate your work for the PG students like us. I wanted to know about the colleges where I can apply if I want to go for a ONE year MBA course.

My profile is as below:
1) Computer Engineer from a reputed college in India - 73% ~ 3.4 GPA
2) GMAT - expecting 720+ planning to give this December
3) Extracurricular - was actively involved in sports in college and school. Have represented my school and College Athletics team to various inter school events
4) Community Service - involved at home.
5) Work Experience - About 4.5 years by December '08. Worked in an MNC India (working as Technical Leader) and them moved to US for work. About 2 yrs work experience in US. The entire experience in the finance and banking domain. Currently working for a reputed bank in US as a consultant.

Now the help I need from you, the colleges in US where all I can apply with my profile. Also I will require sponsorship for my studies. I am planning to join the 09 batch. If possible suggest me whether with this profile should I go for a ONE year program or take the TWO year program itself. I am looking for reputed institute though.

I am eagerly waiting for your response on the same.

Thanks
Ankit

[pranay_iitk]

Hi Jeremy,

First of all your help to guide MBA aspirants through this is really appreciable.Thanks in advance.

I wanted to know about the colleges where I can apply if I want to go for a ONE year MBA course from a prestigious insitute in US, Europe or Asia.

My profile is as below:

1) BTECH from IIT Kanpur in 2003. CGPA 7.2/10. IIT Kanpur is believed to be the No.1 engineering insitute of all time in India.

2) GMAT - Will be giving on Aug 7,2008.Please give me some insight about what score should i target for.Currently i am targeting 700.

3) Extracurricular - was actively involved in various cultural activities in college.Was the Cultural Secretary of my department where i orgranized various departmental functions.Also, was an active music club member and worked as the secretary of the music club for one year.

4) Work Experience - 5 years of workex.My work experience has been purely in IT companies which have prestigious positions in the industry.This includes General Electricals, IBM and Fidelity which is my current organization.Unfortunately, i don't have any international exposure as all my project works were completely outsourced to India but i have been continuosly working in diversified MNC culture which i believe is my strength. There were lots of critical tasks assigned to me during my professional career where i was appreciated for my leadership qualities and have got total 4 awards at different stages of my career so far.

Working in big MNCs for only 5 years has never given me any official designation of a team lead or project lead.However, in GE and IBM, there were many instances where i had to do code reviews, work as Functional Group lead and was actively involved in team management activities with my managers.


Please can you share your ideas about what are the areas i really need to improve on.Even if i don't get a chance to get a 1 year MBA course in 2009,i will really like to go for the best possible college in 2010.

Thanks a Lot!!

[abhi002.mba]

hi.i wanted to know abt how to get good information regarding colleges and their entrance exam notification of dates and their release dates of exams form

[IMD2BI2IMA]

Hi Jeremy,

Based on my Profile, I would like to know the strength of my candidacy for the MBA program for FALL' 09.

GMAT score : 1st : 690( 50-Q, 34-V, 5.5 AWA) , 2nd: 700( 50-Q, 34-V, 5.5 AWA)
I know thats not a good score

Degree: Bachelor of Engineering ( Information Technology )


Academics : Have an excellent academic record. Have consistently been a top ranking student through out my academic career.


Extra curricular activities : Winner at various inter collegiate events
Social Work & Responsibilities : Have worked for NGOs and have been involved in various social activities.


Work Experience : 4 years in leading Indian IT companies. Involved in a leadership role .Started my career as a Programmer and moved on to the Functional side. Currently working as a Sr Business Analyst. 0.5 years experience in teaching analytical topics and Maths


Career Goal: To be a Financial Analyst and move on to be an Entrepreneur. Keeping this in mind I've alligned my work experience to move on to the Analytical/ Functional side .

Entrepreneurial activities : Currently working on a business proposal based on GPS functionality.


Based on my profile above, I would like to know which B schools should I aim at. Or rather what category of B schools should I aim at.

Thanks.

[underdog_09]

Hi,

Thanks for helping out guys like me who are confused about various aspects of MBA admissions.
Yet another common question from my side.

My profile:

• Percentages in 10th and 12th class: 87.6% and 87% respectively (topper of the school, 1st position throughout)
• GMAT 730 (48Q, 41V, 6 AWA)
• UG - B.Tech (Electronics) from a state university: 3.6/4 GPA
• Work ex of 4.5 years (Infosys+Oracle): Senior Software Engineer in the role of a Project Lead
• Have learnt classical music and have been pursuing singing as a hobby for the past 16 years
• Took lot of initiatives in college and school e.g. founded cultural committees, represented college in national level tech fests etc.
• Have been a volunteer in both Infosys and Oracle helping blind, HIV+ive etc.
• As a member of Project 511, teach English to rural students
• A member of toastmasters club
• Organized a few cultural events at project level while working
• No onsite experience except a recent 1 month visit abroad for meeting higher management and customers.
• Am 26 years old

I understand that it is a fairly common profile (Indian, IT, Male).

• Was wondering which kinds of colleges should I apply for?
• Is it possible for me to switch to finance or consulting post-MBA given that I have no experience in either domain?
• Currently, I am totally confused about various questions such as:

a)What are the reasons that I want to move away from IT? Why MBA?
b)Which specialization in MBA??? Consulting/Finance/IT systems management? Why?
Where could I find answers to these questions or at least find some guiding material which would help me in answering these questions?

I would be grateful if you could advise me on these.

Regards,
Tim

[Girdhari]

Dear Jeremy,
I am Girdahri, great to see you helping others make their decisions.

My profile

Age: 28 years

Education: B.E (Computer Sc & engg.) , 69%

Work Ex: 50 months (till now)

• 15 months in Satyam Computers Ltd. as Software engg, did a 1 million $ project in gas domain for a fortune 500 client and was one among 10 peers selected to do that, successfully developed an analysis tool while leading a team of three.
• 24 months Rashtiys Ispat Nigam Ltd.(RINL), a govt. PSU, was Junior manager - was involved in automation activities of the plant - automated a process increasing efficeincy by 7%.
• 11 months (and going) Rural Development Institute (NGO): I am Project Officer for Uttarakhand state, and heading Village Resource Centre project (along with ISRO)for the state. Catering tele-medicine , tele-education, tele agriculture servies to 160 remote villages with 16 centres and 30 more coming up bringing total villages to ~500. My work ranges from need assessment study to content delivery at these centres to facilitate social development through IT and the biggest task being making these centres self sustainable.I lead a team of 10 people and coordinate with 4 different NGO's and various govt. agencies.
• Also heading other projects with community upliftment and environmental concerns.

GMAT: not given yet, but aiming at 700+

Extra cirricullar: Football captain at college and represented college in Cricket, hostel secretary for 2 years
in college representing 200 students.

Institutes aiming at: Kellog, Harvard, Wharton, Tucks, Yale

Future aspirations: Want to do MBA with Marketing and entrepreneurship as majors, would like to go to non-profit consultation after MBA in short term and becoming a social entrepreneur in the long term.

Kindly comment if I fit into the above colleges with below-average acads and such work ex. And your suggestions for B schools.