[MBA Mission]

To answer your questions:

1) In unusual circumstances, if a candidate has shown remarkable strengths in starting an non-profit organization or has shown tremendous leadership in athletics, (just as examples), top-U.S. schools will accept a candidate without work experience.
2) I am not familiar with the distinction between an MBM and an MBA. Please explain it to me and I can comment.
3) If you pursue an MS in marketing, you will be gaining specialized knowledge in one discipline. If that is all that you will need to succeed, then that may be an option for you. If you need a broader perspective – spanning accounting, finance, operations, strategy, etc. -- an MBA is probably a better option.

Sincerely,
Jeremy Shinewald
MBA Mission

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

Originally Posted by shivamhdave

hi Jeremy,
Thx for helping most of us out here. My q's are,

1. Is it true tht US B Schools only take in ppl with work exp.
2. I am a fresher hv done my Bachlers in Hotel Management & currently pursuing my Masters in Business Management In JBIMS, a top 10 B School in India. I want to do another MBA abroad as it will help in having a global perspective. What schools do u recomend 4 me?\
3. Can i pursue MS in say marketing, wats the scope of MS vis-a-vis MBA in a tier 3 B School in US.

Pls help i need d info 2 help me decide

[MBA Mission]

Thanks for your inquiry.

It seems to me that you have the makings of a strong application; your GMAT and grades are very strong, you have excelled in a competitive field and in an international environment and you have extensive involvement in community organizations. While I would need to get to know your application in greater depth to make a more informed judgment, at this point, your only weakness is that you have a very competitive peer group and will need to quickly differentiate yourself from the pack.

In terms of your specific question about whether you can write about college experiences, the general rule is, if it would be impressive today, then use it. In other words, if you led a $50,000 charity fundraiser in college or if you did it now, I would be impressed. However, if you collected 1000 books for a book drive in college, I might have been impressed by the initiative of a community-minded college kid, but it would not “wow” me if you did this as an adult. So, try to place the experience in context and then judge accordingly. If you would like to post the specific activity, I would be more than happy to make a recommendation.

Sincerely,
Jeremy Shinewald
MBA Mission

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

Originally Posted by itsrahul

Hi Jeremy,

Please have a look at my profile and let me know if it is strong enough for me to consider applying to top 10 B-Schools. Also, please suggest if there is anything in particular I should work upon to improve my candidature.

I am interesed in pursuing MBA in finance.

I also want to know whether old achievements, e.g. extracurriculars or participation in activities in school also count or is it that only recent achievements are considered. Also, does family background matter?

GMAT Details
Score - 740
Breakup - Q-49 V-41
Date - 26-Jun-06

Work-ex
Total 35 months till date.
28 months (and continuing) in software industry including 4 months of international experience (China) in helping my company expand its base.
I have been among the best performers in my team and have received excellent appraisal feedbacks from my managers. I have lead small teams and have also taken initiatives on many ocassions to deal with issues.
I am also due for promotion next year.

Before my current job, I had spent 7 months teaching in an MBA coaching institute. There also, I was among the top performers.

Education
B.E. in Information Technology
Graduated in 2003 with overall 73.7 %. (topper had 78%).

ExtracurricularIn recent years, I have been associated with an institute that houses HIV+ kids. I am very passionate about environment protection. Last year, I had sponsored a child's education under Concern India Foundation group. I am an active member of a Speaking Club (now Toastmaster' club) in my company.
In college, I was involved in organizing many inter and intra college events. I was among the top 10 students in my class in acads. I was also involved in placement committee and various other committees.
In School, I was the captain of my district's cricket team and goalkeeper of my district's soccer team. I have also held the positions of School Captain and House Captain (apart from being the class representative every year).

Family BackgroundI come from a business family. Whenever I am home on vacations, I help my dad in business. I am always consulted on any major business decisions taken.

Thanks in Advance
Rahul

[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.

[MBA Mission]

Deba,

Thanks for your inquiry.

You need to look at this as a mini-marketing opportunity. In brief, you should descrine your role, responsibilities and accomplishments and explain this with an eye towards the strength of your firm.

For example: As a Senior Consultant with XYZ, a thirty-member boutique strategy consulting firm, I advise major manufacturing firms on decisions to build or shed product lines and facilities. In particular, I have advised ABC Inc. to sell its $30M computer hardware line and DEF Inc., a British firm, to acquire and modernize a steel recycling facility in Northern China.

In the above, the consultants actions are front and center, which is vital. There is an understanding of what the firm does, but it is secondary to the accomplishments of the individual.

Sincerely,
Jeremy Shinewald
MBA Mission

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

Originally Posted by deba_s56

Hi Jeremy,

I have one doubt on how to describe your company and role in the resume template given by ISB.

ISB Resume template states that, below your company name and your title, describe
'About the company or about your role………..'.

How should we go about it? Suppose I am working as a Team Lead in XYZ company

i) XYZ is an IT services company focusing on the development of custom, mission-critical software applications. The role of a Team Lead in Tavant is to contribute towards architecture definition, estimation and planning of the project.
ii) I contribute towards architecture definition, estimation and planning of the project.
iii) Contributing towards architecture definition, estimation and planning of the project.

Which of the following ways is the best way to write about your company or role? Is there any better way to write this?

Thanks and Regards
Deba

[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

Originally Posted by jeeves sunil

Hi Jeremy,

first a big thanks to you & PG for having us reap fruits of your experience ……………

Please have a look at my profile and let me know if it is strong enough for me to consider applying to top US B-Schools.

1) I am specifically looking at one year intensive program to help me specialize in General managemen/marketing & Strategy.
2)I have a background in Sales ( & small amount of Marketing) I unfortunately have bad academics .:( Can I hope…for a seat .my good work exp.. can it discount my bad acads.
3) would be grate full if you can give me a list of good colleges.
4) Do employers in America value Indian marketing and sales experience?:neutral:
5) does marketing & sales experience conducive for a career in strategy & genral management? ??:

GMAT Details
Score - 640
Breakup - Q-47 V-28

Screwed verbal on the D day, been among the top 4% in Indian entrance test ( cat xlri)
a second shot is planed in early september

Work-ex
Total 42 months till date.


Last 6 months as Product Manager(sales & marketing) at western region in India 350 sq KM territory, for leading Consumer durable MNC, Turnaround the sales in region/branch in 32 working days achieving sales targets unachievable for last 24 months, Reporting to the both Local and national Manager. Generated a 34% growth against an industry growth of 20% in half1. Responsible for a Target sales turnover of $53 Million .


14 Months as Executive at a start Up consumer durable Company, I was responsible for launching a product in a region and setting up a sales channel for the same.Was succesfull in selling the entire stock profitably with in 60 days of launch.

22 Months as Sales Engineer ( contractual- I am in the same company which initially employed me on contract) was responsible for secondary sales, training , market expansion,corporate sales and channel management all this with focus on High end sales( phew- 22months after all):neutral:

giving a miss to sales related achievements.
Education
B.E. in Mechanical Engineering
Graduated in 2002 with overall 59.6 %.
The catch is I took 6.5 years for a 4 years course.
Reason: Parents health problem ++ youth full indescrition
( year 1-45%; 2nd year 50%; 3rd year 52%;4th year 59.7%)
Average acads in School

Extracurricular

Represented college in extempore debating & elocution , participant in school and college dramatics, participated in improvisational dramatics, Edited the English section of my college magazine, dramatics in school.

Target

A 740 Gmat score. I think I need to pull up the verbal skills. & my last gmat was an off day
Zero in on a bschool with good curriculum & reputation( you can help me here)
Advice regarding my realistic chance of me getting into a good US B school ( tried 2 full years here in india)

Will await your honest assessment.:neutral:

Sunil

[MBA Mission]

Thanks for your latest post.

I think that you could be competitive in the 8-15 range with the top schools being reaches. Your work experience is strong, not just in your record of promotions, but in your internal actions (mentorship). Your grades and potential GMAT would make you competitive and you seem to have some interesting extras in terms of sports. The question mark is whether you can male-up for minimal community service, by showing altruism via teaching colleagues English and mentorship. That will be your challenge…

Sincerely,
Jeremy Shinewald
MBA Mission

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

Originally Posted by TimeWellWasted

Hi Jeremy,
Thanks for answering my previous post.

My second query was:
Do I need to mention the reason (in essays) that why I am not able to provide "proof" for the community work.

My detailed profile is as follows:

Acads:

B-tech with DISTINCTION from an average school in India. Secured 71% ( class topper being 75%)
which converts to a GPA of 3.8. Was among top 6 students in class of 75.
I have also done a PG Diploma in Embedded Design securing 82% (class topper being 84%).
I stood SECOND in class of 32 students there.

Work Exp:

I have been working as a Software Engineer in telecom industry for last 3.5 years.

Regarding leadership skills:
-I was promoted as Module lead within 7-8 months after starting my career in my first company (XYZ).

-After around 2 years I moved to a different company (ABC) where I was made Feature lead (led a team of 4 members) apart from few other lead responsibilities.

-I came back to my first company (XYZ) after working for an year in ABC as I was given a Tech lead position with onsite deputation.

-I am currently leading a team of 6 members apart from having an addition responsibitly of tracking Test team also for their status.

-I volunteered for a pilot Six Sigma project when I was Feature lead in ABC. Only 2 teams volunteered through out the company.

-I also initiated few process related activities onsite in my current team. Those activities are currently carried out by few other teams also in our company.

-I have also been mentor for a group of new joinees.

Note, however, that my designation is still Software Engineer though I am due for promotion this year.

Extra Currics:

-I have completed 2 levels of French language from an Internationaly reputed institute.

-I have been involved in games and sports through out my life. I have been a playing member of cricket, basketball and soccer team in school,college and company and captained Cricket and Basketball teams during my schools days and in company.

-I have also won a STATE Level GOLD MEDAL in martial arts during my school days.

Community work:

I am currently helping out 5 of my colleagues with English language.

I have also done some community work back in my home country.

I am desperately trying to connect to some NGO here (onsite) but due to language barrier not able to do so until now.:(
------------------------------------------------------------

As I stated earlier, I am currently targetting Top 15-30 US schools.

Please guide me whether my choice of schools is correct or shall I give a shot to few Top 10 schools also with this profile.

Waiting for your candid response.

Sincerely,
TimeWellWasted

P.S: I am targetting Tech Consulting or Operations career post MBA.

[MBA Mission]

I apologize. My expertise really lies in American and British schools. I am not well-qualified to advise on NUS and NTU. My suggestion would be to contact the schools themselves and ask to speak with an alumnus who had a similar background and is now working in the field that you are targeting.

Sincerely,
Jeremy Shinewald
MBAMission

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

Originally Posted by saurabh81

Hi Jeremy,

I am planning to take GMAT in August, earlier i was aiming only ISB, but some friends suggested me to play safe and apply to some more B-Schools which take GMAT score. As i wish to settle in India after my MBA and my first choice is ISB, i am looking for B-Schools similar to ISB, i.e. they should:
1) Have Indian recruiters.
2) Cost me similar to what ISB will cost.
3) Preferably 1 year course.

I realized that only Asian Institutes can full fill these requirements. So I filtered some institutes:

1) ISB (1st Choice)
2) NUS
3) NTU

I am a S/W professional with 3 year of work Ex. in one of the India's largest S/W firms.

Since it's a peculiar choice that I am looking for, i am not getting much information about it. Can you please comment on my selected institutes and add a few more which fits in my criterion?

Regards
Saurabh

[the-ONE]

Hi Jeremy,


I have a few queries,

My Profile,
B.E.--AVG Acads....bcoz of one single :( semester(had an accident during the exams) and it had a cascading effect...Got a second class...

working now for an MNC for about 3 months and will probably continue to do so for about another 2 yrs....

did a simulator GMAT and did about 720(no prior preperations)..lot of xtra cuuriculars like quzzing,debating.... was a national level tennis players at U-18 level.....taking up German classes more out of interest in new things than anything else.....
had a very successfull busines startup with my uncle....can i project it...starting another one with my friend in a few months time....[will they take into account these things]
My interest is in general Mgmt...and then getting into research go on for Phd if possible(very much interested)....

So would i be able to target top 5 colleges( very distant possibility i know)...atleast 5-20 ranked colleges....

not much of comm.service.....just organised coaching classes and pesonally mentored for X and XII exams for students in my fathers village...collected text books and distributed them an continue to do so...and also raised fund for a student's eng. education.....i volunteer at a non-profit theatre company .....
i also fund my house maid's child's education.....

so i want to apply in 2008...take up neccessary exams in may-07...what are my chances of getting into good colleges...and also how can i compensate for my avg acads...

would you please help me out...
Thank You

[purple yogi]

Hi Jeremy,

First i think you are doing a great job out here helping all of us and its great for PG to have an epert like you.

Regarding my questions and present status---

i have given my gmat with a score of 600, i need to improve my verbal as my quant was very high. As in my profile... bachelor of commerce from mumbai, worked as an analyst in one of the leading investment banks in Mergers and Acquisitions.(not any back office)..but i always wanted to be associated with the social sector .. so i shifted to a non-profit ....to work for tsunami victims in South India...with a huge salary cut but with the motivation to make change. College grades are good ... above 65% consistentely .. with average extra curriculars in college and school.....i think i have the answers in mind for most of the colleges and why i shifted to the social sector....

Total work will be 4 years ....with for profit and a non-profit..... I will be applying to schools that have strong focus on social entrepreneurship or social courses embeded in the full time courses such as Harvard, Stanford, Yale and Oxford. Do you know any other colleges that have a strong focus on social issues.....

The problem i think is the GMAT do you think i should give it again and improve my score....

Is TOEFL also required for the admissions i am not very clear on this as many people say yes and many people say no ....

[Psychodementia]

Hi Jeremy,

A cliche' but true in every sense of the phrase - great job !! I really appreciate your frank yet encouraging replies.

I understand it is hard to fathom with any degree of fairness the reasons why an application is selected or rejected. But I hope you can throw a jab at guestimating what went wrong with my application escapade this year.

My background:

Acads:
-------
B.S in Physics 51%
M.S. in Computer Applications 65%

GMAT:
-------
700 (93rd %ile)
Q49 (90th %ile) V38(85th %ile)

Workexp:
-----------

6+ years in IT with cross-function exposure in multiple domains - rising from a trainee to a Manager. Got great recommendations to prove my career growth and my strengths (along with a bit of weaknesses and how I got over it). I think if this were the sole criterion even in a strong application pool I had all the elements to stand out.


Extra-curriculars:
--------------------

Have taught/mentored over 2000 students in the last 8years. Been actively involved in many social causes - both in the corporate world and as a student (used my poor of teaching to help underprivileged school children). Have great "intellectual credentials" (member of MENSA, won numerous quizzes including being featured on National TV, University winner etc.) Have elaborated them well in the essays to focus not on the achievements but how it has fundamentally changed me as a person.

Applied in 2006 to just 2 places:

(A) ISB: I took pains to explain my poor undergraduate record in the light of my career progression (trainee to Manager in less than 5years), my GMAT scores (700) and the tons of extracurriculars with which I involved myself during college (example - founding member of AIESEC - largest student organization in the world, in Baroda etc). I wrote this in the additional essay section.

During the interview again, I was very articulate and passionate about what I wanted to do and why an MBA makes sense. I am a professional motivational speaker so I know my communication skills. When asked about my academic record during 12th and undergrad, I elaborated that I didn't have an excuse and tried telling them that the last "poor" score in any university level exam I took was in 1996 - almost 10 years ago.

But I was rejected, citing 2 reasons - "poor undergraduate record" and "average interview skills".

(B) London Business School: I got a straight ding and they do not give a feedback on the application, as you might be aware. I know of someone from my company (a lady) who was at my same career title who got through in 2005, and again another lady - yet again in my same career title who got through this year. I understand their academic performances was well above my dismal undergraduate showing.

My simple question:

Nobody can do anything about their past - be it bad relationships or poor marks. But given my dings, is there *any*thing I could have done better ?

Additionally, I have no intention of reapplying in the near future, but however if I were to do so. Can you suggest any other option - other than getting an obscenely high GMAT score (770 types) ?

Thanks for your time !

Arun