[inblue]

Woha ! Congrats dude. You deserve it and my best wishes to you for the year ahead.

[amithar]

Hey,

Firstl COnratulations on IMD!

And thanks for such a wonderful initiative..

I too would love to do an international MBA.. These are the roadblocks I am facing..

Since I am a Computer Engineer by Graduation.. and working as a S/W engineer.. I beleive I come into that same cast of a typical Indian IT Engineer..

I just have a year's experience at present..

Is it absolutely imperative that I change my sector ?...

If no, then what are the other things I could do to 'Differentiate' my profile.. or convince them that I am separate from the herd!

I have been a good student managing to get a 90+ PLUS in both 10th and 12th Standard and a 75%+ in my Graduation..

As far as Extra-currics go< i have been a drummer for a rock bandand a debator throughout school and college.. and also held various positions in clubs and societies throughout my academic life..

I want to prepare my profile meticulously.. which is why I want to know if I MUST change my SOftware job to set myself apart.. or are there things I can do to get myself an International MBA Admit by doing certain things to spice up my profile by remaining in the mould of an Indian IT Engineer..

The fact that I am not particularly fond of my job must be mentioned here... but thats another story..

Looking forward to hearing from u on the same..

Thanks in advance!

[orientalkhichdi]

Thanks for your wishes inblue - now to get ready for next year's grind:-)

[orientalkhichdi]

Hey Amit!

Just a couple of pointers - hope this helps...feel free to shoot further!
All the best with your planning....

Since I am a Computer Engineer by Graduation.. and working as a S/W engineer.. I beleive I come into that same cast of a typical Indian IT Engineer..
Not necessarily – in the broader sense I guess being an Indian & a SW Engineer added to that definitely places you in the majority of the applicant pool – but then it also depends on how you package your candidature, inspite of probably fitting into the clichéd mould

I just have a year's experience at present..
Experience is one of the factors that would speak volumes in your application – not in terms of a specific time frame, but also in terms of quality of work done.
Important highlights in your application include:

• Team management & leadership skills
• International experience
• The kind of work and projects that you have been involved with – the scope of the project and your contribution. This is something you might probably want to keep in mind – a conscious effort to be involved in projects you think you would gainfully benefit from and at the same time build on a strong base
• Recommendations

Is it absolutely imperative that I change my sector ?...
You ‘ll have to seriously think about this.
· Do you want a career switch – if yes – then where do your interests lie? Do you have any options? We can take it this discussion and how it fits into your plans from thereon…
· Also, you will have to think about why you want to do an international MBA…do you want a career switch, or are you looking at lateral placements within the field you work etc etc….


I have been a good student managing to get a 90+ PLUS in both 10th and 12th Standard and a 75%+ in my Graduation..
· Your academic profile is great – you must try and do extremely well at the GMAT – aim at a base of 700+ as a score. The Indian applicant pool is a highly competitive one – coupled with fantastic GMAT scores, if you are to compete, that becomes a necessary pre-requisite.

As far as Extra-currics go< i have been a drummer for a rock bandand a debator throughout school and college.. and also held various positions in clubs and societies throughout my academic life..
· Cool – all of the above can be highlighted in your essaysJ

I want to prepare my profile meticulously.. which is why I want to know if I MUST change my SOftware job to set myself apart.. or are there things I can do to get myself an International MBA Admit by doing certain things to spice up my profile by remaining in the mould of an Indian IT Engineer..

The fact that I am not particularly fond of my job must be mentioned here... but thats another story..
· Give me your perspective on your line of thought – how do you intend going about the entire application process….what are your ideas regarding sprucing up your profile – let me know and I’ll be glad to share my views on the sameJ

[orientalkhichdi]

Hi Sanket,

Like I said earlier – of course you have the WOW factor in your profileJ
Then again your profile can also be as WOW as you package it – but given the fact that you have achieved so much in so little time definitely adds volume to your application. You just need to get it fabulously right in your essays.
Also, the average age of admittance into US schools is lower than that in Europe – added to which you wil be applying in a few years time – that gives you the added advantage of investing in worthwhile experience and time to plan out the entire app. Process – great going!

As far as additional highlights in an application – to count a few, these are:

• Team management & leadership skills
• International experience
• The kind of work and projects that you have been involved with – the scope of the project and your contribution. This is something you might probably want to keep in mind – a conscious effort to be involved in projects you think you would gainfully benefit from and at the same time build on a strong base
• Recommendations

Career-wise you’ve progressed well, acads & extra-cirrics are strong – now go get that 700+ score and decide on your choice of schools based on your goals and intent – then get cracking on the essays & recos – get the last 2 pieces right & you have a strong chance at being thereJ

[amithar]

Thanks a ton for your reply! ..

I will put things in order and get back on this thread. Am also sending you a message which briefly state my profile..

Thanks again for all the inputs... It's helping me channelize my own thinking as well..!

[Abhi_Insane]

orientalkhichdi,

I am a candidate who is interested in apping to IMD, but I not very sure if I will have a fighting chance or not.

Can u please evaluate my profile(I know there goes a lotta stuff into essays and recos),but atleast I will have an'on paper' feedback from somebody who has done it.

Age: 26.
Qual: B.Tech from N.I.T(R.E.C),Bhopal in '03.
Career: 3.8 yrs. 4 .2 at the time of joining(if at all)
1) Software engg in HCL Tech for 2 yrs.
2) Tech Consultant at AT&T for the next 1 yr.
3)Business Analyst at RAZORSIGHT Soft for the last 8 months.

GMAT : 720.
Extar currilcular:
Lots in college......
Tachnical societies.(DRISHTANT and ISTE)0
Tech event Organiser: Technosearch ( for all yrs)
College Badminton and Lawn tennis teams.
Tech presentatins and 1st prize once.

Social service: I have been associated with a social org for the past 7 yrs working and helping ppl in education.

Recos: I will have them from my Director, Prod engg and Product Manager.

Do u think that I can have a fighting chance this year. or should i wait for another yr. I personally think that I am rady but then I want to be realistic as well.

Can u please suggest me a few gud colls which i shud app for: Europe and Us r the only places that i am luking for. I do not want to compromise(Asia/Aus)....Thannx in advance

[orientalkhichdi]

Hi Abhi,

Sorry about the delay in replying - was out of station trying to recoup from delhi heat:-)

As for your profile & IMD - yup you definitely have a chance - but maybe it's a good idea for about 2-3 years before applying. You'll enjoy and gain from the experience in a far more enriching manner than now.

My advice is that you should concentrate on solid work right now & wait for about 3 years prior to applying to any school & specifically IMD.

If you want to apply early, then apply to the schools in US - they are more open to younger candidates - but the choice of schools will be entirely dependant on what your long-term objectives are.
Let me know what these are & maybe I can suggest a few schools which fit your profile.

Cheers!

[bsriram]

Hi All,
I am only half way through my preparation for GMAT..
Please tell me what time the admissions open for most of the B-Schools..By how much can I delay taking the test so that I have sufficient time for applying to the B-Schools?
I am planning to apply for S.P. Jain, NUS, Nanyang Business School, Great Lakes and Asian Institute of Mgmt..
PLEASE HELP...

[VivekSu]

orientalkhichdi,
Congratulations on your IMD admit.
I would like to thank you for creating this thread. Your responses have helped my overall understanding of the thought process of a b-school adcom.
Simultaneously, your personal experience regarding the successful implementation of a holistic approach has been a cheering read.

I would request your assistance on the basis of the following 4 points:

1. After studying the IMD intake class of 2006, it is clear that the work experience requirement is around 5 yrs. I also noticed that only 2 people out of 90 received admits with 4 or fewer years work ex.

I have 4 years of work ex.

2. Further, ALL the admits are from large or medium sized MNC's.

I have worked as an entrepreneur for one year running a successful manufacturing unit which I had to close due to a policy change in land-use. Thereafter, I have been a part of my family business for 3 years where I have essayed a significant role focused on business development in information systems, audit/accounting and HR processes.

3. However, I am looking for a career switch to management consulting and/or strategy and I think that IMD can provide the network and the academic / peer environment to push my growth to the next level.

4. Please also note that I have plans to apply to the US b-schools and LBS come September. However, I would prefer a 1-yr program starting ASAP and I would like to experience Europe as a student and an executive. (I have completed my bachelor's in the US in Mech Engg.)

Even though I am quite confident about my abilities, I do not feel that I am a good fit based on the two above-mentioned career facts.
Therefore, in your considered opinion, should I apply to IMD for Jan 2008 with the August Deadline, Round 4?
Please feel free to add any remarks that can help me.

I have not been using forums as a pool of knowledge. I have only recently discovered them as a rich source of opinion both objective and subjective.
To this end, I feel that people like you who extend a helping hand to the "freshers" should be encouraged and thanked as much as possible.

So, thanks for taking this positive step and helping us, both of you.