[orientalkhichdi]

School admissions for all the US & Europe top schools starts in September for the session staring next year Sept.

Only IMD & INSEAD in the top schools has a Jan session and their the admission process starts in Feb..

Pertaining to your choice of schools I am not to sure. You would need to check the school websites, but my guess is their admission process also starts in Sept.

All the luck & bon voyage..

[orientalkhichdi]

Vivek,

I think you are a great profile for any school. So I am quite sure any school would be more than happy having you as a part of their school since you would bring the element of diversity in the class...

Ok my advice - IMD has already selected 4 Indians in the first 3 rounds. They generally select around 5-6 so your chances might be on lower side if you were to apply in the August batch.. but will add a disclamer to that one - if you believe you have it in you (which I think you do) and can write great essays - Please apply now.. no reason to wait..

I applied to both LBS & IMD - knowing my score was low.. but I made it to both.. so you can take that punt..

It would be easier for me to add to my advice - if you were to give me the following details -

- GMAT Score & undergrad performance,
- which Univ in the US did you study at..
- What vertical is your family business involved in.. and how big is the set up

Pertaining to making a shift to MC / Startegy roles in global firms - my choice of schools (its my area of interest also) would be the following -

US

Harvard
Wharton
Kellogg
Chicago
Haas
Ross
Tuck
Fuqua
Darden

Europe

IMD
LBS
INSEAD

This was my pecking order.. Though I only applied to 3 in this list due to my score.. So if you have not taken your GMAT yet.. Please get a great score.. will make things very easy for you..

All the best..

[coolr]

Hi,

Thanks for taking the time out to help others!

I am working with a top Indian software firm for last 6 years. My exp is with only only one client and that too only in maintenance of old technology applications in one area. Though I have progressed decently in career (from offshore developer role to onsite team lead role). Needless to say, I am bored with this job but I had to stay in this as I had some personal reasons. Now if I apply to IT firms, I don't have a good background as there is no technology or development experience. I can't take up a technical role nor a managerial role.

To get out of this and to improve my job chances, I am planning to do MBA. I am married and have a kid and can't afford MC/IB lifestyle. All I want is a good corporate job. I don't mind being back to IT company, but the job should be better than project management.

Based on these, I think one year MBA would be sufficient. Do you think I have a good enough chance for IMD? It's app process is very time taking, and I don't want to spend too much time if I don't have a chance (mainly because there are quite a few Indian IT guys with better experience and profile applying to IMD).

Stats -
B.Tech Mech, IIT, IT exp 6+ years (3 in India, 3 in US)
GMAT 750+

[orientalkhichdi]

Coolr,

Brilliant profile mate.. You fit the IMD & INSEAD profile to the "T".. Please apply to both the schools.. In the One year programs I would also suggest the Cornell 12 Month option and also LBS (it has an 15 month option - though in total you would be spending arnd 17 months) but its also very good - I also chose this at LBS :-)

Please don't look at any other school within the 1 - year programs... With your profile and score - I would also suggest you apply to 2 other schools namely Harvard & Stanford. You might be thinking why am I saying this.. But I surely believe - you have a chance...

It will just mean for all these 6 schools - you will need to write a great story.. so your essays need to be great.. and also hopefully because you have been in one firm for so long - you will get great recos.

I understand you don't want the MC / IB lifestyle.. all these schools will get you great jobs in industry .. so be rest assured you will be at a great school..

I too am married.. so I can understand how important it is to make the right decision at this stage..and I am sure you will..

PM - me your mail id.. will send you my phone no.. I would like to speak to you..

Rgds,
Sonal

[VivekSu]

Oriental Khichdi,
Thanks for your prompt reply. I would like to add a few more details as you requested.
Academics:
I have a GMAT score of 710, which amounts to 94 percentile.
I studied at Ohio State University in the Mech Engg Dept which is in the Top-15 in the US.
Further, I have an engg GPA of 3.43
Work Experience:
My father's firm has an annual turnover of INR 30.00 Cr with 450 employees and three locations.
My firm had a turnover of INR 61.00 Lac and 9 employees.
Business Facts:
We are involved in the manufacturing industry and have a nationwide network of 80 business partners and over 2000 dealers.
Work Experience:
As an employee:1. General Manager-Head Office
Overall functioning of the location. Human Resource processes for all 15 employees and Salary Disbursement firm-wide.
2. Information Systems
Sole-in-charge of MIS reporting and ERP implementation.
3. Deputy Accounts Manager
Lead Liason with the Central Excise Dept with annual Duty of INR 3.00 Cr
Sole-in-charge of all statutory reporting and audit, including extensive interaction with legal and regulatory bodies as well as respective lawyers and consultants.

As an entrepreneur
Manufacturing firm with sale of 200-250 machines per month pan-India.
All key business initiatives handled personally.

I hope the above information will help you provide me an opinion in terms of "good fit". Specifically, the length of the work ex and the exposure to the MNC/Corporate world.

(I know I might be pushing my luck a little here!) I wanted to ask for some advice on INSEAD interview's and/or Personal interview's in general. I have been lucky enough to be pre-selected for the interview process.

I have noticed that a lot of people have been getting advice from you. Its been very informative to read about them and their rich experiences. I wish all of them the best of luck.
Thanks Again.

Vivek

[orientalkhichdi]

Dear Vivek,

First up I think your profile is great...

Academics:
I have a GMAT score of 710, which amounts to 94 percentile.
I studied at Ohio State University in the Mech Engg Dept which is in the Top-15 in the US.
Further, I have an engg GPA of 3.43

Your Acads & GMAT score seem are just right, so you have nothing to worry about in this dept.

Work Experience:
My father's firm has an annual turnover of INR 30.00 Cr with 450 employees and three locations.
My firm had a turnover of INR 61.00 Lac and 9 employees.

You & your father are fairly large entrepreneurs. My take is - schools would love your kind of profile. Please apply to Stanford & IMD - sell your story extremely well you have a definite chance.

Business Facts:
We are involved in the manufacturing industry and have a nationwide network of 80 business partners and over 2000 dealers.
Work Experience:
As an employee:1. General Manager-Head Office
Overall functioning of the location. Human Resource processes for all 15 employees and Salary Disbursement firm-wide.
2. Information Systems
Sole-in-charge of MIS reporting and ERP implementation.
3. Deputy Accounts Manager
Lead Liason with the Central Excise Dept with annual Duty of INR 3.00 Cr
Sole-in-charge of all statutory reporting and audit, including extensive interaction with legal and regulatory bodies as well as respective lawyers and consultants.

As an entrepreneur
Manufacturing firm with sale of 200-250 machines per month pan-India.
All key business initiatives handled personally.

Just makes me go "WOW" .. This is genuine feedback, you have a great profile. You just need to write great essays.. which I think you have done so, since you have got a call from INSEAD -. Just carry on with that trend for all your other applications.. I hope you make INSEAD this time itself and I am sure you will :-), you have a cracker of a profile for them.. just manage the interviews well.

I hope the above information will help you provide me an opinion in terms of "good fit". Specifically, the length of the work ex and the exposure to the MNC/Corporate world.

Yes, you have a great fit. I would have suggested to work for a year more. But then if you feel this is the right time, then it is the right time..

(I know I might be pushing my luck a little here!) I wanted to ask for some advice on INSEAD interview's and/or Personal interview's in general. I have been lucky enough to be pre-selected for the interview process.

Oh yes sure I can give you a few pointers on what to do and not do in an interview ...PM me your phone no - will call you up..

At INSEAD you generally have 2 Alumni interviews, sometimes its only 1. Would like to discuss the interview process on phone

I have noticed that a lot of people have been getting advice from you. Its been very informative to read about them and their rich experiences. I wish all of them the best of luck.

Thanks for the words of encouragement..

Thanks Again.

Vivek

[orientalkhichdi]

Well the verdict in LBS is also in - just managed to successfully convert my waitlist status into an admit:-)

But IMD it is...

well the loans from IMD and IDBI have been approved respectively, visa has been initiated and now it's just a matter of days till we see ourselves in Lausanne next year:-)

[VivekSu]

very glad to hear the good news of the conversion and the final decision.
All the best to you and thanks for your help!
Vivek

[AWAKE RISE LEAD]

Hi OK,
Congrats!!
I have applied for the Aug 1 deadline. (I know its a bit late in the day for Indians)
Would appreciate your views on the chances.
GMAT 720 (90/90)
10 Y+ Workex in premium FMCG MNC in sales & distribution mgmt in manager capacity.
Good career progression ( 3 promotions, 15X of starting salary, working with top3 Indian b school folks.
Below average acads in the final years.
Decent extracurriculars in sports.
married with kid.
Want to be a leader who can be impactful and lead change for the better.
Regards
ARL

[orientalkhichdi]

Thanks for the wishes..

Before I can comment on the profile -

Would just like to understand - what exactly are you doing at the firm you work.. since if after 10 yrs of experience if you are still a Manager - I would like to understand the hierarchy of your firm and how senior is a manager..also if you in S&D -do you handle a region and how big is your team..

just working with guys from the IIMs does not make difference to the Ad Com.. since some of the guys who make IMD are already ex -IIM..so thats not a differentiator..

Also do you have International experience??

Why don't you call me.. I will message you my number via PM..

Rgds,
OK