[jk1984]

Hi Jennifer,

Great thing you're doing here. I'd appreciate if you could look at my profile as well.

By the time of matriculation next year:

Profile:
Pakistani Male.
Grew up, studied and worked in the Middle East (all my life).
Age: 25
GMAT: 690

Education:
Bachelors in computer engineering from top university in the Middle East.
GPA 3.65/4.00. Graduated with Honors.

Work:
Financial analyst in the Investment department at one of the largest companies in the Middle East.
I'm a career changer, I shifted to finance myself (self-taught). Job includes equity research, financial modeling etc.

I also learnt graphics design and photoshop as my employer needed it for reports and software. Many examples of initiatives, leadership. I have made investments in millions of US$, helped developed a custom portfolio management system etc. I lead upto 4 people on certain projects.

Extracurricular:
I am the chairman of the Technology Committee for the CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) Arabia Society. (lots of leadership, communication and teamwork examples here). (Sitting for CFA this december)

Hobbies:
Photoshop/design, basketball, soccer

Goals:
Get into Mgt Consulting or IB. Eventually move into PE/VC.

What kind of schools can i get into? What would be my dream, ideal and safety schools (from the top 15 US + LBS & Insead)?

Would they put me in the Indian male pool or Middle Eastern pool or some separate Pakistani pool?

What can I do to improve my profile (excluding gmat)?

[vingman]

Hi Jennifer,
Thanks a million for ushering in confidence to us folks who are facing challenges in every step of application procedure
Below given is my profile
Engg Grad [Electronics and communication]
Career Path
Total Work Ex – 5.5yrs [by jan’09] (totally in telecom – Non IT)
Current job profile
2.5years (on jan’09) at one of the largest telecom MNC
Network design TEAM LEAD [leading a nine member team]
--- handling project with budget size of about 200mil USD
--- youngest team lead in the network
--- developed a team from scratch by carefully handpicking professionals from varied background and put on track an efficient system amidst turbulent working environment
--- technical consultant who is first line of contact to the customer.
Presently working on an entrepreneurial idea and will soon be on the roll.
Long term Career Goal --- Entrepreneur
Extracurricular Activities
1. Core team member in a youth volunteer network [ the organization aims to teach spoken English and computers across orphanages in India]
Selected for ‘youth leader’ and best orphanage head awards within system. Instrumental in organizing PR , HR and fundraising acitivities
2. Active Tennis player – Club level tournament winner and presently playing at state level.
3. National and State level quiz competition winner at college level.
GMAT Score – 680 [AWA 5, V 70% Q 85%]
My Major setbacks ---
1. Zero international Work ex except that of constant interaction with peers at Finland Germany and Singapore.
2. Unable to obtain reco from direct line manager as he is too new to evaluate my professional career. Hence I’m sticking on to recos from Ex boss and the president of voluntary organization [ the organization which aims to teach spoken English and computers across orphanages in India], as they are better judges of me than anybody else.
My Queries
1. Im targeting global top 30 schools. My primary targets are
a. TUCK
b. CHICAGO GSB
c. FUQUA
d. DARDEN
e. STERN
f. INSEAD
g. HEC FRANCE
h. IESE
i. IMD
j. TEXAS A&M
k. TEPPER
l. ROSS
m. KENNAN FLAGLER
n. MCCOMBS
o. JOHNSON
Is my profile strong/competent enough to help me get thru to my dreams schools. If I’m unfit for the above , could u pls suggest some schools which u feel will be the perfect fit for me.
2. Will I be able to offset the lack of international exposure with my good academic background, community service and current job profile.
3. Will my recos [as they are not from direct line manager] work against my candidature? Should I use the optional essay to explain this to the school or will they overlook this and the same is not worth special mention?
OR
Are my choices of recommenders strong enough to bolster my candidature?
Thanks a lot.

[Accepted]

Originally Posted by jk1984

Hi Jennifer,

Great thing you're doing here. I'd appreciate if you could look at my profile as well.

By the time of matriculation next year:

Profile:
Pakistani Male.
Grew up, studied and worked in the Middle East (all my life).
Age: 25
GMAT: 690

Education:
Bachelors in computer engineering from top university in the Middle East.
GPA 3.65/4.00. Graduated with Honors.

Work:
Financial analyst in the Investment department at one of the largest companies in the Middle East.
I'm a career changer, I shifted to finance myself (self-taught). Job includes equity research, financial modeling etc.

I also learnt graphics design and photoshop as my employer needed it for reports and software. Many examples of initiatives, leadership. I have made investments in millions of US$, helped developed a custom portfolio management system etc. I lead upto 4 people on certain projects.

Extracurricular:
I am the chairman of the Technology Committee for the CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) Arabia Society. (lots of leadership, communication and teamwork examples here). (Sitting for CFA this december)

Hobbies:
Photoshop/design, basketball, soccer

Goals:
Get into Mgt Consulting or IB. Eventually move into PE/VC.

What kind of schools can i get into? What would be my dream, ideal and safety schools (from the top 15 US + LBS & Insead)?

Would they put me in the Indian male pool or Middle Eastern pool or some separate Pakistani pool?

What can I do to improve my profile (excluding gmat)?

Hi, JK. I would need more information and details to make a full assessment, but your background in finance does seem strong. My questions are in how long you have been in finance (since you mentioned switching from another industry) and what impact you've made (you mentioned an amount invested but not any client-facing experience nor the impact of those investments).

I believe you would be placed in the Pakistani pool - compared to other Pakistanis - unless you have citizenship in another country (which you also didn't mention), but I believe you would be a strong applicant because of the international finance background. If you are able to prove those leadership and financial abilities - more challenging than just listing teams you've led and amounts you have invested - then, I do believe your chances would be good at the top global finance MBA programs.

Regards,
Jennifer Bloom, CPRW
jbloom@accepted.com
Accepted - Helping you write your best!

[Accepted]

JK,
I realize I should have provided you some additional resources to help you distinguish yourself from the rest of the investment banking applicants. Accepted.com has a wealth of resources in this field, including free online articles and even an ebook with detailed advice specifically on how to do this well plus other guidance for preparing your applications in general. Be sure to make use of these resources to guide you through the application maze!

Regards,
Jennifer Bloom, CPRW
jbloom@accepted.com
Accepted - Helping you write your best!

[Accepted]

Originally Posted by vingman

Hi Jennifer,
Thanks a million for ushering in confidence to us folks who are facing challenges in every step of application procedure
Below given is my profile
Engg Grad [Electronics and communication]
Career Path
Total Work Ex – 5.5yrs [by jan’09] (totally in telecom – Non IT)
Current job profile
2.5years (on jan’09) at one of the largest telecom MNC
Network design TEAM LEAD [leading a nine member team]
--- handling project with budget size of about 200mil USD
--- youngest team lead in the network
--- developed a team from scratch by carefully handpicking professionals from varied background and put on track an efficient system amidst turbulent working environment
--- technical consultant who is first line of contact to the customer.
Presently working on an entrepreneurial idea and will soon be on the roll.
Long term Career Goal --- Entrepreneur
Extracurricular Activities
1. Core team member in a youth volunteer network [ the organization aims to teach spoken English and computers across orphanages in India]
Selected for ‘youth leader’ and best orphanage head awards within system. Instrumental in organizing PR , HR and fundraising acitivities
2. Active Tennis player – Club level tournament winner and presently playing at state level.
3. National and State level quiz competition winner at college level.
GMAT Score – 680 [AWA 5, V 70% Q 85%]
My Major setbacks ---
1. Zero international Work ex except that of constant interaction with peers at Finland Germany and Singapore.
2. Unable to obtain reco from direct line manager as he is too new to evaluate my professional career. Hence I’m sticking on to recos from Ex boss and the president of voluntary organization [ the organization which aims to teach spoken English and computers across orphanages in India], as they are better judges of me than anybody else.
My Queries
1. Im targeting global top 30 schools. My primary targets are
a. TUCK
b. CHICAGO GSB
c. FUQUA
d. DARDEN
e. STERN
f. INSEAD
g. HEC FRANCE
h. IESE
i. IMD
j. TEXAS A&M
k. TEPPER
l. ROSS
m. KENNAN FLAGLER
n. MCCOMBS
o. JOHNSON
Is my profile strong/competent enough to help me get thru to my dreams schools. If I’m unfit for the above , could u pls suggest some schools which u feel will be the perfect fit for me.
2. Will I be able to offset the lack of international exposure with my good academic background, community service and current job profile.
3. Will my recos [as they are not from direct line manager] work against my candidature? Should I use the optional essay to explain this to the school or will they overlook this and the same is not worth special mention?
OR
Are my choices of recommenders strong enough to bolster my candidature?
Thanks a lot.

Hi, Vingman. Unfortunately, I don't feel I have enough information to determine your school choices. So far your role in telecom sounds very technical and not very business oriented - but the schools you listed are seeking professionals who are guiding the directions of their companies, not just designing their technical components. Your application would need to show how you are already making that type of management impact with critical details (see tip #5 here).

As an Indian applicant, I suggest that your GMAT be higher than the average of the schools to which you are applying. I am afraid that your 680 doesn't outrank the averages at the schools you listed. Tuck's was over 710, UNC's was over 680, and Johnson's was 680. I recommend you retake the GMAT and boost your score.

In terms of the recommendations, I agree that you should choose a manager who knows your well and has seen your development over time. If that means that you don't submit a letter from your current manager, that is fine. You may take a couple of lines to explain that in most applications - though I wouldn't waste a whole Optional Essay on it.

The key to offsetting low international experience is to demonstrate cultural adaptability and interaction. So be sure to show how your interactions with the Fins, Germans, and Singaporeans have been challenging and how you overcame those challenges.

Best of luck,
Jennifer Bloom, CPRW
jbloom@accepted.com
Accepted - Helping you write your best!

[jk1984]

Hi Jennifer,

I'll have 3 years of finance experience by the time I start with programming and IT stuff spread inbetween depending on the project.

I work on the buy side so we're usually the clients. I also lead a team in publishing finance reports or a daily basis.

I helped develop portfolio management systems, financial models, took initiative to redevelop their research reports. I have enough leadership, teamwork and initiative examples for the essays.

I have also been accepted to UNC/CMU/McCombs level schools last year but I opted not to go. Could you please provide advice on what schools I should apply to (geared towards finance and consulting) from the top 15 schools? What would be my dream and ideal schools? I could send my CV if you'd like.

And thanks for the resources. I'll be sure to check them out in detail.

[sandy_venkat]

Hi Jennifer,

Thanks a lot for helping us all out in this tough admission process...I really appreciate it..

Could you please let me know which all top 20 schools in US are good in operations
management and/or supply chain management? I know that MIT sloan and CMU tepper are good. ANy idea about others?

Am planning to apply to sloan, tepper, ross, tuck, isb, emory, duke, darden (the last two are an option). Do u suggest any other schools??

When i look at employment stats of top schools such as ross etc, i notice that they place only around 1 to 2 % of thier class in OM. SImilarly the other top schools also don't seem to have a higher number of grads going into the OM Line.

My profile:

Im an IT guy. Have around 3 years of work ex. Was in the financial domain (Mostly mortgage banking ...1.4 yrs and 6 months in IB) most of the time.

I wanted to get into the operations and manufacturing domain. Now atlast i am in the domain that ive wanted to get into. For this, i've had to change my company. This is the 2nd company im working for. I was with my first company for around 2.7 yrs. I did not see myself going into the line that i wanted to over there. My aspirations were not met. So i quit.

I have joined the new one this feb. Ive been in this domain for around 4 months. WHile applying i would have around 8 months in this domain. I am in the auto sector in the manufacturing domain. My client is one of the top auto companies in the US. I like the auto line and would like to continue in that line. I fall into the supply part of the project. I want to learn and grow in this domain.

I have already taken my gmat. Ive score 710. Ive got a balanced score in maths and english. iI scored more than 85 percetile in both sections. I have a 4.5 on the AWA (Would this score of AWA be a concern?)

I have a decent academic record.
10 --> 75 %
12 --> 80 %
Engg (electronics and commn) --> 84 %

Extracurricular --> I play the guitar, i learn french (would be completing the 2nd level by august). I have presented a few papers during m coll and have won a few accolades.

NGO Stuff --> Was doing my bit for the community last year for around 5-6 months...I got a certificate from the top mgmt in my prev comany as i was one among the chosen 10 volunteers for NGOs in about 1000 guys who work in the pune branch of my company.

I had to change companies. SO could not continue...Would be taking it up again this year..

What all do u think do i need to improve in my profile so that i stand a chance to get an admit from the top 10-15 schools?

Ive heard that there are no great openings (especially in operations) for international students in areas other than finance and consulting and that one has to network a lot to get into these other areas...Is this true?

Also, is an international work ex a must, to have a chance of making to these top b schools??

Also, how good is the idea of applying to the top schools (eg wharton, chicago, columbia etc, who are not very well known for OM), graduate from them in OM and try to get into companies in the OM field? Is that possible? This point was just a though i wanted to put across.

Eagerly looking forward to your response...

Cheers,

[Accepted]

Originally Posted by jk1984

Hi Jennifer,

I'll have 3 years of finance experience by the time I start with programming and IT stuff spread inbetween depending on the project.

I work on the buy side so we're usually the clients. I also lead a team in publishing finance reports or a daily basis.

I helped develop portfolio management systems, financial models, took initiative to redevelop their research reports. I have enough leadership, teamwork and initiative examples for the essays.

I have also been accepted to UNC/CMU/McCombs level schools last year but I opted not to go. Could you please provide advice on what schools I should apply to (geared towards finance and consulting) from the top 15 schools? What would be my dream and ideal schools? I could send my CV if you'd like.

And thanks for the resources. I'll be sure to check them out in detail.

Hello again, JK. Your GMAT of 690 is just a little lower than I like to see for the top 15 programs, but as a Pakistani perhaps it will matter less. The key to earning a place in the top global finance programs: LBS, INSEAD, HBS, Wharton, Columbia, Kellogg, Chicago, MIT, UCLA, and NYU is to demonstrate that you are an insightful leader who makes an impact. This means leading teams that have to answer to you and those that don't. It also means more than the technical financial analyses and report generation.

Regards,
Jennifer Bloom, CPRW
jbloom@accepted.com
Accepted - Helping you write your best!

[anandg23]

hi jennifer
I have recently got an admit to CUHK. I have info regarding the program and i have also done quite a bit of homework regarding the program before accepting it. I want to a couple of clarifications -
1) How good is doing an MBA from HK in the current scenario considering that the world economy is not playing well.
2) I have gone thru the placement details of CUHK but havent been able to find out properly abt. if you can share some light on it, it will be gr8.
My majors is going to be in Finance cum Investment Banking.


Thanks,
Anand

[Accepted]

All Indian students considering applying to the Stanford MBA program should check out the new Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship. The scholarship covers everything for up to 5 Indian students to attend Stanford, and the top 50 finalists for the Fellowship will even receive a break on applying – taking the GMAT and submitting Stanford's application for free. The Fellowship's application process has already begun and registration will end on July 15, so if you are considering applying to Stanford this year, be sure to complete the application soon.

Successful Fellowship applicants will need to demonstrate excellent academics and commitment to India's development. The Fellowship application is short, asking for test scores, a CV, and only one short essay of 250 words or less: "How do you aspire to shape India's future?" Two-hundred and fifty words are not a lot, so I recommend that your past leadership experiences be detailed well in the CV to leave this brief essay solely to your vision for the future: In what areas do you plan to make the greatest headway? How do you plan to undertake that effort? What goals do you hope to reach and how do you plan to help India reach them within the next 10 to 20 years? Obviously, goals that are based upon previous experiences and involvement will strike the Fellowship's review committee as the most authentic, so take the time to identify what areas of development are truly the most important in your eyes and share your passion through this essay. Once the top 50 finalists for the Fellowship are selected, they will proceed to complete the regular Stanford application.

As an editor with Accepted for 10 years and a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW), I have gained great experience in crafting CV's and essays that truly differentiate applicants from the rest of the very driven applicant pool. If you would like help with your Fellowship application, please consider Accepted's editing services for both your CV and essay.

Regards,
Jennifer Bloom, CPRW
jbloom@accepted.com
Accepted - Helping you write your best!