Ask Jennifer@Accepted.com: Application-writing advice for the best global B-schools

[arunsdevine]

Hi Jennifer!

Would sending a document detailing the plans for fulfilling my vision along with my application, enhance my chances of admission? Assuming that the quality of the plan is pretty good, of course!
Inevitably, the document would contain details of a big hole where the mba program would fit in!

Also, the following is my profile:

GMAT: 700/4.5
U.G: B.E - 3.8 GPA - NIT Surathkal (Top 10 college in India)
Indian/IT/Male
8 Months International Experience
Extra Curriculars: In College: Multiple instances of managing about 7-10 people to organize certain events.
Learning French.
Work Experience: 2 years (now); Trying for 2009.

At Work: No Managerial experience. But I have conducted motivated and trained my team mates to improve their creativity, which is starting to show results. I expect the manager to vouch for the quality of this initiative.

What would be my chances at Europe's Top 10-15 if i am trying for programs starting in Fall '09? What are the kind of things I should consider to improve my chances?

[Accepted]

Originally Posted by ploneman

Hi Jennifer,

Reading this thread has been really insightful and I look forward to some insightful comments from you.

I am an MBA aspirant. I am keenly looking at the top schools in the US because of the kind of work they have been doing in the social/non-profit sector and the availability of loan forgiveness programs which allow me to get back to the non-profit sector once i am through.

My profile : Male/26

Academic History
X = 85.2%
X11 = 74.4%
B.Tech Comp Sc, 2004 = 68.3%

I was recently selected for a very prestigious international fellowship offered to emerging leaders in the Social Sector (10 of us were selected from an applicant pool of close to 300 accomplished individuals from 34 countries.) I am one of the youngest (one of the first Indians) and the only one this year without a graduate degree to be selected for this fellowship. To give you a flavor of the competition my co-fellows (and previous fellows) hold advanced degrees from Stanford, HEC, LSE, Yale, Columbia, Wharton apart from having significantly greater number of years of work-ex and international exposure.

I plan to attend one of the top US b-schools, given my focus on non-profits and development. I have a clear goal that some time soon I want to head a global social enterprise. I have given my GMAT and scored a 700 (QA 49/89%, VA 35/75%, AWA 4.5)

I have played football (for my univ and college), volley ball and table tennis for my college and have a decent extra-curricular record! (Was active during school too - I am a president scout, the highest honor a scout can get in India, Been the school captain and represented the school in Football, Table tennis, quizzes, theater, debates etc)

And even with my very hectic travel schedules I still volunteer with the orphanages I had started out with.

With my average academics in college, can i target stanford, harvard, wharton, kellogg etc?


Thank you.

Yes, Ploneman, I do feel that you can target the top schools because of your unique background. Do not make the mistake of even discussing your IT work in your essays; it is irrelevant to your future in social entrepreneurship and, therefore, irrelevant to your application. Instead, focus on how you motivate companies and volunteers, how you lead your organizations to make an impact, and what business skills and knowledge you need to do that on a broader level.

While I do believe you have a strong chance with the top programs, I would also recommend that you apply to a broader range of programs. While most programs offer at least a course or two in social entrepreneurship, Duke's Fuqua, Oxford's Said, Berkeley's Haas, NYU's Stern, Indiana's Kelley plus lesser-known programs like Cardiff (in the UK) all have larger Social Entrepreneurship courses/curricula. Check out Fortune magazine's ranking of Social Entrepreneurship programs for more ideas.

Regards,
Jennifer Bloom, CPRW
Accepted - helping you write your best!

From pre-application consulting and strategizing to essay and letter of recommendation editing, resumes, mock interviews, and wait-list tactics - we guide you through the application maze.

[tank_I]

hi jennifer !

I found the thread very informative and appreciate your invaluable advice to fellow aspirants. Can you take a look at my profile ?




10th 93.6% cbse
12th 85% cbse (do they count newhere in the app ?)
Lotsa school level cerificates - NTSE , Maths /physics/chem olympiads, Appreciation for CBSE 10th performance from the Prime minister etc (Do these count ?)

Integrated M.Tech in Mathematics n Computing from IIT Delhi-GPA 5.8
(does a 5 yr. integ masters count as a masters and is it in ne way helpful ?)

Work-ex (26 mths as of date)
* 8 mths in a leading analytics company working in CPG domain for Procter and Gamble - building marketing mix models.

* 18 mths in an outsourcing startup (big names) - Work ranging from analytics to product development to operations support in consumer banking Risk Management. Includes two 3 month onsite stints @ 2 of the top 5 US Consumer banks.
Have delivered some good projects including a Fraud Risk Management project that has been implemented and is set to save the client more than $1MM every quarter.
Currently working in the US Subprime Mortgage division of a bank (Right in the middle of the Storm).

Have done 3 summer internships while in college - in Spain, South Korea n Denmark (do they add value in terms of cultural/int'l exposure ? I have gone backpacking through most of Europe)

Recommendations: 1. Direct Supervisor - with over 30 yrs experience in Indian and Int'l Banking
2. Client VP in a top US Bank (is there a way to leverage the profile of the recommender in the recommendation forms or the optional essays ?)

Community Service: Some work in the field of education for children from economically backward families.
Extra Currics: Avg in college / some work in event organisation (A talent hunt competition) in my hometown.
Languages - Korean (elementary, took a 2 mth course while I ws in Korea), Spanish (picked up from everyday use while I was in Spain and I do listen to spanish music and watch spanish movies a lot, so tht helps), bengali (no bong connection , learnt it in shchool) - Does portrayin as being multi-lingual to an extent help in ne way ?

Expectations - Frankly am yet to decide on whether I am looking for a consulting career or a fin career, and I want to use MBA as an opportunity to help me decide(can this sorta reasoning be helpful or will it show lack of direction ?). Long term career interests -entrepreneurship in India

GMAT - Scheduled for 29th July

The schools that I am looking forward to are
Realistic
1. Tuck
2. Chicago
3. Columbia
Safety
1. Cornell
2. Duke
3. ISB
4. Judge
Stretch(If I crack GMAT 770 + kinds)
1. Harvard
2. Wharton



PS: I am planning to apply R1. Is that Ok or will a R2 (will help me add more work-ex to my story) be better?

[ajsin]

hi, im from india,i have 15 years of education . a 3 year b.a in economics and 3 years of work ex. do i need 16 years of education to apply to the states,
i will be applying in round one for august intake. please let me know asap
and if so what options do i have to complete 16 years of education cheers

[sonofagun]

Hi Jennifer,

Could you give a heads-up on my profile. Thanks.

I am an indian applicant and am aiming for Harvard, Stanford, Tuck, Chicago, Cambridge, IMD and INSEAD. I plan to make a career switch - post my MBA i plan to start my second career as a consultant and later would like to come back to India to work in a general management role.
I have done a MBA earlier and have 5 years of post MBA work-experience in an Indian blue-chip company and a global healthcare major.

I have been fortunate enough (due to my earlier MBA) to lead large teams from day one of my professional career and my work-ex has been in rural business (a very innovative business model followed by an indian company) and in sales of medical products. In both the above companies i have been a part of start-up divisions and hence have gathered varied functional exposure (recruitment, training, sales, marketing, business development) and had loads of fun

I have won several awards at work and have enough leadership experience and successes (no awards during school and undergrad, though I have secured an "A" grade throughout my academic career). I was recently promoted and made a few mistakes that would be worth writing about in some of the essays

Currently I am working in India for a healthcare major in a middle management sales position. I intend to apply this year. I have following extracurriculars:
Community development - worked with NGOs to build check dams, adult literacy program and adopted 2 rural schools (raised money from my current company and ran the mumbai marathon to raise pledges in support of my initiative). I captain my company cricket team and am also one of the founder members of the sports club. Besides the above, I have found a youth forum in college and am an alumnus of AIESEC (an international youth forum)

Why a second MBA: a) to get an intl outlook - an opportunity to interact with people from different parts of the world and learn from diversity. b)For career switch to consulting. c) To convert my weakness - lack of international exposure - to strength

My GMAT score is 690 (AWA - 5.5). I have negligible international work ex, though my current company has given me adequate exposure to work in a very diverse and challenging environment

Thanks for your help.

[thunder3k]

Hi Jennifer,

I am aspiring for a MBA from a top notch international B School. I would appreciate your advice on where i stand in the
crowd. My profile is briefed below:
1) GMAT - 710 (V:35,M:50,AWA:5) taken sept'07
2) TOEFL - 106 taken oct'07
3) UG GPA - 9/10 in B.Tech computer science & engg from top 25 institution in India.
4) PG GPA - Expecting in few month. Completed the part time MS Software Engg from Top 7 institution in India- Corporate
sponsorship.
5) Extracurricular: Decent with few Philanthrpic activities.
6) International Ex: Since last 2 month.
7) Total Work Ex: 36 month as of June 2008 in IT industry - Cognizant

I am planning to apply in the coming season for Aug 09 intake.

Please criticise/comment my profile and advise what schools I should aim at. My interest are in Management Consulting.

[Accepted]

Originally Posted by thedevilgod

Hi Jennifer

Though a little early on the scene… but, if that helps, then why not???

Request you to have a look at my profile and give your comments on my profile fitment for US, European B Schools and/or the year I can apply.

Currently I am in Management Consulting, but 5 years down the line I see myself as an Investment Banker or a PE Player.

I think I’ll be ready for course starting in august 2010 with 4 years of experience

Status – As-is
Age: 27

A peep into my past: My background is a little different from a normal applicant, on the basis of the place I belong to and thus the education I have got – A direct function of that.

10th and 12th have a context to them: I hail from a remote village (punch) in Jammu and Kashmir – A state of India heavily infested with millitancy.

I have studied in Govt schools in one of the most backward states in the country and thus have hampered my grades. Though I am sure, this is the best that was possible in those conditions and thus no regrets!


1996: 10th: Second Division; Top 5 of my batch.
1998: 12th: First Division (70%) – Top 5 of my batch of 250 plus
1999: A year’s drop: Joined B Sc course along with National civil defense society
Dropped it after I got admission in engineering and you can’t transfer credits in India
2003: Graduation: BE (Computer Science) – First Division (63%)
Final year with Distinction
Top 5 of stream
2004: Teacher: 1. Taught at a software language training institute for 9 months
2.Taught at nigh school for women and elders
2006: PDGM (Equal to MBA): 3.23/5 Top 10 of a class of 100


Academic Achievements:

• Top 10 of MBA
• The first student to do an MBA in my entire district
• Topper in Stats & Quants courses at campus
• Top Scored in Engineering Project in entire campus (2000 Students)
• Top 5 in Engineering Batch – Scored Distinction

My Strongest Point: Extracurricular Achievements: (in descending chronology)

• Won championship as Sports captain – Company’s volleyball team
• President – MBA College’s Alumni Team
• Won – Director’s commendation award for Institution Building
• President – MBA College’s debating society
• Secretary – Spic Macay – A cultural society
• Co-founder - Computer Science Society in engineering college
• Team member – College cricket team
• Youngest Sports captain – School Athletics team
• Participated and Won 1500M and 3000M race – Back to back
• Selected to represent school at the Nationals
• Won State level quiz contests
• Won District Level Science contests

Work Experience:
2003-2004: >Teacher in a software institute
> Part time teacher at a night school (Not for salary profile)
2006-2008: > Sales manager with India’s biggest Consumer Goods Company, managing a turnover of US $ 100Mn annually
> Launched one of the biggest consumer goods new product launches in the country gaining 15% market share in 3 months
> Strengthened company’s portfolio by delivering highest growth rate across country in 2 key categories
> Recognized as the best young manager in my company gaining perfect ratings in performance appraisal (Only one in a batch of 40)
> Led a team of 15-20 people for 2 years
2008-2010: > Joined a Big-4 firm as a Consultant in their Advisory services
> Establishing consulting arm of one of the big-4 accounting firms
> Working on Business transformation projects, India entry, Cost Reduction, Strategy design and diversification projects among others (Among the first of its kind in India)
> Currently on a project, where my team is delivering a benefit of $2.5Mn
I also have a working knowledge of Pharmaceutical Industry as I have worked as a summer intern there and traveled to some of the most backward areas of the country.

Community Work:

• Joined National Civil Defense team in my village, helping the administration manage the situation of unrest & problems many time during my 3 years stint (1996-1999). I was rewarded with a chance to join National civil defense college (Again a first in the district)
• Taught in Night school (To ladies and elderly). I still have thank you letters written by people whom I taught how to write
• Part of an NGO to help prostitutes and educate them.
• Part of my company’s environment friendly work efforts

The biggest question on your mind will be, why another MBA?

Well, even after all this; I have not been able to get a flavor of the world. Having the background that I have and believing in the philosophy of “The journey is the reward”, I do not feel that I can be limited and an International MBA is the next challenge to be conquered. An inspiring means, for my envisaged end. I want to expand my horizons, travel all over the world and give back to the world, just an ounce of what it has given to me.

Finance today excites me like no other field and I am itching to make a difference there. Plus my exposure to industry and consulting in manegerial roles have given me that edge in ease of understanding a business model, leadership dynamics, people skills and all this much more easily. Thats why an I Bank or a PE seems to be the best option for me.

Grateful if you can recommend me institutes where my profile can fit in and the exit from there to an I Bank or PE roles is a possibility

Cheers!

Hi, Devil. The top finance schools all offer good career options and recruiting following graduation. You didn't mention your GMAT, so when considering these programs as an Indian applicant, keep in mind that your GMAT score should surpass the school's average to apply.

Your experience does sound unique and exciting; be sure to focus on the leadership, management, and strategy aspects of your consulting work and in the community – while volunteering and teaching are truly admirable, they do not demonstrate that you are a leader as well as recruiting and leading teams of volunteers.

I see two strikes against you from what you've written: 1) no finance background, and 2) a year gap in 2005 (unless the PGDM was full time from 2005-6); you will need to address both in your applications. Most top finance programs are skeptical of applicants with no finance background eager to change careers and enter the industry because their interest seems based on nothing but hearsay about the industry and the desire to manufacture money. You need to demonstrate that your experience does also include finance and/or you have pursued other avenues to learn more about the industry. The PGDM is actually not a large impediment, but you must be sure to explain in your application why the additional degree now is so important to your progress in reaching your goal.

I recommend you look into Wharton, HBS, Stanford, Kellogg, NYU, Columbia, MIT, Chicago, Duke, Ross, Simon, UVA, INSEAD, and LBS (in no particular order). Each of these has a strong finance and recruitment program.

Another option you may want to consider is a Master in Finance since the application process for these programs is much less complex, the PGDM is not considered a similar degree, and recruiting for these degree holders remains strong.

Regards,
Jennifer Bloom, CPRW
Accepted – Helping you write your best!

From pre-application consulting and strategizing to essay and letter of recommendation editing, resumes, mock interviews, and wait-list tactics - we guide you through the application maze.

[Accepted]

Originally Posted by saurabhsmit2004

Hi Jennifer,

I aim to do an MBA in the future from some top MBA school.
I have just passed out from college , and have got a job in a financial services company, a US based bank's back office IT arm, as an Analyst.
Simultaneously, I have a full scholarship for an MS in communication and Computer Security in France.Which option shall I chose?
So, that my chances of being accepted in an internationally top B school increase significantly.

My past record is
Class X: 86%
Classs XII: 73%
B.Tech : Sikkim Manipal Institute of Technology(200
B.Tech GPA: 8.78/10.

Regards,
saurabhsmit2004

Hi, Saurabh. In my opinion, your best option is to pursue the financial work experience. You will need to demonstrate your knowledge of the field in your MBA application, and more years of schooling in computers is not going to give you access to that knowledge. Do your best in finance to take on new projects, interact and guide clients, and grow in responsibility and impact.

Good luck,

Regards,
Jennifer Bloom, CPRW
Accepted - helping you write your best!

From pre-application consulting and strategizing to essay and letter of recommendation editing, resumes, mock interviews, and wait-list tactics - we guide you through the application maze.

[Accepted]

Originally Posted by sameemo

Hi Jennifer,
I am interested in doing MBA in Sports/Player Managament. This is due to my interest in Soccer. But i don't have an idea as to which institute offers the course and what are the prospects after doing such a course . Can you please help me with this ?


Regards,
Sam

Hi, Sam.
In my experience, there are no MBA programs specifically in sports management. Instead, aspiring sports managers need a good general management program that ideally has a course or two in this field (Wharton and UCLA, for example) or complete a Master of Arts in Sports Management from one of the few programs that offers one. Some of the schools that offer these include IE (an online program with the school in Spain), NYU, Northwestern, University of Michigan, and University of Maryland. If you want to focus on both sports management and business, I recommend contacting the schools to see if you can combine the sports management program with the MBA at the same time.

Your application needs to focus more on your leadership ability and what you've learned from your involvement in sports than on your love of soccer. Be sure that you make a strong case for your future in the field and not just in the stands!

Regards,
Jennifer Bloom, CPRW
Accepted - helping you write your best!

From pre-application consulting and strategizing to essay and letter of recommendation editing, resumes, mock interviews, and wait-list tactics - we guide you through the application maze.

[Shiningthistime]

Hi Jennifer,
like most of the people who are confused if they can get thru gmat even though they have a very average academic background . I just want to know
i have 5 years ex with BPO -Finance(Dell Computers) I am a Group lead here wherein I deal with people management, operations.
My Academics is 10th class - 60%, 12th -58%, B,sc- 56%.
Nothing much in extra curricular activities .Sports wise i lead school, college and now Company team in Cricket and Football tournaments.
Score of 700+ , will that really matter for me getting thru good college?
I want to know what all good colleges i can aim for?I am basically lookin for US and Asia don't have any info about Europe schools.
and to make my profile better , what all can i do?
I am aiming for 2009 admissions.