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

[Accepted]

Originally Posted by 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.

Hi, Thunder. Your GMAT and GPA are good, but I don't get a strong sense of what you have done with your career. The top MBA programs are usually seeking professionals with about 5 years of work experience and a lot of leadership. IT professionals from India have a particularly challenging job of proving that they surpass the norm for their industry and peers as younger applicants.

To select schools, try to identify those at which your GMAT exceeds their average. Also, balance out those stretch schools with some lower-ranked programs with strong consulting recruiting to make up for you shorter experience. Schools like Emory, University of Maryland, and Olin are programs you may want to consider.

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.

[Uma_3]

Hi Jennifer,
I have recenly given my GMAT and am confused about how high I could aim.Could you please give me your opinion as to where I stand a chance?
I am a 24 year old Indian female, planning on applying for Fall 09.I have good grades and a decent GMAT score
Xth - 86%
XIIth - 96%
Engg - 80%
GMAT - 750/5
I have always been in the top 5 of my Dept in college.In Std XII, I was school second.I won a number of prizes in school and college (including 'Best outgoing student").I am a trained dancer(Learnt classical dance for more than 12years) and have given a few performances(including a debut performance a month before my STD XII exams ).I have also learnt Indian classical music for about 5 years.I was my house Vics Capt.in std XI and the Assitant school pupil leader in std XII. I also represented my school at
badminton.In college, I was my dept's Joint secretary and placement co-ordinator.
I have an avid interest in dramatics..I have acted in plays both in school/college as well as outside.I was part of a group which put up a few plays(mainly musicals) to aid charitible organisations. I have even done some choreography as part of this.My favourite memory of this is the time I had choreographed a routine for children (part of a disney musical).I took part in a number of dance competitions in school, college and at work. I enjoyed coreographing these as well and I feel that I have learnt a lot through this,especially tact and how to co-ordinate a diverse group of people. I also learnt how to manage a budget(strtch it to cover costumes, props, lighting...) and more
importantly , how to delegate, to get people to listen and believe in what you see, without ruffling too many feathers.This was especially true at work,when you might have your manager or your manager's manager in your group/team.While I already had a lot of experience co-ordinating people in school and college, there were many more
things to consider at work. I also sung in a choir for 9 years.I am editor of my account newsletter at work and enjoy collecting ,editing as well as writing articles for it. As I am junior to the other people on the editorial board, i have had to be careful not to step on anyone's toes, while still being assertive and pushing forth my views.
I have always taken part in whatever activity I could (I dont believe in single-mindedly working/hitting the books the whole day). I would like to describe myself as a well rounded person.
My biggest disadvantage-I am an IT professional. I have received an award at work and am considered one
of the best performers.My job includes mentoring new joinees too.Being involved with the newsletter has given me 'visibility' at work.
Outside school and college, I have been involved in community service only for the past 3 years.I volunteer(not just donate) at a local charity hospital.I am even involved in helping with their administrative work to some extent.I am confident of get a good, well written recos from the hospital society president and from my manager. I could get recos from senior people at work, but I felt that my manager would probably be able to paint a
more detailed picture of me.
I am interested in pursuing a degree in general management with a specialization in Ops.I initially considered waiting for a few years and building my profile, but have decided against it.I am very confused about where I should apply. While I could say that I wanted to apply only to a highly ranked school,it wouldn't be realistic.Should I consider applying to the top 10, or should I concentrate only on 10-25,or 20-30?The only school I am
definately applying to(so far) is Rochester...that too because they have sent me an application fee waiver.
Thank you for taking the time to evaluate my (somewhat lengthy) profile.
Thanks,
Uma

[sonofagun]

Hi Jennifer.. thanks for your reply.. and u r right about my age - I am 28 and hence more focused towards the 1 yr MBAs.

Thanks for your help...

[rahulpahwa]

hi Jenifer,

My Profile is as follows:

Did entire schooling from a boarding school.
Good Academics.
Graduation in Mechanical Engineering with good Acads. Was College Topper In B.E. Exams
Lot of Sports and Extra Curricular Activities in school.
2 years of work ex by Jul 2008 in top IT Company. Working on SAP Payroll.
Part of various Teams in the organization.
About to join a social organization.
Manager says that i have got Leadership Potential .... but nothing to prove.
i have a business background and have assisted dad though not on a regular or full time basis.
I am planning to give my GMAT by July end and expecting a score of 650+. Please advise me regarding the colleges i should apply and the application procedure and other formalities. i required these colleges so that i can apply to them through GMAT Council after giving my GMAT. if u could also advise me about the time each stage of the process requires etc. I am not very sure abt the process and would like to get a clear picture.

What are my chances of converting.

I want to pursue a career in Consulting or Manufacturing with the aim of starting my own venture somewhere down the line.

Please guide.

[vikas130678]

Dear Jennifer ,

Please have a look at my Profile.

10 std 78%
12 std 79%
Bio Chemical Engineering 75%.

I started my carrer with a european company and worked for almost 5 years and then joined a japanese organisation.In the previous organisation I was actively involved in the maintenance and expansion and was promoted , from executive to senior executive and then to assistant manager.A team of three engineers and 50 technicians report in to me.

In my later company I was one of the two indians apart from two japanese who have worked for 1.5 years to establish their green field plant.
I dont have much of social services and sports in my account , but have participated a lot in literary and cultural events in my college for which I have certificates.

So my core competencies are manufacturing.
I am looking for a carrer shift and a change.Will MBA in finance suits me? will the College and recruiters give weightage for a person from manufacturing background?

I have kept my options open for operations management also. I want to know which specilisation should be coupled with operations management as a minor subject.

Which are the best colleges for Operations management in Europe and in USA?

And moreover , is it possible to get my recommendations from my previous Boss in the other organisation?

Regards

Vikas

Regards

Vikas

[Accepted]

Originally Posted by 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.

Hi again, Shiningthistime. There are only a few programs that offer one-year MBAs in the US (Columbia, Kellogg, USC's IBEAR, CMU, Georgia, Simon, Emory, Notre Dame, Babson and Miami are the ones I know of). Many of the European programs are one year; you can find more details about them on the Financial Times website. These programs are seeking leaders who make an impact, so to boost your chances make sure you highlight examples of you fitting this profile and yes, aim for that 700+ GMAT to overcome the modest GPA and prove that you can handle the intense workload of the one-year program.

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.

[kuttilekshmi]

Hi all.. Please help me in selecting a college..
I am Dr.Lekshmi, 2000 MBBS pass out from India, with good GPA.
Has had 8 yrs of work experience till now, including 5 yrs of administrative responsibilities.
I am 32yrs old now.
Planning to switch my field to MBA, preferably MBA in healthcare.
GMAT-650
Can anyone of you suggest some good Schools offering 1 yr MBA in USA?

[kncsekhar]

Hi Jennifer,

Thanks for taking our questions. I want to present my case and take your opinion about my chances for Ive League MBA.

My background is B.Tech in CSE from India, MS in Computer Science from Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago. I have 5 yrs of IT experience in US, primarily of development and recent team lead, and a little community participation but that's not what I want to present to ad-com, tough I will mention it.

I am interested in entrepreneurship (I have a vision) and last year I have started a software company, along with my brother. We have completed a project for a client in France. Recently we are trying to enter the Internet and Mobile space with our own technology and business plan and trying for some VC funding.

The leadership and management experience I can talk about is in regards to the challenges we faced in starting a company with a vision, motivating the team members in spite of difficult times to go forward and in the business decision making process. The turnover of the company is right now in few thousand dollars.

I am primarily interested in Harvard (may be I am too ambitious, but that how I am). The reason I want to get into Ive League is I believe that they provide the right learning experience, guidance and network for bringing my vision for my company come true.

1. Can you please provide your input in my case and if possible some suggestions on how good are my chances for Ive League MBA? (Hoping that we might land for some VC funding by the time of January round 2, which is when I want to apply).

2. And can you also, in general, give some suggestions about the path to Ive League MBA through entrepreneurship?

3. Is it a must that we need to have a great success in our venture to land into Ive League MBA through entrepreneurship?

Thanks in advance for your valuable input.

Sincerely,
kncsekhar

[Chiraggupta_86]

Hi Jennifer,

Thanks for your time at PG.

Like others I am also a hopeful MBA aspirant.




My Profile:

• Current Age - 22 [Will be 23 by Sept'09]
• Current work-ex - 2 years [Will be 3.3 yrs by Sept'09]
• Currently working at research arm of McKinsey&Company in India (since Mar'07)
• Had a unsuccessful stint at entrepreneurship before joining the company.

Education:

• Bachelor of Business Studies, University of Delhi (Batch 2003-2006) - was in top 15 out of a batch of 120 students - 67% [admission to this course was based on written, GD and interview. Around 15,000 applied only 120 could get thru]
• Class XII - 83%
• Class X - 71%
• GMAT Score: 700 [Q-51 (i.e. 99%ile), V-33 (i.e. 68%ile)]
• TOEFL Score: 108

Achievements:

• Rewarded as most influential analyst in my division of the company (out of 160 people)
• Currently manage the workflow of a team of 15 analysts
• Little bit of community involvement
• Created and presented a comprehensive business plan during a international business plan competition [ plan was chosen among top 20 from a pool 430 ideas] - Jan'05
• Some other organizing and participating achievements as well

Goals post-MBA:

• Work for I-Banking or management consulting company till I repay my loan and earn a decent living standards (4-5 year)
• Entrepreneurship

Target B-Schools:

• Indian School of Business, India
• NUS Singapore, Singapore
• Melbourne Business School, Australia
• Oxford University (Said Business School), UK
• Wharton Business School (University of Pennsylvania), US

My Questions:

• I am planning to apply for Sept'09 session in the B-Schools mentioned above. Is my target achievable?
• Should I wait for one more year before applying?
• Should I also think over Carnegie Mellon University? (I do NOT have a US Co-signer)
• Should I think about NYU Stern as well??
• Considering that my GMAT score is skewed higher on Quant side and lower on Verbal side, should I re-appear for GMAT?
• Would you suggest any other B-School that I should apply for?

I look forward to getting your answers.

Warm Regards,
Chirag Gupta


P.S.: Am I allowed to delete this e-mail after I receive reply from your side?? I do not want to make this information public.

[Dr MBA]

hey Jennifer,

Really good work here, thanks a lot. I'd like to introduce myself.

I am an indian surgeon, work in middle-east, and am interested in MBA to move into healthcare managemnet, where i feel my insights will be helpful. Therefore i'm looking at places with strong general management and/or healthcare. i scored 62%in my MBBS which is well within top 10% in my class. (No GPA's in my place) i scored 770 in GMAT (Q49 V47), so that should not be an obstacle, but i'm working on MBAMtah just to be sure

I have been involved in the college in organizing various events, was regularly on stage, & part of a major theater group in the college. I was also involved in various health drives as a student, although that was not required in curriculum. post MBBS, my involvement has been mainly online as i have not settled at any one place long enough

I'm looking at: Wharton (healthcare management stream only), Ross, Tuck, Fuqua(healthcare), Darden, ISB, IIM A

My problems are two-fold
1)I'm 34. Yeah, it looks bad, but i was 27 by the time i finished education, so i believe this is the right time for me, career-wise. Can i get into full-time MBA at my age?

2) No managerial/quant experience, obviously, but I have been proactive and have led teams at various occasions. A bigger problem on paper is that i have worked at 5 different places in last 7 years since postgrad. However, each time it was a move with some aim in mind that i did manage to achieve, and all are vastly different types of places. I believe it has given me a very rich variety of experience

Am i competitive for the places I have indicated? do i need to look at any places i have overlooked?