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

Accepted

Quote:

Originally Posted by askme_scor

Dear Jennifer,
I would like to request your inputs on my profile and your suggestions on some of the schools i can look at.

Education: Completed Btech in Computer Science with 67 % in May 2008

Workex:
One month summer training in NHPC (Natianal Hydroelectric Power Corporation) in Network Security in June’06 (full time, During Summer vacation while I was in college)
Two months training in NIIT (in java) in 2007 (full time, During Summer vacation while I was in college)
Three months full time job in software support in a firm after Graduation from May to August 2008
Presently working in a leading Power company in Business Development Department (core strategy group of the organization) as Graduate trainee. My promotion is due in December ’08.
By August 2009 I would be having full time work-ex of 14 months after graduation and 3 months full time job training while studying.
By the time I will be applying (December '0

my work-ex would be around 6 months after graduation.

I am going to take GMAT in December ‘08.
Currently my score is coming around 650, so I expect it to rise well above 700.
Beside these some other activities are:

• Founding member of Linux User Group (LUG) in JUIT (My college)
• Won 2nd Prize in “Make Bhai Make “ a movie making competition at college fest Le Fiestus’06
• Was a member of Event Management committee of college fest Le fiestus’05
• Won “Gold Medal ” in Avantika International Talent Search Essay Competition in 2001
• Secured a percentile score of 78.9 % Bright Career Scholastic Aptitude Test in 2001
• Implemented a experimental project “JUIT Online Radio Service “in a team of four which aired for a month and had subscriber count of 200
• Designed and Implemented final year project “AXE-CSA”(human Simulation) in team of four using QT framework in Linux. ( A+ grade in it)
• Have taken a 2 month course in Combustion (video compositing and visual effects) in Picasso Centennial Canadian Animation College, Delhi.

Beside these I am having 2-3 community service certificates also.

And also I can get good LOR from my lecturer who was my final year project instructor and second from my reporting head in the present company.

Now college’s I am interested in are:

• NYU (Stern)
• UCLA (Anderson)
• Columbia University
• Cornell University (Johnson)
• Carnegie Mellon (Tepper)
• UC Berkeley (Haas)
• UNC - Chapel Hill (Kenan-Flagler)
• University of Michigan (Ross)
• Duke University (Fuqua)
• University of Virginia (Darden)
• University of Iowa (Tippie)
• Rochester (Simon)

I am basically looking for MBA in finance and more specifically in Corporate Finance.

Can u please suggest me in which business schools I have chances of getting in for August ’09 and for August ‘10 and if there is any other good business schools for Corporate Finance program.

Thanks

Regards,
Priyesh Khunteta

Hi, Priyesh. You are obviously a talented and intelligent person, but – at least from what you have written so far in your post – I do not think you have the leadership experience that the top MBA programs are seeking yet. Your work in Business Development of the Power Company sounds exciting and influential, and it could be that in the coming year you will gain the type of experience in guiding the company that will prove you worthy of the top schools.

For the next year, I recommend you work on the following:
1) taking action in leading the power company – identify strategies, lead teams to execute them, make a quantifiable impact on its market share and reach
2) get involved in leadership in the community – tutoring a student or two (as many people tend to do) is not enough to differentiate you and show leadership. Instead, lead a social or community organization and make a quantifiable impact through it.
3) get the GMAT to 700 or more

If you are able to do each of these well, then I would say you stand a chance at some of the programs you listed (greatest chances: Iowa and Simon; least chances (most competitive): Columbia (they are particularly skeptical of applicants to finance from non-finance backgrounds).

In terms of programs, yes, you have highlighted strong finance programs. I would recommend adding Georgetown to that list as well, and you may want to consider Master of Science in Finance programs too. The MSc programs will care more about your math skills than on leadership per se.

Good luck with your preparations!

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

Accepted

Quote:

Originally Posted by blueblueblue

Hey Jen

If its not a problem, i need your thoughts on my profile and future aspirations.

M / 24 / IT - 3 yrs by fall 09
680 GMAT (Q-49, V34)
112 TOEFL (internet based)
Graduated with a B.E in Comp Sci from Anna Univ and scored 67 %
Scored 96% in my 12th grade Board Examinations

My achievements at the work place and extra curricular wise are preety good, I would think. On completing the mandatory training for any fresher who joints the firm, I was drafted into the Dow Jones Project for application maintenance of their Contract Management Application. Here I was the Secondary Support personnel for the first 4 months and was consequently made Technical Lead of that application when the primary resource left. As technical lead I managed to stabilize the applciation while still on probation together with delivering the pilot project for the Contract Mgmt app, which was basically a utility to upload IP and Source related info in bulk. Improved performance to the extent where Source related info could be added in thousands in a matter of 10s of seconds where earlier uploads were done in 100s with an excution time of several minutes.

After that led a team of 4 for the contract mgmt application and was then made On Call Manager for the Dow Jones account where my primary tasks included formulating taskforces and overseeing execution of critical tasks.

I was also the Champion of the Cognizant - Dow Jones Team Building taskforce and member of the Business Dev taskforce. As member of the Biz Dev taskforce I founded the Cog - DJ Newsletter - a monthly newsletter that covers the various happenings within the growing account. I have also managed to work on a couple of proposals for the likes of Dow Jones Newswires and the Wall Street Journal - the later being one that we succesfully captured. I extensively worked on the RFP, SOW and POC for this proj, which prompted the Manager of the Biz Consulting Practice of my firm to take me under his wing.

This transition was as recent as a couple of weeks back and my responsibilities now include working fulltime on proposals, acc plans and portfolio analysis together with other collaterlas for clients in the Information, Media & Entertainment Practice, which means I will have a year's worth of exp in this before i start my MBA

Extra curricular wise, I was a former State Tennis player and drummer for my band in college. We played at quite a few prestigious festivals around the country.

Looking to make a shit towards Marketing Consulting post MBA and was looking at applying to Duke, Cornell and NYU along with UNC. Your thoughts on my chances?

Thanks in advance
Rajiv

Hi, Rajiv. I think you are showing excellent progress in your career and I like your current work in the business development side of the company’s work. You are young and the current work, while exciting, might not have enough material yet for your MBA application to be successful. I have a feeling that a few more months in the role and you will have a lot more to talk about. So you have two choices: you can apply now with what you have (emphasize the more current work and your role in the Business Development taskforce, not the technical leadership roles), or wait and apply next year. There’s really no downside to applying this year except the enormous investment of time and money – if you are rejected, the schools you are targeting will certainly not view your re-application as anything negative.

For the next year (both if you apply now and if you decide to wait), I suggest you work on building teamwork into your story (both at work and in the community) – not that it doesn’t exist, but just as something that I would like to see more of. I would also like to see more extracurricular involvement now – a company or local tennis team perhaps? These will demonstrate that you are more than just your job. I also would recommend that you try to boost the GMAT score a bit – over 700 is ideal; you are in a competitive pool of applicants and every little bit helps.

Best of luck in the process!

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

askme_scor · 09:31 AM

Hello Jennifer,

Thanks for your reply. I want to know more about some points. First do you think if I have any chances of getting into fall '09. If yes in which schools. Else I would be applying in fall '10.
Yes your point for lack of leadership experience is correct. Only one example I can quote is being a co-founder of Linux User Group of my college and many initiative taken to promote the knowledge about it such as conducting workshop and Seminars. But again I don't have any certificate to prove them.
By pointing out in addtional essays that although I dont have much formal leadership experince in work, but presenting out qualities of a leader(being a influential personality and having a good vission about my career ) as one my strenght to overcome lack of leadership expereince. Will it give me some advantage.
Of community service, I have taught in a school for unprivileged children (not on regular basis, just some times on weekend and sometimes on holidays when i was studying my engineering. but again its like 4-5 days in a month, and total number of days would be around 50 or so.)
Second thing, I have part time work-ex of 8 months when I was in university. I worked in the same organisation in which I have 3 months of full time work-ex after graduation. As most of the people I have ask about it says that US University dont consider part time work-ex. so should I mention it on my resume or not. Will it make any difference?
And lastly I want to know what is the Reputation of Iowa and Simon.I know Simon and Iowa are in top 25 US college by Financial Times. But that's the only information I have about them. Simon is in NY so I think part time job prospectus are good there. I want to take admission in a school having good international name. As after completion of my MBA I want to work in US only for 2 years, not more than that so that I have some International exposure in my resume. And then settle back to India. Thus International Reputation matters a lot.
My aim is around 750 score in GMAT and I belive I can achieve it.

I know I have asked so many questions. Sorry about that. But I want to know what is my actual position through a person who has sound knowledge in this field, and for that you are one of the most appropriate person.

With Best Regards,
Priyesh Khunteta

Quote:

Originally Posted by Accepted

Hi, Priyesh. You are obviously a talented and intelligent person, but – at least from what you have written so far in your post – I do not think you have the leadership experience that the top MBA programs are seeking yet. Your work in Business Development of the Power Company sounds exciting and influential, and it could be that in the coming year you will gain the type of experience in guiding the company that will prove you worthy of the top schools.

For the next year, I recommend you work on the following:
1) taking action in leading the power company – identify strategies, lead teams to execute them, make a quantifiable impact on its market share and reach
2) get involved in leadership in the community – tutoring a student or two (as many people tend to do) is not enough to differentiate you and show leadership. Instead, lead a social or community organization and make a quantifiable impact through it.
3) get the GMAT to 700 or more

If you are able to do each of these well, then I would say you stand a chance at some of the programs you listed (greatest chances: Iowa and Simon; least chances (most competitive): Columbia (they are particularly skeptical of applicants to finance from non-finance backgrounds).

In terms of programs, yes, you have highlighted strong finance programs. I would recommend adding Georgetown to that list as well, and you may want to consider Master of Science in Finance programs too. The MSc programs will care more about your math skills than on leadership per se.

Good luck with your preparations!

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

Accepted

Quote:

Originally Posted by askme_scor

Hello Jennifer,

Thanks for your reply. I want to know more about some points. First do you think if I have any chances of getting into fall '09. If yes in which schools. Else I would be applying in fall '10.
Yes your point for lack of leadership experience is correct. Only one example I can quote is being a co-founder of Linux User Group of my college and many initiative taken to promote the knowledge about it such as conducting workshop and Seminars. But again I don't have any certificate to prove them.
By pointing out in addtional essays that although I dont have much formal leadership experince in work, but presenting out qualities of a leader(being a influential personality and having a good vission about my career ) as one my strenght to overcome lack of leadership expereince. Will it give me some advantage.
Of community service, I have taught in a school for unprivileged children (not on regular basis, just some times on weekend and sometimes on holidays when i was studying my engineering. but again its like 4-5 days in a month, and total number of days would be around 50 or so.)
Second thing, I have part time work-ex of 8 months when I was in university. I worked in the same organisation in which I have 3 months of full time work-ex after graduation. As most of the people I have ask about it says that US University dont consider part time work-ex. so should I mention it on my resume or not. Will it make any difference?
And lastly I want to know what is the Reputation of Iowa and Simon.I know Simon and Iowa are in top 25 US college by Financial Times. But that's the only information I have about them. Simon is in NY so I think part time job prospectus are good there. I want to take admission in a school having good international name. As after completion of my MBA I want to work in US only for 2 years, not more than that so that I have some International exposure in my resume. And then settle back to India. Thus International Reputation matters a lot.
My aim is around 750 score in GMAT and I belive I can achieve it.

I know I have asked so many questions. Sorry about that. But I want to know what is my actual position through a person who has sound knowledge in this field, and for that you are one of the most appropriate person.

With Best Regards,
Priyesh Khunteta

Hi again, Priyesh. First, you don't need certificates to prove your leadership experiences. The schools trust that you are telling the truth and usually your letters of recommendation will support what you say you have accomplished.

US schools value the experience you gain during your part-time work experience, but when they calculate your work experience that time is not counted. I definitely recommend that you include these experiences in your resume/cv though if you were able to make a real impact during that time.

A good vision for your career does not demonstrate leadership, but examples of you being an “influential personality” would certainly help. The key is to show impact.

If you can show that impact, then you may stand a chance this year at second-tier schools. The top-tier schools would still be looking for more experience and more impact.

Simon is one of the best finance schools in the US. Simon is not located in a big city, and my understanding of all of the top MBA programs is that you are too busy with the program to work part-time during your studies. To get a sense of Iowa’s reputation in India, I recommend you contact alumni in the country. Most will be open about what they gained from the program and how the school’s reputation has or has not helped their careers.

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

askme_scor

hi Jennifer
Thanks a lot, you have been of great help. i am glad I found this thread in Pagalguy .

Regards,
Priyesh Khunteta

Quote:

Originally Posted by Accepted

Hi again, Priyesh. First, you don't need certificates to prove your leadership experiences. The schools trust that you are telling the truth and usually your letters of recommendation will support what you say you have accomplished.

US schools value the experience you gain during your part-time work experience, but when they calculate your work experience that time is not counted. I definitely recommend that you include these experiences in your resume/cv though if you were able to make a real impact during that time.

A good vision for your career does not demonstrate leadership, but examples of you being an “influential personality” would certainly help. The key is to show impact.

If you can show that impact, then you may stand a chance this year at second-tier schools. The top-tier schools would still be looking for more experience and more impact.

Simon is one of the best finance schools in the US. Simon is not located in a big city, and my understanding of all of the top MBA programs is that you are too busy with the program to work part-time during your studies. To get a sense of Iowa’s reputation in India, I recommend you contact alumni in the country. Most will be open about what they gained from the program and how the school’s reputation has or has not helped their careers.

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

Accepted

Quote:

Originally Posted by askme_scor

hi Jennifer
Thanks a lot, you have been of great help. i am glad I found this thread in Pagalguy .

Regards,
Priyesh Khunteta

Thank you, Priyesh. Tell your friends to ask more questions. I'm getting bored here...

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

Accepted

To all applicants interested in the Purdue Krannert MBA program, I recently posted on the Accepted blog a summary of this program's full-time MBA questions. I thought they might be useful for Pagalguy readers too, so I'm copying and pasting them in here. The Accepted blog actually has tips on the questions of most of the top MBA programs (look at the right sidebar on the blog's homepage and you will see a list of the tips by school). Feel free to check them out.
Regards,
Jennifer Bloom, CPRW
Accepted - Helping you write your best!

For those applicants who fall a bit outside of the profile for the top 10 to 15 MBA programs – for example, possessing fewer or many more years of work experience than these schools’ averages, or with slightly lower GMAT scores – Purdue Krannert makes an excellent alternative MBA program. It boasts a 100% placement record for foreign nationals who do not have authorization to work permanently in the US and a 93% placement record for US citizens and permanent residents! If your goals are in the manufacturing or technology industries, Krannert has strong placement records in these industries and you should certainly be considering this program.

Krannert’s deadlines are also a bit later, allowing you some more time to complete their application with care:

Krannert’s questions are straightforward. My comments are below each in red.

1. Discuss your long and short term career goals, how these goals developed, and what you hope to gain from graduate study at Krannert. Limit your responses to no more than 500 words.

This is a standard career goals essay. I suggest you excite the admissions committee about your goals right in the beginning of the essay, then explain briefly how you have prepared for this goal through your career. Be sure to mention in what ways you have surpassed normal progression and how these opportunities helped refine your goals. What do you plan to study and why? What career path will you follow after you graduate. Be sure to be realistic and show that you understand who recruits on campus and why this suits your future career path.

2. The Krannert community is comprised of a diverse student body. Describe an aspect of your personality, things you have learned, skills you have acquired, or life experiences you've had that could benefit potential classmates and will help you contribute to Krannert's diversity. Limit your response to no more than 500 words.

This is a non-work essay. Krannert’s admissions committee wants to hear about your life outside of work so they can see how you will fit in on campus. Be sure to link those previous activities with Krannert campus events, clubs, and goings-on to show you know what the campus is really like and how you will contribute.

3. In 250 words or less, describe a character-building event or situation in which your involvement made a significant difference.

This one tends to stump applicants. How can you show that you’ve got character in just 250 words? We build character when we are placed in difficult situations and navigate win-win solutions or make tough decisions. When we do it well, we are able to make an impact on our organizations. What difficult situations have you found yourself in and how did you creatively or ingeniously resolve the inherent conflicts? What impact did you make as a result?

Optional
Please provide any additional information that was not captured within your application. If you feel you've already provided us with sufficient information about yourself, you need not add anything here. (250 words or less)

Krannert’s essays are short, so I feel almost everyone will have something to say for the optional essay. What side of your personality or experiences do you feel are a significant part of who you are? In what other fields have you demonstrated your ability to lead or build teams? Share an example here and show how these experiences position you to thrive at Krannert.

askme_scor

Hello Jennifer,
Well if you are getting bored ,,, then i can be of some help..... as i have 1000 of questions to ask :P
and for among the reasons you are not getting any questions is that, this is not a sticky post..... so it doesn't get much deserve attention from anyone as compared to other forums...... i think u should ask guys at pagalguys to make it sticky..... well i have go somewhere now..... so will ask my questions later (maybe tomorrow).....

all the best

Regards,
Priyesh Khunteta

swetharavi

Hi,

Request you to evaluate my profile and give your inputs. Please do let me know whether the schools I have opted for would be a realistic try or too optimistic. Do suggest schools which I can consider a safe bet too. Would also be helpful if you can evaluate my chances for scholarships.

Indian, Female, Age 24
Undergrad: Engineering (Computer Science), with a GPA of 3.5
GMAT Score: 690 (Overall 88%, Verbal 83%, Quants 79%)
Work Experience: 3 years as Sofware Engineer under Finance domain. Had a sharp growth curve, worked on challenging projects and now leading a team for project design and implementation.
Community Service: Done through my organisation - Eye donation camps and Campaigns for promoting environment awareness.
Extra Curricular Activites: Trained and practise Yoga. Learning dance, performed and organized events at the work place.

Schools under consideration: UTA McCombs/ CMU Tepper/UCLA Anderson/ Duke/ UIUC/ Georgia Tech/ Emory/ Fisher

Thanks!!