[petesam]

Hi Jennifer,

Could you please evaluate my profile an advice a rank bracket(US and CANADA b schools) where I have a reasonable/fighting chance.

Age : 22
Qualification: Electronics and Telecommunication engineering (16yrs)
Internship: 1 yr (Electronics firm)
Full time work ex: 1yr (as a trainer in an IT institute), I also do freelance web site development stuff.
GMAT: 730 (48/42/4.5)
GPA: ~3.7

>> Have been genuinely leading student council activities in college and have relevant certificates.

>> technical paper that won prizes in reputed events.

>> Won district level talent search contests and many other contests in schools.

------------

I have been reading your posts and have noted your opinion that good schools expect 3-5 years of work ex.

*1* So on their websites, why do they encourage early career MBA aspirants to apply? What do they look for in such applications.

*2* As an early applicant, what should I most focus on in my application?

*3* What exactly constitutes community leadership?

*4* Rankings on b schools in CANADA differs a great deal. Could you shed some light on these?

Thank you

[Accepted]

Originally Posted by amitdi

Hi
I have 4 year exp in IT industry working as a support subject mater expert and development team lead. I want to switch to finance.

Following are my academic details:
10th - 86 %
12th - 83 %
B.E IT - 63 %
Recos - Ok
Extra Curricular - Average
Communication - Good

I have appeared for CFA Level 1 in June 2009, results awaited. I am yet to take GMAT. I am looking at MBA Finance/ MS Finance degrees.

Looking at my less exp and non-finance field and not so great extra-curricular, I am ready to settle for not-the-best college. Also, I have some financial constraints, so I am looking at 1-year courses and at upcoming regions like Asia, Aus/NZ, and Europe (Europe minus UK) since these regions are relatively cheaper compared to US/ Canada/ UK. I will prefer to get into college asap, next fall rather than wait.

I have just started doing feasibility study of colleges, so my current knowledge is poor. Considering three scenarios of me getting GMAT scores of 650/700/750, please guide.

Hi, Amit. If you don't have the leadership and interpersonal skills that the top MBA programs are seeking, then you can apply to Master of Finance programs instead. These will give you the foot in the door that you need. The Financial Times has a comprehensive list of these programs to aid you in your research.

The other benefit of the Master of Finance programs is their significantly simpler application process: most only have one or two essays!

Best of luck with the process.

Regards,

Jennifer Bloom, CPRW

Accepted-Helping you write your best!

[Accepted]

Originally Posted by dingcrazy

Hi Jennifer,

My profile is as below:

Undergrad: MEch engg, 77.6%
GMAT: 690

Work-ex: 2 years (as on date) ; since I'm looking to apply to fall 2010 programs, I think this would be considered 3 years
Industry: Engineering Infrastructure (at one of India's leading engineering and infrastructure majors)
Function: Supply Chain Managment; I've worked in a global strategic sourcing project with Accenture management consultants in my firm
International ex: Worked for 2 months in Shnghai as a Sourcing executive and was involved in supplier negotiations and supplier audits

Leadership: Although its not official, I'm supervising the work of a trainee at the moment, and leading the team based out of India on a day-to-day operational basis

Career goals: Consulting/ business developmet + strategy

I'm looking to apply to schools in the US and Canada; but I'm primarily looking to apply to 2 year programs only; Any thoughts on the schools I'm thinking of -

1. Purdue
2. Texas A&M
3. Rochester
4. Georgiatech
5. Univ of Toronto
6. WP Carey, ASU

Do you think there are any schools I'm missing out on ? Do you think its worth a shot applying to Tepper ?

Hi, Dingcrazy. One of the keys to a successful MBA application is to draw a connecting line between your pre-MBA work and your post-MBA goals. In your case, I recommend that you – for at least some of your applications – demonstrate how your supply chain expertise will aid in developing strategy with your future employers. In particular, I recommend you research Brigham Young, UNC, and Emory as potential other programs: these all offer strong consulting preparation and supply chain management curricula. Your 690 GMAT is competitive for these programs, but to boost your chances – and to make CMU a more viable option – you may want to try to boost your score to a 710 or more.

Regards,

Jennifer Bloom, CPRW

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[Accepted]

Originally Posted by Patience2008

Dear Jennifer

I am looking for one year MBA (2010) from global good ranking B-School with scholarship offer.

My profile is:
GMAT: 730
B.Tech. (from 'non IIT/ NIT' college): 74%
XII: 75%
X: 84.4%

Indian IT female: 3 yrs of work exp in SAP-BI from Satyam Computer Services.
Extra Curriculars: Very Good (Sports, Dance)
Leadership Positions: Team Leader(IT), Event Organizer (in college), Choreographer, Secretary and Class representative (in school )
Voluntary Services: Decent
Internships: Decent (in Communication area)
No International Exposure (though extensively interacted with clients of 15 European countries)

I am looking for a career shift in non finance domain and preferably will come back to India within one year after completion of program. My budget is maximum 30-32 lacs(after taking loans) therefore I have restricted myself to one year MBAs.

Could you suggest the B Schools where I have good chances to get scholarship and where I should apply?Which one/two year B Schools give scholarship to good percentage of students? I can also opt for 2 year MBA program if the expenses are within this budget.

Thanks for your time and attention.

Hi, Patience. Scholarships are usually granted to individuals whose statistics (GMAT score, undergrad GPA) and experience far surpass the typical student of the institution. Thus, the lower-ranked the institution, the greater the chances that a foreign applicant with good stats will receive financial aid. Be sure to consider the differences in post-MBA pay that are inherent: it may be worth taking on greater loans to attend a higher ranked program than it is to accept a significant scholarship from a lower-ranked one.

Regards,

Jennifer Bloom, CPRW

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[Accepted]

Originally Posted by yanivins

Hi Jennifer,

Thanks for all the interesting insights you have shared on this forum. I am planning to apply to top US b-schools and wanted to share my profile with you to know who I will be competing against in the applicant pool.

GMAT: 720, AWA: 5.5
Education: BA(H) Economics (from India's elite liberal arts college); MA Economics.
Age: 29
Work experience (current): 3.5
Work experience at the time of joining b-school: 4.5
Current company: Big 4
Job function: strategy and economic research
Extra curricular activity: Average
Future career aspiration: (1) consulting or (2) strategy or general management role in industry
High School: International school in Japan + I.B. Diploma

Based on my profile can you tell me what are my chances at Wharton, Sloan and Kellog. Any other schools I should look at ?

Thanks,
Vinay.

Hi, Vinay. Your background in Japan and strategy do definitely pull you out of the typical Indian applicant pile; however, you may want to boost your GMAT score a bit to improve your chances at these top schools. Be sure to focus your essays on these points of exceptionality and discuss how they have helped you succeed in your career and make an impact.

I always recommend expanding the range of schools that you are applying to since the three you mentioned have such low acceptance rates and you are now over the average age of their students. For example, I believe INSEAD, Duke, and Cornell will be interested in you, as will all of the lower ranked programs.

Regards,

Jennifer Bloom, CPRW

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[Accepted]

Originally Posted by incrediblylame

Hi Jen...

Apologies in advance for boring you with the same kind of enquiry...

I'm a 2k8 engineering graduate from IIT Kharagpur
Very modest GPA, bare minimum for degree with Honours.
Loads of leadership and extra-academic and organizational activities
Community service, brief social-entrepreneurial experience
A year's experience in Infrastructure development, domestic as well as International.
I haven't appeared for GMAT/GRE yet
Courtesy my low GPA, I have been told I may not stand a good chance at any of the top B Schools, hence, my best shot is appearing for CAT for IIM's, though I do not want to (no disrespect intended ).
However, your kind advice over the same would facilitate an informed decision on my side. Will more quality workX improve my chances by compensating for the academic scores, in case I try for next year's program, or should I start preparing for CAT?

Hi, Incrediblylame. GPA is really only one part of the assessment. If you can score well on the GMAT, you should be able to prove that you have the intelligence to succeed in the rigorous MBA curriculum. Moreover, if there are additional factors involved in your academic performance, these extenuating circumstances may help you make your case that you can thrive on campus. I would not give up on a top MBA, but I would recommend that you be realistic and apply to a broad range of schools.
Best of luck!

Regards,

Jennifer Bloom, CPRW

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[Accepted]

Originally Posted by hedonist81

Dear Jennifer,

My profile is as below:
10th Class : 87%
12th Class: 95%
B.E. (Hons) Electrical and Electronics & M.Sc (Hons) Physics from one of the top 5 colleges in India. Graduated with around 3.6 (GPA)

GMAT: 700 (Q50 V34) AWA: 6.0
TOFEL: Took this over 5 years ago and got 287/300. Need to re-take TOFEL in the new format

Work Experience: 6 and ½ years by the time I join in 2010.

Work Profile:
I am working as a Project Lead for over 3 years for a major European Chip Design Company, for its Automotive Design Group. I am the Lead Designer for the product and thus, I lead the technical and management of the product design which has defined a new platform of products. I am also, the Project Lead for its derivative product.

As a Project Lead, I handle all issues from project planning, feasibility study, project budgeting, product architecture definition, customer queries etc. The entire project team is based out of 3 different geographical locations across the globe. I manage and co-ordinate the functioning of various teams and align them to the project deadlines and deliverables.

The technical challenges have produced 2 new ideas from my design team which are in the process of being patented by the company.

Before joining the existing company, I worked with an American Chip Design company for 2 years the core design group. Then I moved to the company where I am working now.

International Experience:
I have worked in Belgium for 6 months with a University research lab as part of a collaborative effort between the company and university.

I have visited Austria and Italy numerous times as part of my responsibility as a Project Lead with various product related issues.

I also was one of the two students from my University who was chosen to do a project with a research lab in Italy to work towards my Masters thesis.

My total international exposure has been with teams from over 5 geographical locations and over 2 years.

Other Initiatives:

I have co-founded a Non-profit organization which works towards
a) Developing a democratic platform for children, and
b) For environmental issues in the city

The approach is to sensitize children to the issues of today and help them evolve into responsible citizens of the country.

I am also part of a core group people, a partnership between the Govt. and the civil society. This group works towards spreading awareness about various issues which impact the metropolitan life. This core group has various senior members of the Indian bureaucracy and accomplished members of various NGO.

I have co-authored a paper which has been accepted by an International Journal/Book on sustainable development practices.

Core Focus/ Motivation for an MBA:

As a practicing engineer my approach is scientific. So, I want to be associated with a sector with a technical orientation where I can bring together my engineering bent and my passion for environment and energy efficient solutions.

Thus, post my MBA, I want to work in the energy sector. I think there is scope for enormous innovative solutions which can optimize and make our life efficient. Smart and renewable energy solutions are the need of the hour.

I have identified universities which offer courses and electives where I can study the various aspects of energy and sustainable development.

1)Yale
2)Duke
3)Cornell
4)Northwestern
5)Ross

What are my chances in these universities? Are there any other universities which also offer such courses? Which universities can I assume will be a safe application?

Please advice.

Thank you.

Hi, Hedonist. Unfortunately, there really is no such thing as a "safe" application and your 700 GMAT is really just average for the Indian applicants. In addition to boosting your score, I also recommend that you focus on the ways in which you have manifested your "passion" for the environment and energy solutions. Without specific examples of your involvement in these fields, most admissions committees will not be convinced of that passion. Some other strong energy or sustainability MBA programs you may want to consider include the University of Oklahoma, Rice, UT Austin, UVA, George Washington, and Purdue.

Regards,

Jennifer Bloom, CPRW

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[aarti.batra]

hello.
can u plz let me know wat are the top 15 colleges in mat(sept-09).
M an avg student (75 to 80 percentile scorer), so which 5 colleges would u suggest me to fill in mat.
please let me know. my email id i<Snip>
I will be greatful to you.
Regards
Aarti

[Ayan2279]

Originally Posted by Accepted

Hi, Ayan. Yes, your profile does include the kind of leadership the top programs are seeking. The negatives would obviously be the lack of leadership outside of work and the low GPA. Your GMAT will have to be 730 or above for the top programs given that weakness, and even then there is, of course, no guarantee. For a school like HBS, keep your essays focused on the opportunities you identified, the challenges you faced, and the impact you made. For schools like Stanford, Wharton, and Kellogg, you need to include more details about how you worked with the people involved to include them, motivate them, and guide them into a new course of action.
I also highly recommend that you research schools beyond the top 5 to 10 to improve your chances of acceptance. There are several wonderful programs out there that will boost your career significantly.

Jennifer Bloom, CPRW

Accepted-Helping you write your best!

Hi Jennifer,


Thanx for the reply.Appreciate it. If I were to break my UG score into Part 1 and 2, it would be around 52% and 62% respectively. A 52% is the second highest passing grade and 62 % is the highest(First Class) as per my University which is very conservative in awarding grades .As already mentioned, I am doing a PG supposed to be finished next year. Will a decent score there strengthen my acads?

I have started volunteering for my company's CSR and teach children in slum. In fact have taken initiative and motivated some people to join along. Also have supported Oxfam and Greenpeace for a long time; although only monetarily.

My target schools are Chicago,Wharton,LBS,Kenan Flagler,Simon/Tippie,Rotterdam,Manchester and I am pretty undecided on Columbia/Darden/Stern. Infact looking at applying to 6-8 schools at the maximum. What would be your take on the list above? Is it out of reach,stretch or realistic?

Please note that I would be applying in 2010, so have around 1.5 yrs to work on my profile.Therefore please answer in perspective of the new information (CRS initiative, PG completion etc.) that I have provided.

Once more thanx a lot. You are doing a great job

Regards
Ayan

[nittinj]

Hi,

I have similar issues with my profile. I am planning to apply this year or may be next year !! I am an engineer and in my past 5 yrs of work exp I have been traveling, working 10-12 hrs a day + 4-6 hrs on weekends + personal social life + getting married ++ ( no complainss though)... frankly didnt left much time and energy to work outside the job...though have been blogging (avg) and worked with a teaching organization for few months but couldnt continute because location changed recently. Currently working in a startup outside my home country with major business challenges and even more hectic job schedule in past 3 months!!

I am wondering do b schools really/ under all circumstances require social service/ extra curriculars ( though I had loads of them while at college but 5 years now) outside job !!

Thanks
NJ