[Accepted]

Originally Posted by Muddassir

Jennifer,

Thanks for helping out all of us. I have given my GMAT and now looking forward to apply to the B-schools.Need your help to get certain basic things right.

My Profile is as outlined below.
Xth-92%
XIIth--87%
B.Tech(Biotech)--- 78%

- GMAT 680 (49, 34) AWA-5.0
- 3 years work ex IT,in one of the largest Indian IT MNC (2 years in manufacturing domain and currently with corporate governance technical implementation team).
- College Extra-curriculars- Founder president of dept student council. EXE COMM and Ed-Board chief of college IEEE student branch, College ed-board, book fairs, and college cultural fests so on and so forth.
-Office Extra-curriculars - Business unit level initiatives, Office level initiatives for culturals –online library, a club for cultural activities etc
- Community service – Not much (Collecting clothes for poor, organizing events to interact with school students about my company and IT in general, notebook distribution drive etc) Should I even mention them in my app?
- Nominated for most promising fresher, awarded “On the spot award” for performance and Most valuable player for the entire Development centre (approx of 6,000 employees work here).
- For past one year, I have been leading a team of 8 to provide support to an internal application with a user base of 100,000 employees. I also involve in implementation –design, coding and testing of new changes suggested by the corporate governance and corporate planning team
-A short stint at onsite (Switzerland for 10 days, requirement gathering for a new project).
- Doubly promoted to technology analyst from software engineer due to re-org based on my performance credentials in the company over past 2 and half years.

Now some questions -
1. Is my score good enough or do I need to improvise upon my score?
2. If I am to target the top 15-20 B-schools which schools; do I stand a chance to get a call from?
3. On the current score which schools do you think I can make through or get a call from? (I am interested in general management, operations, corporate governance)
4. Will it better to apply in R1 or R2?

Thanks in advance.
Looking forward to hear from you.
Appreciate your help a lot

Hi, Muddassir. I apologize for the delay in my reply. As you can imagine, it is busy nowadays! Here are my answers to your questions.
1) As an Indian applicant from the high-tech sector, you will need a higher GMAT score. It's not that the schools doubt you can do the work; they just need the Indian students' GMAT scores to boost up the school's average.
2) I don't see anything exceptional yet in your profile to distinguish you for the top programs. In my opinion, you will need to move down the rankings to the 25-30 range. With a higher GMAT, you may be able to target the 20-25 ranks.
3) It is always better to apply in R1 if you have your ducks lined up: the right GMAT score, the right amount of work experience, and recommenders who are prepared to write your letters. However, since you did not have the GMAT score you needed, R2 is better for you.
Best of luck in the applications!

Regards,

Jennifer Bloom, CPRW

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Originally Posted by waiwai

Thanks for the advise.
I do have experience in leading people and working as a team, and as a mentor. I guess I would have to highlight them in the apps. Any other advise ?
I am looking to apply in Judge and Said.

Hi, Waiwai. Accepted's website is full of advice to help applicants prepare the best applications possible. I suggest you follow our blog and check out MBA Admissions & Application Advice.

Best of luck!

Regards,

Jennifer Bloom, CPRW

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[Accepted]

Originally Posted by garg.anukish

Hi Jennifer,

Great work.. You have been of gr8 help to all of us..

I have the similar question and want to take your opinion on my selection of schools...

I am particulary interested in Business Analytics, so have been looking for the electives related to my concentration in different US colleges.

My GMAT score: 710
Quants: 50
Verbal: 35
AWA: 5

Acads:
Graduation: (7.56/10) National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirapalli(Among top 10 Engg College)
AIEEE- All India Rank 730 (Top 0.5%)
10th - 89.6
12th - 83.3
Work exp will be 3 years by Fall 2010 in a Australian Bank as Test Analyst in its Software firm

I have been involved in quite a few Event Management activites at college like organising Technical Festival, Department Symposium etc etc.. Won in few technical and mathematical events...
My Hobbies include photography, dance, organising events etc..

At company, I have initiated few Process Improvement Initiatives for which I got awards as appreciation.. Have been closely working with my Melbourne counterparts... Lately, I have started handling independent projects where I have been guiding new joinees... Additionally getting few Test Lead opportunities too...

I was quite inclined towards those schools which have the electives I want and generally offer scholarship to students:

Thats how I have sent my score to following schools:
1. Virginia(Darden)
2. Emory
3. Indiana(Kelley)
4. Ohio(Fisher)
5. NUS Singapore(one Asian MBA)

As I am inclined to return back to India after my MBA, looking as much as possible for scholarship..

What do you suggest which other schools should I include as other schools which offer the electives for Analytics are:
MIT, Chicago, Duke, Michigan, Anderson, Warwick, Maryland, Rochestor, Katz, Mays, Hough, Foster, Purdue etc..

If you can help me out to finalise my list with any of the above colleges or any other which you think I have missed out, it will be great...

Thanks a lot..

Hi, Anukish. It's going to be hard for you to differentiate yourself for the top programs. For that reason, I suggest you aim for Warwick, Maryland, Katz, Hough, and perhaps Foster. Obviously, you can apply to a wider range of schools, but if you focus on these and do real research about the programs and why they will uniquely fit your needs, then your application will show some passion that may woo the programs.
Best of luck!

Regards,

Jennifer Bloom, CPRW

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Originally Posted by apurvabajpai

Hi Jennifer,

I have a very strange question but please try to answer as this is very important. I have an Undergraduate score of 6.8/10 but since there was no conversion to the 4 scale I did not know what to fill while taking the GMAT. So i filled a 3.6/4 considering I rank amongst the top 40% of my branch at college in spite of the low CG. Now I am worried if the colleges will consider my transcript or this score that I have filled and reject due to perceived discrepancy. Can I get it rectified and if yes what is the value I should fill on a 4 scale? Or do I have to take GMAT Again and fill a lower GPA. I have a 720 in GMAT and don't want to take it again. Please advise.

Regards
Apurva

Hi, Apurva. As the sample score report (http://www.mba.com/NR/rdonlyres/105C...Report2009.pdf) shows, the schools will receive your self-reported GPA. However, you do not need to worry about the discrepancy. I suggest you write one line either in the optional essay space or additional information section of each application simply stating something along the lines of: "The self-reported GPA I stated when appearing for the GMAT exam was an unofficial estimation based on my knowledge of my high class ranking. Please use the officially calculated GPA that I have enclosed with this application instead when judging my application."
And don't sweat it. I doubt they will even look at the self-reported GPA on the GMAT report, but I do understand your desire for honesty.

Regards,

Jennifer Bloom, CPRW

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Originally Posted by Zeus09

Hi Jennifer,

Have a very general question.

We all talk of top 10, 8-15, etc. I have seen ratings given by 5-6 publishers (avbl from wikipedia). Each of them differs and many cases differs by a huge margin like school no 4 in one rating would be school no 17 in another rating.

How does one read all these ratings?

I understand that each rating has a different methodology. They cud be based on placements, infrastructure, industry interface, etc. Yet without getting into such details if one wants to see which school is good taking into all major parameters, which rating would you recommend?

When you speak of top 10, 8-15, etc. which rating are you referring to? If you have a rating of your own, could you please share it for the benefit of everyone?

Many thanks

You are right, Zeus09, that rankings differ greatly. You can read all about them in a few of our blogs on this topic: - Accepted Admissions Almanac - The Rankings (Part 1 of5) (this is the first of a five-part series; I suggest you read all five).

In general, when I speak of the rankings here, I mean BusinessWeek, but I also love the Financial Times' rankings since it covers a much larger global range of schools.
*

Regards,

Jennifer Bloom, CPRW

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Originally Posted by abhaysharma353

mam,
i want to study abroad and pursue a degree in MBA.i am a resident of kolkata.can you suggest me the best opyions available.i can go for a two year or a one year course.I want to study in a good college so that ican support my family.please advice me

thanking you
abhay sharma.

Hi, Abhay. You have a lot of learning and research to do and PaGalGuy is a good place to start. The first thing I suggest you do is prepare for and take the GMAT. Your score is going to determine a lot about where it is worthwhile to apply (I advise Indian applicants to apply to schools where their GMAT scores exceed the average). While you are preparing, I suggest you pursue leadership roles at work and in the community so you can demonstrate that you have the interpersonal skills that are essential to helping groups of people make an impact. BusinessWeek has a whole online world of research on different programs - mostly in the US - that you may find helpful as well.
Before you apply, you will need to determine exactly what area of business you wish to go into so that you can demonstrate direction and fit with the programs you are applying to. So be sure you take the time to assess your goals and link them to your past and the MBA programs.
If you are from a finance, consulting, or high-tech background, Accepted's library of ebooks can guide you too.
Don't rush into the application process. Take the time - months! - to do your research and plan your strategy so that you can demonstrate that you have the maturity and vision that will position you to succeed in the MBA programs.

Regards,

Jennifer Bloom, CPRW

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[Accepted]

Originally Posted by GMAT_MBA

Hi

First of all I would like to thank you for helping & guiding us so much.Please evaluate my profile and suggest me which schools I can apply for fall 2010.

10th - 89%
12th - 96% ( Was a state topper)
Received few scholarships in school
College - Engineering (electronics) 83%
It is one of the best college in our state.
GMAT - 710 (QA-50, VA-36) AWA-4.5

I am working for one of the Big 4 consulting firms since last 3 years as a ERP consultant. Work includes technical and business consulting, continuous interaction with clients,leading small teams in many projects. Never travelled out of India for any assignment. But worked for a German client in a project.
Planning to start a recruitment consulting firm along with two other people.
Extra curricular activities:
Outside office I work for a community service organization. We are trying to help children of sex workers with better life and education. I donate money & sometimes go and spend time with them.
Hobbies: dancing (trained classical dancer), travelling, reading books, blogging

Post MBA I would like to continue in consulting & after few years want to start my own consulting firm.

With this poor GMAt score I am really confused which school to try. No chance of taking GMAT again due to hectic job schedules. Can you guide me about 5-7 US colleges where my chances of getting admission is quiet high.


Thanks in advance

Hi, GMAT_MBA. Your score of 710 is not bad at all. The schools that will want you most are going to be the ones whose GMAT average is in the mid-600's - your score will actually help their average. I also suggest you look for programs with strong Human Resources concentrations to prepare for your goal in recruiting. One way you can differentiate your application is by showing that you know how each school specifically serves your needs - as opposed to applicants who just want a name on their resume.
Good luck with your hunt!

Regards,

Jennifer Bloom, CPRW

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Originally Posted by ankit jain1

Hi,

Thanks Jennifer for helping everyone out over here.

Please help me out, I am a recent college graduate (passed out in May, 2009). I got selected as a finalist in Reliance Stanford Fellowsip and now thinking of applying to Stanford.

Degree: B Tech (Electrical Engineering)
Institute: IIT Delhi (All India rank 163)
CGPA: 7.86/10 (in top 40% of the class, not good?)
Chemistry Olympiads (selected for National Camp, top 50)
CBSE Merit Scholarship for last 4 years

My workexp (total 4 months) is an academic one. Working in a leading financial research centre with Indian school of Business. Intellectually stimulating environment. Get to work on the cutting edge research projects which do not happen anywhere else in India. I was also able to participate in a international research conference. No leadership or client facing job.

Internship with Bank of America, IT Division
Worked on their disaster recovery planing project. Had to interact with a lot of people to assess their requirements and also with the vendors to record their capabilties and costs. Completed initial cost estimate of the entire project. Will be getting a recommendation from there.

During the college days, I worked in a web based startup (now its doing good). Worked for publicity and negotiating with restaurateurs for listing their menus. Also negotiated a key deal with other company. Lead a team of two for some time.


Extracurriculars and community service
Regularly worked with an NGO to organize cloth donation camps and organize counselling sessions for students. Worked for the organization of an international convention.
Worked with the NSS (National Service Scheme) college chapter.
Actively participated in the Hindi Debating and literature club all four years of my degree. Lead the hostel's team in the same club to gather second place (this position included sutained efforts for more than one year and i also got awards for that.).
Got selected (two out of the whole batch) to represent IIT Delhi at a cultural exchange program called Harvard College in Asia Program which included participants from seven countries. Also acted as a coordinator for organization of indian chapter.
Poetry( Hindi) : writing poems since atleast 8 years. Won some poetry comeptitions and also got to recite at some good poetry events both inside and outside of the college with leading poets.
Worked as a editor for the special edition on the Education Times (supplement of India's most read english daily). Proposed a new concept through the cover story.

Not good in sports. Play Badminton (average)
Hobbies include Calligraphy, Reading and solving puzzles.
Other recommendation would be from a professor (most probably from IIT, but will try to see if I can persuade my current supervisor)

Do i stand a chance? From my profile it looks like I lack leadership examples. How to go about it?

Hi, Ankit. First, congratulations on becoming one of only 50 finalists for the Reliance Fellowship. You are right that you need to demonstrate leadership in your application, but this does not need to be entirely in the professional sphere. First, share examples of recruiting others to support your ideas in extracurricular activities. Second, use examples like your work with the Education Times supplement to discuss how you lead organizations and teams to accept your ideas to increase their readership, market share, or relevance. These examples are great leadership!
Good luck with the application!

Regards,

Jennifer Bloom, CPRW

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[Accepted]

Originally Posted by ashish143

Hi Jennifer/Team,

Could you please evaluate and suggest me.

PROFILE
GMAT :710(49,38,4.0)
TOEFL:99(iBT)

Work Ex: 4 yrs IT consultancy(Telecom)
IT professional(Telecom Domain) with 4 years of exp with leading Indian MNC(Leadership in Telecom services segment). Have diverse experience in application development, System test and application support for our clients(Biggest telecom companies from US and UK). Have a leadership role in bringing up and managing a small team for the module. I feel biggest drawback could be lack of international experience and I somehow try to fill the gap by my experience of working in cross border team(US/EU/Indian).
Acad: 69% in BE(Electronics and communication) from a reputed Govt. College(non IIT/NIT)
EC: College captain position in college and founding member of a NGO group.Have long list of achievements and participation to speak about.

Please suggest the top rated programs with an emphasis on technology management. I want to go into technology/IT consulting post MBA. I have secured an admit for fall 2009 from Carlson(couldn't enroll owing insufficient funds) and looking for fall 2010 now.

My Q's:
1. From my preliminary research, I zeroed in upon below. Could you please rate my selected colleges in terms of reputation of the program and my competitive edge in each.
Competitive: Ross, Emory, UCLA(Anderson), Haas and Cornell.
Fair : Smith(Maryland), UNC-KF,McDonough, McComb.
2. If my TOEFL score (99) be a blocker/deterrent at any stage on my application.

Much appreciate early response.

Ashish

Hi, Ashish. If you really have the leadership experience in the community that you mention here, then that can compensate for the relatively meager leadership in the workplace. It would have to be pretty exceptional leadership in the community, though, to make it into any of the programs you listed as Competitive - though Emory is a bit less competitive than the other programs you listed there.
Of the programs that you listed as Fair, Maryland is the only one that I feel is actually a significant step down in competitiveness - UNC, McDonough, and McComb all have a lot of Indian leaders to choose from.
I actually am a bit concerned about your TOEFL score. I believe most MBA programs want to see a score of at least 100 there.

Regards,

Jennifer Bloom, CPRW

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Originally Posted by baan

Hi Jennifer.

Fascinating thread with a ton of info.
Would like your take and opinion on my profile as well.

Acads

Xth-85% state board
XIIth-90% state board
Engineering- 70% from the best college in Mumbai University (but not an NIT/IIT)
GMAT-710 ( Q-51 V-34 AWA-6.0 ) ( do you think i should take the GMAT again? )

Work ex- 2 years and a month as of today with Microsoft India. No international experience but have worked extensively with Redmond counterparts. Have done extremely well in job and have tons of instances to demonstrate the same.
Extra curriculars- lots of stuff in college, was the chief event co-ordinator in my college festival which had a substantial budget. In addition can play the keyboard and guitar. Have lots of certificates in quizzing, other events etc.
Social front- Have taught under priviliged children and have posted creative solutions to many social problems on many forums however have not managed to get any of these implemented or do anything tangible yet. Am working hard on this front. Do you have any suggestions here?
Finance- Have taken 10 NSE(National stock exchange) exams on a variety of topics to bring out diversity in profile. Also am an active trader in the stock markets and do pretty well for myself.

Also have exhibited creativity by coming up with slogans, making posters, organizing fun events etc. in office as well as college although i dont know how to put these down.
I would say my biggest strength is coming up with new innovative ideas.
I have a lot of material to write about but am confused as to what to include and what to leave out.


Schools-

ISB
NUS
NTU

plus 3 other US schools ( this is the part im most confused about and need your help, do i stand a chance to make it to the top 15-20 Bschools? )

My aim is to get into a consulting job in the tech or financial sector.

Thanks in Advance,
Anirban

Anirban, your creativity and innovation is a great foundation for you. I suggest you take some of those ideas and get people motivated to follow you to make a difference. I can see you launching an organization that takes some of your ideas to the implementation stage. That will demonstrate that you have the people skills to make a difference in the world. You are still young with only 2 years of experience, so I suggest you take the next year or two to take greater leadership roles at work and in the community. The international experience isn't really necessary; what these schools are looking for is people who can make a difference and rise to the top in their own countries. In the meantime (as you work on these more exciting steps), I suggest you retake the GMAT to see if you can boost your score just 20 points. It isn't essential, but if you have some time, why not try?

Regards,

Jennifer Bloom, CPRW

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