Hi Sara,
I would assume a forum like this would allow me to ask a personalized question, which I can extract most value and learning from.
My profile is as follows. I am a Computer Science engineer from Anna University, Chennai. That's where, I would like to think my similarity with a regular engineering profile ends. During my engineering, I got extremely involved and interested with subjects such as Economics, Marketing and Management. Keeping my interests in mind, I turned down a software job and instead joined ICICI Prudential, a private life insurance company in a management / sales job-role. A year later, I joined ABN AMRO Bank in the Non Resident Indian Department as a Personal Banker, where I expanded my knowledge on equities, the markets and the World economy by servicing clients with investment solutions from across the World.
All through this, I've also pursued a parallel career in freelance journalism. I began my journalism career with the Economic Times, one of India's leading financial dailies, a newspaper I freelanced for 2 years. Subsequently, I have been freelancing for the Hindu, one of India's leading dailies. Though, I cover a number of topics, the focus of my journalism has been capturing business, technology and web trends for a lifestyle audience. This has also been the focus of a podcast show titled 'Business Bytes' which I host on India Interacts, one of India's largest podcast channels.
In Nov.2007, I interviewed the CEO of a leading internet portal for Indians, subsequently I was offered the opportunity of handling all of the company's online, print and mobile partnerships across the country. The last 1 year has been fantastic, I am amongst the top 10 decision makers in a company of 400 individuals, and have greatly benefited from the culture of a flat architecture in a smaller company. A year later now, I have also been made the product head of the company's mobile division and serve on the core usability team.
I am also a part of the core organization team of Proto.in, India's premier entrepreneurship event. I head the Media and On Event organization teams for the event, the event itself is a platform where 25 of the top entrepreneurial ideas are chosen and given a platform in front of the World's leading Venture Capitalists. Now supported by organizations like Nasscom, Tie and Google, Proto.in is looking at capturing the World's attention.
My Linked in profile can be accessed here:
LinkedIn: Sudhir Syal
My GMAT score is 710, 2nd attempt, got a 630 the first time. Total percentile is 93 percentile, with a 41 in Verbal and 47 in Quant.
My acads are 67% overall, a GPA of 3.4. This is probably the weak link in my application.
Have applied to: Berkeley, Stanford, Columbia, NYU, Harvard and Wharton. Have got a decline from Wharton, am still waiting to hear from the others. Have applied to colleges, keeping in mind a fit. Media fit with Columbia and NYU, My web/ technical experience with Berk / Stan etc.
Total Work ex: 39 months ( By Aug 200
Quite simply, it would be great if you could tell me what in your view are my chances? Also, what do you view as the weaknesses in my application.
Also, do you see merit in my applying to other colleges for the 3rd deadline, considering that the 3rd deadline is reportedly the toughest one to get a positive results out of for international applicants.
It would be of immense help to me if you can answer my questions. I would like to thank you for your time and would like to thank Pagal Guy for helping set up this forum.
Look forward to hearing from you.
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