[rchimni]

Hi All,

We are a small group of MBA students and alumni who started our MBA campaigns by getting advice on these very forums and have been through the various stages of this process: clueless, curious, applicant, admit, admissions office members and now freelance consultants.

On this thread you can post any questions related to 2010 applications or b-school culture.

While we look forward to helping all comers, our expertise lies in helping Indian candidates. A couple of us have "typical Indian profiles" and understand the odds faced as this pool is over-subscribed.

We have a very unique perspective on how best to present such profiles. This stems out of our own MBA application experience, through helping friends and successful campaigns with candidates. Differentiation is really the key in this pool and it all comes down to an understanding of which of your experiences needs to be presented.

Between us we were admitted to Chicago GSB, Cornell, Duke, Kellogg, Tepper, Tuck, and UCLA. A couple of us also have admissions committee experience that adds to our perspective and we have a wide network across these schools.

Good luck to all of you with your applications.

Regards,

Rashmi(Chicago Booth)
Vineet (Fuqua)
Chimni (Kellogg)

[jaiBoloh]

Hi Rashmi, Vineet and Chimni, thanks for a great initiative and willingness to help MBA-aspirants. I am sure you will be of great assistance in this forum.

I am getting ready for the application process for MBA starting in 2010. Here is my brief profile: GMAT 720, IT, 7+ yrs experience, US, 32 yrs, Male, focus on entrepreneurship.

I am presently working on the content of essays for "Why MBA", "Why now". What I am struggling is how I describe my passion for entrepreneurship, without explicitly saying "I am an entrepreneur".

I was told by some experts that entrepreneurship is a tough-sell for b-schools as the schools go by rankings, which specifically look placements and salaries after graduation. Entrepreneurs, however, may or may not be placed after graduation.

Could you please let me know how I should describe my interest in entrepreneurship in my essays? Should I or shouldn't I say, that I am an entrepreneur? What is the best way of explaining my interest in this field. How did you do, if you touted for entrepreneurship in your essays?

Thanks for your inputs.

[Compete]

Hi guys... Even i would like to thank you people for the great initiative you have taken.

I am a 2008 pass-out engineer working in a semiconductor company for last 10 months. I am planning to take my GMAT in August. I wanted to ask how much work-ex is generally required to get into a top-20 B school.My academics are above average and i have done my engineering from VIT Vellore in EnC.

I basically want to make a career in finance. There are few colleges in UK and US offering MSc in Finance. Are these courses worth doing.

What would be your suggestion for me. Apply this year or wait for an year or two and then apply.

[rchimni]

You certainly have well above average work experience which is helpful. However, with it being in IT, this pool is oversubscribed & highly competitve and you will have to differentiate yourself from the rest of the pool by your essays.

Your essays should reflect your interest long & short term. It all depends on how well thought your goals are (& how well you are able to articulate it in the essays), your research on the school you are applying to & how you tie your goals with the school's offering. This holds no matter what your interest is - consulting, banking or entrepreneurship.

Not clear to me from your post if you are now an entrepreneur - you should certainly say you are one if indeed you are. And if you are not - you can show your passion for wanting to be one & how the school will help you achieve this.

Good luck with the app process.

[jaiBoloh]

Thanks for your reply, rchimni.

What kind of jobs do students, who specialize in entrepreneurship, land into after graduation? Though one wants to start his own company, but that might not be possible in some circumstances.

Could you please elaborate on the kinds of jobs for MBA grads specializing in entrepreneurship?

Thanks.

[Rashmi4]

Our proficiency lies in helping students navigate the MBA process...no comments on MSc...sorry! That said, as far as MBA goes average work experience is 4+ yrs at most schools. The exceptions in our experience has been for those with exceptional credentials all the way around (IIT/99 percentile GMAT/mgmt training program at fortune 100 company or mgmt consulting firm McK or Bain). My advice is to apply in another 2 years. In the meantime I would also focus on getting some community involvement under the belt - take on some leadership roles outside of work etc. Also need to show varied experience and/or above avg progression professionally.

Originally Posted by Compete

Hi guys... Even i would like to thank you people for the great initiative you have taken.

I am a 2008 pass-out engineer working in a semiconductor company for last 10 months. I am planning to take my GMAT in August. I wanted to ask how much work-ex is generally required to get into a top-20 B school.My academics are above average and i have done my engineering from VIT Vellore in EnC.

I basically want to make a career in finance. There are few colleges in UK and US offering MSc in Finance. Are these courses worth doing.

What would be your suggestion for me. Apply this year or wait for an year or two and then apply.

[Rashmi4]

You could potentially work for a start-up in a similar area of interest (all the while refining the business plan for your own venture) or target VCs active in your area of interest (be on the other side of the table from entrepreneur's seeking investment - helping you make a better case in the future to the investment community). Finally, if you are lucky you could find a like-minded student or two to launch a venture while in school or soon after graduatrion!

Originally Posted by jaiBoloh

Thanks for your reply, rchimni.

What kind of jobs do students, who specialize in entrepreneurship, land into after graduation? Though one wants to start his own company, but that might not be possible in some circumstances.

Could you please elaborate on the kinds of jobs for MBA grads specializing in entrepreneurship?

Thanks.