Ask a Consultant! - GMAT/GRE Only

@mba-help

Thanks for writing in with this query - its an important one!





Many professionals do a second MBA. As a matter of fact MBA Decoder's co-founder, Sachin did a second MBA from LBS (Sloan Fellow) 10 years after the first one.





You don't have to wait that long, but 4-5 years would be a good enough gap. My reasons for saying this are as follows:





1. You have just completed one MBA. It will be difficult to justify a second one on the heels of the first, in your application.





2. You can make use of knowledge and tools you have acquired at FMS at your present job, and retool yourself a few years later. If you want to change your career at that point, the second MBA will help you do that.





3. On-the-job experience will make the 2nd MBA more valuable. I guess the FMS MBA would have involved more theoretical learning if you were just out of college.





4. You would have earned some money (and hopefully saved it as well) in 4-5 years to finance the 2nd MBA.





As the GMAT is valid for 5 years, and your next MBA plans are not all that set right now, it may not make sense to take it now, lest it expires by the time you actually start applying.







Just one more doubt...As per my profile which clgs can i expect to get thru 4-5 yrs down the line at decent GMAT score?

can i do an mba without work experience from b-schools abroad???

Hi


I was trying to convert my grad percentage to GPA, it got one conversion scale to do so. It goes something like this-

GPA - Percentile

4 95 -100

3.9 94

3.8 93

3.7 92 3.6 91 3.5 90 3.4 89 3.3 88 3.2 87 3.1 86 3 85 2.9 84 2.8 83 2.7 82 2.6 81 2.5 80 2.4 79 2.3 78 2.2 77 2.1 76 2 75 1.9 74 1.8 73


now the problem is that the class strength was merely 30 and going by that my rank lies somewhere in the middle, so by going with the above rule my GPA lies between 1-1.5. Please throw some light, what shall i do

@ankit_000

My profile is as follows

10-87



12-67.4



Btech-67.2



LOADS of national level certificates in quizzes and robotics,founded 2 clubs in college.



Cycle of hope and conjecture starts now.i'm hoping to crack SBI PO and simultaneously try for CFA..So if i join SBI ,then after CFA i would get an appropriate profile(not any customer banking profiles..or i may join anodr firm after CFA level 1 or 2 hopefully)How many years of work ex will make me a good prospect for ISB,NTU,NUS,INSEAD type schools(or any top 50-70 US/International b-school)??i have scored 95+ in CAT and XAT since past 2 years,so am confident of cracking GMAT with a good score.What sort of GMAT score will make my profile better,750-780 at the least??(i always get waitlisted post gd-pi's,yet 2 convert a b school in top 25 in india in 2 attempts)



Hi Ankit,

710+ GMAT score & 3 yrs. of work experience will strengthen your chances in ISB and NUS. Whereas, if you are targeting INSEAD and NTU, I would suggest to have at least 4 yrs. of work experience. Some international exposure would surely be advantageous while applying in INSEAD.

Best
Maya

@atush

I am preparing for CAT and Other Indian B-School exams...in Nov I will complete 3 years of experience, I'm in dilemma about writing GMAT before CAT and apply in R1, because I need to change my career path from IT..

Atul, many applicants take both the GMAT and the CAT in one year. However, I think you need to act fast because both tests will need different preparation.


I did not understand your query here - changing your career path from IT does not have much to do with the GMAT/ CAT scores. Instead you need to make a list of b-schools you would be applying to. You can then decide to take GMAT/ CAT depending upon what the b-school requires.



@atush

.If I delay for next year then I will have 4 years of experience with average profile.Is it possible to complete MBA abroad within 25 Lakh with aid or scholarships.I am ready to take sabbatical leave in wipro and can join again post MBA.I am ready to put efforts but I am not sure what to do in this situation.

There are many US MBAs that will give you scholarship and a chance to take up paid assistant-ship in your second year.


I am not sure why you would want to take a sabbatical from Wipro, unless they are sponsoring your MBA. The reason people do an MBA is to change their industry/ company/ function, and you have mentioned that you want to change the industry. However, getting back to Wipro in a higher, post MBA role is an option, though you may want to earn in $$$ for a couple of years, to pay off your b-school debt.

Namita, MBA Decoder

Hi,

I have 42 months of work ex in the IT sector. 78% in icse... isc 59.8%(horrible score..considering all the subjects) .. B.Tech 7.33 CGPA... am planning to sit for GMAT in September..what colleges do I have a relevant chance of getting admission into? I have herd a score above 650 is a somewhat good score to get into a standard colleges in India and abroad..is that true?
I am in dire need for any information as I have none..any information will be really helpful.
Thanks in advance.

@reachmaya

Hi Ankit,710+ GMAT score & 3 yrs. of work experience will strengthen your chances in ISB and NUS. Whereas, if you are targeting INSEAD and NTU, I would suggest to have at least 4 yrs. of work experience. Some international exposure would surely be advantageous while applying in INSEAD. BestMaya



Hi Maya,

I have around 6 years of exp (1 yr int experience) with Accenture as BA, do you suggest me to apply to NUS,NTU with a gmat 640?

What would be the average GMAT score and minimum Work EX for ISB ??

my profile :-
10th-79.27
12th-86.67
u.g- 76.5
i am a 2012 passout. is there any chances of making into mba from top 20 b schools in abroad. i don't have work experience.
i am yet to give gmat and toefl/ielts.


@sri1290

my profile :-10th-79.2712th-86.67u.g- 76.5i am a 2012 passout. is there any chances of making into mba from top 20 b schools in abroad. i don't have work experience. i am yet to give gmat and toefl/ielts.



Hi,


B- schools outside India typically prefer candidates with some work experience. This especially applies to the ones in USA. However, in Europe, there is a concept of pre-experience MBA and the course is generally known as MiM or Masters in Management. You can target such courses. Have a look at the rankings for these courses in Financial Times- there website publishes MBA rankings that are very well known in the industry.


Namita, MBA Decoder

Hi ,

I am preparing for Gmat on my own and am confused about the universities i shd apply to and the correct time to take the exam. Right now I am targetting August or September..but have not picked a slot yet.

I want to go for an MBA in media and advertising.My acads are:

10th : 81% 12th : 66% Btech: 64%

EC : not great...sketching,painting and music as a hobby..and few school level sports crtfcts.

WorkEx: Test engineer in an IT MNC from past 3yrs6months.

Kindly suggest some b schools and a target score considering three months of prep.Also please suggest steps to improve my extra crclrs.

Hello,

My Profile :PMP certified project manager working in Indian IT company. Got more than 8 yrs of exp in IT industry and out of that, around 4 yrs abroad. Now I feel that I have hit the ceiling and want to go higher in corporate ladder. Lately, I was looking out other options for me and here are the results of my research :

Options Available :

MS/Msc/MIM courses -- a bit older for these courses

MFE - does not suit my profile

MBA - Option left

Preferable MBA location -- Abroad (Class diversity, better work culture)

College - still exploring

Purpose of MBA : Don't know which field/role would be best for me, but want to explore what options are available for me.

Post MBA roles in IT Industry:

Business analyst -- After 8 years exp in IT, MBA is not required to get this type of role

Pre-sales -- After 8 years exp in IT, MBA is not required to get this type of role

IT consultant -- Since last 8 years in consulting; therefore, MBA is not required to get this type of role

Business development Manager - After 8 years exp in IT, MBA is not required to get this type of role

Post MBA roles in other areas/Industry:

HR -- would not fit as Companies Abroad prefer Local Candidates

Marketing -- would not fit as Companies Abroad prefer Local Candidates

Sales -- would not fit as Companies Abroad prefer Local Candidates

Positions in Industry --- Would not fit as not having degree/exp. in core Engg. fields

Management consulting --- Would be fit for my profile

Business strategy -- Would be fit for my profile

Business development Manager in companies Abroad -- Would be fit for my profile

Query :

Is there any other role/area that was missed and would be suitable for my profile. Looking for Post MBA areas where I can use of my last 8 years of exp. Please feel free to provide your comments.

@gauravherefor

Hello,



My Profile :PMP certified project manager working in Indian IT company. Got more than 8 yrs of exp in IT industry and out of that, around 4 yrs abroad. Now I feel that I have hit the ceiling and want to go higher in corporate ladder. Lately, I was looking out other options for me and here are the results of my research :


Post MBA roles in IT Industry:

Business analyst -- After 8 years exp in IT, MBA is not required to get this type of role

Pre-sales -- After 8 years exp in IT, MBA is not required to get this type of roleIT consultant -- Since last 8 years in consulting; therefore, MBA is not required to get this type of role

Business development Manager - After 8 years exp in IT, MBA is not required to get this type of role

Post MBA roles in other areas/Industry:

HR -- would not fit as Companies Abroad prefer Local Candidates

Marketing -- would not fit as Companies Abroad prefer Local Candidates


Sales -- would not fit as Companies Abroad prefer Local Candidates


Positions in Industry --- Would not fit as not having degree/exp. in core Engg. fields


Management consulting --- Would be fit for my profile

Business strategy -- Would be fit for my profile

Business development Manager in companies Abroad -- Would be fit for my profile

Query :

Is there any other role/area that was missed and would be suitable for my profile. Looking for Post MBA areas where I can use of my last 8 years of exp. Please feel free to provide your comments.


Hi,Thanks for your detailed post. You are on the right track about your post MBA career goals. However, I want to point out one thing to you: An MBA, other than studying the curriculum would also help you in identifying the right career choices for you. SOme b-schools have very strong career advancement teams and they will help you define and refine your career goals, as soon as you ae into the program.In my opinion, you should look out for b-schools that are focused on core courses like general management, leadership and strategy - such at Tuck, Duke, Michigan Ross, Carnegie Mellon's Tepper, Darden (if you like the case method), Indiana University's Kelley and UNC Kenan Flagler.


With 8 years of work exp. under your belt you have already built a certain skill set which will not make you suitable for functions such as HR. Instead capitalize on your key strengths and interests and think of building your career around those.


Management consulting companies recruit for their IT strategy groups, so that can be a viable option for you. Like you have mentioned, a BD role is a fit for you. OR you may want to explore product management.


Namita, MBA Decoder.




















Hello Consultants,
Needed your opinion in certain scenarios.

What do you think of the job market in Singapore for an MBA grad from NUS,NTU or SMU and how reputed are these schools in comparison to our sadda IIM/ISB/SPJ

Hi I have read on pagalguy that Post MBA jobs for Indian IT in canada and Australia are very hard to get . could you please shed some light on this as cAnada ans australia ae most preferred destinations because of there esy visa rules

FYI here i am talking abt good B schools like that of MBS of Australia and Rotman, Ivey, McGill of Canada


Hi all

I am IT male with 3 years of WE , i am aiming for 2 years MBA from good uni , and have GMAT score of 700

Xth 81%

XII 80%

Extra Curricular - Poor

Please suggest schools that i can apply for which have good Post MBA jobs

@reviliant

Hello Consultants, Needed your opinion in certain scenarios.What do you think of the job market in Singapore for an MBA grad from NUS,NTU or SMU and how reputed are these schools in comparison to our sadda IIM/ISB/SPJ



If you get an MBA from the 3 schools mentioned in Singapore and you do well in the program - both academically and in terms of networking the job scenario is optimistic in Asia. The pay scale and growth opportunities are also very favorable. The trick is to excel in the program. In India, ISB especially enjoys a great premium in the job market. As an ISB alum myself, i get e-mails daily about existing job opportunities due the ISB alumni network. Your choice should be 1)NUS, 2)ISB 3) NTU/ SMU 4) IIM 5) SP. Jain. I recommend the Singapor schools e as the global experience is also valuable and learning in that environment will add a unique skill to your resume

Hey I have completed by BE computer science and would like to do higher studies in Marketing . I have 3 years of work experience and got a 7 in IELTS . Please suggest me colleges where I can Apply in British Columbia (Canada ) . IT would be great if u could suggest me Universities in Vancouver. I am studying for GMAT but would like to go to Canada asap without my GMAT scores .... Your valuable suggestion would be of great help ... thanks

@mba-help

Hi,Thanks for your detailed post. You are on the right track about your post MBA career goals. However, I want to point out one thing to you: An MBA, other than studying the curriculum would also help you in identifying the right career choices for you. SOme b-schools have very strong career advancement teams and they will help you define and refine your career goals, as soon as you ae into the program.In my opinion, you should look out for b-schools that are focused on core courses like general management, leadership and strategy - such at Tuck, Duke, Michigan Ross, Carnegie Mellon's Tepper, Darden (if you like the case method), Indiana University's Kelley and UNC Kenan Flagler.



With 8 years of work exp. under your belt you have already built a certain skill set which will not make you suitable for functions such as HR. Instead capitalize on your key strengths and interests and think of building your career around those.



Management consulting companies recruit for their IT strategy groups, so that can be a viable option for you. Like you have mentioned, a BD role is a fit for you. OR you may want to explore product management.



Namita, MBA Decoder.



@mba-help

Thanks Namita for the response. After 8 years of exp., I don't want to go for 2 year MBA. Could you please let me know some other good business schools that focused on core courses like general management, leadership and strategy, and that offer MBA of 16 months or less.

Hi Guys


Looking to get a basic evaluation of my profile, here's a brief summary;


Xth 89%

XII 88%


BA (Honours) Mathematics from Hansraj College, Delhi University (55%)


GMAT - 760 (Verbal - 45, 99 %ile, Quant - 49, 83 %ile)


Extra curricular: I did a lot of debating in college - some of it at an international level. Have several accomplishments as a debater and an adjudicator, and in my final year I was one of the few student judges in a debate organized by the Culture Council of Delhi University. I presided over the debating society of my college, a role that involved the organisation of an international debating tournament. I've played drums for a local New Delhi band as well, we've won numerous competitions in Delhi and were one of the fifteen shortlisted bands throughout India by the Rock Street Journal. I've been involved in the organisation of fests in my college, and was a part of school cricket, basketball and football teams.


Work experience: Three years, with a consulting firm based in Mumbai. My firm deals with risk management for banks, and I've worked on projects overseas for about two years out of the three. In terms of positions of responsibility, I've executed two foreign projects as a one-man team over the past year and a half. My work's involved both, predictive modelling and business analysis - I've looked at portfolios and developed risk rating systems for new applicants in line with business strategy, observable default trends, regulatory guidelines etc.


Any direction in terms of target schools would be helpful. I'd like to end up in strategy consulting post an MBA, but I'm very open to switching my line of work. My key concerns are - Do I have enough workex to apply right away? Secondly, I'm aware of my grad score being fairly low, how much is this going to affect my chances with the best schools? Thirdly, is the lower Quant percentile going to be an issue?


I've sent my scores to INSEAD, ISB, SMU, IE and Booth so far, any other suggestions, and any feedback in terms of what's a comfortable base and what's a reach would be greatly appreciated.


Thanks in anticipation!