Probably you never thought beyond the CAT because you never felt the need to :). I would also suggest you to take the GMAT if you are planning on an MBA. It will open up your eligibility criteria to a huge number of b-schools across the world. And a lot of Indian b-schools like IIMs, XLRI, SP Jain, Great Lakes etc. also accept GMAT scores for their one year programs.
I am planning to take GMAT by May-2012. I am bit concerned about the fees if i do my MBA outside India. I am targetting for Singapore B Schools.
B-schools have many funding options like scholarships and bank loans that will help you with some of your expenses. Summer internships also help recover some of the costs. So take the GMAT first and continue to research about how you can use these resources to ease your financial burden.
Could you tell me how far are my chances for this year admit. (yet to take GMAT) And what are other B Schools in India should i concentrate. (1 Year Program)
Your chances are as good as anybody elses :). Score well on the GMAT, get good recommendations and write well thought out and meaningful essays and you'll be in the race.
I am new to this forum could you please help me regarding the following:- 1) Work Exp:- what should my exp at the time of applying to schools in the us? 2) Giving Gmat:- when should i give Gmat? since the score is valid till 5 years. However i have heard that univs require fresh scores. 3) Universities:- Some other univs (even outside us) apart from above mentioned.. Thanks in advance....
1. Archangel, most American b-schools do not have an age requirement, but its good to have 3 years or more of work experience at the time you join the program. The learning you get through work experience will be invaluable at b-school.
2. GMAT is valid for 5 years and universities do not have any fresh score criteria. If you take it well in advance (maybe a year before) and score well (upward of 700) you are good to use the score when you apply, and have a last minute bother off your head. Also, if you score badly, you will still have enough time to retake it.
3. Not having extra-curriculars at college is not much of a disadvantage, but you should make up for it now. Get committed to 1-2 activities of interest (volunteering, personal interests, any causes) and follw them up sincerely (beyond the sporadic blood donation camps, please :))
Hello Consultants. I am Ramya,currently no work experience.I am planning to apply for an MBA after I complete my MS.I am applying for MS as of now.MS in CS. Primary reasons why I am doing MS is: 1.I dont want to work in the IT sector now though I am placed in TCS.I am looking for something more narrow or related. 2.I have been a bad student in my undergrad.I am with a consistent 65% without backlogs but I was not motivated throughout the course.So I dont have a strong profile. 3.By doing MS I plan to work hard right from the start and complete with a really good grade and render to my profile so as to pave my way for the top Bschools.
Having said that, I want to finish with an MBA later,I am hellbent on doing both MS and MBA.I d like to know the right time to give my GMAT,now that I have a few months at hand,from march to june and I am majorly jobless so I can start the prep. 2.I am also skeptical about my GMAT essay as people who ll be writing GMAT with me might have work experience and mostly a differnet age group and hence might have more maturity,lucidity and other factors in their essay. (But I can work towards it right?) 3.Can anyone please throw light on social entrepreneurship specialization?Like what is a social entrepreneur supposed to do exactly. 4.Will my undergraduate GPA and all that still be damaging and impacting on my profile if I ll apply for my MBA after my MS?
I am sorry I had to post again because I didnt get a reply 😞 .it would be ok if I had to wait but my post got flooded by some other people posting their queries and hence probably un noticed.
I'm shiva working in Ford for past 32 months. Have experience in the field of logistic and as well as in finance. I'm confused whether to do MBA in finance or in logistic as specializations. Need ur suggestion which is the better option.
Please suggest me good colleges for Logistic.
Shiva, Your choice for specialization should be based on your learning needs, which should further be based on what you aspire to do in the future.
I suggest that you list down what you want to do in the short term (3-5 years) and the long term (8-10 years). Which courses/ specializations would help you achieve these goals? Or, do you need any further education at all (above the ICWA)?
Some introspection about your career at this stage will give you more insights about yourself than what consultants can give, with limited knowledge about your profile.
Having said that, I want to finish with an MBA later,I am hellbent on doing both MS and MBA.I d like to know the right time to give my GMAT,now that I have a few months at hand,from march to june and I am majorly jobless so I can start the prep. 2.I am also skeptical about my GMAT essay as people who ll be writing GMAT with me might have work experience and mostly a differnet age group and hence might have more maturity,lucidity and other factors in their essay. (But I can work towards it right?) 3.Can anyone please throw light on social entrepreneurship specialization?Like what is a social entrepreneur supposed to do exactly. 4.Will my undergraduate GPA and all that still be damaging and impacting on my profile if I ll apply for my MBA after my MS?
Ramya, If you have free time now, it is the best time to take your GMAT.
You can crack your AWA section by practising. Though your assumption is wrong that people with work experience will perform better in AWA, but you can mitigate that percieved weakness by practising more. There are tons of resources available online (and on PG).
Social entrepreneurs use innovation in business to make a difference to society. Just curious about your interest in social entrepreneurship and how that relates to the MS.
Your graduate GPA is more likely to pose a problem for the MS degree...by the time you get to the MBA after the MS, you will have another transcript (hopefully spectacular) to talk about.
First and foremost,thank you for the reply. :) I was considering July will be the right time for me to take the GMAT.I am slightly apprehensive about the pattern change though.I have seen the integrated reasoning questions on the GMAT website.Not a piece of cake definitely. Also,I am not linking my MS to the social entrepreneurship thing.I am actually looking forward to finish my MS in a decent university,within 18 months i.e. without the thesis I have decided so under the assumption that a research paper in Computer Science wouldnt effect my MBA chances.If it happens that a thesis paper would increase my chances I d rather do it for two years with a thesis. Can you give me some examples as to what a social entrepreneur does?What the work involves and all that?
I am faced with a lovely dilemma that's been driving around the bend the last few days. I have to choose between 2 awesome schools which have vastly different attributes.
I have admission offers from ISB Hyderabad and the Ross School of Business at Michigan (no scholarship).
A bit on my background..
Undergrad - Maths hons at St. Stephen's College, DU Work Exp - 2.5 years at Aon Hewitt as an analyst in the compensation consulting business 3 years at an Educational start up. Involved across areas, but primarily worked in marketing.
I'm 26 now. Long term I see myself working in India. Though, if I get a job abroad and enjoy working there, I'm certainly open to settling.
Short term career - I'd like to return to a consulting firm, though more on the marketing/strategy consulting domain now. I'm also interested in the general management/ leadership development programs offered by the big global and Indian firms.
The factors that are affecting my decision..
Cost: Ross will cost more than 3x what ISB will, and will be cripplingly expensive. I can manage it with family savings + loans, but I'd ideally need a US$ salary for min 2 years to clear the debt peacefully. Which brings me to my 2nd point..
Employability: My understanding is the that the work visa situation in the US is pretty shitty currently, and the only hope for internationals is IBanks, Big Consulting firms and a few big tech companies. Profile wise I'd probably only have a shot at the consulting firms which would anyway be insanely competitive. (Please correct me if I'm wrong on either of the points).
Brand power: Globally Ross would be a stronger brand, so it wins if I'm working abroad. But in India and maybe to an extent in Asia, ISB is definitely better known. Big question is will my employment prospects in India be as good being a Ross alumnus as compared to an ISB alumnus.
Exposure: This is the big factor in favour of Ross and the one that is drawing me majorly to it. I've always wanted to have an international student experience and this will probably be my last degree..
Bonus factor for ISB - My girlfriend is joining!
Please let me know if my assessments are accurate and add on any points which you feel will help steer me towards a decision in the next week or so.
Work/Industry background - Have been working for the last 3 years in family owned business. We are into manufacturing of Refractory Products. (Manufacturing Sector) Quite a few achievements!
Educational background - Completed graduation in B.A.Hons.(Economics) from Sri Venkateswara College, Delhi University. Just one BIG caveat, my Grad. score is 55%.
12th (CBSE) - 92.4%
ECA - Pretty decent! Have been an administrator & an achiever during college days. Was the Joint Secretary of the Economics Association, active participant of the English Dramatics Society, started an NGO etc.
GMAT - yet to take
Short Term Goal - Immediately after MBA, I would like to come back to my family owned business. So for me placements don't matter at all.
Long Term Goal - Would like to enter into political arena but also continue with business alongside.
Query -
1. Can you please help me in shortlisting Univ. for MBA abroad? There are just so many options available that it is becoming difficult to narrow down on few of them! I am not hell bent on a particular country, but would prefer US/Singapore.
2. Can a low graduation score (second division) be offset by 720+ GMAT score, 3 years of Work Ex. , ECA & 12th score? What role does graduation marks play in the admission process? Are there people with low graduation score who have made it to the Ivy League Colleges?
3. Will 2 years of work experience in my family business go against me? Some people have told me that it might.
I am targeting Fall 2013 MBA admissions. I will be having almost 4 years of experience by Aug, 2013 in IT. I wrote my GMAT and scored a 690. Having said that, my query is regarding under-graduate performance. I won't say my undergrad is bad. I completed my B.Tech in Information Technology and I have a decent 6.74/10 from a deemed university based out of Tamil Nadu. The topper score is around 8.6/10. But the problem with my undergrad is that the scores are not very consistent throughout the eight semesters - ranging from 5.6 to 7.5. I ended the eight semester with a bad note i.e. 5.6 (the lowest of the entire lot). I screwed up my project. I know nothing can be done to undo the past i.e. my undergrad scores. So how would the Admission Committees view my transcript? Will my undergraduate transcripts become an hindrance to my admission? If so, can you please tell me any method to overcome it? Also please tell me whether the online course from MBAMath.com would add a boost considering that my undergrad is not consistent. I am planning to apply to certain B-Schools in India too (the ones that take GMAT). Do b-schools (both Indian and foreign) consider courses like MBAMath.com? Or do you think I should spend my time and energy on something else? Your opinions would be most welcome.
I am faced with a lovely dilemma that's been driving around the bend the last few days.... I have admission offers from ISB Hyderabad and the Ross School of Business at Michigan (no scholarship).
I had shared my thoughts on a similar 'lovely dilemma' that another puy was facing. Tuck vs ISB. Here's my response.
In your case, there are some overlaps with that story, but significant differences as well. So my reco would be different for you. If you can afford Ross without putting yourself or your family at a big financial risk, go for it.
I'm 26 now. Long term I see myself working in India. Though, if I get a job abroad and enjoy working there, I'm certainly open to settling.
Good to have that flexibility on the geography. But also good to have some flexibility in the post-MBA options. Will explain why below.
Employability: ....Profile wise I'd probably only have a shot at the consulting firms which would anyway be insanely competitive.
Ross is good for consulting and many other streams in the US. But don't assume Ross will open doors for you in India.
Better to take up a non-consulting job in the US for a few years and earn enough to pay the loan + save some money before you return back to India. Linking this point back to industry/role flexibility.
Bonus factor for ISB - My girlfriend is joining!
Don't let that be a driving factor at this stage. If your status had been 'married, with kids' things would be different. For now, do what's best for each, invidividually.
Also, ensure that the MBA craziness doesn't blow out the candles. Make time for each other. Get the best exposure you can and then live happily ever after.
I am faced with a lovely dilemma that's been driving around the bend the last few days. I have to choose between 2 awesome schools which have vastly different attributes.
I have admission offers from ISB Hyderabad and the Ross School of Business at Michigan (no scholarship).
Not a Consultant, but will opine a bit. First, congrats on two very good offers.
Employability: My understanding is the that the work visa situation in the US is pretty shitty currently, and the only hope for internationals is IBanks, Big Consulting firms and a few big tech companies. Profile wise I'd probably only have a shot at the consulting firms which would anyway be insanely competitive. (Please correct me if I'm wrong on either of the points).
Well thought through. I would not go to the extent of saying "no shot" at I Banks. Every year Ross sends folks to the Street with no/little prior Financial Services experience, and also some internationals. Competition will be tough there, as well as in Consulting recruiting. However, they have the set up to get you through. If you are able to back yourself, no reason you can't be one of the many folks that make it to the top Consulting firms out of Ross.
Brand power: Globally Ross would be a stronger brand, so it wins if I'm working abroad. But in India and maybe to an extent in Asia, ISB is definitely better known. Big question is will my employment prospects in India be as good being a Ross alumnus as compared to an ISB alumnus.
Again, well thought through. In terms of your employment prospects in India, you will have to think longer term (5 or so years out of the MBA). At that point it is less the pull of Ross and more of what you've accomplished in the interim that will land you a good career in India. Of course, your Ross MBA would greatly help in that regard. Also, like you are correctly inferring, for a more immediate term shift to India, ISB is likely a better choice.
Exposure: This is the big factor in favour of Ross and the one that is drawing me majorly to it. I've always wanted to have an international student experience and this will probably be my last degree..
Good. Don't discount this factor. Often we focus on accumulating "things" in our lives without dwelling enough on richer experiences as they are occurring.
Bonus factor for ISB - My girlfriend is joining!
Please let me know if my assessments are accurate and add on any points which you feel will help steer me towards a decision in the next week or so.
Thank you!
However, don't ignore this factor either. Long distance relationships are tough. You have to ask yourself what your trade-offs are.
I am planning to take GMAT around October . Work Experience would be 2 yrs as on October 2012 , am presently at TCS . The Quality of work that I am doing is ******:nono: , which brings my question ..
How Important is the QUALITY of the work experience and not just the NO. OF YEARS .
Are the questions in any Top B-School focussed on the nature of the work that one did or the brand name of the parent company .
I have asked these questions because there is so much hullabaloo regarding the work experience factor for getting admitted to Top B-School abroad , so please clarify my doubts regarding this Work Ex thing .
PS: I have managed a 95 %ile this year at CAT , aspiring for a top B-School admit .
Hi please consider the following doubt very seriously and reply asap : >my background : 10th : 96.25% ( amongst the Board toppers ) 12th: 95.00% ( amongst the Board toppers ) Computer Engineering from Jadavpur University
Total Work Ex : 2.4 years in TCS ... 4 months in a start up ( Total 3 years when I apply ) Extra Curricular : Cricket in district level
GMAT score : 740 Problem : Cant finance my study . I cant spend even one percent of my tution fees of my own. So is there any chance that I get 100% loan and scholarship to finance my study and living expense in the top 20 B-schools around the world. Is there any way to get that money with reasonable repayment option.
Hitch : Got call from IIM-K this year. In case i convert what should I do ???? Sacrifice IIM-K for the bigger dream ???
I am planning to take GMAT around October . Work Experience would be 2 yrs as on October 2012 , am presently at TCS . The Quality of work that I am doing is ******:nono: , which brings my question ..
How Important is the QUALITY of the work experience and not just the NO. OF YEARS .
Sarissa, the word "quality" can have a different meaning for different people. Essentially I understand from your post that you are not too happy with the work that you are doing. This could also be because you are at an early stage of your career and probably at present, you do not have the kind of responsibilities that you would like to have.
Answering your question, quality of work experience is more important than the quantity of years you put in. As such b-schools judge the quality of experience by a person's career progression, leadership instances/potential, initiative, creativity, intelligence, dilligence (& all other adjectives you know (the good ones only)!)
Are the questions in any Top B-School focussed on the nature of the work that one did or the brand name of the parent company .
Brand name of your company does not matter at most instances, its the opportunities that come your way and how you utilize them that matters.
I assume you are applying only to Indian MBA programs as you have a CAT score.
dear consultants, I am in my final year of engineering studies,UG in electrical and electronics. I would like to know my profile would be a good fit for any of the top b schools . . Percentage 85, 70, 7.75/10 gpa in X,XII, and undergrad respectively. Am willing to put in work ex of 3-4 years before attempting GMAT. . Will i be able to convert any of the TOP B-schools with such a profile or is it not possible. . am clueless. .
dear consultants, I am in my final year of engineering studies,UG in electrical and electronics. I would like to know my profile would be a good fit for any of the top b schools . . Percentage 85, 70, 7.75/10 gpa in X,XII, and undergrad respectively. Am willing to put in work ex of 3-4 years before attempting GMAT. . Will i be able to convert any of the TOP B-schools with such a profile or is it not possible. . am clueless. .
Hi Irritablebowel (??),
Its good that you are starting to think early about the MBA. However, it is a little too early for profile evaluation. The b-schools that you are targeting require a work experience of atleast 2 years, a GMAT score, a good GPA and they would like to see some career progression.At this time you just have a GPA.
To answer your questions, you have another 3-4 years' time before you would apply - in the meantime, you can develop a strong profile (look out for opportunities to grow and learn at work and in extra curricular activities). These will take you a long way in your future endeavours.
Also, you may really want to take a decision about doing an MBA at all 2-3 years later, if you feel that it would be a big stepping stone to reach your career objectives.
So, don't jump the gun - figure out the kind of job you want to do at this point and make it happen for you. If your start is not upto your expectations, the next few years will become a pain.
My question is regarding International MBA offered by IIM Shillong. I am working as a consultant with a management consulting firm offering learning solutions to clients all over the world. I aspire to head such a consulting firm and I understand that International MBA will give me an indepth knowledge of international markets.
Could you please help me understand how else this course could help me in achieving my long term goals?
The core subject offered in this course are as follows: a) Business Management and Strategy b) Operation and Supply Chain Management c) Leadership and Change Management d) Marketing Management and Research e) Accounting and Finance Management
I would also like to understand what is First Discipline (FD) with Potential Performance Programming (PPP), Equilibrium Thinking(ET) and Sustainable Global Leadership (SGL) and Mystique Management and Mind Mapping (4Ms).
Your help will be highly appreciated. Thanks Dormitus
Hi, I have a B.E degree (Electronics & telecomm), which i passed with distinction. I am looking for an MBA from ISB Hyderabad in the academic year 2013-2014. I have been working in an IT major as a Senior Software developer since last 2.5 years(3.5 yrs by the time i apply.) I have worked across several technologies and platforms.
I would like to move into IT consulting for which i want to pursue my MBA. I will be giving my GMAT in the coming time.(getting mock scores in the range of 680-730). Have some co curricular activities at school/ college level and other activities to show apart from work.
Please let me know about my chances for ISB and any other thing required to streghten my profile.
regarding the work experience factor for getting admitted to Top B-School abroad , so please clarify my doubts regarding this Work Ex thing .