Free MBA profile evaluation

[hammerlock]

Thanks for the candid review, now to answer each of your questions:

1) I would love to retake the GMAT but i have a 1.5 year old who makes it really difficult to study. My job currently requires me to put in atleast 18 hours a day to make sure things keep running. I had to make a massive effort to cut myself off from work for 2 weeks by maintaining radio silence because of which my rating has already taken a beating and i am now in the crosshairs of my boss. If i do retake the GMAT with lesser prepration i might end up screwing my score rather than improving it at this stage.

2) My Current role requires me to do a lot of primary work like contract analysis, due diligence, risk severity assessment, mapping of their current busines processes, benchmarking with industry peers etc. All of these are fuctions of consulting. The only difference is that i do it to assess the financial impact of risk on an organization rather than assessing how the organization can can increase their profitability or address their issues through corrective measures in various functions. Also i have major account handling and client relationship management experience ranging from PSU's to major MNC's. Marsh is a huge brand when it comes to risk consulting and is recognized globally for the quality of work it does.

3)My first MBA was with a marketing specialization. After having done my time in marketing i am looking forward to a finance specialization. As most of the major consutling firms are involved in fiancial modelling to provide advisory to their clients hence this is aligned with my career goal of moving into strategy consulting. I would not like to move into an accountant or finance manager kind of role hence not going for a CFA. The intent here is to understand the holistic impact on the organization of any strategic financial measures, hence the second MBA.

4) When you say that the job scenario is bad throughout does it imply that the organizations are unwilling to take candidates or does it mean that competition is stiff. If its the latter then i am ready to take that chance. However if it is the former then i will have to reconsider my decision. The next move in my current role will be to an AVP, however it will take a good 2-3 years. So i have to balance my risk.

5) I understand that gaurantees are not there. The intent is to understand whether in your experience with such a score and profile people have been able to make it to the top 25 schools in US from India.

6) I have realized that cost is going to be a major concern as none of the Indian banks are going to fund more that USD 40,000. However most of the good programs are way more expensive than that.Even if i put in my funds i will have a significant shortfall. I am looking for programs with good ROI as well. Also programs that can offer me some sort of tution waiver / scholarship /funding assistance. Please take this factor into cosideration while doing your evaluation.

I look forward to your response on my above mentioned points.

[MBACrystalBall]

Hi Trymba,

//Can you please have a quick look at my job profile, academics and GMAT score to advise where I would be best suited to apply?

Given your GMAT score and background, your choice of bschools is pretty unusual (read, conservative).

//I would want to continue in IT consulting/project management post my MBA so would prefer to stick to the IT sector...

That's a good start. But curious to know why Melbourne and Rotterdam are the only 2 international schools on your list. You've left out the entire US business school community.

You have got 2 Indian degrees already (and a gold medal in the Masters). As you want to stick to an industry that by nature tends to be international (clients located all over the globe), you might want to re-think on that list.

//Also, it would be great if you could share experiences from other members during the prep process...

Not sure what you mean by this. If you are looking for application stories for folks who have applied to ISB and many other top bschools, you'll find plenty of them on our MBA Blog.

//..can you please shed some pointers and advise on how I go about the admission process??

That'll be a long answer. Easier option - pick up a copy of Beyond The MBA Hype. It'll tell you not just about the application process, but also a lot that you need to know about what happens in the MBA class, internships, job hunting process.

[MBACrystalBall]

Hi again vanishingnerd,

//Gave GRE in 2009 for MS, applied but never went, found a better job in Europe Instead.

Even if you have a GRE score, I'd recommend that you take the GMAT this year anyway for the following reasons.

- It'll be a fresh, recent score (GRE score is ~3 years old)
- It'll open up many more bschool doors for you (not all schools accept the GRE score).

We don't want to give Adcoms the feeling that we are trying to cut corners by taking the easy way out (i.e. reducing application work).

All the projects I work(ed) are large-scale open innovation projects where partners from several industries, research centers and policy makers participate together...

Great! This is what I wanted to hear.

Yes, in many ways, now I work with start-ups and SMEs but still I have a limited knowledge of their operation;

In your essays, you would need to focus on this aspect. If operational experience is what you are lacking, how will an MBA (apart from the internship, the rest of the program may be more theoretical) prepare you for the transition?

You're right, I failed to give you an entire picture. How about now? [/quote]

You've done a much better job in the second post.

Remember that an Admissions Officer will not be able to fill in the gaps or give you the benefit of doubt in case questions like these arise.

So, the best option is to pre-empt all such questions and address them upfront (MBA essays are the best place).

[flash07]

ACADEMICS: BE Mechanical Engg.(University of Pune) : 66.2% (First class with distinction)

GMAT: 660 (Q46, V35); AWA-4.5

WORK EXPERIENCE:

1) (German MNC – Electrical drives division)
Executive – Manufacturing - 2.1 yrs
Job responsibilities:
i) Handled inprocess Quality, Quality systems, manufacturing and overhauling functions.
ii) Manage 15-18 people across 2-3 shifts, train them on new processes and evaluate their performance.
iii) Mentor students during their training and guide them in their projects.
iv) Co-ordinate with R&D team in Europe for resolving various quality issues.
v) Conduct internal quality audits.
vi) Co-ordinate Quality Circle projects.

Achievements:
i) Received merit reward from top management for resolving a major Quality issue.
ii) Achieved all the targets (individual and division level) set by management for the financial year at 200%.

2) Top auto component manufacturer - Sr. Engineer (R&D) (10 months - present)

Achievements:
i) Helped set up the first Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) department in the division.
ii) Presented at various national level technical conferences.

Job responsibilities:
i) Responsible for all virtual validation ie. CAE/FEA activities in the R&D.
ii) Product development on the value engineering front.
iii) Responsible for CAD management and PLM implementation.
iv) Training colleagues in CAE topics and Quality Systems.
v) Responsible for Environment Health and Safety (EHS) initiatives and audits for the department.

Extracurriculars:
i) Managed state and national level events for 2 years in college.

Career Goals: Project Management / Consulting.

Target streams: GM, Operations, Marketing, Strategy.

Target programs:
1) INSEAD
2) ISB
3) NUS
4) NTU
5) SP Jain

My concerns:
i) Low GMAT – Have already taken it thrice. Scored 500 and 540 in my earlier attempts. I had scored way better in the mock tests than the 660 I ended up with. But, I think I am done with it.
ii) Lack of ECs – Do have a few but do not know whether they really count.
iii) ½ yr break in between the two jobs to complete a certificate course. (In order to move to current job function).
iv) Low work experience to fill in for the low GMAT (But, will be nearly 4yrs by the time I intend to join).

What extra efforts do I need to put in?
I intend to remain in Asia post MBA.
I plan to apply for Fall 2013. Which other EU/US schools can I target based on my current profile?

Thanks!

[ankjay]

Hi,

I am targeting MBA starting in fall, 2013.
GMAT score - 710 (Q50,V38). AWA is 5.5.
Bachelor of Engineering – Major in Electrical Engineering 2001
- Amongst top 10% in the class, National Merit Scholarship awarded for two consecutive years

COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY at New York
Post Baccalaureate Certificate Program in Business 2012 (on Campus)
- Completed coursework below
Leadership and Management in Knowledge Domain
Corporate Finance
In Summer session 2012, i have enrolled in the course "Strategic issues in Investment banking" in Columbia Business School.


Work Experience -10 Years+ Top Indian IT company
Industry domain - Global Markets and Investment Banking

Function/Role-Project Manager
Out of total 10 and half years of work experience, 9 years have been client facing, given as below -
1. Worked as Developer and then as Module Lead at National Stock Exchange premises working at client location at Mumbai, India from Nov 2001 till Aug 2003.
2. Lead a team of 3 developers as Project Lead for client - Merrill Lynch Investment Managers, UK at London, UK for one year in 2004
3. Project Lead/Onsite coordinator from Feb 2006 till April 2008 at New York City for Merrill Lynch client
4. Project Manager from 2008 onwards for Bank of America Merrill Lynch at New York City and Jersey City, USA
Lead and managed a team of 12 Consultants with a portfolio of 8 different business applications for Merrill Lynch since last 4 continous years in New York City(office located at near Wall Street downtown)

Career Focus:
Have worked primarily in Information Technology in last 10 years but functionally always have been in the financial markets domain, starting from stock exchange,derivative trading to equity and derivative trading and settlement in a sell-side firm, have gained enough insights and working of overall financial markets,
now want to enhance career thru a Full time MBA in finance with major focus on the companies which provide software and IT services to institutions in virtually every segment of the financial services industry, for example those organizations which end-to-end IT solutions associated with trading, managing investment portfolios and accounting for investment assets.

I am targeting LBS, CBS and INSEAD schools for Fall 2013 entry, alongwith ROSS, HEC and Anderson as safe schools.
Please evaluate my profile and advise regarding chances I have with my selection of schools ?

[MBACrystalBall]

Hi bchinna,

//JOB EXPERIENCE - working for deloitte. will finish one year this june

With that profile you'd be closer to the average profile for CAT based programs rather than the regular GMAT. Any chance that you might be able to hold on to your horses for a year or two more?

//LOOKING FOR : A career shift, so that i can get into banking or investment management. This is why i hope to finish an MBA so early.

The challenge is that your post-MBA employer will be looking at resumes that have more work-ex than you do. So it's not just a matter of getting into a bschool, you also need to think about why an employer would want to hire you and in what role.

Masters in management programs might be a better fit. But again, they aren't the same as an MBA. So think and choose.

[MBACrystalBall]

Hi hammerlock,

Thanks for additional information:

//My job currently requires me to put in atleast 18 hours a day to make sure things keep running...my rating has already taken a beating and i am now in the crosshairs of my boss.

Seems like a pretty caustic place (and manager) to be working for. Not good for your long term health, bro.

I recently completed a career counselling session for someone. After a lot of probing and analysis, I realised he was looking at an MBA as an escape route (similar reasons). Hope that's not the case with you.

//My Current role requires me to...

I like this explanation!

//My first MBA was with a marketing specialization...

This would need some more refinement. More in terms of how you've defined what skills are important for strategy consulting firms and how you plan to develop them.

//When you say that the job scenario is bad throughout does it imply that the organizations are unwilling to take candidates or does it mean that competition is stiff.

Both. In fact, it's a cause-effect relationship there. Number of top MBA graduates hitting the industry each year has increased. Jobs haven't. That pushes the competition higher. All the more reason to have practical goals.

//I am looking for programs with good ROI as well. Also programs that can offer me some sort of tution waiver / scholarship /funding assistance.

The 'trick' (if you can call it that) is to choose schools that are competitive enough to get you a job and accessible enough to give you free money (scholarships, tuition waiver etc). Then go in with an application that'll blow them away.

[MBACrystalBall]

Hi flash07,

//GMAT: 660 (Q46, V35); AWA-4.5
...Have already taken it thrice...But, I think I am done with it.

Good that you've struck the final nail in the coffin on this and decided to move on.

//Lack of ECs – Do have a few but do not know whether they really count.

You've mentioned "Managed state and national level events for 2 years in college" You can find a way to mention this in passing in the relevant essay.

//½ yr break in between the two jobs to complete a certificate course.

Is it a globally recognised certification? Is it normal for people to take a break to complete it?

//Low work experience to fill in for the low GMAT (But, will be nearly 4yrs by the time I intend to join).

On the contrary, I think your work-ex is a strong point for you. You'd be close to the average candidate profile (age and experience-wise) for most schools on your list.

//Career Goals: Project Management / Consulting.

Which one are you leaning towards? I see a greater fit for the Project Management role than for consulting (will share the why and why-not reasons in detail over a cup of coffee on a rainy day).

//What extra efforts do I need to put in?

It'll be great if you can replace the junior sounding 'Executive' label with the next position in the hierarchy. Possible?

[robinagarwal3]

Hi MBACrystalBall,

Got to know about this forum from GMAT Club. It is amazing that you guys are helping out so many candidates with this initiative. I recently appeared for GMAT and am looking for a full-time MBA program in Fall 2013.

My profile goes as follows:


- Your qualifications: degree, academic performance

Dual Degree (B.Tech/M.Tech), IITB (2010), CGPA 7.9/10
Exchange student at Purdue University, made the Dean's merit list with semester honors (GPA 3.7/4)
Hold several awards in various co-curricular activities
CFA level 2 cleared


- GMAT score: quant/verbal break-up, AWA

750/Q50/V40/AWA 4.5


- Work-experience: Industry, role, number of years

2010-2012: Worked with a big-4 consulting firm in their technology practice for 2 years
Presently: Will be joining an international investment management firm as an analyst(AUM ~ 2 billion)
Actively working on a startup on Mobile Social Media
Total Experience at the time of application ~ 2.5 years


- Major achievements at work and outside

Won 2 prestigious awards at my firm in a span of past 12 months
Actively involved in a few initiatives at work in Social Media, creating new product offerings etc.
Initiated a community to promote music as a hobby within the firm, organized few workshops, created a large community of 50-60 people which regularly comes together and practices, jams etc.
During College, I was the captain of the institute robotics team and won numerous competitions, convener of an innovation cell (which provided funding for small ideas) and part of the team which managed Techfest (Technical Festival of IITB)


- Career goals

S/T: I would like to join a consulting or investment banking company, gain expertise, build a strong network before finally moving into VC/PE
L/T: I would like to manage a portfolio of good companies or startups (probably as a VC or PE investor)


My target schools are:

I am looking for colleges in Asia, preferably in India or Singapore, but I am also open to top 10 schools in the US.
List of schools include NUS, NTU, ISB, NYU-Stern, Chicago-Booth, MIT-Sloan etc.


Please let me know what do you think? Any comments or suggestions are most welcome.

[Trymba316]

Hello Sameer

Thanks for the response. Here is a follow-up...

//Given your GMAT score and background, your choice of bschools is pretty unusual (read, conservative).

Well, I wanted to apply to colleges that would consider a profile like mine as I do not have a lot of extra-curricular experience which I feel is a downturn. I had also filtered Carnegie Mellon Australia for the MSIT program. Any idea how good this is?

//That's a good start. But curious to know why Melbourne and Rotterdam are the only 2 international schools on your list. You've left out the entire US business school community.

Well, I am not too keen about the US business schools. Are there any good ones for IT consulting etc.



//You have got 2 Indian degrees already (and a gold medal in the Masters). As you want to stick to an industry that by nature tends to be international (clients located all over the globe), you might want to re-think on that list.

Any suggestions on the list? I have Carnegie Mellon, HEC, IE and Mendoza on the list but I am not sure if my profile is worth giving these colleges a try. Any thoughts?

Thanks