MBA Crystal Ball

Hi Sameer,
First and foremost,that is one awesome profile you have ..

My profile in brief:
Ajmal Ali Haneef,
CBSE 10th - 89%
CBSE 12th - 82%(best student awards at school..donot know if that is relevant)
Btech CSE - 64%(from one of the Top 3 engineering colleges in Kerala),
University was pretty tough,so have 3 backlogs.Actively inolved in campus politics(another reason for the backlogs)

Infosys(Campus recruitment) - 3 years and counting(Domain- Banking , Retail)
6 months onsite stint at Nigeria.(as far as international exposure is concerned)

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I had initially joined the company to gain experience to get into a proper MBA/MS(management) program abroad. And now i think it is time to work towards that.I have not fixed on any particular destination as such but i am slightly biased towards europe(france/spain/germany) and US.I found operations/supply chain management specialisation somewhat to my liking after reading about it.And there are some very good companies that i would like to end up working for in that domain.

ait would be very helpful if you could give me some idea about these questions ...

1)I came upon a list of Triple Accredited B-Schools. Is this triple accreditation over rated?If not, is it very hard to get into one of those?I found some schools in france like "ROUEN" with triple accreditation. I found the course fees there within my budget but have not heard any mention of the school anywhere in my circle.

2)Though i know that a masters should not be approached with just the ROI in mind, which do you think is a worthwhile course MS in supply chain or operations / MBA with specialisation in operations or supply chain. I come from a middle class family and could do with a few less zeroes in the educational loan.

3)It would be helpful if you could recommend a few b-schools that offer very good courses in operations or supply chain(preferabaly middle-tier universities,as i cannot afford the elite ones and also because my chances are slim there).I read that Krannert School(Purdue) is great for operations/supply chain specialisation.Is it too ambitious for my profile?

4)Which destination do you think suits my preferred course- Europe or US.I read somewhere that germany(specifically hamburg) is a major hub for supply chain /logistics companies.

5)Am looking for a 2013 admit.I am confused whether to take the new revised version of GMAT after June or the older one before that somewhere around May .. Is 3 months a good enough time for gmat prep?

6)I am actually biased towards doing a masters program now and then later on do an MBA if required after gaining significant experience in the chosen field.But most of the people i know discourage doing a masters in operations/supply chain.I am not entirely convinced by their reasoning though.What is your opinion regarding this?
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If it is of any help, i have tried to answer some of the basic questions...

5 years from now...
I would like to work for 2-3 years post study at the place where i graduate from and then plan to move to the middle east(preferably in the oil/gas or retail domain).Just mentioned to give you an idea about my future plans.

10 years from now...
I would like to see myself starting up a venture.

Why MBA?
I have always wanted to be an entrepreneur.I even tried to start up something,but all along i could feel that i lacked a proper business knowledge and experience.
I would to do an international mba for the exposure,networking and the credibility that it gives. Apart from that as i told you, international degrees are really valued in the middle east where my family plans to settle.

Why operations?
It was partly a decision made by elimination as well as a bit of reading on the subject. I had worked in banking and never liked it.I donot want to stick with IT.Marketing though its interesting is not something i want to do.

Please feel free to give an honest opinion.

Regards,
Ajmal

Hi rrkm

//I have read a lot about you. I need a very straight forward profile evaluation.

Please let me know who's been talking about me behind my back. I'd like to reach out to them and, umm (thinking of options)...say thank you.

//my father is an entrepreneur,who owns a flour mill.I've worked with him very closely during my college days and was involved in various aspects of the factory and business operations. I've joined Deloitte only to get outside work experience.

I'm not sure about the kind of experience you are currently getting at Deloitte. But I am doubtful that it's got a lot of relevance to what you'd do once you join your family business.

// My long term objective is to join my father and expand the business with both forward and bacward integration and increase the capacity of the mill.I strongly feel an MBA would help me immensely. Father wants me to join him by at least by 2015.

Given that timeline, I see the following challenges for you:
- your full-time experience level is very low (only a few months).
- your experience with your dad has been on a part-time basis while you were studying. So you can't show that as 4 years just to be on par with the other applicants who'd be coming in with the same number of years but in a full-time role.
- If you target the regular 2 year programs (US-style), then either you apply with very little experience (which means all the good schools are out) or you gain at least 2-3 years of pre-MBA work-ex at Deloitte before applyning (which means your dad's curfew date goes out of the window).

// Please advice on the right MBA course for me.I have thought of 1 year courses in IMD,INSEAD.(The problem is in this courses will they consider my 4 year experience at my factory as work ex?)

One year programs are intense and the ones you've listed out are the toughest to get into even with solid experience. Your best bet would be to look at 2 year options after getting some more corporate experience.

The other option you might want to consider. Join your dad right now, work with him for a few years and then look at an MBA. That way your pre-MBA and post-MBA stories are aligned.

Is that something worth thinking about?

Hi Ajmal

// First and foremost,that is one awesome profile you have ..

The idea here is to make YOUR profile awesome bro, so let's put the spotlight back on you.

// 1)Is this triple accreditation over rated?...I found some schools in france like "ROUEN" with triple accreditation. I found the course fees there within my budget but have not heard any mention of the school anywhere in my circle.

I haven't heard of ROUEN, so can't say anything about it specifically. But you've hit the nail on the head with your last statement. If any course is accreditated, rated and possibly provides high quality education too, if your recruiter hasn't heard of the brand earlier, you can have a tough time justifying it with the other parameters.

// 2)Though i know that a masters should not be approached with just the ROI in mind, which do you think is a worthwhile course MS in supply chain or operations / MBA with specialisation in operations or supply chain.

MS will make your path very focussed. MBA will allow you to make shifts if you have a change of mind halfway during the course. MS has a higher proportion of technical aspects while MBA would be more broad-based and business/management focussed. Take your pick.

// 3)It would be helpful if you could recommend a few b-schools that offer very good courses in operations or supply chain(preferabaly middle-tier universities,as i cannot afford the elite ones and also because my chances are slim there).I read that Krannert School(Purdue) is great for operations/supply chain specialisation.Is it too ambitious for my profile?

Can't comment on whether any of these would be ambitious or practical unless I test you from an admission officer's angle. But here are some schools that are strong in Supply Chain Management:
Among the top ones: MIT (Sloan), Wharton, Tepper
Next tier: Ohio State University (Fisher), Pennsylvania State University (Smeal), Broad (Arizona State University)

// 4)Which destination do you think suits my preferred course- Europe or US.I read somewhere that germany(specifically hamburg) is a major hub for supply chain /logistics companies.

Unfortunately, Germany doesn't have any globally known bschools that offer MBA programs. You could go for specialised courses, though. Plus language could be a hurdle. US has both, school brands and career and job opportunities.

// 5)Am looking for a 2013 admit.I am confused whether to take the new revised version of GMAT after June or the older one before that somewhere around May .. Is 3 months a good enough time for gmat prep?

3 months of GMAT preparation should be enough if you approach it in a structured manner. Take it whenever you are ready. Don't worry about the format.

// 6)I am actually biased towards doing a masters program now and then later on do an MBA if required after gaining significant experience in the chosen field.

If you go for 2 masters degrees, it's highly likely that one of them would be wasted. To keep things simple, decide on one and chuck the other one out.

Final tip. Master the art of succint business communication. Long emails can turn off the reader

Hi Sameer,

Thanks for the honest perspective ...
The lengthy post was mainly because i wanted to give you a proper idea about my profile and what i expect from a degree abroad ...

Your hint is well received .. as u can see this mail is just 6 lines long .. I have a few more questions in terms of MBA prep ..

1)I was planning to join your e-gmat online course.Apart from that(as e-gmat covers only SC and CR) and the official guide,what are the materials that i should refer to?
2)If i am planning to apply for fall 2013 admits, what do you think is the best time to do the MBA-MAP mock application process?

Regards,
Ajmal

Ajmal, responses below.

// 1)I was planning to join your e-gmat online course.Apart from that(as e-gmat covers only SC and CR) and the official guide,what are the materials that i should refer to?

Just to clarify, the e-GMAT online course is not offered by MBA Crystal Ball. It's managed by a separate US-based company (called e-GMAT). Some of their packages include a free Grockit subscription which can provide a broadbased exposure. You could check with them directly about how their process works.

And yes, I think the GMAT Official Guide is a must.

MBA Crystal Ball only offers the MBA MAP and the regular application assistance services (MBA essays, recommendations, resume/CV review, interview prep)

// 2)If i am planning to apply for fall 2013 admits, what do you think is the best time to do the MBA-MAP mock application process?

We've already completed several MBA MAP requests for candidates targetting fall 2013 deadlines. The best time to do it is when you have a confirmed GMAT score (or atleast a reasonably certain estimate).

Hello Sameer,

I am targeting for Fall 2013 MBA and I am from the dreaded "IIM pool" .

Qualifications
Decent.
GMAT - 690
Undergraduate - 6.7/10 (Topper 8.2)
Degree - B.Tech (Information Technology)

Work Experience
[*]Around 4 years by Matriculation in an Indian IT giant. No international experience yet.
[*]Working in Banking and Financial Services domain. Was part of a mainframe development team which completed two multi-million dollar projects for an US based giant. In the development stage, apart from taking part in stages of the SDLC, I took a lot of interest in learning about the business of banking and insurance. Completed a few internal domain certifications pertaining to banking and insurance.
[*]At present, my role is to co-ordinate in maintaining and supporting both the projects. I have to co-ordinate with the support team in case of any errors with the batch and also develop/enhance the system. I have got appreciations from my project manager and clients for my work. Module lead for two, at present.
[*]Apart from the usual client work, I am also the point of contact for Associate Management for the entire development bay which includes around 600 associates. This involves maintaining/revoking access for the associates, taking weekly sessions related to security,processes followed etc for newcomers to this client project and miscellaneous activities pertaining to Associate Management. Co-ordinating with HR for associate-related activities.
[*]Member of the Client-Management team which takes care of engaging clients in activities when they are in India and planning itineraries for them during their stay in India.

Extra-Curriculars
[*] Taken part in CSR activities as part of my company. Includes taking classes for under-privileged children during some weekends, collection/donation of clothes/books/money to ashrams.
[*] Editor of my college magazine for the year 2008.
[*] Chess player. Won many district/state level certifications during school.
[*] Amateur dancer. Took part of dancing competition in college.
[*] Freelance Web Developer. Developed a few websites for intra-college level tech fests. Also, developed a website for Bangalore based fabric export company.

I would like to shift to consulting positions in the IT industry (IT consulting) post MBA.

I have shortlisted the below B-Schools so far.

[*] Nanyang Business School
[*] NUS
[*] HKUST
[*] Simon Rochester

What are my chances at the target schools?
Do you think I can give ISB, HEC Paris, ESADE a shot?

Your comments would be valuable.

Thanks!!

H Don_Juan,

// GMAT - 690
Undergraduate - 6.7/10 (Topper 8.2)
Degree - B.Tech (Information Technology)
[*]Around 4 years by Matriculation in an Indian IT giant. [/i]

I realise that this is what most IT professionals do. But the way you've portrayed it is exactly what we don't want to do. It has just been a comprehensive version of a regular job description, which is doing little for the differentiation part.

// I would like to shift to consulting positions in the IT industry (IT consulting) post MBA.

Wouldn't that be possible without an MBA?

// I have shortlisted the below B-Schools so far.

Sure, the choices are spread out well. But the biggest challenge you'd have to tackle is to avoid giving a plain vanilla portrayal of who you are and what you want to do.

Also, you'd need to justify why an expensive degree is needed for something that most engineers manage without an MBA.

Hello Sameer,
Sorry to sound naive. But do you mean to say that I have to spice up the things that I had said. I mean, you must know that the way I described is how an IT job profile usually is. Also, an MBA route to becoming an IT consultant will be more streamlined than the usual route and moreover it takes a lot of time when I go via the usual route. Additionally, I would like to earn an MBA degree because atleast ten years down the lane, I could see myself starting my own venture.
Please let me know how to proceed. Your comments are very valuable.

Don_Juan,

// Sorry to sound naive. But do you mean to say that I have to spice up the things that I had said. I mean, you must know that the way I described is how an IT job profile usually is.

What I meant was the overall perception a reviewer might get after reading the post is 'Hmmm, the last 3 IT guys sounded almost exactly the same. I wonder what makes this guy special.'

Address that question before it comes up.

The way to approach it is to not make the descriptive parts of your apps (the essays) sound like your CV. In fact, even the resume need not follow a cookie cutter approach of listing down what anybody in that role would've done. Go beyond the generalities and help the reader establish a connection with you.

As a general rule of thumb, spend 25% establishing the context (your role and what you were supposed to do) and then 75% that gives the story a unique twist (showing how you stand head and shoulders above your peers).

And the good thing is you do have content in there that can be highlighted. The domain knowledge for instance. If you understand an industry in a fairly detailed manner, you've moved away from a bulk of your competition.

// Also, an MBA route to becoming an IT consultant will be more streamlined than the usual route and moreover it takes a lot of time when I go via the usual route.

In your essays, build up on that argument and get into specifics. How and why will it be streamlined? What will an MBA give you that your colleagues wouldn't pick up on the job.

// Additionally, I would like to earn an MBA degree because atleast ten years down the lane, I could see myself starting my own venture.

So if we are talking about you getting into school next year and spending 2 years in class, then your entrepreneurship plans are set for 2025!

Just be a little careful about getting too much into the future. The level of uncertainty goes up exponentially with each passing year.

Hi,

Kindly evaluate my profile:

Academics: BTech (Mechanical) IIT Bombay; CPI 7.73 10th: 92%; 12th; 84.8%

GMAT Score: 720 Q:50 V:37 AWA:4.0

Work Experience/Achivements: Oil and Gas Consulting (Derrick Petroleum Services), Business Analyst, 2 yrs
The company for which I work is a small one. I work on Production and Economics modelling of Oil and Gas fields, worked as an analyst for several consulting projects, took initiatives which are now followed as regular processes. Recently went to Norway, worked on a consulting project there and attended a conference.

Currently playing lead role in establishing Corporate Social responsibility division of the company. I also plan to make a non profit website which will bring together Volunteers and NGOs in Bangalore by providing more information about different NGOs and their Volunteer requirements(I am in very initial stages on this)

I have also been working on my fitness since the past few years, reduced my weight from 110kgs to 80kgs (I know not so relevant from MBA point of view but I have spent a good amount of time on this)

Career Goals: I would like to get into Energy divisions of major investment banks or specialized Ibanks which deal in Energy (example Tudor Pickering Holt, Scotia Waterous).

Target BSchools: Stanford, Colombia, NYU, Hass, Yale, Queen's, Rotman, Texas A&M

Questions
Could you please rate my chances at my target B schools?

Should I consider rewriting the GMAT?