MBA Crystal Ball

Hi Savita,

I recently took the GMAT and scored 720 in it. I have graduated from BITS-Pilani with B.E.(Hons) in Computer Science. I am currently placed in Sapient Global Markets, Blore. However, my CGPA is really low - 6.34/10. I would be applying for colleged only after 2 years of work experiece, that is, in 2015. I wanted to know if I should be looking at IESE, Spain ideally with my score, cgpa and profile.

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My profile in Brief:

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10th - 94%

12th - 89%

B.E.(Hons) Computer Science - 6.34/10

Thesis - Data Analytics, Supervised by Dean, IIIT Hyderabad.

School Head boy - 2008-2009

Selected for International Student Exchange Program (JENESYS) - 2008

University Footbal Team Captain - 2010-2012

Department head - Department of Sponsorship and marketting - 2010 - 2012

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The reason I am asking this question is so that i can better prepare my profile depending on your suggestion.

Your answer would be greatly appreciated. My major worry is my CGPA. Would it be a bottle neck for my apllication? How can i off shoot it?

Thank you :)

Hi Nikhil,

I think you have a good GMAT score for IESE.
Your profile looks good. Dont worry about your low CGPA. Your high school scores and GMAT score will compensate for that.
My advice to you would be that you work on your extra curricular activities and build your prfile. Make sure it comes out straight in your essays.
Be careful while writing your application essays. You should be able to differentiate yourself from other IT applicants.

All the best.

Regards,
Savita Hinger

Hi Savita,

Thank you for the valuable advice. Can you guide me a little on how to differentiate myself from other IT aspirants? I did comprehend the fact that my essays would be judged on my clarity of thought. But I'm a little puzzled about how I should go about my profile, for the next 2 years are the most crucial ones that would probably serve as profile taggers for an individual.

Do correct me if i am wrong. Looking forward for your reply.

Regards,

Nikhil Jones

Hi Nikhil,

I would suggest you to concentrate on some extra curricular activities outside work - take a leadership role, take initiatives, some sports related activities or may be learn a new language. These activities can be outside work or in your company.
Your accomplishments should add value to your CV.

If you plan to join any European B school, learning a foreign language is an added advantage and necessary for your survival in the respective city.

Regards,
Savita Hinger

Hi Savita,

Alright, I would mull over it and definitely work on my profile. I will write again at the time of applying. :)

Thank you for your time.:)

Regards,

Nikhil Jones

Hi Savita,

Congrats on your feat.
I recently took GMAT and scored 700. I have about 3.5 yrs of work ex and it ranges in consulting, R&D, Analytics and Business Intelligence. I have GPA of 8.7 on the scale of 10. I will post my little more detailed profile at the end of this post.

I have couple of questions:

1. Will my average GMAT score be a hindrance in getting admission? Should I retake the GMAT?

2. European MBAs do look very attractive in terms of lower cost and lesser duration in comparison to US MBAs but how is the European job market when compared to US? Is it comparable? How difficult or easy is to get a work Visa there?

3. Is language too much of concern in Europe and everyone has to compulsory learn Spanish? Are students placed in other non-English speaking countries as well?

4. How does a European MBA holds up in India? Does it has same value as a US MBA?

5. How easy or difficult is to get a bank loan to finance the education there? How many years does it typically take to repay the loan?

I know these are too many questions but with everyone around advising against a European MBA even though colleges like IESE constantly ranks in top 10 in world rankings it creates a lot of doubts in mind.

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My Profile:

Hi,
I took GMAT yesterday and scored a 700. Can you please help me evaluating my profile?

Please find a brief description of my profile below:

Origin:Indian| Male| 26

GMAT: 700 | Q49 V37

Educational Background:

B.Tech (Engg) in Information Technology
GPA: 8.7 out of 10
I have showed strong academic performance throughout my education with 86% and 87% marks respectively in my 10th and 10+2 too

Work Experience:

I will have total work experience of 4.5 yrs by the time I join any business school next year.

I am currently working with Oracle corporation in the product development division. My work basically focus on to research and innovate new Business Intelligence products which can help Business user to take quick and informed decisions with the help of technology and data analysis.
My role requires me to be very close to the business and I will even like to stretch it to the point that this is the technological role which is closest to the business and I have fair understanding of business domains I work in.
I head a small team of 4 developers in India which works on creating prototypes for the new products.

Before Oracle, I was with ZS Associates which is one of the world's leading consulting firm and enjoys near monopoly in the field of pharma consulting.
I worked on several consulting projects for ZS including merger analysis, market segmentation etc. for top US pharma companies such as Pfizer and Daichii Sankyo, J&J etc.
My work involved using my Business Intelligence skills to enable these projects technologically. I lead a small team of two associates in ZS too. I have a very good understanding of pharma business and data as well as consulting requirements.

Extra curricular activities:

I am involved with a NGO called iVolunteer from past one and a half year and have participated in various joy giving events like such as visiting various old age homes and child care centres to spend time with them and running half marathon for sponsorship events

Among other activities I am a good orator and creative writer and have participated at various levels at school and college

Achievements:
I did a research project on Artificial Intelligence in my last year of college for Defence Research Organization (DRDO) of India and was appreciated by then president Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam

Why MBA?
I have acquired a very niche skill set of technological knowledge as well as business domain knowledge till this point of my career with the balance slightly tilting towards technology. A MBA degree will enable me to shift this balance towards business.
This shift is a necessary condition for me if I want to use my strategic thinking, data analysis skills and innovative qualities for a greater good. I want to get into the driving seat of the decision making process and I believe a MBA degree along with my business intelligence and leadership skills will be a good recipe to achieve my goal.

Questions

1. Will my average score affect my applications? Should I retake GMAT? If I put in one more month I can hope to get about 720 but I don't think I can achieve anything drastically high in just a month

2. Which colleges should I apply? I was targeting ISB for one main reason that it is very easy to get the collateral free education loan for the whole fees.
Financing my education is one of my major concern. I'm not averse to loans but I don't have much idea about the process and how difficult is it for foreign students to secure one.
If know this is not the forum to discuss finance but I will greatly appreciate if you can direct me to someone who can help me in this regard

Please let me know if any additional information is required from my side.
Thanks a lot for your help

Hi Savita,

Hope you are doing good.

I am looking primarily at European B-schools due to their extra focus on diversity and culture.

I am applying to LBS and HEC Paris currently.

Ideally I would like to be in Spain but I heard Indians there aren't getting much jobs especially if they are not proficient in business level Spanish.

How is the situation at IESE ? I presume it must be better since it is the best B-school in Spain. However, it would be nicer to hear it from someone who is studying there.

Also, it will be great if you could have a look at my profile to gauge my chances at IESE.

GMAT - 720
Education - Delhi College of Engineering, CFA Level 1 - Pass

Work Experience - ~3 years. About 2.5 years as an Equity Research Analyst at Trefis, a startup firm founded by MIT and Wall Street Analysts.

Languages - English, Hindi, Punjabi, French (Basic)

Extra Curricular - a) Volunteer work experience ~ 4 months, as an English teacher
b) Lawn Tennis College Captain
c) Football College Team member
d) Amateur food blogger

I would like to start a restaurant consulting firm (I have a partial business plan ready) after my MBA. However, I think I might need to work a couple years before in order to pay off my loans.

Spain is the global culinary hotspot at the moment. Moreover, studying in a classroom with students from over 40 nationalities excites me.

Do you think I stand a good chance ?

Thank you really.

@Aman_Gupta

Thanks and Sorry for the late reply.
In case you are still confused regarding your MBA application, following are answers to your questions and some insights:

1. You have a competitive GMAT score. Don't worry.
2. Currently, European market is not doing great as compared to US. Work Visa is an issue for Asians. It also depends on what industry/function you are looking for. Some companies have no problem sponsoring work visas but some do have.
3. Its not compulsory to learn Spanish. It is your wish. Knowing an additional language is always a value add to your profile.
4. Typically, European MBAs are not valued at par with the US MBAs. However, now even European business schools have started branding in order to improve visibility in India.
5. All IESE students get a guaranteed bank loan from Banco Sabadell, Spain. Check IESE website- Financial Aid section for more details.

I don't think you need to give GMAT again. Concentrate on your application. But, if you think you can do better, give it a try. In India, there are some education loan providers apart from banks e.g. Credila.

I think you should select college based on the location you want to work post MBA and the industry/function. Some of the functions (investment banking/consulting) have a global recruitment system. So, location isn't a problem if you want to get there. However, if your target is industry, choose the location of the MBA where maximum opportunities are available.

@divjot89

You have a good GMAT score. I would advice you to gain additional work experience so that your profile becomes more competitive. Concentrate more on your application essays and try to differentiate yourself.

It is true that Europe is not doing that great and it has affected almost all business schools in Europe. For working in Europe, additional European language (depending on the location) is required in most of the cases. However, there are some exceptions to that as well.

Please refer to my posts above for some additional information.

I think LBS might be a different case. You should talk to someone studying there.

Let me know if you have additional questions.

Regards,
Savita