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HBS/Johnson Fresher Chances (Profile Eval.)

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HBS/Johnson Fresher Chances (Profile Eval.)

by str1der » Sun Dec 07, 2008 8:50 am
Hi,

I am a college senior from India and would like to inquire about my chances at HBS. I do not have any prior full time work experience. However, I have two internships with start up firms based out of India. They aren't big names but personal growth here has been very good. I am also the founder of my own web and graphic design firm and have hired people after interviewing them for contract based jobs.

Academically, I have 93% in grade 10, 86% in grade 12 (Maths Phys Chem option) and a current percentage of about 66% in Computer Science and Engineering from Panjab University which is highly regarded and well known as you would already be aware of. (It helps when the country's prime minister and one of the best economists is an alumni :) )

I have also been recognized as India's Youngest Microsoft Certified Professional (when I was 13). I have topped both my schools (changed after grade ten) in English. I have been sub editor of the school magazine, been house captain (in charge of 300 students), served on the executive board of my school's alumni association and taken active interest in social work by volunteering to organize blood donation camps, educating beggars and working with Help Age India.

In college, I have been an active member of the largest student organization on campus and managed funds for a year for the same. I was also selected by a globally renowned consulting firm during recently concluded placements and was in the 2% students selected out of 350.

I am taking my GMAT on the 27th of December. The GMAT PowerPrep test I took has given me a score of 690. I took the test without preparation and rushed through it, finishing it in under 1 hour as I just wanted to get a feel of the test. Am expecting (or rather targeting) a score of 690-730 in my GMAT.

I would like your opinion on my chances for admission to Harvard Business School and The Johnson School. I have also applied for the MFE program at Said Business School, Oxford.

Thank you for your time and kind regards,
Ankit
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by Jay Allen » Sun Dec 07, 2008 9:27 am
Ankit,

You have a very impressive resume. It's clear that most schools, including HBS, will regard you as a candidate with significant 'upside potential'--though will also flag you as a young applicant. As you're probably aware, HBS does focus on attracting young applicants that have already demonstrated significant capabilities. You will certainly fall into this category.

Now, strategically, you have two needs in your application.

First, you need prove that you are worthy of making the 'upside potential' cohort group. It's very difficult to effectively tout your own capabilities while still sounding humble. Make sure you balance the two opposing forces.

Second, you need to minimize the weakness intrinsic to your application. You need overcome doubts that your inexperience will lead to teamwork challenges, immaturity in meeting deadlines, lack of management perspective. Strategically placing mention of these characteristics in your recommendations and essays can help you stand out from other upside potential candidates.

Finally, you should recognize that getting in at your age is a long shot, though not impossible. We'd be happy to offer you a free strategic consultation and give you our 50% money back guarantee that we can help you get into at least one of your target schools.


Best,

Jason
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by str1der » Sun Dec 07, 2008 11:32 am
Hi Jay,

Thank you for your reply, your encouraging evaluations and the
insights you have given me. Please take stock of my present situation
and advise me further, if it is not too inconvenient for you.

I have taken the CAT examination this year, which is the major
entrance examination to the best MBA courses in the country. I have
performed well in the exam, and going by the answer keys released by
various institutes, should be getting a 99+ percentile score (out of
275000 applicants). Thus, I am also expecting calls from the highly
respected Indian Institute(s) of Management, or the IIMs. I am sure
being a renowned MBA consultant you are aware of the same.

Now, I am looking to apply to only three MBA courses in the USA. HBS,
Johnson (MILR/MBA Dual Degree) and Yale (Silver Scholars). In case I
make it to HBS or Yale, no matter where I get a call from, I would
join either one of them. In case I get a call from one of the top
IIMs, Cornell and neither Yale of Harvard, I would most likely join an
IIM. If I don't get a call from IIM, then Cornell. If no calls get
converted (I hope not) then I would get some work experience.

Now what would you advice me, about my plan of action, looking at the
kind of decisions I have just posted above? May I also add, with all
due respect and apologies, that the fee charged by you (3999 dollars)
for 4 colleges, for a student like me from India would be exorbitant
to say the least. It translates to roughly INR 200,000 which is the
starting salary (yearly) for some commerce graduates here.

I would like to ask you, if you could maybe offer some sort of
customized package, looking at the fact that I am applying only to
Yale and HBS (already applied to Cornell). I would highly recommend,
having a reduced fee for Indian students. This is just an advice,
keeping in mind the fact that a LOT of students here take this exam
and need help. But often do not engage any consultants due to the huge
costs incurred in dollars. A lot of Indian students would die to get
into the Indian School of Business (Ranked 20th in the world by FT and
accepts only the GMAT) and would pay to get good consultancy.

I hope you appreciate the tone and sentiment of this message. If my
comments are rude in any way, I would like to apologize.

Thank you once again for your time.

Regards,
Ankit

--
Regards,
Ankit
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by Jay Allen » Sun Dec 07, 2008 6:14 pm
Ankit,

I really like your focused strategy. By focusing on your top schools and allowing for the possibility of a delay, you've given yourself great options. You'll be able to do your three U.S. MBA applications at the highest quality level without diluting your efforts. HBS will still be a stretch for you, but it is for everyone as well. Yale SOM definitely is do-able, but requires a significantly different focus in your essays.

I think we can help you. Your comments about the price are totally understandable. It's a huge amount of money. While I do have a few responses, I know that regardless, it's a lot of money for someone about to also pay for graduate school, and I don't take for granted the struggle many of our clients have to pay us. I also realize that many people can't afford our services and are thus at a significant disadvantage in the application process.

I can say, without question, we earn our fee in full. We make our living off this fee and when you choose MBA Helpers you get a world class professional who dedicates their life to helping you get into the program of your dreams. My clients call me at all hours of the night. We do dozens of drafts together. Often, I am the first call (after their parents) when they get in to school. I do this job because I love it, but also because I feed my family through my work.

With that all said, we do have a limited scholarship fund that we set aside to help a small number of people that can't afford our fee. I will look into what is left in the fund and get back to you.

I'll also mention that we offer a $500 cash referral fee. For everyone person you help sign up with MBA Helpers, we'll give you $500 in cash.

Best,


Jay
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