Admissions Success Stories

Hi there!

I have been a BeatTheGmat member for a long time (2006!) I have recently been admitted to two great Schools: Tuck and Ross.

I would love to share my story with you guys! I will stick with the outline suggested By Eric.

WORK PROFILE:
2007-2011
Worked as an Animation Engineer in a startup in India.
Instrumental in setting up the operations in India for the Los Angeles based startup.
Challenging role as a liason between the Technology team of developers, scientists headed by the CTO and the Production team of artists and executive producers.

2005-2007
Worked as an Application Developer at IBM.
Steep learning curve initially. Performance was stellar, but work became repetitive.

PART TIME

• Faculty at two major GMAT Coaching classes.
  Run my own free online GMAT Preparation website.

UNDERGRAD
Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi (IIT Delhi, Class of 2005)
CGPA: 7.8/10

TARGET SCHOOLS

• HBS - Denied w/o interview
  Stanford - Denied without interview
  Booth - Waitlisted, then Denied.
  Kellogg - Waitlisted, then Denied.
  Tuck - Accepted, Matriculating.
  NYU Stern - Waitlisted, then Denied.
  Ross - Accepted.
  Duke - Denied after Interview.
  Wharton - Denied after Interview.

IMPRESSIONS
Booth Interview - by an Alum - very unpleasant experience.

Wharton Interview - by an Alum - good, but too professional / formal.

Duke Interview - First time on Phone - by second year - interviewer did not do a good job of making conversation - was okay.

Duke Interview - Second time by alum - very nice experience - good conversation, friendly environment, personal feel.

Kellogg Interview - by adcom over the phone - Straightforward, mostly I talking and she listening sorts.

Tuck Interview - by adcom in person - Very nice, personal, friendly and open. Best ever interview.

Tuck campus visit - amazing school, everyone is super helpful, best cozy, close knit environment andy B-school can ever offer.

Ross Interview - by adcom in person - Very nice. Professional yet personal. Nice conversation. Passionate alum and a good listener.

Ross student forums - very enthusiastic. Lots of energy.

TIPS/STRATEGIES

• If you don't have a stellar profile (read IB, Consultant at big company, non-profit, etc.) get a good GMAT Score. I have a 770 on the GMAT (Read my story here) and a solid acad from IIT and yet I had a tough time getting in.
  Write very personal essays.
  Have ample time to write the essays.
  Take your GMAT before June.
  Diversify! Everything: Essay choices, recommenders, schools - expand the scope of your story.
  Do not write down your interview answers. Feels rehearsed - big NO NO.
  Be relentless.

Read the entire story on my website (see signature).

I hope this helps for anyone who's embarking on this long and tiring journey. Before school I am free and you guys are welcome to PM/Email me for any questions you have regarding B-school applications.

Thanks,

All the best!

Mukul

Mukul, Congrats on realizing your B School dream
How did you position yourselves in your essays-why MBA & why now ?

Great GMAT score sir , and congrats on getting in one of the World's top schools !
It would be really great if you could answer a few questions I have-

-I was wondering if you took help from any consultants during your application process( If yes -which one , how was your experience ? and if no why not ?)

- Could you please elaborate a bit on your comment on " IB/CONSULTING /NON PROFIT "; I do understand why would adcom prefer guys from top consulting firms and IB firms , but can't really see that happening for people from NON-profit sector ( btw I work for a non profit ) .

-Also could you please comment on how you went about conducting your research on the schools you applied to ( which b-schools books that you read ? , did you visit any of the schools? etc)

JK. wrote:Mukul, Congrats on realizing your B School dream
How did you position yourselves in your essays-why MBA & why now ?

See my story on the website (signature)

M

akshatmikku wrote:Great GMAT score sir , and congrats on getting in one of the World's top schools !
It would be really great if you could answer a few questions I have-

-I was wondering if you took help from any consultants during your application process( If yes -which one , how was your experience ? and if no why not ?)

- Could you please elaborate a bit on your comment on " IB/CONSULTING /NON PROFIT "; I do understand why would adcom prefer guys from top consulting firms and IB firms , but can't really see that happening for people from NON-profit sector ( btw I work for a non profit ) .

-Also could you please comment on how you went about conducting your research on the schools you applied to ( which b-schools books that you read ? , did you visit any of the schools? etc)

Again, see my website. I guess pretty much everythin i hav to say is there!

M

Hey just thought I should share these success stories as well:

Successful MBA applicant to Kellogg

Successful MBA Applicant to MIT Sloan

Enjoy!

Thanks Mukul. These stories were very informative. I have subscribed to GMATing
I suggest all aspirants to invest few minutes on the above links.

mukul wrote:Hi there!

I have been a BeatTheGmat member for a long time (2006!) I have recently been admitted to two great Schools: Tuck and Ross.

I would love to share my story with you guys! I will stick with the outline suggested By Eric.

WORK PROFILE:
2007-2011
Worked as an Animation Engineer in a startup in India.
Instrumental in setting up the operations in India for the Los Angeles based startup.
Challenging role as a liason between the Technology team of developers, scientists headed by the CTO and the Production team of artists and executive producers.

2005-2007
Worked as an Application Developer at IBM.
Steep learning curve initially. Performance was stellar, but work became repetitive.

PART TIME

• Faculty at two major GMAT Coaching classes.
  Run my own free online GMAT Preparation website.

UNDERGRAD
Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi (IIT Delhi, Class of 2005)
CGPA: 7.8/10

TARGET SCHOOLS

• HBS - Denied w/o interview
  Stanford - Denied without interview
  Booth - Waitlisted, then Denied.
  Kellogg - Waitlisted, then Denied.
  Tuck - Accepted, Matriculating.
  NYU Stern - Waitlisted, then Denied.
  Ross - Accepted.
  Duke - Denied after Interview.
  Wharton - Denied after Interview.

IMPRESSIONS
Booth Interview - by an Alum - very unpleasant experience.

Wharton Interview - by an Alum - good, but too professional / formal.

Duke Interview - First time on Phone - by second year - interviewer did not do a good job of making conversation - was okay.

Duke Interview - Second time by alum - very nice experience - good conversation, friendly environment, personal feel.

Kellogg Interview - by adcom over the phone - Straightforward, mostly I talking and she listening sorts.

Tuck Interview - by adcom in person - Very nice, personal, friendly and open. Best ever interview.

Tuck campus visit - amazing school, everyone is super helpful, best cozy, close knit environment andy B-school can ever offer.

Ross Interview - by adcom in person - Very nice. Professional yet personal. Nice conversation. Passionate alum and a good listener.

Ross student forums - very enthusiastic. Lots of energy.

TIPS/STRATEGIES

• If you don't have a stellar profile (read IB, Consultant at big company, non-profit, etc.) get a good GMAT Score. I have a 770 on the GMAT (Read my story here) and a solid acad from IIT and yet I had a tough time getting in.
  Write very personal essays.
  Have ample time to write the essays.
  Take your GMAT before June.
  Diversify! Everything: Essay choices, recommenders, schools - expand the scope of your story.
  Do not write down your interview answers. Feels rehearsed - big NO NO.
  Be relentless.

Read the entire story on my website (see signature).

I hope this helps for anyone who's embarking on this long and tiring journey. Before school I am free and you guys are welcome to PM/Email me for any questions you have regarding B-school applications.

Thanks,

All the best!

Mukul

Let me ask you all this just for learning purpose.. when these people call you from Duke etc, do they sound very professional type admission office officials or just 2nd year students of MBA class? Can you post the way of conversation? if possible few sentences??

mukul wrote:Hey just thought I should share these success stories as well:

Successful MBA applicant to Kellogg

Successful MBA Applicant to MIT Sloan

Enjoy!

Hey Mukul, thanks for sharing these stories. They are informative & inspirational. If you have some more Pls share.

Hi Mukul - I just had a specific query - you mention in your post that top b-schools prefer IB/Consulting /Non Profit.

Do you suggest then a candidate should take up some non-profit work to bolster his/her profile.??

Also do you think Tuck as a school is more open to NON " IB/Consulting /Non Profit" profiles. Any other schools like this among the top B-schools, who are open to profiles which are not from the traditional feeder firms.

Apart from getting a good gmat score any other tips you may have on enhancing application.

Would be helpful if you could share some thoughts.

Have posted this query on your website also.

Thanks
Misha