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an unconventional profile pre-evaluation

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an unconventional profile pre-evaluation

by yogami » Tue Jun 02, 2009 11:11 pm
Hey guys,
I will appreciate it if you can provide me with some insight into my chances in making it to Indian School of Business. The reasons I want to get into ISB are as follows:
1) 50% cheaper then schools in US
2) Guaranteed bank loans at cheaper interest rates
3) top 20 in world rankings
4) good entrepreneurship and marketing program
5) lots of beautiful indian women :)

I am an Indian IT professional working in US since 2003 with six years of work exp.. First three years were as Consulting in Technology and development and the next three years in business analysis, project management and some development. I hated IT from day 1 but was trapped into it due to my visa regulations and tendency to get stuck in the comfort zone. Only recently I have started becoming active in other areas: trying a few start-ups.
I want to pursue my MBA to change fields from IT into either marketing (i like sales and people in general) or entrepreneurship (i want to start the pick up arts industry in india)

My expected GMAT score is between 700 - 730.
My undergrad GPA is 3.6 from University of Pune - India (nobody has heard of it) - BS in Electrical Engineering
My grad GPA is 3.4 from Tennessee Tech university (unranked and I really dont know why I chose this one) - MS in Electrical Engineering

Extracurricular:
Started my own band, have released one album
Started a profitable limo service in Houston to cater to clubbing crowd
Started coaching shy men on how to be confident and date women (using pickup theory and social dynamics)
CMO of my company

Thanks
200 or 800. It don't matter no more.
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by AppReview » Wed Jun 03, 2009 12:26 am
Hi,

As we are based out of India, we can assure you we have heard of Pune University :) . And not only ISB, but many good B schools know about it as well, as Pune is often referred to as the Oxford of the East and also because of the huge volume of students there, many end up going abroad for post grad (such as you).

Please find below a detailed analysis:


1. Your reasons for ISB are good (including th Indian women part; We agree, they are the most beautiful ;))

2. You come across as a typical Indian candidate. Engineer, IT Work etc. So when the adcom picks up your application, the will let out a sigh thinking 'here we go again...' Basically, you need to be atypical and fresh. And we think you are to some extent. The work experience part is different due to the different realms in the 3 years. The latter one makes you a more attractive (no pun intended) candidate.

3. Your startup limo service and coaching company seem great. The first is profitable and thus makes a better impression and also proves you are good with marketing and seizing a good market opportunity. The latter makes an impression as it gives an impression of your confidence and your ability to influence others. However be prepared to defend both. For example, the second one could be take a little negatively, especially in India. Just be a little careful in your projection. The CMO post should add weightage.

4. You haven't mentioned many extra currics. But being the founder of a successful band, being an Indian candidate, is unique and should be very positive for you.

5. You know best why you chose Tennessee, and you better know this because you might be asked why during your interview. If you had a scholarship, that's your key out. Of course, you can defend it well through the job and work experience you got once you graduated.

All in all, your long term plans fit well with what you have started doing right now only and thus it all fits in well. In your application, just make sure your future plans are focussed, as currently you are a part of 2 very diverse startups and the adcom wouldn't want to see someone trying their hands everywhere without a solid footing. You should be very competitive at ISB with a GMAT score in excess of 720. The average GMAT is very high for ISB, even higher than some top ten MBA programs. Thus, to be safe, target (and achieve) 730+.

Hope this helps. All The Best.

Regards,
Team AppReview
AppReview - Realizing your potential, transforming your dreams

A unique student collaborative venture - We are an eclectic mix of students having confirmed admission offers at Yale, Stanford, Cornell, Duke, Dartmouth, LSE, Cambridge, Imperial College, among others. Offering admissions consultancy options with the flexibility of choosing a custom mentor for all types of graduate and professional studies.

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by yogami » Sat Jun 06, 2009 11:37 am
Hey dude,
Thanks for reviewing my profile. I now get a fair idea of what will it take for ISB. Regarding the GMAT, I know I can exceed over 720 if I give it a month more. And I am not worried too much about getting a slight negative response about my venture into pickup arts, because I feel it has to do more with life coaching and personality development than simply picking up women :)
I know that ISB gives grants and loans to deserving students, merit and need based. What could be a typical profile of someone who gets a decent tuition waiver? Also do the banks in India loan you for your living expenses too?
Looks like you guys are starting out into admission consulting in India. How is that coming up?
Good luck!
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by AppReview » Sun Jun 07, 2009 6:58 am
Hi,

Of course your venture is impressive. But we just wanted to throw a wind of caution that you should project it appropriately For Example, talking more about results and methodology, stressing less on techniques for dating or 'picking up' women. The word pickup when used in conjunction with women could make things look bad for you. So that's what we meant.

As for loans and tuition waivers, we can't really say. If we just said that students who excel at their GMAT, GPA and are all round achievers, it would be redundant information. But that is exactly the criteria schools use to evaluate students for scholarships worldwide. Being an Indian school, ISB knows the financial hardships Indian students face in securing loans/having enough liquid cash to attend ISB. Hence, they keep that in mind. As you have studied and worked in the US, they might be a little less generous. But your overall merit profile seems decent, and they would want you to attend and thus extend a scholarship. Will have to wait for the final call to see if you fit their bill.

Banks in India loan according to the estimate given by the University. They pay you the money, not directly to the institution. Hence, whatever use you put that to is up to you. Of course you will get into trouble when they find out you started a business with it or something :) but they do keep a check, let the university know about the loan, inquire time to time, ask for receipts etc.

You won't have problems in securing a loan for the entire time you spend at ISB, including living. Getting in is the tough part :) (and of course these days, getting a job. According to our info, ISB hasn't been able to place all of its students as of yet.)

If you are really interested in studying in India, and ISB isn't the ONLY place you are targeting, we strongly suggest checking the executive programs at IIM-A. The only reason IIMs aren't ranked in the surveys/rankings is because more than half of their class is made of students without work ex. and they lack some basic 'pre requisites' these ranking magazines have. It's a good course and has excellent facilities/placements.

Our venture is new and we have just started out. Mostly limited to advising candidates right now. India needs a venture like ours. All members of our team have one thing in common apart from excellent test scores, great admission offers and a desire to be the best (yes, we brag... but only at the right place and at the right time :)) : Helping students devote their resources in a useful venture like ours, than wasting it elsewhere with no results. Do spread the word around if you think we have been helpful.

And if you think getting admissions in a good MBA program is a mid life crisis, you are going to be 'un'pleasanlty surprised ahead :)

Regards,
Ankit
Founder, AppReview
AppReview - Realizing your potential, transforming your dreams

A unique student collaborative venture - We are an eclectic mix of students having confirmed admission offers at Yale, Stanford, Cornell, Duke, Dartmouth, LSE, Cambridge, Imperial College, among others. Offering admissions consultancy options with the flexibility of choosing a custom mentor for all types of graduate and professional studies.

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