Ask Aringo - if your GMAT is below 720.

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by Michelle@ARINGO » Wed May 28, 2014 1:41 am
pratyushkumarsingh wrote:Dear David,
Thanks for the prompt reply.
I actually would favour a 1 year program and right now, the only top 1 year program that comes to mind is the INSEAD MBA. Can you please suggest other similar programs.

Regards,
Pratyush
Hi Pratyush,
There are several. You're invited to take a look at a list on the Aringo website.
https://www.aringo.com/MBA_1y_one_year_programs.htm

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David
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by pratyushkumarsingh » Sat May 31, 2014 1:10 am
Aringo.com wrote:
pratyushkumarsingh wrote:Dear David,
Thanks for the prompt reply.
I actually would favour a 1 year program and right now, the only top 1 year program that comes to mind is the INSEAD MBA. Can you please suggest other similar programs.

Regards,
Pratyush
Hi Pratyush,
There are several. You're invited to take a look at a list on the Aringo website.

Regards,
David
Aringo.com

Hi David,

Thanks again for the list of schools. One more question that's been bugging me is that I have had no international work experience at all. Is it possible to get into INSEAD without international work experience? Also, does a career in military make a strong case for selection as compared to a full time corporate experience?

Thanks,
Pratyush

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by Michelle@ARINGO » Sun Jun 08, 2014 4:25 am
pratyushkumarsingh wrote: Hi David,

Thanks again for the list of schools. One more question that's been bugging me is that I have had no international work experience at all. Is it possible to get into INSEAD without international work experience? Also, does a career in military make a strong case for selection as compared to a full time corporate experience?

Thanks,
Pratyush
Hi Pratyush,
International work experience certainly provides an advantage, but it is not a requirement. No single candidate has 100% of the desirable traits for MBA program.
No corporate experience at all is a slightly bigger problem - but don't despair. This doesn't disqualify you either. Just make sure to showcase the leadership/management skills that you gained from the military. And again, I would recommend looking into "military-friendly" MBA programs.

Best regards,
David
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by thunder78 » Mon Jun 16, 2014 7:12 am
Hi Aringo,
Some MBA applications ask for parent information, including college and graduation dates. What is the purpose for requesting this information? does it have any impact on admission chances?

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by RBBmba@2014 » Wed Jun 18, 2014 7:43 pm
Hi Aringo,
I'd like to know whether applying to US schools(both top 10 and top 20) for 2 year full-time MBA at 29(during R1/R2 of that application year and hence 30 at matriculation) would be considered a disadvantage/hindrance to my candidacy ?

Would much appreciate your reply.

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by Michelle@ARINGO » Sat Jun 21, 2014 12:36 pm
thunder78 wrote:Hi Aringo,
Some MBA applications ask for parent information, including college and graduation dates. What is the purpose for requesting this information? does it have any impact on admission chances?
As far as I know, schools request this just for information purposes and to get a better picture of the applicants. It's not a screening criteria or anything that the schools make judgments on, and therefore doesn't impact admission chances.

David
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by Michelle@ARINGO » Sat Jun 21, 2014 12:40 pm
RBBmba@2014 wrote:Hi Aringo,
I'd like to know whether applying to US schools(both top 10 and top 20) for 2 year full-time MBA at 29(during R1/R2 of that application year and hence 30 at matriculation) would be considered a disadvantage/hindrance to my candidacy ?

Would much appreciate your reply.
Hi RBBmba,
Your age will make it a little more difficult to gain admission into most leading programs. This is not a deal-breaker, but rather, a weakness (which is relatively minor in Wharton, for example, and relatively major in Harvard, for example) that can be counterbalanced through other strong elements in your candidacy.

Good luck,
David
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by RBBmba@2014 » Sat Jun 21, 2014 12:51 pm
Aringo.com wrote:
RBBmba@2014 wrote:Hi Aringo,
I'd like to know whether applying to US schools(both top 10 and top 20) for 2 year full-time MBA at 29(during R1/R2 of that application year and hence 30 at matriculation) would be considered a disadvantage/hindrance to my candidacy ?

Would much appreciate your reply.
Hi RBBmba,
Your age will make it a little more difficult to gain admission into most leading programs. This is not a deal-breaker, but rather, a weakness (which is relatively minor in Wharton, for example, and relatively major in Harvard, for example) that can be counterbalanced through other strong elements in your candidacy.

Good luck,
David
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Hi David,
Thanks for you reply.
So, you mean applying at 29(or matriculating at 30) won't be a major issue if it's counterbalanced by showing strong leadership,articulated career goal and why MBA now. Right ?

BTW, I don't have either of HBS or Wharton in my target list :-). Rather some top 15/20 are in my list such as UCLA/Ross/Darden/McCombs/USC/Emory etc. So, will this aspect be a big issue for these schools ?

Would much appreciate your reply.

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by jasonhaha » Sat Jun 21, 2014 6:52 pm
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Last edited by jasonhaha on Sat Jun 28, 2014 6:28 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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by Michelle@ARINGO » Tue Jun 24, 2014 2:14 am
RBBmba@2014 wrote: Hi David,
Thanks for you reply.
So, you mean applying at 29(or matriculating at 30) won't be a major issue if it's counterbalanced by showing strong leadership,articulated career goal and why MBA now. Right ?

BTW, I don't have either of HBS or Wharton in my target list :-). Rather some top 15/20 are in my list such as UCLA/Ross/Darden/McCombs/USC/Emory etc. So, will this aspect be a big issue for these schools ?

Would much appreciate your reply.
Hi again RBB,
Unfortunately I cannot predict how each school will handle your older-than-average age. What I can say is that it is just one element of many which admissions committees consider. I recommend having a good story to tackle this "issue" head-on in your essays. But don't be discouraged - you are not the first or last "older" applicant/enrollee in a top MBA program.

Regards,
David
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by Michelle@ARINGO » Wed Jun 25, 2014 5:02 am
jasonhaha wrote:Hi Aringo,

Here is my background. Wonder if you can help me position my targets.

Age: 28
Gender: male
Ethnicity: Chinese Canadian (born and raised in Shanghai, immigrated to the Canada 10 years ago)
Undergrad Major - Finance major
Undergrad GPA - 3.6/4.0 overall from from one of the top 2 schools in Canada, graduated with distinction (3.9/4.0 GPA finance GPA)
Graduate degree in Management (equivalent to first year finance PhD program) GPA - 3.9/4.3. Did not choose to continue with PhD.
GMAT: 710 (Q51/V34), AWA:6.0 (Taken in 2010)
Work experience: 2.5 years, will be almost 3 by the time I submit my applications.
Industry - Private Equity in Asia for 1 year; Equity Research (part time during graduate degree) 1 year (doesn't count into FT experience). Boutique consulting (current) firm 1.5 years. Consulting area includes firm performance assessment, firm valuation and executive pay and performance alignment. Small team setting, have experience working with senior partners alone.
Extra-Curricular Activities - Chair of advisory committee of a charity with 1 million dollar revenue (started Feb 2014); Board member of another charity (started June 2014).
Target Programs: Yale, Booth, Kellogg, Tuck, Hass, LBS, Oxford, Duke, McCombs

Q1: Are those schools realistic targets?
Q2: What should I focus on when writing essays?

Thanks!!
Hey Jason!
You are a competitive candidate in all of those schools.
As for your essays, it really depends on the question. Make sure to answer them directly! But otherwise, focus on management/leadership experience and professional success. Your background as an immigrant is also a plus, and you will be given plenty of opportunities to write about that.

Good luck,
David
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by anubury » Mon Jun 30, 2014 8:18 am
HI, I am an Indian female engineer currently working as Electronics Instrumentation engineer in OIL & GAS consultancy PSU. With 2 year work ex. My GMAT score 700 (Q48, V38, IR 4, AWA 5.5). CLASS 10th : 88%, class 12th : 92 % . .Btech topper in college (TOP 10 colleges in India)
WORK EXPERIENCE DETAILS : Bidding document preperation, vendor evaluation, tender preperation, cost analysis for procurement, hazard/risk analysis study for human & environment safety, technical designing of instruments for various sectors like cross-country pipeline, nuclear reactors, infrastructure, refineries, solar panels, power & energy sector .No international exposure but independent overseas client handling.
Internship : STEEL AUTHORITY OF INDIA LTD (SAIL)(Durgapur)
ACHIEVEMENTS : 5th topper in CBSE from KOLKATA region in class 12th. Highest in maths & science score in kolkata region CBSE in class 10th.
PHYSICS HONORS (1st class, Distinction, from top University) followed by Btech(9.3 out of 10 CGPA)
XAT 2014 percentile 94. Dropped the idea of studying in India, so didnt think to pursue it further.
EXTRA CURRICULARS : Graduate in Indian Classical Dance.
Part time dance teacher in one of the popular NGO in Delhi. Choreoraphed number of dance performances in college and school, won National level dance programs.
Leadership qualitty : Was cultural Captian of school
Cultural General Secretary at University.
Won number of competions in school , college and at office.
I WANT TO APPLY IN US BSCHOOLS (TOP 20s) . Is it a good idea to start application process now as in 2015 july I will complete 3 years experience.
Also, is 700 score good to apply ? , and if I donot want to retake, which BSchools in US I can apply??
Thanx in advance.

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by Michelle@ARINGO » Tue Jul 01, 2014 9:39 am
anubury wrote:HI, I am an Indian female engineer currently working as Electronics Instrumentation engineer in OIL & GAS consultancy PSU. With 2 year work ex. My GMAT score 700 (Q48, V38, IR 4, AWA 5.5). CLASS 10th : 88%, class 12th : 92 % . .Btech topper in college (TOP 10 colleges in India)
WORK EXPERIENCE DETAILS : Bidding document preperation, vendor evaluation, tender preperation, cost analysis for procurement, hazard/risk analysis study for human & environment safety, technical designing of instruments for various sectors like cross-country pipeline, nuclear reactors, infrastructure, refineries, solar panels, power & energy sector .No international exposure but independent overseas client handling.
Internship : STEEL AUTHORITY OF INDIA LTD (SAIL)(Durgapur)
ACHIEVEMENTS : 5th topper in CBSE from KOLKATA region in class 12th. Highest in maths & science score in kolkata region CBSE in class 10th.
PHYSICS HONORS (1st class, Distinction, from top University) followed by Btech(9.3 out of 10 CGPA)
XAT 2014 percentile 94. Dropped the idea of studying in India, so didnt think to pursue it further.
EXTRA CURRICULARS : Graduate in Indian Classical Dance.
Part time dance teacher in one of the popular NGO in Delhi. Choreoraphed number of dance performances in college and school, won National level dance programs.
Leadership qualitty : Was cultural Captian of school
Cultural General Secretary at University.
Won number of competions in school , college and at office.
I WANT TO APPLY IN US BSCHOOLS (TOP 20s) . Is it a good idea to start application process now as in 2015 july I will complete 3 years experience.
Also, is 700 score good to apply ? , and if I donot want to retake, which BSchools in US I can apply??
Thanx in advance.
Hello Anubury! Thanks for your question.

Being a woman with a solid engineering background is certainly an advantage for your applications, and with your score of 700 and good marks, you will be a competitive candidate at Top 20 programs.

As you might know, some programs regularly take many students with an engineering background - Sloan, Tepper, and Ross come to mind, but there are others. So I recommend taking that into consideration.

Now is a great time to start applying, especially if you're 28 or older. If you foresee the opportunity for management experience if you wait another year, that can strengthen your resume and give you the opportunity to be accepted to one of the very top programs.

Good luck!
David
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by anubury » Wed Jul 02, 2014 6:39 am
thankyou so much for the reply, I am 25 years old, will be 26 this september. Also, if I add 1 more year work experience, it will be just quantitative addition , not qualitative, since I wont be given any new project/ designation. I will complete 3 yrs work ex on july 2015, so if I join for class 2015, till which month my work ex will be counted?? So, should I start applying this year for session of next year???
Also, you said TEPPER, ROSS, SLOAN take engineers regularly, so is it a disadvantage to apply there with low work ex since competition will be more or better to apply to these schools since engineering background prefered. Please resolve.
Thanx in advance sir.

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by Michelle@ARINGO » Mon Jul 14, 2014 2:48 pm
anubury wrote:thankyou so much for the reply, I am 25 years old, will be 26 this september. Also, if I add 1 more year work experience, it will be just quantitative addition , not qualitative, since I wont be given any new project/ designation. I will complete 3 yrs work ex on july 2015, so if I join for class 2015, till which month my work ex will be counted?? So, should I start applying this year for session of next year???
Also, you said TEPPER, ROSS, SLOAN take engineers regularly, so is it a disadvantage to apply there with low work ex since competition will be more or better to apply to these schools since engineering background prefered. Please resolve.
Thanx in advance sir.
Hi Anubury,
I can't say exactly how your work experience will be counted, each school's admissions committee has their own method. Most likely, they'll count it up to the time of your application.
If you don't expect a promotion, and you feel ready to start your MBA, go ahead and apply this year. As for your second question, just because they have a greater proportion of engineers applying (and accepted) than other schools, doesn't mean that those engineers necessarily have more or better experience than you.
David
Aringo.com


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