Ask GyanOne:Indian applicants for global top 30 MBA programs

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Top MBA in Analytics

by GyanOne » Wed Jul 02, 2014 3:53 am
Top MBA in Analytics: Most Wanted among Indian IT applicants

Analytics is an area that is giving birth to a whole range of new opportunities for business graduates. In 2012, Harvard Business Review published an article asserting that the job of Data Scientist would be the 'sexiest job' of the 21st century. That apart, Analytics is an area that is equally interesting for business professionals, mathematics majors, and information technology majors alike. If you love mathematics, statistics, and interpreting data, this is a field you are going to love. Not just because of the analytical acumen that it involves, but also because the insights that you glean are impossible to derive any other way, and can often get to the root cause of pressing business problems quickly.Analytics MBA Programs
Last edited by GyanOne on Sun Apr 19, 2020 8:09 pm, edited 2 times in total.

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by ahmed2502 » Wed Jul 02, 2014 11:42 am
GyanOne wrote: Hi Ahmed,

Thanks for posting. We took the liberty of copying your post from the link that you provided so that all information is available at one place for this brief assessment.

First of all, you do have an outstanding GMAT score. Congratulations for that. There are few people who can jump from 650 to 770 in just one month - you must have quite a story there (or perhaps that was a typo and your 2nd attempt was in May 2013 instead of May 2014....?). No matter, it is 770 that you go with now, which is excellent.

Your career goals, at least the way you define them here, can be improved upon. Are you simply trying to move from development/project management roles in IT to IT consulting or is strategy consulting your goal? You will have close to 8 years of experience when you enter an MBA program, and that is above the median and average of all your target schools. Coming in this late for an MBA, you need to define the need for it well. Taking up a non-profit plank at this stage of your career and professional life is not going to be easy, either from an MBA Admissions or even a personal perspective.

On your specific questions, here is our response:
1. Yes, you should consider revising your school list. There seems to be little here in terms of consistency. Also, those seem to be way too many geographies to target. Don't just go for decent programs across geographies, narrow your focus and attention to select schools that will help you achieve your career objectives.
2. This question has a very detailed answer, and cannot be exhaustively covered in this short post. Some of the things you might consider including are your international experience and your social initiatives. One point you may consider not emphasizing too much is your disadvantaged background - struggle will invite understanding and empathy at best, but not applause, especially for top schools. This does not mean not talking about your struggles at all, but simply understanding that you should not make them the center piece of your candidature.
3. Your chances of scholarship are ok - not too high and not too low. The GMAT score helps, but that is not all there is to it.
4. The answer to this will depend on the school you talk about and the parameter you consider. Not a point for you to focus too much on, though.
5. One piece of advice would be that you should not get swept away with your GMAT score, excellent thought it is. Understand that application success is a result of multiple factors, including choosing the right schools. Also, don't ignore the fact that you are from the IT industry - an over-represented pool of applicants by any measure.

If you want a more detailed (free) profile evaluation, with specific emphasis on other questions you may have, you can contact us through this link:
Free MBA profile evaluation by GyanOne
Hi GyanOne,

Thanks for reviewing my profile.

First of all, I very well know that GMAT is not the only criterion and ,hence, I have eliminated all top-10 schools. If even top 20's (US) are out of my reach, then it's better to do MS than MBA. There is no typo and my poor score in earlier attempts was due to secondary reasons.

Currently my experience is 6 years and I am counting 1 extra year till matriculation. Considering the average work-ex is 5 years at my target schools, I do not think I am far too old, though still on the wrong side of average.

Thanks for your advice on restricting geographies. I am evaluating schools based on post study work opportunities, so the list is not yet final. Also, I am working on my career goals - not to make it fit to the schools, but to shape up my career.

Regards,
Ahmed

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by ahmed2502 » Wed Jul 02, 2014 11:43 am
GyanOne wrote: Hi Ahmed,

Thanks for posting. We took the liberty of copying your post from the link that you provided so that all information is available at one place for this brief assessment.

First of all, you do have an outstanding GMAT score. Congratulations for that. There are few people who can jump from 650 to 770 in just one month - you must have quite a story there (or perhaps that was a typo and your 2nd attempt was in May 2013 instead of May 2014....?). No matter, it is 770 that you go with now, which is excellent.

Your career goals, at least the way you define them here, can be improved upon. Are you simply trying to move from development/project management roles in IT to IT consulting or is strategy consulting your goal? You will have close to 8 years of experience when you enter an MBA program, and that is above the median and average of all your target schools. Coming in this late for an MBA, you need to define the need for it well. Taking up a non-profit plank at this stage of your career and professional life is not going to be easy, either from an MBA Admissions or even a personal perspective.

On your specific questions, here is our response:
1. Yes, you should consider revising your school list. There seems to be little here in terms of consistency. Also, those seem to be way too many geographies to target. Don't just go for decent programs across geographies, narrow your focus and attention to select schools that will help you achieve your career objectives.
2. This question has a very detailed answer, and cannot be exhaustively covered in this short post. Some of the things you might consider including are your international experience and your social initiatives. One point you may consider not emphasizing too much is your disadvantaged background - struggle will invite understanding and empathy at best, but not applause, especially for top schools. This does not mean not talking about your struggles at all, but simply understanding that you should not make them the center piece of your candidature.
3. Your chances of scholarship are ok - not too high and not too low. The GMAT score helps, but that is not all there is to it.
4. The answer to this will depend on the school you talk about and the parameter you consider. Not a point for you to focus too much on, though.
5. One piece of advice would be that you should not get swept away with your GMAT score, excellent thought it is. Understand that application success is a result of multiple factors, including choosing the right schools. Also, don't ignore the fact that you are from the IT industry - an over-represented pool of applicants by any measure.

If you want a more detailed (free) profile evaluation, with specific emphasis on other questions you may have, you can contact us through this link:
Free MBA profile evaluation by GyanOne
Hi GyanOne,

Thanks for reviewing my profile.

First of all, I very well know that GMAT is not the only criterion and ,hence, I have eliminated all top-10 schools. If even top 20's (US) are out of my reach, then it's better to do MS than MBA. There is no typo and my poor score in earlier attempts was due to secondary reasons.

Currently my experience is 6 years and I am counting 1 extra year till matriculation. Considering the average work-ex is 5 years at my target schools, I do not think I am far too old, though still on the wrong side of average.

Thanks for your advice on restricting geographies. I am evaluating schools based on post study work opportunities, so the list is not yet final. Also, I am working on my career goals - not to make it fit to the schools, but to shape up my career.

Regards,
Ahmed

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by RamaK88 » Thu Jul 03, 2014 1:55 am
Hi GyanOne,

It's me again. I asked you for some advice earlier also. I have two questions - is being part of CSR team at work considered to be an extra curricular activity at top MBA schools? Also, if I have donated some money for a good cause, will that be taken to be evidence of social contribution?

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by GyanOne » Thu Jul 03, 2014 10:59 am
Hi RamaK88,

Yes, of course. Here is our take on your questions:

a) Just being a part of the CSR team at work is not enough for this to qualify as an extra-curricular activity. Your particular contribution to the team, the achievements made, and the duration of your involvement all matter. However, if your question is whether you can highlight the work done there under ECA, then yes you can.
b) Donating money for a good cause is a social contribution for sure, but not the kind that B-schools are looking for. They look for the effort that you put in and the results you achieve through that effort for a good cause. So, for example, teaching underprivileged children might be considered a good contribution (depending of course on the length and intensity of your involvement). Typically, a monetary contribution will add nothing towards your B-school apps, unless of course it was large enough to have huge impact. There can of course be exceptions - for instance, if you helped significantly fund a new student's wing. It is not donating your own money that is important, but how you helped raise the funds and what you achieved.

Hope this helps. Feel free to come back with more questions or clarifications.

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by DeveshRoy85 » Fri Jul 04, 2014 1:55 am
Seek your help in selecting the right MBA programs for my profile. Am looking for top 15 US bshcools (Kellogg and Columbia being topmost on my radar), post which I can target real estate marketing / consulting jobs. Mentioned below is my profile:

GMAT: 730 (V44, Q48)
Btech Civil Engineering, GPA: 3.56
Work experience: 3 years in Marketing in a Real Estate major in Delhi NCR region.2 years as entrepreneur running a firm (as a partner) building low cost housing. Have been working extensively on this idea from the last 4 years.

Extra curriculars: Have been practising and teaching different modes of meditation to students in a local NGO. Have helped raise funds for this NGO through various initiatives / online visibility.

- An avid Squash player - Have represented school and college at various competitions.
- Have been an active member of ICE, Institution of Civil Engineers (India)

Please let me know any other piece of information required.

Thanks

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by GyanOne » Mon Jul 07, 2014 4:48 am
Hi Devesh,

Thanks for posting your query.

Real Estate marketing and consulting is a specialized MBA option that very few schools offer (as of now). Additionally, not only should you look for a school which can offer you the relevant education, but also one that can help you get the right jobs. Columbia and Kellogg are great choices you have made there. Some of the other programs you can look at are UCLA (Anderson), Texas McCombs, Cornell Johnson (also check out Johnson's great MBA/MPS in Real Estate), and UNC Kenan Flagler. You can also check out Wharton and MIT Sloan, but they will be reach schools for you. This list is not exhaustive - there are other MBA programs in the US with a Real Estate focus - but we are assuming that you would not want to go too far down the list.

Your career goals (low cost housing) seem really interesting and socially impactful as well, which is a big plus. This is an interesting segment to be in and we have worked with quite a few people in the recent past with goals around this.

On your ECA, things seem ok on the surface. The membership of ICE by itself may not count for much, unless there are other details you have not mentioned here.

Finally, here is a success story of an applicant who made it to Kellogg with a Real Estate focus. Might help you know the program and the landscape better:
Real Estate professional MBA success story

Feel free to come back with more questions or clarifications.

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Should you really care about the IR section on GMAT?

Is the section on GMAT Integrated Reasoning important? Isn't it (almost) all about the 800 score on the GMAT? Will scores reject applicants with strong Quantitative and Verbal scores but poor Integrated Reasoning scores? Ever since GMAC introduced the Integrated Reasoning section on the GMAT, these questions have been coming in. Now, two years after that, they have acquired rising numbers. Through this article, we at GyanOne try to answer some of the questions we are most frequently asked about Integrated Reasoning scores on the GMAT. Is GMAT Integrated Reasoning
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Tips You Should Definitely Read before Applying to Top MBA this year!

Thousands of Indians apply through the GMAT route to top MBA programs in the US, Europe, and Asia every year. While many make it, there are also many others who have nothing to show for their efforts but their disappointment. The MBA application process is not always easy, and sometimes it can be plain brutal for those who are not prepared. Taking the GMAT and doing well on it, preparing insightful and interesting essays, and doing well on the interviews are obvious common denominators. Indian applicants, especially those from over-represented backgrounds like IT services, need to focus on a number of factors to create a differentiated and winning application.

Indian MBA Applicants
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Did not achieve the GMAT score you were expecting?

Have a low GMAT but high aspirations? Far too many MBA applicants think that this is an obvious mismatch, but it may not necessarily be! This still does not mean that the doors to all top MBA programs are open wide for you, but it does mean that not all doors are closed either! Over the years, we have seen (and fashioned!) many low GMAT MBA success stories.

Low GMAT MBA Success Stories
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by GyanOne » Thu Aug 28, 2014 10:36 am
How Harsh cracked the Kellogg MBA, Yale, and McCombs MBA programs!

Soon after he had applied to the Kellogg MBA, Harsh received an invitation to interview. Kellogg interviews are usually conducted by Kellogg alums, in person, in the same city where the applicant is based. In some cases, the admissions committee has been known to conduct them online, and in some others waive off the interview requirement altogether. With his interview set, though, Harsh knew that it was time to dedicate himself to his Kellogg MBA interview preparation.

Read more about Harsh's success story here

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Top European MBA application deadlines 2014-2015
Applying to Top European MBA this year? Keep a track of all bschool deadlines and start preparing your applications now to finish off on time
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by chicagodreams » Mon Sep 08, 2014 12:10 am
Need your help in selecting b schools. Iam looking for schools with good reputation in general management and international business and also a flexible curriculum. Booth is my dream school,so i would like to know if i stand any chances. Below is my profile

GMAT-760
Undergrad-Non IIT (SRM University) 8.6/10,Electronics & Comunication Engg

Work Ex -15 months till date (IT)
- replaced a senior devloper with added responsibility for offshore deliverables which is usually not given to freshers/trainees.
- appreciations from delivery managers and the Director (Business Insurance It - Travellers)

Leadership

-Organised events at National Level Tech Fests
-Voluntarily organised a 5 day industrial visit for 45-students
-Member of organising committees at various college events
-Co-ordinator for dance events at workplace
- Class Representative for a batch of 40 trainees
Miscellaneous
- Avid dancer,Choreographed dance acts at school,college and workplace
- Amateur astrologer and tarot card reader
- Won several competitions in debate,essay and drawing competitions at school level
- Represented school at the International Convention on Students Quality Control Circles
- Participant at Fashion shows


Apart from the above i am also involved with a startup. I handle marketing and business strategy.

Thank you :)

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by chicagodreams » Mon Sep 08, 2014 12:59 am
Need your help in selecting b schools. Iam looking for schools with good reputation in general management and international business and also a flexible curriculum. Booth is my dream school,so i would like to know if i stand any chances. Below is my profile

GMAT-760
Undergrad-Non IIT (SRM University) 8.6/10,Electronics & Comunication Engg

Work Ex -15 months till date (IT)
- replaced a senior devloper with added responsibility for offshore deliverables which is usually not given to freshers/trainees.
- appreciations from delivery managers and the Director (Business Insurance It - Travellers)

Leadership

-Organised events at National Level Tech Fests
-Voluntarily organised a 5 day industrial visit for 45-students
-Member of organising committees at various college events
-Co-ordinator for dance events at workplace
- Class Representative for a batch of 40 trainees
Miscellaneous
- Avid dancer,Choreographed dance acts at school,college and workplace
- Amateur astrologer and tarot card reader
- Won several competitions in debate,essay and drawing competitions at school level
- Represented school at the International Convention on Students Quality Control Circles
- Participant at Fashion shows


Apart from the above i am also involved with a startup. I handle marketing and business strategy.

Thank you :)

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Hi GyanOne,

I like the detailed Profile evaluations you have posted earlier in this thread. I am Indian Female with GMAT 680. Other attempts:
1. Nov 2011: 600
2. Nov 2012: 680
3. Sept 2014: Decreased my score, so cancelled.

Can you please evaluate my Profile: https://www.beatthegmat.com/profile-eva ... 77022.html

Thanks!!