[HELP] need advise from Alum/consultants

Free advice from the world's top MBA consultants
This topic has expert replies
Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 7
Joined: Sun Jan 20, 2013 12:04 pm

[HELP] need advise from Alum/consultants

by srst » Sun Jul 08, 2018 2:31 am
I've been dinged by all the schools, I had applied to last year and seek your advice to get an admit this year.

Here are my key stats:
I'm a 27 year old female from India, who has been working as business analyst for one of the top UK banks in India. I've done an integrated 5yr course (engineering + MBA, but the MBA wasn't even close to what a real MBA is) from a recognised university. I've got a 730 in my GMAT and I joined my company as a graduate, where now I've spent 5 years. I've been working very actively on citizenship and gender equality agendas at my work place. I've chattedI've interest in marketing and ideally would want to work as product marketing manager.

Last year, I applied to the below schools:
- INSEAD: got dinged without interview. Now I realise, my goals essays wasn't great. Strongly wish to reapply.
- ISB: got rejected after interview. The goals part screwed me up again.
- Kellogg: got dinged.
- Ross: got dinged after being on waitlist. Strongly wish to reapply.

Since my application year, I've been promoted, recognised for my extra curricular (again, has happened in the past) and my responsibilities towards these initiatives has increased.

Can somebody please advise:
A. Which schools would be a good fit for me (including the ones as reapplicant)
B. Where I could be going wrong in my application?
C. Should I reapply at INSEAD considering my goals have changed?

Please help!!

Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 308
Joined: Sat Nov 13, 2010 8:29 pm
Thanked: 43 times
Followed by:5 members

by mcbMcK » Sun Jul 08, 2018 10:58 pm
Consider the following points srst:
A) At a high level, your profile contours look good. It will however be important to understand a bit more details. For instance, what is the actual nature of your work and achievements/leadership experiences therein. BA role sounds something at the cusp of tech and business?

B) The gender diversity thing sounds good too - but the specifics matter here as well; as well as on-ground impact you have delivered.

C) For reasons mentioned here, we do not speculate on school selection. That said, reapplication is always a tricky business so make sure not all your applications are that. Besides, see if any of your school provides feedback (ISB does that usually) on what went wrong.

D) For INSEAD, bear the aspect mentioned here in mind.

Hope this helps some. For a detailed input, do share your application with us.

Cheers,
MG (Manish Gupta)|The MBA Crystal Ball Team

Website: https://www.mbacrystalball.com
Email: mcb at mbacrystalball dot com

GMAT/MBA Expert

User avatar
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 298
Joined: Mon Jun 20, 2016 11:37 am
Thanked: 26 times
Followed by:11 members

Response

by Donna@Stratus » Tue Jul 10, 2018 6:09 am
srst wrote:I've been dinged by all the schools, I had applied to last year and seek your advice to get an admit this year.
Sorry to hear about your past dings-- but remember to keep looking forward! That being said-- Stratus does offer a more comprehensive assessment about why you may have been dinged-- we use our counselors who know programs well-- either from being former adcom or being an alum of the program-- and really dig into your application-- reviewing essays, transcripts, test scores, work experience, leadership-- etc and help you identify ways to improve-- if you'd like to do that I suggest you reach out to Stratus here for a free consult to learn more: https://stratusadmissionscounseling.com/free-consult/
Here are my key stats:
I'm a 27 year old female from India, who has been working as business analyst for one of the top UK banks in India. I've done an integrated 5yr course (engineering + MBA, but the MBA wasn't even close to what a real MBA is) from a recognised university. I've got a 730 in my GMAT and I joined my company as a graduate, where now I've spent 5 years. I've been working very actively on citizenship and gender equality agendas at my work place. I've chattedI've interest in marketing and ideally would want to work as product marketing manager.

Last year, I applied to the below schools:
- INSEAD: got dinged without interview. Now I realise, my goals essays wasn't great. Strongly wish to reapply.
- ISB: got rejected after interview. The goals part screwed me up again.
- Kellogg: got dinged.
- Ross: got dinged after being on waitlist. Strongly wish to reapply.

Since my application year, I've been promoted, recognised for my extra curricular (again, has happened in the past) and my responsibilities towards these initiatives has increased.

Can somebody please advise:
A. Which schools would be a good fit for me (including the ones as reapplicant)
B. Where I could be going wrong in my application?
C. Should I reapply at INSEAD considering my goals have changed?
I could see you presenting very well at Rotman if you'd consider Canadian programs. I think the fact that you have more clarity on career goals is good and think it is fine to reapply to INSEAD and just explain how you have evolved in your career goals after more work experience and introspection. If you were on the wait list at Ross, and if you had a relationship of any kind with your waitlist manager, you might reach out and let them know how interested you are in Ross still and that you plan to re-apply and that you'd be grateful for any tips in approaching that process. The worst they can do is not answer-- so I see no harm in asking as long as you ask just once-- if you get no reply then just move on. Having spent some time with Ross adcom this summer I can tell you that they want to know if you can do the work-- your 730 GMAT says you can-- although coming from India if you can get that GMAT up to 740 or 750 it will only help-- then also they look at the IR score so try to have a good score there too. Ross also wants to know WHAT you can contribute-- they look at the IMPACT you have had-- so review your impact on your resume. Also make sure you present yourself consistently on LinkedIn -- and then the next thing Ross wants to know is can you work in teams-- so think about how you can provide examples of your ability to work well with others. In terms of other programs to apply, if you are open to UNC Kenan-Flagler I know they are always looking for more women and you may present well there. Look for programs where your GMAT is 30-50 points over the average and that gives you a good cushion to get a good look even if other parts of your application are not as strong. Overall however you look like you have been doing some impressive things-- so I encourage you to apply to the programs where you feel the best fit-- and if you do that research and pick programs where you really WANT to go, that enthusiasm will come through and help you in application process. Here's an article about how to research MBA programs from afar: https://stratusadmissionscounseling.com ... ram-india/
Please help!!
Donna Bauman
Kellogg MBA

stratusadmissionscounseling.com
Receive more insider MBA info
Schedule a free consult today!

Meet Your MBA Dream Team @ Stratus