Ask an MBA Admissions Consultant

Hi,

Thanks for the help in advance!

Background - Male, Indian Nationality, 24yo
Undergrad - Arizona State University - BS in Supply Chain Mgt and Finance, International Business minor and 1 yr of study abroad in Australia. GPA - 3.4, Major GPA - 3.9
GMAT - 710

Work Experience - Buyer/Planner in Phoenix, AZ for almost 3 years. There has been considerable progress in terms of responsibility and duties but I have had the same job title for the entire time. This is mainly because of the smaller family owned company structure and heirarchy. Also I have not had many leadership experience roles within my job.How will this be looked at by admissions?

ExtraCurriculars - Volunteer at the Humane Society and Animal Shelters. Help with adoptions, events etc.
Run few marathons for charity - Combine by passion for running and helping animals in different and innoviative ways
Organized a team and recruited and motivated people to run the half-marathon in January.
Trying to organize a fundraising team for the next big marathon in Arizona and recruit members to join my team -
I plan on initiating a similar project/group in the school I get admit into
Would these projects demonstrate my leadership skills that seems to be lacking from my profesional life?

I would like to purse my MBA in entreprenuership and International Business from NYU, Columbia, UCLA or UT- Austin. I plan on joining my family business in europe and India after my MBA. My options are to apply in the final round (march 15th) to the above schools or to join the family business now and then go back to school after a year. Ideally, I would like to start in Fall 09. I decided to work for my current company after my BS as I wanted to gain some work experience and industry knowledge before I joined my family business. Do schools prefer that the student have some experience with the family business that they plan on joining?

I am aware that the round 3 applications are extremly competitive but do I have any chance? I am also considering applying for the JAN-Term in Columbia instead of Fall as this will give me more time and the program is geared mainly to students returning to their previous employer or family business

Sorry about the long post...
Thanks much!

Hello,

Thank you for sharing your profile. I’ll answer your questions.

- Lack of leadership within current job: First, the adcoms will understand if your company doesn’t provide a lot of chances for promotions. Many companies these days are pretty “flat” and other applicants share this situation. However, it behooves you to clarify that your lack of advancement is due to the organizational structure/style and not your performance. Make sure this comes through in your essays and application. You mention lack of leadership roles. Look at where you have performed, or can in the future perform, “informal” leadership by taking initiative even when you aren’t the designated leader.

- Yes! This is an excellent way to demonstrate leadership, and the nature of your activities differentiates you as well.

- Not necessarily. But you should be prepared to make a credible and concrete case for your plans to join the family business. For example, present clear knowledge of the business, “show” the reader why this path interests you, and in your goals cite specific roles you intend to perform and outcomes you’d like to achieve. This specificity will make the goal credible.

- It seems like the Columbia Jan term would be ideal. For other programs, you could give it your best shot in R3. After all, you can reapply the next year if you don’t get in.

Cindy Tokumitsu
Senior Editor, Accepted.com
www.Accepted.com