BREAKING: Target Test Prep releases Brand New 2026 On Demand GMAT prep course

Redeem

Need some advice..

This topic has expert replies
Post new topic Post Reply
Previous Topic Next Topic
User avatar
Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 3
Joined: Sun Aug 07, 2011 1:21 am

Need some advice..

by bondzshivam » Sun Aug 14, 2011 10:57 pm
I have been following beat the Gmat for some time now and this is my first post. If you all can care to read through all this and give me some advice i would be highly grateful..
My name is Shivam, 19, a resident of India. I am currently pursuing my Bachelors in Computer Applications. I am currently in my second year and still have a year left. As i always wanted a MBA for myself i thought i should start preparing for GMAT as soon as i can(plus i some seniors advised that get gmat of the way first, it would be less hectic later).
Now the thing is i want to study in one of the top 15 B schools, but i have no formal work experience what so ever. :( and i want to enroll for my masters as soon as i finish college. I know this would affect my chances to get in, but my question is, can i get in at all? If yes which institutes should i be applying?(i know a bit early but have to consider financial constrains too, so as soon as i can get a rough estimate where i can get in, i can start considering my college fund). My preferred field would be IT..
I an an average student and am scoring a consistent 7.5/10 in my semester exams. It saddens me to say this but i don't have much else to brag in the extra curricular activities.. :( (except maybe a few professional certification programs, but i doubt it would count too much for my mba application)
I gave a practice exam on the official Gmat prep software and scored a 490(verbal-27/Quant-30) this was without studying anything as i wanted to see how much i can score without trying.
As i have lots of time to prepare for gmat(more than 15 months!) and i hope to study at least an hour or two every day for the next few months i think i can Beat the Gmat! :D
Also can you please recommend me which book should i be studying from? The OGs or Kaplans? Some people here say Kaplan is the best but others claim it doesn't help much. Same goes for the OGs, some proclaim the questions are not up to the gmat standards, others swear by it!
I plan to give gmat in November/December 2012. What should my target score be considering no work experience and mediocre grades? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.. :)
Top
Source: — GMAT Strategy |
User avatar
Legendary Member
Posts: 965
Joined: Thu Jan 28, 2010 12:52 am
Thanked: 156 times
Followed by:34 members
GMAT Score:720

by vineeshp » Tue Aug 16, 2011 10:10 am
It will give your resume ample support if you can wait for 2-3 years before diving into MBA.

If not, you need strong reasons that compel the adcoms to admit you. In your own words, you say that all your parameters are average. So, if it was up to me, I'd say, why should the Adcoms admit you at this time? If you have a compelling story to answer that, then there is enough chance for you to get in. If not, spend some time on improving your chances, especially if you want to get in to a top school.

The way I see it, you will need to figure out what your long term goals are and why you need an MBA for that. That's where the MBA begins.
Vineesh,
Just telling you what I know and think. I am not the expert. :)
Top
User avatar
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 127
Joined: Sat Oct 02, 2010 8:55 am
Thanked: 17 times
Followed by:1 members

by XLogic » Tue Aug 16, 2011 3:04 pm
vineeshp wrote:It will give your resume ample support if you can wait for 2-3 years before diving into MBA.

If not, you need strong reasons that compel the adcoms to admit you. In your own words, you say that all your parameters are average. So, if it was up to me, I'd say, why should the Adcoms admit you at this time? If you have a compelling story to answer that, then there is enough chance for you to get in. If not, spend some time on improving your chances, especially if you want to get in to a top school.

The way I see it, you will need to figure out what your long term goals are and why you need an MBA for that. That's where the MBA begins.
Well said. But if you do decide that a MBA is somewhere in your future, I would add that it would probably be advantageous to take the GMAT close to when you graduate (e.g. 3-6 months after graduating college). Cos in my experience, it takes a while to get back into study mode once you've been out of college 2+ years.
my post helped --> thank me!
don't thank me --> my post = what the..??
Top
User avatar
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 398
Joined: Tue Jul 26, 2011 11:39 pm
Location: India
Thanked: 41 times
Followed by:6 members

by prateek_guy2004 » Wed Aug 17, 2011 3:40 am
Hi Shivam

Its good that you started preparing early.....Well top get into top 15 is hectic and you need lot of stuffs to keep in mind befor applying.

To be honest top 15 colleges take with minimum of 1 to 2 years of work experience, Yes harvard school of business is there which has 2 + 2 programme and dosent ask for work exprence for that.

But to double up you changes work for 2 to 3 years, have fun make your resume strong and then go for it.

i am sure you will be in top 15.

Chaw
Top
User avatar
Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 3
Joined: Sun Aug 07, 2011 1:21 am

by bondzshivam » Wed Aug 17, 2011 9:17 pm
Thank you all of you for your advice! :)
But i would like to add that if i can land a job in a NGO, does it count for my work experience? Also is it necessary for it to be a full time thing?
Top
User avatar
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 127
Joined: Sat Oct 02, 2010 8:55 am
Thanked: 17 times
Followed by:1 members

by XLogic » Wed Aug 17, 2011 10:31 pm
bondzshivam wrote:Thank you all of you for your advice! :)
But i would like to add that if i can land a job in a NGO, does it count for my work experience? Also is it necessary for it to be a full time thing?
NGO or otherwise-- look for opportunities to work in teams. Look for situations where you can lead or show leadership skills. Even if you end up in a position where you work alone, always look for situations where you can "add value" by creatively solving problems or taking the initiative to get things done. Take ownership of the projects you are tasked to complete and over-deliver for emphasis.

Note that my advice is general because you can apply this to any job situation you find yourself in (technical, NGO, or otherwise). Business schools are looking for applicants with leadership experience or potential. Think about what you'll be able to share with adcoms if you you can show them (at a young age) that you have the potential to lead.

Anyway, that's my opinion. Good Luck!
my post helped --> thank me!
don't thank me --> my post = what the..??
Top
User avatar
Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 3
Joined: Sun Aug 07, 2011 1:21 am

by bondzshivam » Thu Aug 18, 2011 6:35 am
Can someone please give some information about HBS 2+2? I ran a quick search of the forum but i was not able to find any recent post giving proper info about the program..
and thank you to everyone that replied..
Top
Post new topic Post Reply
• Page 1 of 1