Profile Evaluation Please

Free advice from the world's top MBA consultants
This topic has expert replies
Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 2
Joined: Wed Jul 11, 2012 3:21 am
Thanked: 1 times

Profile Evaluation Please

by richrat69 » Sat Jul 21, 2012 1:07 am
Hello Team,

Please evaluate the following profile and provide guidance.

Personal - Indian/Male/29 yrs

GPA, major, school -
67%, Computer Science Engineer, College ranked 35th in India including IITs & NITs

GMAT with breakdown
Scheduled coming September. Targeting 720+

Resume highlights, including company name, job titles and promotions
Worked with India's second largest software exporter for 7.3 yrs

Career Progression - Software Engineer -> Module Lead -> Programmer Analyst -> Domain consultant
Moved into consultant role (Domain consulting group) through internal gating process with multiple interview rounds. Recommended by previous project leaders

Worked with four major clients (Fortune 500) in financial services space. Lead consulting side of the engagement with two clients

International exp - 3 yrs US Geography (Durham, Minneapolis, NYC, Richmond)

Activities in addition to my performance measures-
Took part in recruitment drives
Anchored one of the presales RFP
Published POV (organization level) - Retirement services
Developed a case study (project level) - Ramping up resources
Devised targeted communication for one of the practice with audience 1500+

Extracurricular involvements
IEEE member in Undergrad
Active member of Toastmasters International
Member of NGO dedicated towards teaching and healthcare of children in need
Donations to multiple programs including World food program

Awards, patents, publications, etc...
Certifications -
Association of Mutual Funds India (AMFI) - Mutual Funds Basic
NSE's Certification in Financial Markets (NCFM) - Securities Market Basic

Presented paper in IIT Roorkee (while in undergrad)

Interesting personal facts - countries lived in, challenges faced, unusual interests
Countries lived in - India & US. Also visited Canada - Quebec French cultural fest
Challenges faced - Took care of undergrad funding myself
Interests - Cooking, Dancing (Bollywood & Salsa), Yoga. Joined Language exchange program (in Minneapolis)

B schools targeted
i) Duke Fuqua - NC
ii) ISB Hyderabad India
iii) UNC Kenan Flagler - NC
iv) UCLA Anderson - CA
v) McCombs UT - TX

Reasons -
i) Ranking - Under top 25.
ii) Geography - SE, SW. From long term perspective, I prefer job opportunities in these regions.
Iii) Relatively Fair chances of getting scholarship
iv) Plan to major in Sales/Marketing/General management

Additional background info
I moved out of previous employer in Dec 2011. Since then I haven't joined any other employer.

My aspiration of moving into client facing group (IT sales/key account mgmt/engagement) looked like a farfetched dream due to lack of qualification ie. MBA and experience. Didn't want to move to any other IT mammoth simply because they all run in same fashion and I would have ended up in same function and position

Tried for client servicing opportunities with budding organizations but to my hard luck they all either asked for qualification or core business dev experience. Got just one chance but got rejected for same reasons

Jan-June 2012 was kind of break period. I waited for right opportunities. Did some freelancing work. Also, made some personal plans, which were on back burner for long, priority.

Now I am preparing for GMAT and planning to apply for 2013-2015 class

Questions
i) Is the targeted school list good enough or should I research for some more schools also?
ii) Do I need to write an optional essay explaining my move out from previous employer?
iii) Any additional thoughts to help me in my application process?

Regards
Vish
Source: — Ask an MBA Admissions Consultant |

User avatar
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 381
Joined: Fri Apr 30, 2010 4:23 am
Thanked: 28 times
Followed by:27 members

by MBACrystalBall » Mon Jul 23, 2012 9:39 pm
Hi Vish,
richrat69 wrote:Iii) Relatively Fair chances of getting scholarship
This pre-requisite makes the school choice tricky, considering the challenge that you are currently facing on the professional front.

You also need to take into consideration your overall fit with the program, which is where age, work-ex and post-MBA goals play a role.

Several of our clients have got (partial to full) MBA Scholarships. They had a good mix of schools that included Ambitious, Stretch, Practical and Safe schools. And of course, they put in strong applications to each school.
I moved out of previous employer in Dec 2011. Since then I haven't joined any other employer.
Sorry to hear the tough ride you've had since Jan 2012.

The big question that could come up here - what were the circumstances that compelled you to move out before having any other opportunity in hand?
i) Is the targeted school list good enough or should I research for some more schools also?
Overall, it's a decent mix. But if you add in the scholarship factor, then you might need to add a few other schools as well. European programs not on your mind?
ii) Do I need to write an optional essay explaining my move out from previous employer?
Yes, you could consider the optional essay to explain the break, if you haven't already covered it as part of another essay.
iii) Any additional thoughts to help me in my application process?
Don't wait till Sept when you have your GMAT test. Start working on the applications for the schools on your list.

Good luck with the GMAT. Keeping my fingers crossed for you, buddy.

Apart from the recent development in your career, your profile and expected GMAT score are quite good. Just focus on getting the entire story stuctured and presented in the best possible manner.

If you need support along the way, drop us an email.
Watch these MBA videos

Sameer Kamat, Founder - MBA Crystal Ball | Careerizma
Email: info at mbacrystalball dot com

Must read for MBA aspirants
1. Beyond The MBA Hype | 2. Business Doctors: Management Consulting Gone Wild

Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 2
Joined: Wed Jul 11, 2012 3:21 am
Thanked: 1 times

by richrat69 » Tue Jul 24, 2012 9:07 pm
Thanks Sameer for guidance!!

Yes I am considering other parameters (age, work ex, post MBA prospects etc) also for school selection.

I will see if I can add one or two more schools to my list. I haven't considered European programs yet. I will check IE spain or HEC Paris.
The big question that could come up here - what were the circumstances that compelled you to move out before having any other opportunity in hand?
You are right. I will have to cover them in my optional essay.
Don't wait till Sept when you have your GMAT test. Start working on the applications for the schools on your list.

Working on them along with GMAT prep.

Thanks for the wishes!!

Regards
Vish

User avatar
MBA Admissions Consultant
Posts: 810
Joined: Thu Jun 16, 2011 1:12 pm
Thanked: 127 times
Followed by:35 members

by MBAPrepAdvantage » Mon Jul 30, 2012 8:57 am
To add to the other poster, you might wish to factor also which schools make loans to international students.
Michael Cohan
MBAPrepAdvantage Founder & AIGAC Board Director
305-604-8178
www.mbaprepadvantage.com

Please thank and/or like individual posts.

Follow Michael Cohan on Image Image and BeattheGMAT.
Follow MBAPrepAdvantage on Image Image Image.

For a free assessment email [email protected] your target schools, goals, resume, GPA and GMAT or fill out our Free MBA Admissions Consultation Form.

User avatar
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 212
Joined: Tue Jul 31, 2012 7:07 pm
Thanked: 32 times
Followed by:4 members

by 99Colleges: MBA Admission » Mon Aug 06, 2012 7:29 pm
Agree with Michael. Some schools do not provide loans to international students and a good number of those who provide may ask for a cosigner in U.S. You may like to check these facts from your target schools so that you do not land up in a situation wherein you struggle to meet the deficit (after scholarships), if any.
Anil, MBA (Wharton)| MBA Admissions Consultant
--------------------------------------
Consulting| Contact at [email protected] for your queries on MBA Admissions
--------------------------------------
And if you couldn't make it earlier, get a free ding analysis