Profile Evaluation

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Profile Evaluation

by tejalsh » Sun Jul 01, 2012 8:50 am
Hi
I am a 25 year old female from India and I am planning to apply to B-schools for Fall 2013. I'd appreciate any insights you can provide on my profile from applications point of view. Here's my profile info:

Academics:
- GMAT 2nd attempt 730 (Q48/V42), 1st attempt 640 (Q45/V33)
- Bachelor of Engineering from University of Pune (66% Aggregate, 71% Final Year, distinction)

Work Experience:
- Working in a top International Oil and Gas company since September 2008 as an engineer
- Have worked in India (2 years), the Netherlands (1 year) and Nigeria (since Feb 2012 to present)
- Even within the technical role, I have a demonstrable leadership experience of coordinating and leading projects with small teams (4-5 people) with significant impact on the organisation (e.g. coordinated a geographically challenging project that was first of its kind in our India center, leading to more such projects being sent our way)
- Have received 3 special recognition awards for work so far

Extra Curricular:
- In company, pioneered and launched various employee health benefit activities such as awareness campaigns and sports events
- Organizing secretary for Society of Automotive Engineers collegiate chapter
- Captain of college basketball team

My target schools are HBS, Stanford, LBS, Kellogg and Sloan. I do realize that I have a compelling work profile but I'm worried about the community service bit of my extra curricular. I have very little experience in that area. I am wondering how adversely will this affect my chances in my target schools.

Appreciate your response.

Regards,
Tejal
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by mbaMissionSusanK » Mon Jul 02, 2012 5:40 pm
Hi, Tejal,

Thanks for your post. Business schools do like to see community service as it demonstrates a candidate's character and often leadership abilities. You do want to focus on activities in the past three years. If you don't have formal community service, you could highlight informal (taking care of sick relative) or a strong personal story (such as overcoming a physical condition or illness) that had a profound effect on who you are today. At the same time, business schools are also looking at your work experience and academics. They want to understand your future career path and what skills and experiences you can demonstrate you have that are a foundation for this plan. You also want to demonstrate your leadership abilities and, to differentiate you from a typical engineer, your softer business skills. Academically, you are in range with your GMAT score, as long as your GPA is equivalent to averages for these programs.

Good luck,
Susan Kaplan
Senior Consultant
mbaMission
646-485-8844

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Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 2
Joined: Sun Jul 01, 2012 8:13 am
Location: Bangalore, India
Followed by:6 members
GMAT Score:730

by tejalsh » Tue Jul 03, 2012 11:03 am
Thanks for the insight Susan!

Regards,
Tejal