Request for profile evaluation

Launched April 26, 2006
This topic has expert replies
Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 6
Joined: Thu Apr 15, 2010 12:04 am

Request for profile evaluation

by smritisharma84 » Fri Jun 25, 2010 10:55 pm
Hi,

I would request you to evaluate my profile. I plan to apply for the September 2011 intake (full-time) MBA.

Nationality-Indian
Gender-Female
GMAT-720 (Q-48/V-41)
GPA-3.1

Work-ex: 4 years-2 years in family business, 2 years as an entrepreneur. I have co-founded a digital media agency-Design Bracket. (https://www.designbracket.com)
I have also co-launched 3 web ventures. (It has been 5 months for the web-based ventures):

1. Foodie's Den-A restaurant review & booking portal offering discounts and offers (https://www.foodiesden.com)
2. Find 'ur' Tutor- A tutor review portal which offers virtual classroom, live chat etc options (https://www.findurtutor.com)
3. HakunaMatata Designs (launched a month ago)- an Online design store. (https://www.hakunamatatadesigns.com)
(I intend to continue running this venture along with my MBA)

Community Service: I have been associated with a local ngo since the last 4 years. I joined as a volunteer to tutor slum children. Currently, I work part-time as the NGO's chief evangelist, primarily involved in fund generation, publicity & awareness generation.


Extra-curriculars: Heavy. I have been a member of the college magazine board, wall magazine, cultural committee. I was founder member of the fine arts club. Active participation in organizing events.

Post-MBA Goals: Brand Strategy or Business Design Strategy in a innovation/design led management consultancy (IDEO, DContinuum, Frog Design etc)

Target schools:
1.Harvard
2.UC Berkeley
3.NYU Stern
4.Columbia
5.Duke
6.Ross
7.UCLA
8.Tuck
9.Darden
10.Cornell
11. Stanford

I know I have written quite a number of schools here, but, I want to know which of these would be a stretch for me & which would be realistic. Please advise me on the same.

Thanks a lot for your patience & time

Regards
Smriti Sharma
Source: — Ask Stacy Blackman |

GMAT/MBA Expert

User avatar
MBA Admissions Consultant
Posts: 3845
Joined: Wed Feb 06, 2008 8:57 pm
Location: Houston, TX
Thanked: 442 times
Followed by:148 members

by Lisa Anderson » Sun Jun 27, 2010 3:46 pm
Dear Smriti,

With a strong, quality application package, you would have a chance to gain admission to any MBA program. Your essays, recommendations, and interviews are all integral parts of the process and will be key in your ultimate decisions. However, admission to the schools on your list is highly competitive as these schools all receive thousands of applications each year. As an international applicant, you will need to really distinguish yourself from the rest of the international folks to make a compelling case for your admission. In essence, all of these schools are a reach, in my opinion, for any applicant as they are all highly selective and essentially the top US MBA programs. I encourage you to research these schools heavily to determine which are the best fit for you and your career goals--try to narrow the list down to 5-7. Then, I would suggest identifying 2-3 schools for round 2 applications that would be more reasonable to safety options for you.

Best of luck,
Lisa
Lisa Anderson
Consultant
Stacy Blackman Consulting

Learn more about me

Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 6
Joined: Thu Apr 15, 2010 12:04 am

by smritisharma84 » Sun Jun 27, 2010 9:52 pm
Hi Lisa,

Thanks a lot for your inputs. I find them most encouraging.

Are there any weaknesses that you see in my profile, that I can work upon? Or would you call it a competitive profile for the schools I have listed?

Please do reply

Thanks & Regards
Smriti

GMAT/MBA Expert

User avatar
MBA Admissions Consultant
Posts: 3845
Joined: Wed Feb 06, 2008 8:57 pm
Location: Houston, TX
Thanked: 442 times
Followed by:148 members

by Lisa Anderson » Tue Jun 29, 2010 8:49 am
No potential weaknesses jump out at me based on your post. However, the challenge for you will be distinguishing yourself from the myriad of international applicants and making a compelling case for your admission. You have to give the admissions committees many reasons to want you in the class and no reasons to pass on you.

Good luck!
Lisa
Lisa Anderson
Consultant
Stacy Blackman Consulting

Learn more about me

Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 6
Joined: Thu Apr 15, 2010 12:04 am

by smritisharma84 » Wed Jun 30, 2010 5:57 pm
Thanks again!