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Profile evaluation please

by anand0408 » Sun Jun 28, 2009 8:25 am
Hi,

I am planning to apply for the 2010 July - September batches of LBS and INSEAD. This means that the first round of admission deadlines is going to be September - October of this year. Which gives me approx 3 months! (HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

I'd like an evaluation of my profile and your opinion on how good/bad/ugly a chance i have of making it.

So here goes.....

Firstly, I am an Indian candidate, 24 yrs (turning 25 in August), Engineering degree but have since switched fields to work in the media industry. Total work exp is 3 years as of now. Worked in the online space in an agency for a while before moving to work as online marketing and content development for Cartoon Network, Sesame Street and POGO in India. Am currently working in marketing for the Warner Brothers channel in India.

[u]GMAT:[/u]

Not taken yet. Am going to take it on September 29. So far have given practice tests and scored: 600, 580, 560, 700 and 580. Really bad i know. But i never seem to be able to get both Math and Verbal going at the same time! If i ace one, i invariably falter in the other! (Any suggestions as to how i can get past this??)
I did score a 1440 in my GRE 4 years back without any preparation though (Quant: 800, Verbal: 640)

[u]Acads:[/u]

I have completed my education from a leading engineering college in India (VESIT) with distinction. In the first 10 in my class. No GPA. The college is recognised as an A+ college in the state and one of the very best and reputed ones.

Stood 14th in the Merit list in the state after my 12th board exams

[u]Work Ex:[/u]

Started off 3 years back working for an online digital agency as a copywriter working on multiple brands to develop online marketing and advertising solutions for clients. Moved up to Brand Custodian within 3 months to handle the complete project on 2 high profile clients. One a cricket portal around the time of the 2007 Cricket World Cup and the other a childrens' website for an FMCG company.
Drove initiatives in the cricket portal to increase pageviews and redesign for the World Cup.
Initiated registration drives on the children's website alongwith content development.

After 8 months here, moved to Turner to work on Cartoon Network India, POGO and Sesame Street India managing the websites, developing content, online marketing, sales support etc for the 3 websites as the sole representative in India. (Rest of team in HK). Relaunched the POGO website to 600% increase in pageviews and 400% increase in unique users within first month.
Worked on intergrating new Web 2.0 features on the CN website.
Initiated a first time Live chat on the POGO website which got 700 unique users online simultaneously.
Won the March '08 awar dor outstanding performance among all Asia Pac employees

after 1 year transitioned internally to the marketing team to handle the launch of the brand new Warner Brothers TV channel in India. Strategised the launch, conceptualised the launch communication, built partnerships, handled alliances with Sports Bar, Cafe Coffee Day, Hard Rock Cafe and other places. Also led the trade and cable partnerships post launch.

[u]Extra Curricular:[/u]
Have written fiction stories that have been published in national science magazines. Have written published articles for an online sports portal. Freelanced for travel websites.
Read a lot. keen interest in oratory and debates for which i have won numerous prizes in school and college. Compered and hosted events in school and college. Was part of the organising team for the Debating Society which was the only non tech society in engineering college. Successfully organised a literature week for the students.
Keen interest in sorts and follow a host of sports. represented the class in badminton, cricket, football etc in school and college.

Please let me know your take.

Regards,
Anand N
Last edited by anand0408 on Sun Aug 23, 2009 9:43 am, edited 1 time in total.
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by Paxton Helms - Kaplan » Mon Jun 29, 2009 10:58 am
Hi, Anand--

Thanks for your note and the great detail. That kind of details is very helpful in giving you a rich and detailed answer!

At the highest level...


You seem like a high-end mixed candidate by which I mean: you have some outstanding credentials mixed in with some good and very good credentials. In other words, you have no weaknesses (except possibly a poor GMAT) but some of your strengths are stronger than others.

Taking things in turn...

GMAT:
Not taken yet. Am going to take it on September 29. So far have given practice tests and scored: 600, 580, 560, 700 and 580. Really bad i know. But i never seem to be able to get both Math and Verbal going at the same time! If i ace one, i invariably falter in the other! (Any suggestions as to how i can get past this??)
If you are going for a great school like LBS or similar you really need to do well on the GMAT. I don't say this to put pressure on you or to "threaten" you into doing well, it's a fact. So, given your great grades, prizes, etc., I think I would shoot for a 650-700.

In terms of advice, here's the best I can offer:

- You are obviously a quant person and have good quant instincts and intuition. Consider leaving off the heavy quant studying for a week or two before the test. Studying too much can leave your brain tired and can actually block your intuition which is your best friend.

- Know your core knowledge COLD (triangle ratios, etc.)

- The hardest part of the test is the middle, say, 60%. The initial euphoria / excitement is over and the final push isn't there yet. Stay calm, focused, and aware of what is going on in your head and heart and try to execute cleanly.


Academics
I have completed my education from a leading engineering college in India (VESIT) with distinction. In the first 10 in my class. No GPA. The college is recognised as an A+ college in the state and one of the very best and reputed ones.

Stood 14th in the Merit list in the state after my 12th board exams
Unless I'm missing something, this is really a terrific achievement. Well done! It will also stand you in very good stead in terms of being competitive academically. So...I would definitely consider this a strength.

My only comment / concern which comes more from my own ignorance is: is it one of the best in India? Is it one of the best in South Asia? You will need to communicate rank and prestige somehow.


Work

This looks pretty good to me. Nice progression, nice recognition, nice "cohesion" among the various jobs. This all looks great.

One thought: downplay the technical side (e.g., I cut code) and play up the management side (e.g., I did strategy, I did management, etc.).


Extracurriculars
Have written fiction stories that have been published in national science magazines. Have written published articles for an online sports portal. Freelanced for travel websites.
Read a lot. keen interest in oratory and debates for which i have won numerous prizes in school and college. Compered and hosted events in school and college. Was part of the organising team for the Debating Society which was the only non tech society in engineering college. Successfully organised a literature week for the students.
Keen interest in sorts and follow a host of sports. represented the class in badminton, cricket, football etc in school and college.
This all sounds great. I especially like the sci-fi which is not typical for business school applicants but is a lot of fun!!


Summary

Your academics and your XCs are obviously your big strengths. Your work is very good but will need to be positioned effectively; your big hurdle is the GMAT.

Please let me know if you have further questions and how Kaplan can help you get into your school of choice--

Paxton
Keep me in the loop about your thinking and let me know if you have any more questions.

Paxton



Paxton Helms is an MBA admissions consultant for Kaplan Admissions Consulting. He earned his MBA from UCLA and specializes in helping clients that are applying to top twenty and "reach" programs. He can be reached directly at [email protected].

To begin working with Paxton immediately, follow this link and request him specifically: https://www.kaptest.com/GMAT/Admissions- ... lting.html
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by anand0408 » Mon Jun 29, 2009 9:23 pm
Hi Paxton,

Thank you for your answers!

I'm glad you consider my candidacy as strong. It makes be breathe a little easier!

On your questions on my grad school positioning, it's not in the league of the IITs in terms of prestige in the country. They are in a separate bracket altogether. But at the same time, they are also core tech institutes, from where you invariably get students who stay in the tech field. The college i have mentioned, VESIT, is one of the best in Maharashtra (The state where Mumbai is present, which is where i live) It is reputed in the state and well acclaimed for its quality and the general prestige value. But, it definitely won't rank among the best in South Asia.

On the extra curricular activities front, do you think my participation in the activities in college may be looked at as something that was a long time ago? Afterall college was more than 3 yrs back and since then, i have had limited opportunity in debates etc at work!

Finally, on the essays. I have started writing my LBS and INSEAD essays and need to know if i am atleast on the right track. Do you think you could have a look and share your thoughts?

Thanks again for your time.

Anand
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by Paxton Helms - Kaplan » Sat Jul 04, 2009 12:46 pm
Hi, Anand--

I'm afraid that I'm not available to review essays on this site. If you would like me or another Kaplan expert to review them, just visit

https://www.kaptest.com/GMAT/Admissions- ... lting.html

and purchase the hours that you need.


In terms of your extracurriculars, I think your college ones will be fine; naturally, civic involvement (church, not for profits, etc.) after college is desirable, too, but college is a pretty indicator.

Keep me in the loop as your thinking evolves and if you have further questions--

Paxton
Keep me in the loop about your thinking and let me know if you have any more questions.

Paxton



Paxton Helms is an MBA admissions consultant for Kaplan Admissions Consulting. He earned his MBA from UCLA and specializes in helping clients that are applying to top twenty and "reach" programs. He can be reached directly at [email protected].

To begin working with Paxton immediately, follow this link and request him specifically: https://www.kaptest.com/GMAT/Admissions- ... lting.html
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