Profile review and feedback - ISB, INSEAD, HEC, IE

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Hey,

I'm Harsh. I'm planning to apply to the following school (class of 2019) for a 1-year MBA:

1) ISB Hyderabad
2) INSEAD Paris (Spring batch)
3) HEC Paris (Spring batch)
4) IE Madrid (Spring)

Here's a snapshot of my profile:

GMAT: 720 (QA - 48, VA - 40)

Work Experience
- I'm currently working as a Product Manager in a leading software product Indian MNC, mostly having business in the US
- I'll be completing 3 years of full-time work experience in July this year
- I founded and ran my own tech startup, in consumer internet, for a year, where I was the head and leading a team of 6-7 people
- Since then I've progressed well in my career, currently in a role which is traditionally reserved for MBAs from top bschools. I regularly work with other product managers who mostly from ISB and the top IIMs.
- Before this role, I was working in a cross-functional leadership role with a big digital media company where I was working directly with the CEO on a strategic level.
- As product manager, I've worked on shipping multiple products (both from a strategic and functional aspect) and have continuously led teams of small and big sizes
- Have extensive experience in working with leadership teams in marketing, sales, operations etc due as part of being a full-stack product manager

Extra-curricular
- I've worked with one of India's leading volunteer-driven NGOs for two consecutive years, where I was recognised as one of the best volunteers for a year and then helped created substantial impact by piloting a new project in my city chapter.
- I'm currently taking French classes
- I'm also a regular at Toastmasters International
- In college, I was the founding member and head editor of the official student/staff newsletter
- I've been a regular quizzer, Rubik's speed-cuber during school/college life

Academic
- B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering from a state university
- Avg grades in undergrad
- Academic gold medalist in school

Post-MBA goals:
- Want to make a move to strategic management - either in strategy consulting at one of the top firms or a business leadership role at large tech organisations
- Would also consider a role in venture capital given my overall business, product management and entrepreneurial experience
- An MBA would help me gain an overall perspective to strategic management, finance, organisational structures etc and diverse peer groups will help me understand multiple sectors, industries and functions closely.


Would really appreciate a profile review and feedback for my chances at my choice of bschools.

TIA!

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by mcbMcK » Tue May 02, 2017 3:11 am
Consider the following points Harsh:
  1. The nature of your work sounds pretty impressive. It will be good to understand the scale/size/brand of the startup and your current employer. The fate of the startup and that experience alone should hold you in pretty good stead overall.
  2. The transition into Consulting will have to be detailed and thought through well though. VC might be ok but those are few and far between. Business Leadership is pretty vague as a description. So in short, it'll do you some good to articulate the plan well.
  3. The ECs arc is pretty good too and should tick all the right boxes. Make sure to connect it well with your target programs.
  4. For reasons mentioned here, we don't speculate on school selection. That said, the only non-glorious piece in your profile is the academic arc, together with the GMAT bit. A retake is highly recommended if you have some confidence of boosting the score and then, things should get real exciting.
Hope this helps some.

Cheers,
MG (Manish Gupta)|The MBA Crystal Ball Team

Website: https://www.mbacrystalball.com
Email: mcb at mbacrystalball dot com

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by AskgoISB » Tue May 02, 2017 4:05 am
harshgupta16 wrote:Hey,

I'm Harsh. I'm planning to apply to the following school (class of 2019) for a 1-year MBA:

1) ISB Hyderabad
2) INSEAD Paris (Spring batch)
3) HEC Paris (Spring batch)
4) IE Madrid (Spring)

Here's a snapshot of my profile:

GMAT: 720 (QA - 48, VA - 40)

Work Experience
- I'm currently working as a Product Manager in a leading software product Indian MNC, mostly having business in the US
- I'll be completing 3 years of full-time work experience in July this year
- I founded and ran my own tech startup, in consumer internet, for a year, where I was the head and leading a team of 6-7 people
- Since then I've progressed well in my career, currently in a role which is traditionally reserved for MBAs from top bschools. I regularly work with other product managers who mostly from ISB and the top IIMs.
- Before this role, I was working in a cross-functional leadership role with a big digital media company where I was working directly with the CEO on a strategic level.
- As product manager, I've worked on shipping multiple products (both from a strategic and functional aspect) and have continuously led teams of small and big sizes
- Have extensive experience in working with leadership teams in marketing, sales, operations etc due as part of being a full-stack product manager

Extra-curricular
- I've worked with one of India's leading volunteer-driven NGOs for two consecutive years, where I was recognised as one of the best volunteers for a year and then helped created substantial impact by piloting a new project in my city chapter.
- I'm currently taking French classes
- I'm also a regular at Toastmasters International
- In college, I was the founding member and head editor of the official student/staff newsletter
- I've been a regular quizzer, Rubik's speed-cuber during school/college life

Academic
- B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering from a state university
- Avg grades in undergrad
- Academic gold medalist in school

Post-MBA goals:
- Want to make a move to strategic management - either in strategy consulting at one of the top firms or a business leadership role at large tech organisations
- Would also consider a role in venture capital given my overall business, product management and entrepreneurial experience
- An MBA would help me gain an overall perspective to strategic management, finance, organisational structures etc and diverse peer groups will help me understand multiple sectors, industries and functions closely.


Would really appreciate a profile review and feedback for my chances at my choice of bschools.

TIA!
Hi Harsh,

We think you have a well-rounded profile and a seemingly good set of target B-schools.

In order to improve your chances at admissions, we think you will need to showcase more clarity on your goals. How will you be able to define the transition from product management to strategic consulting. The candidate pool for consulting is extremely competitive. What sets you apart? We recommend you speak to a few alumni of your target B-schools, specifically with the intention of identifying what parts of your profile would interest the school. Also attend ad-com info-sessions and roadshows so that you can highlight your achievements correctly.

With a profile like yours, essays can make or break your application. Hence, do your research and begin early on them.

Do reach out to us in case of any queries.
Cheers,
goISB team
https://www.goISB.com
Ph: +91 9871354580
Email:[email protected]
Check goISB's Guaranteed Admissions Program (GAP) - ISB admit or money back*
https://www.goisb.com/services/gap/

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by Donna@Stratus » Wed May 03, 2017 9:45 am
harshgupta16 wrote:Hey,

I'm Harsh. I'm planning to apply to the following school (class of 2019) for a 1-year MBA:

1) ISB Hyderabad (I think you have a good shot- however work experience is a little less than avg so something else needs to be over- whether GMAT- which it is a little and hopefully quality of work, recommendations etc
2) INSEAD Paris (Spring batch)GMAT is great but WE a little light
3) HEC Paris (Spring batch) same
4) IE Madrid (Spring) should be strong here

Here's a snapshot of my profile:

GMAT: 720 (QA - 48, VA - 40) (This looks good)

Work Experience
- I'm currently working as a Product Manager in a leading software product Indian MNC, mostly having business in the US
- I'll be completing 3 years of full-time work experience in July this year
- I founded and ran my own tech startup, in consumer internet, for a year, where I was the head and leading a team of 6-7 people
- Since then I've progressed well in my career, currently in a role which is traditionally reserved for MBAs from top bschools. I regularly work with other product managers who mostly from ISB and the top IIMs.
- Before this role, I was working in a cross-functional leadership role with a big digital media company where I was working directly with the CEO on a strategic level.
- As product manager, I've worked on shipping multiple products (both from a strategic and functional aspect) and have continuously led teams of small and big sizes
- Have extensive experience in working with leadership teams in marketing, sales, operations etc due as part of being a full-stack product manager

Extra-curricular
- I've worked with one of India's leading volunteer-driven NGOs for two consecutive years, where I was recognised as one of the best volunteers for a year and then helped created substantial impact by piloting a new project in my city chapter.
- I'm currently taking French classes
- I'm also a regular at Toastmasters International
- In college, I was the founding member and head editor of the official student/staff newsletter
- I've been a regular quizzer, Rubik's speed-cuber during school/college life

Academic
- B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering from a state university
- Avg grades in undergrad
- Academic gold medalist in school

Post-MBA goals:
- Want to make a move to strategic management - either in strategy consulting at one of the top firms or a business leadership role at large tech organisations
- Would also consider a role in venture capital given my overall business, product management and entrepreneurial experience
- An MBA would help me gain an overall perspective to strategic management, finance, organisational structures etc and diverse peer groups will help me understand multiple sectors, industries and functions closely.


Would really appreciate a profile review and feedback for my chances at my choice of bschools.

I encourage you to really understand how each school can help you achieve your goals. I think if you do the applications well, you can be competitive. For more information about how we can help you present as strongly as possibly in the application process- go to this link for a free consult:
https://stratusadmissionscounseling.com/free-consult/

TIA!