Profile Evaluation Please

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Profile Evaluation Please

by vbhalla1187 » Thu Dec 30, 2010 10:16 am
Hello!

Can you please evaluate my MBA profile when you have a moment?

I am 25 years old and graduated from Bernard Baruch College (Zicklin School of Business) with a 3.5 GPA, majoring in Finance (minor Economics).

I have worked as a Hedge Fund research analyst at a Hedge Fund Research and Advisory Firm. Currently, I am working in a similar capacity at a large, renowned asset management firm on their Fund of Hedge Funds team. I also interned for a year at one of the largest public pension funds in the country in their hedge funds group. Helped me get a good perspective on how things work in the public sector as well.

I also started my own party entertainment/event planning business in my freshman year of college. We provided music, entertainment, photography, videography, etc services to our clients for weddings, sweet 16s, corporate events and such. It gave me some valuable experience in running a business and interacting with clients.

GMAT: 710

Extracurricular activities: In 2008, I was featured on the Indian version of American idol. Almost 10,000 singers auditioned in 4 cities across the US and 20 were chosen to be on a TV show that was telecast in the US, Canada, Europe and India. I was fortunate enough to be on that list of 20 and ended up placing 5th in the competition before being eliminated. Since then, I regularly perform at shows and concerts all across the country. I am trained in both vocal Indian classical music and western classical music.

I have been involved with a charity called AWB Food Bank, that feeds nearly 2000 hungry and malnourished kids in India every single day. The food bank was founded by my parents in 1991 and I have recently taken on more of a leadership role. Specifically, I have tried to use my talents in music to help the cause of hunger relief. In 2009, I organized a fundraising concert that featured 5 others who were on the Indian Idol show, along with myself to raise funds for the hunger relief cause. It's something I'm passionate about and proud to be a part of.

I have also been an active member of the New York State Democratic Party for many years. I first developed an interest in politics at age 12 and volunteered on several campaigns at the local, state, and federal level. I was recognized by my local Democratic Party and given their first Youth Leadership Award.

Target schools: Harvard, Cornell, Yale, Booth, Wharton, Haas, Dartmouth

Apologies for the length of the post, but I hope you can offer me some advice when you have a chance. Many thanks!
Source: — Ask an MBA Admissions Consultant |

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by Tani » Fri Dec 31, 2010 8:40 am
You have a very strong profile. The combination of solid stats with interesting extracurriculars and solid work and entrepreneurial experience should make you a very interesting candidate to the schools on your list.

I am not sure whether you will be put in the Indian applicant pool. As you know, the number of high-scoring Indian applicants makes that a very competitive pool. However, your background in finance and economics differentiates you from the preponderance of engineers in that group. You also have several interesting stories to tell: your work in New York politics, the food bank, your party company and the idol show all should set you apart from the crowd.

I assume from your political involvement that you grew up in the States and that you have spent time in India (based on your participation in the TV show). That gives you a very different perspective than that of applicants who grew up in and went to school in India. You should think about addressing that in your essays.


Overall your chances are excellent. You need to focus on making your essays as persuasive and distinctive as possible. Consider using an experienced admissions consultant to pull it all together.

Good luck,
Tani Wolff