Profile Evaluation Request

[silvers]

Hello,


Apologize for the long post, but wanted to present as much details as possible.

Request you to go through this an offer a profile evaluation and comments on my choice of schools and the chances of making it to them.

If possible I am also looking for tips on how to address the application to schools where I am a reapplicant. What should i be emphasizing on on my reapplicant essays

Age : 28

GMAT Score - First Attempt -September 2007 - 690 (Q48,V36, 5.5)
Second Attempt - July,2010 - 730(Q50,V38 , 6.0)
Undergrad: Engineering Graduate in Information Technology Delhi, India. Top 10% in my class

Work Experience: 6.5 years with TCS
I spend the first 2.5 years working as a software developer in India for an investment banking software.
Since August 2006: I have been working in US as a Business Validation/QA(functional) Analyst for one of the largest wealth management products in the world. My responsibilities have majorly included validating the business function for the software with the wealth management market in UK.
PS: I do not have a direct managerial experience, as the project structure is that of a flat organization. A manager in y project has over 12-15 years of experience. My team includes individual with a MBA, CFA, CPA qualification and also former traders and bankers. A major part of the responsibility is to address gaps in the software, map it to client needs and offer solutions to address the gaps. Because the job demands validation of the system as a whole I get to typically interact with over 200-250 people(out of 400 project strength) and coordinate work across a mix of 7-8 teams at one time. This provides an excellen opportunity to practice indirect management. Because of the flat structure of the project a manager typically has 12-15 years of experience. However I have been managing a team of 5 individuals for the past 7 months. Also in my team of 30 members, I am among the only 2 engineers in the team.

Since I Last Applied to business school for Fall2010 session- Following are the changes in my profile

"¢ GMAT : Score increased from 690 to 730(Q50,V38, AWA 6.0)

"¢ Work Profile - Managing a team of 5 individuals ( 2 peers and 3 junior associates). Assisting my Senior manager in planning for a $25 Million US version release for the software

"¢ Executive Member for Business forum run by TCS North America, involved in finding synergies between various software implementations and chalking out the product road map. I am the youngest member in the forum.

"¢ Toastmaster - Serving as the Vice President for the Club for the past 8 Months.



Achievements at work :
"¢ Finalist at TAS 2008 (Tata Administrative Services - Fast track management Program for grooming individuals to take up executive positions in the $70 Billion TATA Group)

"¢ Peer Recognition award winner in 2007 ( Given to 4 individuals every year out of the project strength of 400).

"¢ Icon Award winner in 2009, (Only 1 given every year out of 400)
Extra Curricular/ Community service:


College - Student Body member, President Quiz club. Founder of monthly college magazine - FundaMentals
Post College - Member of Toastmasters Club - since 2009, currently serving as the Vice President - Education for the Club ( club strength is 41 members)

Big Brother Big Sister - Mentored a 11 year old boy for a year. Will begin another year when the school year starts in September.

Green Team - Events Committee - VP. - saved over $120,000 for the company through various initiatives. Extended the practices here to my hometown in India. Organized a recycling awareness drive in Delhi covering 250 households/ 3 speeches at resident communities and personal visit to over 50 families.

Charity work mostly through company engagements, includes commitments of 2-3 hours every month.

Hobbies - Rafting, running ( have run 4 5K races this year and 2 for charities)

GMAT Score - First Attempt -September 2007 - 690 (Q48,V36, 5.5)
Second Attempt - July 16,2010 - 730(Q50,V38 , AWA 6.0)

Target schools - Ross,UM(ReApp - applied last year) Dinged with No IV call
Fuqua,Duke( Reapp - applied last year) - Dinged with No IV call
Tuck,
Kellog
Hass
NYU

Short term Goal - I want to target a Strategy consulting profile, but I am open to get back to the IT industry in Sales and Business Development.

Long Term Goal - Go back to India and lead a consulting initiative there in the areas of Technology, business system consulting. A lot of this would depend on my post MBA profile, but I do want to go back to India and use my US experience to transfer best practices to India.


Request you to go through this an offer a profile evaluation and comments on my choice of schools and the chances of making it to them.

If possible I am also looking for tips on how to address the application to schools where I am a reapplicant.What should i be emphasizing on on my reapplicant essays

Thanks in Advance

[Lisa Anderson]

Dear silvers,

Congratulations on your new GMAT score and increased responsibilities at TCS! I think both of these items will be helpful in your applications for this year and will be items to highlight in your re-applicant essays. It is important to show that you have made some improvements in your profile since your last application, as well as that you are submitting new essays to the schools where you are re-applying. If you have not already, you should try to contact Ross and Duke to gain any feedback on your application so you know what else, if anything, you need to address in your applications and verify the re-applicant process. It is imperative you follow each school's re-applicant process precisely, only submitting what is necessary, to show you have strong attention to detail.

With regard to your profile in general, I think you have the foundation for a competitive application to your target schools. Your essays, recommendations and interviews will be critical pieces in your evaluation, so be sure to use these items to your advantage in making a compelling case for your admission. These items really do make a difference. I am a bit concerned by your school list, however, in that it is 6 reach schools. While these are all fabulous programs and I think you do have a chance with a strong application package at any of them, they are all top 15 schools which are highly selective. I encourage you to consider adding a few schools where your chances are greater and the school is still a good match for you--schools more in the 15-30 range.

Best of luck,
Lisa

[silvers]

Thanks a lot Lisa for the wonderful Evaluation.

I had a follow up question on the feedback front. I did seek feedback from Both Duke and Ross. While Duke refused to entertain the request attributing to the fact that they were overloaded with applications and it was not possible for them to give feedback. Ross, did accept the request but said they only give feedback to selected individuals and that's decided by the adcom.

So my question is if both the schools did not offer me any feedback, is this considered a negative for my reapplication because i am not really sure of what all grounds the school found me lacking or coming up short on. I believe this is important because if this is a negative sign then it might be prudent to apply at other programs even though i absolutely loved both Duke and Ross.

[Lisa Anderson]

The lack of feedback is more of a reflection on the school than you. I would not take that as a sign that your chances are diminished there or a sign to discourage you from re-applying. It is more likely the school has chosen not to provide feedback to prior applicants. How you want to interpret the lack of feedback in terms of where you decide to invest your resources is up to you though. If you feel you cannot present a stronger application package to either of these schools without feedback or simply don't like that the program won't give you feedback, then that is your prerogative. There are plenty of schools out there where you can receive a great education. If you still love both of these programs and would really like to try again, then you should. Think about it and do what you feel is in your best interest.

Good luck,
Lisa