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Re: Free MBA profile evaluation

Posted: March 27th, 2016, 6:29 pm
by SK_49
MBACrystalBall wrote:
SK_49 wrote:Reference ID: SK_49

Thanks for the clarifications.

.....

It's helpful that you are being flexible with the university choice. However, the dependence on a strong GMAT score doesn't go away if you'd like business schools to offer scholarships.

.....
Your response has said it all! Thank you and now I know the direction is clear.
I need to concentrate on my GMAT prep and much depends on that. And during that time, I would reflect on the best possible way to present my essay to the Adcomm. I will start my preparations in full swing and am going to be coming back soon for more help! MBA Crystal Ball is a treasure trove of resources and I'm sure to be logging on to Careerizma as well.
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I have one last question- do universities look for a strong analytical background? I don't have much to prove it (except perhaps a few Coursera/edX courses and A+ grades in Engineering Math). That is why I asked should I consider taking up work in the analytics domain in my current job. (Simon Business School, Rochester seems to put a lot of emphasis on an analytical background.)
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Thank you once again for the kind advice and support!

PS: I did have my doubts about Management Consulting. I was only considering it because of the job profile (something I would love to do), but it is certainly not the kind of lifestyle I want (work-life imbalance). Now that I know I have strong case for Product Management, it's time I forego Consulting.

Re: Free MBA profile evaluation

Posted: March 27th, 2016, 9:08 pm
by MBACrystalBall
SK_49 wrote:do universities look for a strong analytical background?
It helps if you can show that you have the raw potential that can be polished during the MBA.

However, it doesn't have to be in the technical area of analytics (which is different from the general meaning of analytical skills).

Consultants, for instance, solve business problems using analytical skills, but not necessarily analytics related tools.

For now, don't worry about what you don't have. Focus on what is an absolute necessity (like the test scores).

Re: Free MBA profile evaluation

Posted: March 27th, 2016, 9:11 pm
by SK_49
Thanks! This enables me to have laser-like focus now.

Re: Free MBA profile evaluation

Posted: March 30th, 2016, 10:51 am
by MBACrystalBall
Profile details sourced from our Profile Evaluation database.

Reference ID: JSP-BLRMBA2016
GRE 328 (Q165 V163)| TOEFL 111
B.E in Information Science, MBA
5 years, Senior analyst in Global analytics and Insights

I had applied for Cornell and Kellogg 1Y MBA for the class of 2016. But got dings from both. I believe I have a competitive profile, would like to understand possible reasons for rejects and how to strengthen my profile.
I'll start off with a disclaimer to set the expectations. If you see our website, we don't do ding analyses. Though it is very popular among consultants (it's easy to over-simplify the issues and propose quick-fix solutions for a nice fee), we think it has serious limitations. Rather than tweaking a strategy that hasn't worked earlier, we feel it's best to start off afresh with zero baggage from the previous attempt.

Having said that let's see what perspectives we can share for you to do some introspection.

Your profile looks quite good based on what you've shared in the 'What makes your profile unique?' section.

You haven't shared a LinkedIn profile. I tried searching online for any articles you may have written (to get an idea of your articulation skills), but I couldn't find any. From our brief offline interaction, I assume you are a little apprehensive about having an online presence.

I'm working with very limited insights and wondering which of the many application puzzle pieces might have been missing or positioned ineffectively.

For starters, read this post on what could possibly go wrong in MBA applications: MBA Application Rejection Reasons

Apart from those listed in the article, second MBA applicants have the additional challenge to convince Adcoms that they deserve a second chance. Another relevant post for you to read: Business schools accepting second MBA applicants.

I couldn't find any post-MBA goals in your profile summary. What you've done so far with your first MBA, why the second MBA comes into the picture and how it can help you connect the dots are all important query that your application should address.

The choice of programs is also important. Since you've mentioned you are open to 2 yr and 1 yr programs in the profile submission, why did you only apply to Cornell/Kellogg 1 year programs last season and not the others?

The GRE-score-to-GMAT conversion table shows that you are roughly in the 700 GMAT range. Most Indian applicants for the schools you targetted score higher. Any possibility of taking the GMAT before for this year's applications?

Re: Free MBA profile evaluation

Posted: March 31st, 2016, 12:21 am
by JSP_BLR
Hi,

Thanks for the response!

My post-MBA goal is to get into a leadership/rotational development program at International banks/financial services sector.

The first MBA classroom was very homogeneous, I am looking at International diversity. I also felt I didn't receive practical learning which I hope the second MBA should help me achieve. Thirdly, I am stuck in a technical field (analytics) and I want to move to a general Finance role. (Another unappealing but personally strong reason being that the first MBA brand wasn't good, the international b-school brand should offer me careers with leadership positions)

I applied only for the 1Y programs as I want to bypass some of the classes which might be redundant, however after the dings I don't want to just rely on these two schools. Hence I wish to broaden the choices and take up the 2Y program.

Yes, my GRE would translate to 710. I definitely am willing to take the GMAT aiming at 730. Having said that, is this the only red flag? And is it too strong to reject me?

What are the schools I should target this year? Assuming I get a score of 730. And what else should I improve? I will be 29 when I apply with 5.5 yrs of experience.

Let me know.
Appreciate your feedback.

Re: Free MBA profile evaluation

Posted: March 31st, 2016, 12:50 am
by MBACrystalBall
JSP_BLR wrote:My post-MBA goal is to get into a leadership/rotational development program at International banks/financial services sector.
:
Thanks for the clarifications. A few more points to think about.

Rotational roles are generally limited in number and highly competitive since the top grads with financial background from the other top notch programs (many who don't require a work permit) will be fighting for them as well. 'Leadership roles' makes it too open ended. In your earlier application, I hope you were able to show focus in the goals and a logical connect between the pre-MBA and post-MBA role.
JSP_BLR wrote:Yes, my GRE would translate to 710. I definitely am willing to take the GMAT aiming at 730. Having said that, is this the only red flag? And is it too strong to reject me?
'
I don't think the decision was based on a single parameter. Usually there are many smaller (and non-obvious) shortcomings that combine together to result in that decision.

Case in point. Last year we helped 2 second MBA applicants (both top tier MBA grads) with 740+ GMAT scores. One got in with a scholarship, the other got rejected. We tried to analyse internally what didn't work. Age might've been one factor (we already knew this before starting the application), and there's nothing either the applicant or consultant could've done anything about.

The article I shared in the earlier response has other aspects that you could think about before you re-enter the ring.

JSP_BLR wrote:What are the schools I should target this year?
Check the second link in the earlier response. It has a list of schools that accept second MBA applicants. There may be others as well.
JSP_BLR wrote:Assuming I get a score of 730. And what else should I improve? I will be 29 when I apply with 5.5 yrs of experience.
Apart from NY, there are financial hubs in other regions as well. Even if the number of opportunities may not match NYC, you could add them to the list.

And of course, the regular points about ensuring that your application components narrate one solid, simple and logical story that an Admission Officer can review and digest without having to fill in the gaps.

Re: Free MBA profile evaluation

Posted: April 1st, 2016, 10:26 am
by naren11189
Hi Sameer & Team,

I am 26 yrs old. Currently working in a leading construction company as an Asst Manager (Elect)- Operations.

My profile
10th -90.60% CBSE
12th -88.4% CBSE
B.E- 86%
M.Tech- 8.4 cgpa (IIT)

Work exp- 2.5 yrs

Yes i have masters from IIT . But lately i feel disinterested in my career in construction industry and would like to pursue an MBA. I am very much frustrated with my current job as it has long working hours at remote locations sometimes and least work life balance.

I have a strong liking towards finance and operations. Worked with diverse teams in my current role.

Kindly advice me which will be better to take up- CAT or GMAT considering my age and profile. Is it too late for me to pursue an MBA from good B schools in India. Also can u advice me which would be better for my profile a regular 2 yr MBA or 1 yr EMBA. I would like to study in India or Singapore.

Thanks

Re: Free MBA profile evaluation

Posted: April 1st, 2016, 11:30 am
by mcb_mg
naren11189 wrote:Hi Sameer & Team,

I am 26 yrs old. Currently working in a leading construction company as an Asst Manager (Elect)- Operations.

My profile
10th -90.60% CBSE

<<snip>>

Kindly advice me which will be better to take up- CAT or GMAT considering my age and profile. Is it too late for me to pursue an MBA from good B schools in India. Also can u advice me which would be better for my profile a regular 2 yr MBA or 1 yr EMBA. I would like to study in India or Singapore.

Thanks


Consider the following Naren:
  1. With your profile, I would definitely recommend a GMAT based program as that is likely to provide a better RoI. But then again, if you are keen on say an i-banking career in India, CATs the way to go!
  2. I think you've got your nomenclature wrong on EMBA front. Read here. If you are not fixed on the location, I wouldn't make the duration of the course a constraint at this stage frankly.
  3. Finally, think deeper on your post-MBA career. Its a long, tedious journey. Make sure you've thought it through well before you take the plunge
Cheers,

Re: Free MBA profile evaluation

Posted: April 6th, 2016, 4:11 pm
by MBACrystalBall
Profile details sourced from our Profile Evaluation database.

Reference ID: PRK-GRG2016
B.E(Hons.) in Electronics and Instrumentation from BITS Pilani Goa
10 months experience as an Assitant Manager
GMAT Planned(in 2017), CAT 92.38, CMAT- 99.36, MHCET/MBA 98.01
USA/UK/Asia/Australia/Middle-East starting in 2018 or later

Q.1 I have a dilemma of whether I should choose Marketing or Finance( or both!)?. I am interested in both fields but I know that the paths of both are very different. For Finance, i would like to go into Hedge Funds( as I am risk-averse and recession is ending), how should I make my profile/contacts to get into this field( CFA/FRM/GPA)? For Marketing, I am doing Wharton's Coursera specialization, which got me interested in data approach to Marketing.

Q.2 Currently, I am planning to do MBA from IMT(Dual Country Program) (converted) or KJ Somaiya(result awaited). I am not any further risk as I have very low CGPA/low experience which is a big factor for many companies. I have given job interviews to many companies but I have faced rejection from all of them. Is it the right decision for me? Kindly give your advice.
At the outset, I'll have to say that we don't know much about the traditional Indian MBA programs. Our main focus is on GMAT MBA programs globally.

Also, if I can confess, I am not really sure what your plans are. You've mentioned that you'll be taking up one of the programs in India. But you've also said you want to go for an MBA in 2018.

With that said, I'll provide some points for you to think about.

From all that you've shared offline (which we aren't posting here to maintain confidentiality), it seems unlikely that you'll thrive in an MBA environment where the ambience will be more aggressive than it was in your engineering days. It may be incompatible with your personality.

And the bigger problem (of not being able to clear interviews) isn't being addressed. You'd just be pushing it under the carpet for 2 more years. Why not drop the MBA plans for now and focus on building new skills in your cousins business.

Take on more responsibility. Make mistakes. Learn. Move on.

Your confidence levels will be much better with smaller successes along the way.

Re: Free MBA profile evaluation

Posted: April 9th, 2016, 11:07 am
by MBACrystalBall
Profile details sourced from our Profile Evaluation database.

Reference ID: VipinChaurasia2017MBA
GMAT 620, CA, Pursuing CFA, 1 year 2 months Assurance (Big4)

I want to join one of top Bschool in India or abroad once I got 4 year of relevant workex for Investment Banking
Hi Vipin,

Good to see that you are starting the preparation early. You are right in deferring the applications for a few years by when you'd have a some interesting stories to narrate in the essays.

For now, the most impactful step you can take for yourself is to push up the GMAT score (it's too low by Indian bschool standards).

At this time, we will not be able to include your profile in our database that bschools will search. Get in touch in a year or two when you think your profile has improved and is competitive for the programs on your target list.

Good luck!