MBA Crystal Ball

Posted: **July 11th, 2016, 10:14 am**

Profile details sourced from our Profile Evaluation database.

Reference ID: mahmoudmansy

Nationality :: Egyptian
Bsc OF COMMERCE -business administration from alexandria university egypt
5 years ,currently IT project management team leader

Full time MBA at Insead /Full time MBA at Harvard \Full time MBA at stanford

1- GMAT vs GRE ? which is the best for the above mentioned schools/programs ?
2-ielts vs toefl which is the best for the above mentioned schools/programs ?
3-what is the best strategy to get accepted for the above mentioned programs ?
4-I have the problem of raising the appropriate funds for the programs ,What is the best strategy to get it ?

1. GMAT would be a better choice, since you are only interested in MBA programs.

2. Will pick TOEFL over IELTS, as it is widely accepted. However, check the specific program sites to verify whether they insist on any one.

3. Here are a few articles that might help:

- How to get into Harvard Business School from India

- What Stanford GSB looks for in MBA applicants

4. Many top schools have tie-ups with financing institutions. They'd be a good source of funding. You can also target schools where the possibility of getting scholarships is high.

Read these strategies and success stories of applicants who got MBA scholarships.

Posted: **July 12th, 2016, 6:14 pm**

Profile details sourced from our Profile Evaluation database.

Reference ID: deepaksh13

experience in R&D till date (Technical as well as Project management experience) in Pharma industry

1) What is your opinion about my present profile w.r.t. getting into a Top B school.

2) Is it the right time to prepare for GMAT or is it too late for me.

3) As per my targeted industry (Pharma/Healthcare/FMCG), which B school i should pick.(My personal choice is ISB, Hyderabad: Is it a right choice)

4) Extracurricular activities:
:
As mentioned about my extracurricular activities which is not so impressive. So, what steps should i take to improve my overall profile which is desired in Top B schools.

1. The unusual profile works in the differentiation department. However you'll have to figure out a way to convince Adcoms that you have not been just another brilliant researcher confined to a cubicle.

I like the way you have tried to connect your PMP certification to your Project Management responsibilities at work. Focus on highlighting the business aspects of your job.

2. It would've been nice if you already had a GMAT score. You could've applied to some good schools in R1.

Why are you delaying it till next year?

3. You haven't listed the target countries in the form. If you are only looking at 1 year MBA courses in India, ISB is the top choice. You could also look at the IIMs.

4. I wouldn't worry about that. If there's nothing to talk about yet, don't spend time in activities that you were not interested in earlier. Focus on the rest of the application.

Posted: **July 12th, 2016, 9:31 pm**

MBACrystalBall wrote:Profile details sourced from our Profile Evaluation database.

Reference ID: deepaksh13

experience in R&D till date (Technical as well as Project management experience) in Pharma industry

1) What is your opinion about my present profile w.r.t. getting into a Top B school.

2) Is it the right time to prepare for GMAT or is it too late for me.

3) As per my targeted industry (Pharma/Healthcare/FMCG), which B school i should pick.(My personal choice is ISB, Hyderabad: Is it a right choice)

4) Extracurricular activities:
:
As mentioned about my extracurricular activities which is not so impressive. So, what steps should i take to improve my overall profile which is desired in Top B schools.
1. The unusual profile works in the differentiation department. However you'll have to figure out a way to convince Adcoms that you have not been just another brilliant researcher confined to a cubicle.

I like the way you have tried to connect your PMP certification to your Project Management responsibilities at work. Focus on highlighting the business aspects of your job.

2. It would've been nice if you already had a GMAT score. You could've applied to some good schools in R1.

Why are you delaying it till next year?

3. You haven't listed the target countries in the form. If you are only looking at 1 year MBA courses in India, ISB is the top choice. You could also look at the IIMs.

4. I wouldn't worry about that. If there's nothing to talk about yet, don't spend time in activities that you were not interested in earlier. Focus on the rest of the application.

Dear Sameer,

Thank you very much for your evaluation and providing me with valuable suggestions and insights!

Recently only i 'd given a thought strongly to prepare for MBA (GMAT). So it is a kind of delay.
But as you suggested I will start my GMAT preparation right away.

Could you please guide me in selection of GMAT books. So far I have selected Manhattan complete sets (Including foundation books considering that my quants and verbal are average and I need to build a strong concepts first before giving any practice test) and The Official Guide 2017. Need your suggestion on the same.

Thanks again for showing me the right path.

Posted: **July 26th, 2016, 6:17 pm**

Profile details sourced from our Profile Evaluation database.

Reference ID: CHE-GRG2017

B.E in Mechanical
9 years experience in my own family based logistics business
USA and Canada in Sept 2017

Should I go for applying in Ivy league colleges (if i get a good GMAT score)?
Which are the best colleges in USA/CANADA for MBA in Logistics and supply chain?

If your objective is to get a good MBA and come back to run your family business, you may not need the pedigree that the Ivy league schools offer.

Also, your experience will be higher than the class average for the typical 2-year format in USA.

Some good SCM / logistics programs in the US: MIT, Stanford, Ross, Wharton, Tepper, Smeal

Posted: **August 2nd, 2016, 7:22 pm**

Profile details sourced from our Profile Evaluation database.

Reference ID: KhyatiG

B.Sc (Hons.) Mathematics from Delhi University, PG Diploma in Advertising & PR, PG Diploma in Crafting Luxury & Lifestyle Businesses
3 years experience, currently Brand & Business Development Manager
GMAT 690 (Q48 V35)
Masters in Luxury Brand Management/Full-Time MBA

- I know my weakness - which is an average GMAT score and an O.K. graduation score but is my strength (or uniqueness) a strength enough to land me in one of the top 2 colleges I've mentioned above? If not, do you think re-taking the GMAT will help me build a better profile?

How should I pit a focused luxury management course against a Full Time MBA course (with a possible luxury specialisation)?

My +5 year aim is to work with an established global luxury company; understand the inner workings of a global brand match it against my experience with Indian luxury brands (that have all failed to internationalise (quite astonishing!!) - or reach the likes of Gucci/LV etc.) and develop on my course learning at IIMA and hope to deliver an Indian brand of that stature, as a result.

- Since you are aware that your GMAT isn't very strong, if re-taking isn't an option, it's best to focus on the other components (essays, resume, recos, interviews) and ensure they aren't the weakest link.

Like this candidate did with one of your target schools despite having a score lower than yours:
https://www.mbacrystalball.com/blog/2011 ... ess-story/

- On the topic of MS vs MBA, I'd think an MBA would work better. You already have 2 specialised diplomas. After that, having a broadbased international degree would be a safer bet.

It'll give you the option to pursue many more opportunities, in case your priorities and interests change during the course (happens all the time).

- Be careful in how you present your goals. Creating an Indian Gucci might sound impressive, but is it practical? If so, why haven't earlier Indian grads from those programs done it yet?

Posted: **August 11th, 2016, 9:09 am**

Reference ID: MKAVINDRAM

B.Tech in Industrial Engineering and management
4 yrs in analytics and consulting
GMAT 720 (Q49,V40) [Actual] Test date Aug 2016 |

- I can certainly hit a 760 within a month, should I retake the GMAT? I believe it will certainly help in getting a scholarship.
- I will apply to Harvard, Booth, Stanford, Wharton and Stern. Which other colleges should I apply to? I am only looking for a college in top 10.
- I know that a few colleges have a strong analytics department such as Stern and Sloan. Will I get a benefit applying to these?

- A 760 coupled with your current profile would surely change things quite a bit.

But the decision you need to take at this stage is whether you want to use the limited time left for Round 1 deadlines to chase a higher score, or work on strengthening the rest of the application (essays etc).

No point in having a 760 (assuming you can hit it) and ending up with a weak application overall.

- That's a very aggressive mix of bschools. It's great to aim for highly selective programs. But also important to include safer options, knowing that you'd be up against others who'd have equally strong (if not stronger profiles).

- Your experience in analytics can help if you plan to stick to the same field after MBA. But the same rationale will attract others from the same industry to these programs, so ask yourself if differentiation could become a bigger hurdle for these bschools.

Posted: **August 23rd, 2016, 9:43 am**

Reference ID: BORN2DIE

B.Tech i Mechanical & Automation Engineering
GMAT 720( Q49 V38) [Actual]
2 years experience as Engineer- Engineering & Design

1) How can I strengthen my profile? Which parts should I stress on and which parts should i glaze over or avoid altogether?

2) I am planning to apply to ISB, NUS, HEC Paris( I filled in their candidate profile evaluation form and they gave a positive response although they might be giving those to every candidate), Yale , Wharton and INSEAD.
I won't ask regarding my chances but does it make sense to apply to these or which colleges would be a better fit instead considering my profile?

3) I am currently unemployed after I left my job in August itself. Is my reasoning strong enough for the Universities to not skip my profile? If not, would working with Teach For India or similar Institutes help my profile? I know I don't want to work in the same field as before and I was afraid I would become streamlined if I stayed longer.

4) I am currently learning french. Will this in anyway help in my applications?

5) Could you please give me some tips on what someone with my profile should do or highlight to come across as a strong candidate?

1. The best way to improve your profile would've been to continue working for 1-2 more years, since you'll be competing with applicants who have spend more time in the field/job taking on more responsibility.

2. For your profile, it would be better to attend a 2-year program (you only have 2 in your list of 6) that allows you more time to learn and grow before you jump back into job hunting. One year format may be too short considering your experience level.

3. The general tendency for anyone reviewing your application would be to think there was another reason (beyond your control) that forced you to leave a good job in a good company just a month before your MBA application deadline.

Joining an NGO now would only seem like window dressing. Do it if you are genuinely interested in teaching. If not, it would be unfair to the kids who'll look up to you as their mentor.

4. Did you just start learning French? How long has it been and what's your level of competence?

5. I like your profile, since it has variety and impact. Even the lower experience level is fine, since we work with many female applicants who apply earlier than their male counterparts.

The biggest hurdle is justifying the gap. Aso, the other unanswered question for me is - why would you want to go back into the same industry (since you've mentioned career progression and not a career change) after leaving it.

I can understand if you don't want to share the details here, but the current rationale you've shared may be tough for Adcoms to comprehend.

What you've shared in the online profile evaluation form raises these and several other questions. Be careful how you present your case in your actual application.

Posted: **September 12th, 2016, 12:43 pm**

Reference ID: Law-1989

Reference ID:

4 years experience as a lawyer
GMAT 660 (Q44 V38)
Geo preference: New York- USA/August 2017

I wish to apply to Wharton/Columbia/Yale/NYU as the target schools and Fordham/Rutgers as safety schools. I am not applying to schools beyond this geographical area because of personal reasons.

With my very low GMAT score, I want to know if I stand a chance for admission to any of my target schools and if yes, then which ones? How can I compensate the low score in other aspects of my application?

There are essentially 3 parameters that you can tweak to make your strategy more effective.

1. Improve your GMAT.
It's too low, specially when you are targetting roles that place an emphasis on analytical and quantitative skills.

2. Be flexible with the geography/ranking:
Top schools are less likely to be happy to admit outliers when it comes to GMAT scores.

3. Ensure that your essays/recos/resume/interview are rock solid.
You'd probably get some leeway for being an applicant from a under-represented pool.

Give that you've ruled out 1 and 2, there's only one way to go, right?

Here's how some low GMAT scorers manage their applications:
https://www.mbacrystalball.com/blog/2011 ... ess-story/

Posted: **September 22nd, 2016, 11:13 pm**

Reference ID: MGARIPAL9120

6 years experience,Senior Mechanical Design Engineer,Automotive Industry
B.Tech in Mechanical
USA/Europe/India for classes starting in Sept 2018

1.I Have Low GPA in my undergraduate,how can I make my profile strong
2.Is there any age limit for Full Time MBA
3.I Am targeting B-schools like Stanford,Insead,Wharton,Tuck,ISB
4.Is my profile suits to my targeted schools.
5.Suggest some schools which suits to my profile
6.Even I have experience in Entrepreneurship(But, I failed in business).

1. Check out this post on how to tackle low academic grades (GPA) in MBA applications.

2. There is no age limit, but you have to be careful that you don't end up in a program where you are not a good fit.

3-5. As mentioned on the guidelines page, we don't speculate on chances.

But American schools will start drifting out of range the more you delay it. Your experience is already on the higher side for the typical 2 year MBA.

6. Failure isn't necessarily bad. In fact, it can help Adcoms see you taking (hopefully) calculated risks and learning from them. See this on how you can talk about failure in your MBA essays: https://www.mbacrystalball.com/blog/2016 ... on-essays/

Though you haven't asked for it, here's another tip. You'd have to work on improving your grammar. There were several mistakes in what you've submitted. For the top schools, that may derail things even if you have strong achievements to talk about.

Posted: **October 10th, 2016, 1:55 pm**

Reference ID: sid.mthr

B.Tech+M.Tech Dual Degree in Chemical Engineering
Work Experience:: 0
GMAT 710(Q49 V37)

Am I eligible for the MS/MIM courses, since I would already be an M.Tech when I graduate?

Should I gather some work experience and then do an MBA or jump into an MIM right now?

Is MIM a good option in the US, considering that it's a relatively new course there?

My CGPA is below 7 out of 10 scale, so I would have to compromise on college, but coming from an IIT, I am not willing to take a substantial drop when it comes to good colleges. What will be my best options in the US for MIM? Will Europe be a better option fr MIM or will my grade be a problem there too?

I constantly hear that Europe has a poor job market for Indians and MIM won't help? Is it true?

Yes, you can go for another Masters. Bigger question here is, what's the point in having another degree aimed at freshers?

There are also more issues for folks without experience to get a job overseas. Recruiters have a better reason to tackle legal issues for you, if you can show them some solid experience that they value.

Get some experience and then aim for an international MBA instead.

If all you have is your GPA and IIT brand to show, then you'd be at a disadvantage. Which is why, there's more reason to build a professional profile first and then decide where to apply.

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