Hi everyone, Today I spent some time on reviewing previous AGSM discussions and have compiled here experiences and advice of previous applicants. Hope these tips will help current/prospective AGSM applicants know about the school and its application process.
NOTE that these are users' own opinions, expressed when they were in application phase, and may or may not hold true in current circumstance, so don't rely blindly on them.
Interview Invitations
It usually takes approx 20 days to get interview mail after submitting the application and then 10 days to know final status.
IELTS / TOEFL
International applicants from non-English speaking countries are required to take TOEFL or IELTS. Generally IELTS is preferred over TOEFL.
Student Visa
- It is better to apply for a student Visa first and later for PR visa as the later can take 5-6 months time to process. Once you get PR, it will over-ride the student visa.
- IDP education is good for visa consulting. They are specialist in this domain and they also do not charge any fees, as they get a direct cut from the university. They will make sure you are submitting correct documents. This decreases rejection chances and the amount of time it takes to grant the visa
Accomodation
Accommodation on campus (UNSW Village) is beautiful but quite steep compared to living outside; To get University accommodation you need to enlist in the queue. You need to pay a small token amount to do that. Alternatively you can form groups of fellow students and search for a 4-5 bedroom shared accommodation. UNSW residential website.
https://portal.clv.com.au/StarRezPortalUNSWVEducation Loan
- Interest rates in Aussie banks for Personal Loan ( Education loan comes under the broad category of Personal Loans) are not less than 13.90%. This is the rate for FIXED rate loan. In case of VARIABLE rates the figure goes to above 14 % and in some banks Variable rates were even more than 15%. For latest interest rates you can check the websites of ANZ, Commonwealth Bank, Westpac, and NAB.
- For Indian students, interest rates of Indian banks range from 11-12%. SBI Education loans are supposed to be better than the others in terms of interest rates.
Career Development
- AGSM is very focused towards management consulting and most of the placements off campus are in that industry. Having said that, majority of the previous Cohort has gotten jobs in various fields. Very few companies (other than the consulting ones) would sponsor you. You'll need a PR to get jobs in most places. So its best that you all apply for PR before coming because it takes time.
- Although you can’t do internship at AGSM, there is an option to have live projects which are almost just as an internship but of smaller duration.
- Changing career will be a challenge, especially if it's a change in two or all three aspects - industry, function and geography.
- AGSM is very well known all over Asia so you have the opportunity to work anywhere in Asia and you will get good competitive package.
- If international candidate, PR is absolutely essential. Better to have a PR before coming to AGSM as not many companies sponsor PR. There are always a few who seriously suffer because of not planning for this. (One can check SkillSelect site to determine eligibility for PR)
- Your visa is usually valid till Sept whereas classes will end in April (depending on where you go for exchange) and graduation is in July. You can now apply for 'MBA EXTENTION' which is a 5th semester costing 10,000AUD. You get 6-12 month extension and are eligible for the 2-year work visa (knight visa) once you graduate. In session 5, you will have to find an internship for yourself and are graded on your performance. (NOTE: If you have PR or not there is no requirement for applying to the extension program. Its aim is help people get the required student visa length for 2 years that can help them get the work permit. If you have PR you don't need the work permit. So there is no need for the extension.)
Admitted Profiles
- GMAT - 700; WE 5 yrs; Indian; IT; Male
- WE 4 yrs in IT service management with a MNC in Mumbai. Indian; GMAT: 690
- GMAT 620; IB; Indian; Male; Concentration – Finance, Entrepreneurship
- WE : 6 yrs ..Lead - IT team. Exceptional Recommendations from my boss; GMAT: 670; Acads: Great
Extracurriculars: Good
- WE : 8yrs - IT Project Manager; GMAT: 680 Q 48 V 35 IR 7.0 AWA 5.0; Acads: BE Computer Science, Distinction
PMP; Extra Curricular: Good Residence status: Australian PR Currently residing in United States
- WE: 8+ years, Team lead in a Leading Storage IT firm; From Bangalore; GMAT: 710 Acads: B Tech Comp Sc
- Indian; GMAT: 710; Exp: 6+ in IT consulting (3+ international) Decent extracurriculars.
- Consultant with PWC, in their Risk Advisory business in Mumbai. WE:6 Years, Have traveled extensively for client assignments, which was also a small topic of discussion during the interview. Average Acad scores, Good extracurriculars, Strong recommendations from my Executive Directors. IELTS of 8.5
- (Admitted with Scholarship of Excellence; 25K) GMAT: 730; Exp: 6+; Domain: Mechanical Design Engineer; International Exp: about an year; nothing stellar in Extracurricular; Decent Acads
- (Admitted with Scholarship of Excellence; 25K) IT - 5 years; Gmat : 700
- Indian; WE: 6+ years; International exp: 3+ years; Masters in HR, Process and domain consultant and sales, CSR: Good, Gmat: not so great
- Indian (With Australian PR); Female, IT (yes again IT); Exp: 6+years International exp: 2+ years; GMAT: 650; Acads: Fine; Extracurriculars: Fine
Interview Questions
1. Why AGSM?
2. Why now?
3. Why MBA?
4. Specific questions about work experience, Career Progression, current role, and job profile
5. Extracurriculars
6. What drives you
7. Plans after graduation (whether you want to stay in Australia or come back home).
8. My Future goals and any target companies.
9. What do you think you will bring to the community?
10. What questions do you want to ask?
11. You know anything about Sydney?
12. When did I get a PR and was it based on my skills?
Apart from the general interview questions, as applicant was told that he will have to answer one question via email. The question was "What are you made for"?
23 Jul 2016, 22:45
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