gmatindian wrote:
Hi,
I am hoping to get your advice on my chances to get into a top 7 US b-school (H, W, S, Columbia, Booth, Sloan, Kellog)
Background:
I have always had a strong passion for technology from right when I was young. As I grew up, I started admiring the scale and the complexities of big businesses. Hence, it is my dream to be involved in something massive and something that would impact the lives of many. Given my proclivity towards technology, it is a natural choice of industry for me. To achieve this i figured I needed an MBA (and a whole set of other skills! but lets not get into that!) Infact, even before I started my undergrad, I knew I wanted to do an MBA. As every other engineer in India, I started applying (unsuccessfully at that!) to the top B-schools in India (read the IIMs). However, when I came across the Stanford Website one bright morning, I knew which was the best place I could get the experience I was looking for. It was my moment of epiphany.
Since then, I have done some research, and decided to apply to B-schools in the US. Simultaneously, I prepared for GMAT and have given it just now.
Phew! Sorry for the story! Here is my profile.
Indian Male, 23
Mechanical Engg. (Top 10 Engg. univ in India)
GMAT : 730 (Q 50, V 38 AWA :Expected) Verbal screwed me there
GPA :9.05 / 10. (Dunno what it converts to!)
Consistent high-school performance (Dunno if that matters: got 96% in my sophomore yr and 94% in my senior year)
Work Ex : 2 years at matriculation
Quality of Work ex : Railway Manufacturing industry. MNC (known for the fastest traditional train in the world and the New york subway). Hired as graduate trainee (like all other Engineers in India), worked myself up quickly to take responsibility as key user of the MM and PP modules of our ERP system (Enterprise resource Planning) and as Materials Manager. The job profile is a lot related to optimization of resources and how to manage the manufacturing line.
International exposure : 3 month internship in a Technical univ in Berlin during my UG. Two three week stints in France to train first on Industrial Management, and second on SAP. (Slated to train in Brazil as a continuation on Indus Management)
Extra-currics and leadership: First trustee and secretary of a Charitable trust. The main objective of the trust is to fund the needy students for education and mentor their career. In its first year, we have identified and in the process of funding close to 10 children (we are targeting to double the number by the end of the year). This initiative is very close to my heart and am one of the 4 who is actively leading the operations of the trust.
Thank you for your patience in reading my lengthy post. I would really value your advise on the following two points:
1) Do I have a chance of getting admitted in a top 7? If so, what are the things I can do to make my application stronger?
2) What are the other universities that I can look at, given my ambitions?
Thanks again!
V
Your academic performance and GMAT are great and your extracurricular leadership and career are off to a good start but I would like to see more impact to say you are a strong candidate at the M7. The good news is that you are young still and have a couple of years to build a track record of leadership and impact before applying. While you could certainly apply to - and possibly gain acceptance to - some lower ranked programs now, I do think it is worth waiting for another year or two to see what level of advancement you can achieve professionally and extracurricularly - to attend the best program for you.
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24 May 2012, 10:55
