NEW HERE? LEARN MORE
closeclose
Last visit was: 24 Apr 2024, 13:55 It is currently 24 Apr 2024, 13:55
Decision Tracker
My Rewards
New posts
New comers' posts

Close
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track
Your Progress

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Go to My Error Log Learn more
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel

Please evaluate my profile (IIT Delhi, GMAT 720)

SORT BY:
Date
Kudos
avatar
guitarfreak
Intern
Intern
Joined: 13 Mar 2011
Posts: 28
Own Kudos [?]: 5 [0]
Given Kudos: 0
Send PM
Please evaluate my profile (IIT Delhi, GMAT 720) [#permalink] New post   27 May 2012, 03:57
Hi all,

I am hoping to get your advice on my chances to get into the top 10 US b-schools

Here is my profile:

Indian Male, 24

Undergraduate: BTech, Chemical Engg. (IIT Delhi)

GMAT : 720 (Q 51, V 35, AWA : 4.5)

GPA : 3.1/4

Consistent high-school performance: Got 94% in 10th std. and 88% in my 12th std.

Work Ex : 4 years post my undergrad degree

Quality of Work ex :
1. 2 yrs work ex. with ZS Associates (A consulting firm focused on pharma/healthcare industry): Joined as an Associate, and got promoted to an Associate Consultant within 2 yr. (fastest in my batch). Worked with Indian, European, American clients on Market research, Marketing strategies, New product launch planning and execution & Sales force effectiveness projects
2. 2 yrs work ex. with Moolchand Healthcare: Working as an EA to the CEO, helping drive various strategic initiatives like Sales & Marketing, recruiting, M&A, fund-raising, Business planning, Reporting etc. I would classify this as a 50% strategy, and 50% execution role.

International exposure :
1. 3 month research internship in a Lab in Frieberg, Germany during my UG.
2. 3 month technical internship in a chemical factory in Rayong, Thailand during my UG.
3. Travelled to the US for client work during my 2 yr stint with ZS Associates

Extra-currics and leadership: Play the guitar/piano and was an active member of the IIT Delhi music club - used to perform for my hostel band. Also, was in the institute water-polo team (have an active interest in swimming)

I would really value your advise on the following two points:
1) Do I have a chance of getting admitted in a top 10? 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!
Rakshay
User avatar
mbaMissionBrianE
mbaMission Admissions Consultant
Joined: 10 Jun 2011
Posts: 306
Own Kudos [?]: 44 [0]
Given Kudos: 0
Send PM
Re: Please evaluate my profile (IIT Delhi, GMAT 720) [#permalink] New post   01 Jun 2012, 05:33
Expert Reply
Hello Rakshay, thanks for your question.

As I say to many applicants, it’s hard to handicap chances with limited information, but here are my comments:

Your GMAT is solid, though the verbal score is slightly low. And, as you are aware, you come from a highly competitive demographic.

You have solid work experience, and it’s great that it’s concentrated in pharma/healthcare. I assume that’s where you’ll want to spend your future career. To the degree that you can cohesively tie together your past, present, and future (post-MBA goals), you’ll have a nice career story arc. And, you will also have to demonstrate to the admissions committees that your desired career path necessitates an MBA.

Otherwise, I’d lean on your leadership experience. Can you draw upon “moments” when you truly led: influenced individuals and organizations, drove results, took initiative?

Finally, in terms of extracurricular activities, what you’ve done more recently has more weight than what you did in university/school.

I hope this helps!

Best of luck,
Brian
avatar
guitarfreak
Intern
Intern
Joined: 13 Mar 2011
Posts: 28
Own Kudos [?]: 5 [0]
Given Kudos: 0
Send PM
Re: Please evaluate my profile (IIT Delhi, GMAT 720) [#permalink] New post   01 Jun 2012, 18:47
mbaMissionBrianE wrote:
Hello Rakshay, thanks for your question.

As I say to many applicants, it’s hard to handicap chances with limited information, but here are my comments:

Your GMAT is solid, though the verbal score is slightly low. And, as you are aware, you come from a highly competitive demographic.

You have solid work experience, and it’s great that it’s concentrated in pharma/healthcare. I assume that’s where you’ll want to spend your future career. To the degree that you can cohesively tie together your past, present, and future (post-MBA goals), you’ll have a nice career story arc. And, you will also have to demonstrate to the admissions committees that your desired career path necessitates an MBA.

Otherwise, I’d lean on your leadership experience. Can you draw upon “moments” when you truly led: influenced individuals and organizations, drove results, took initiative?

Finally, in terms of extracurricular activities, what you’ve done more recently has more weight than what you did in university/school.

I hope this helps!

Best of luck,
Brian


Thanks Brian!

Additionally, my target jobs are in the healthcare space, any of the following profiles should be good post MBA:

1. Senior mgmt roles in healthcare
2. Helping a PE firm build a healthcare portfolio et al

Also, I forgot to mention about my leadership experience, so here it goes:-

Leadership experience:
1. Was mentoring associates for over a year at ZS Associates. Have delivered 4 projects end to end with about 1-2 associates reporting to me on each project. Have almost ~1yr experience training associates on market research methodologies. Have also taken office wide sessions on market research
2. Helped build the marketing services team in the Gurgaon office - was actively involved in taking it from a strength of 5 to 40 in 2 yrs.
3. Leading the talent acquisition initiative at Moolchand Healthcare, with 3 direct reportees.
4. Have an indirect line of reporting at Moolchand since I am involved in multiple strategic intiatives, working closely with the CEO (this point needs to be elaborated)

In light of above, have the following questions:-

1. Would the above "leadership" addition help me crack the top 5? I really want to get in to Harvard/Stanford/Wharton/Kellogg/Sloan.
2. Do you suggest I retake GMAT? I have a really demanding job so that is certainly going to be a challenge
3. Talking bout extra-currics, specifically music, have not really performed post college - is that a concern?

Pl. let me know your thoughts

Thanks in advance!
Rakshay
User avatar
mbaMissionBrianE
mbaMission Admissions Consultant
Joined: 10 Jun 2011
Posts: 306
Own Kudos [?]: 44 [0]
Given Kudos: 0
Send PM
Re: Please evaluate my profile (IIT Delhi, GMAT 720) [#permalink] New post   03 Jun 2012, 07:03
Expert Reply
Hello Rakshay, thanks for your follow-up.

It’s hard to say whether particular leadership stories qualify you for top programs. It’s how you tell those stories, and how far above the baseline your performance was. I sometimes tell this to my clients: If we’re shooting for 80%+ on the essays, try to imagine we are shooting for the same level of excellence in choosing stories. As objectively as you can, assess your performance in a particular situation – was it truly outperformance or could the average person applying to bschool have pulled it off similarly. We want to focus on the stories that truly distinguish/differentiate you.

You already have a solid GMAT score. Only retake the test if you are reasonably assured that you can raise your score enough to justify the time spent and cost.

If you have not performed music since college, it’s probably not as relevant a topic for you as the things you’ve pursued since then. But, I’m not ruling it out – it depends on the essay question!

Best of luck,
Brian
avatar
guitarfreak
Intern
Intern
Joined: 13 Mar 2011
Posts: 28
Own Kudos [?]: 5 [0]
Given Kudos: 0
Send PM
Re: Please evaluate my profile (IIT Delhi, GMAT 720) [#permalink] New post   10 Jun 2012, 03:11
Thanks again Brian!

Gave it some more thought, and have decided that my post-MBA goal is to become an Healthcare entrepreneur, so can you suggest names of b-schools with the most sought after healthcare/entrepreneurship programs?

Any help would be much appreciated!

Rakshay
User avatar
mbaMissionBrianE
mbaMission Admissions Consultant
Joined: 10 Jun 2011
Posts: 306
Own Kudos [?]: 44 [0]
Given Kudos: 0
Send PM
Re: Please evaluate my profile (IIT Delhi, GMAT 720) [#permalink] New post   25 Jun 2012, 09:44
Expert Reply
Hi Rakshay,

I can’t say I have intimate knowledge of those types of programs. Wharton does come to mind as a place with strength in both healthcare and entrepreneurship.

A google search might actually yield better answers. I searched under “best business schools by specialty” and got this BusinessWeek link, albeit from 2010.
https://www.businessweek.com/bschools/co ... 765866.htm

Best of luck!
Brian
avatar
guitarfreak
Intern
Intern
Joined: 13 Mar 2011
Posts: 28
Own Kudos [?]: 5 [0]
Given Kudos: 0
Send PM
Re: Please evaluate my profile (IIT Delhi, GMAT 720) [#permalink] New post   25 Jun 2012, 17:02
Thanks for all the advice Brian!

cheers!
Rakshay
User avatar
mbaMissionBrianE
mbaMission Admissions Consultant
Joined: 10 Jun 2011
Posts: 306
Own Kudos [?]: 44 [0]
Given Kudos: 0
Send PM
Re: Please evaluate my profile (IIT Delhi, GMAT 720) [#permalink] New post   27 Jun 2012, 15:21
Expert Reply
Rakshay, you're very welcome!

Best,
Brian
Moderator:
mbaMissionKate
mbaMission Admissions Consultant
1452 posts

Powered by phpBB © phpBB Group | Emoji artwork provided by EmojiOne
Main navigation
GMAT Resources
Partners
MBA Resources
www.gmac.com|www.mba.com | | GMAT Club Rules | Terms and Conditions