Hi Sameer,
Here is my profile, would you please have a look at it?
Indian Male (aren't we all! :-/) (25yrs at Matriculation)
Undergraduate GPA: 3.1 in Computer Science and Engineering from a (what I find from reputed magazine rankings) top-15 Indian Engineering College
--- Its low, I know. But won't a decent GMAT score show the caliber to handle the curriculum and good recommendations show that I have matured?
Work Experience (3 years at time of matriculation):
Current: Software Engineer at one of the biggest IT companies in the world (I worked from India)
-Started as a Quality Analyst and Automation engineer
-I have won quite a few awards and one of them is the 2nd highest technical award in my company, will also be getting top rating this year (probably in top5% - top 10%)
-Mentored interns in India and in Toronto in their projects
-Extensive work in a client facing role with a few important clients(probably one of the very few product developers my age)
-Was asked to work as a subject matter expert for my product in a huge Govt. Project (was asked over many experienced folks)
--- gist is that I will be able to show through my resume and through recommendations that I have had an "outstanding" growth and can at least bring to the table the exp. and maturity that say a 27-28 year old IT professional could bring.
Extracurricular
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Undergrad:
Head of a committee each during the tech and cultural fest
Senior Executive of a club
Created a forum for helping classmates for placements which went on to be used by future batches
I don't know how this will look - I was a professional gamer (computer games), conducted contests and also organized training sessions for new gamers.
After graduation:
Member of a RTMC (a bike riding club)
Conduct bike trips and treks
Taken a course on Event Management. Volunteered and helped conduct events.
Free career counseling for children in my hometown
International Exposure
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Brought up in Dubai and work with colleague and customers all over the globe
--- Basically, I would be trying to point out that I am comfortable in working with people from different backgrounds.
Expected GMAT
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Haven't taken it yet but I scored 750 in a
MGMAT test and 790 in a GMATPrep test, so hoping to score high
--- Let's say I will have a score that will not be an issue.
Career Goals
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after MBA - change career into Strategy consulting
long term - specialize in the travel and hospitality services industry and move to General Management in that industry
Interested Schools
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In a dilemma here,
Since I am only 24 (now), I feel like applying to only the top schools (or rather dream schools). But I do not wish to
wait another year now that I have decided to switch careers.
I am looking forward to a 2 year FT course. I preferred Europe because I will be able to travel Europe during those 2 years
But only LBS has a top-tier 2-year course where all the top MC firms come for recruiting.
Apart from LBS, I plan on applying to Wharton and Harvard.
I will only be applying round 2 and I believe I will be able to write memorable stories, with substance and impact, about my experiences, with a little guidance off-course.
As you can see the scale(money-wise) of my ECs and work is pretty less - I haven't helped make a ton of money or helped save people in a crisis, but I believe I have been able influence change in many situations.
Are the schools I mentioned atleast reach/ambitious? Are there people like me studying in such schools? (I hear only stories about rock-stars and world savers, but there are 900+817+401 students each year, there should be atleast a few like me studying there
Thanks in advance!
srjaidev