pwnuts wrote:
Hi GyanOne,
Really appreciate the initiative. I'm a Management undergrad from New Delhi, India, currently in 1st year, will be moving to the penultimate year of undergrad in July'16. So clearly I have decent amount of time to work on my profile, your suggestions will be really valued.
I did my schooling from a premiere institute in New Delhi, 9.4 CGPA in 10th standard: A1 in Mathematics and Social Studies; 93.4% in 12th CBSE, Commerce: perfect 100 in Mathematics. (2014)
While in school:
Represented India in an international conference on Business Ethics and Governance in Malaysia
Won the International final of Asia's biggest school quiz, 3 national level quizzes, 40+ school level quizzes
Organized multiple events in school -- Including inter-school quizzes, leadership summits
Used to run a tech review blog
President of the computer club
School Prefect
Post schooling, I joined B.Sc. Mathematics (Hons.) from a top Delhi University College (Read: Hansraj, LSR, Venky): (2014-15)
Secured close to 70% over 2 semesters
Featured on a national television quiz show
Part of an international social upliftment society, conceptualized a project which is still running
Part of quizzing society - won multiple college level business quizzes
Research project on game theory & e-commerce under mentor-ship of working professionals
I realized a course in Math wasn't aligned to my long term interests and decided to leave it. I was fortunate enough to get into a premiere DU management undergrad college, the selection rate of which is ~2%. (2015 - now)
7.2/10 SGPA (1st semester), aiming for an upward trajectory hereon.
Placement coordinator - inviting new recruiters, designing placement policies, liaising between students and companies
Quiz club - won many college level business quizzes, organized quizzes at different colleges and schools
Few case study achievements at national level competitions
Volunteer work - Teach for India, campaign associate and contributor at IIM-A literacy programme
Internships - College rep for Uber, Finance intern at Zeus Capital (PE firm), Management Trainee at a Bangalore based start-up (SEO, branding, partnerships)
Started GMAT prep a month back, aiming for a 710+, planning to take in September/October.
Following are my questions:
Does my profile have a potential of standing out for programs such as - ISB YLP, Yale SS, Harvard 2+2 (long shot, I know), Duke/Kellogg MMA/MSMS?
While I understand I lack considerably in international experience, and grades too fall somewhere on the average side, is there anything else I am missing out?
How important is International experience, and what kind of experience should I be looking at hereon?
Will the 1 year of Math major prove to be a negative aspect of my application?
Does the profile seem one-sided with only quizzing achievements and should I invest in other activities as well?
Will a good GMAT score (730+) fill up for average grades?
What other masters programs should I be looking at?
Thanks in advance!
Regards,
pwnuts
Hi pwnuts
Thanks for posting.
You seem to have had some interesting (and impactful) life experienced already, and have clearly made multiple relevant efforts to strengthen your profile. For early career programs, work experience is missing as an admissions component, so what you do in college (and before) can certainly help to differentiate you. Congratulations on doing very well on that front already.
A quick word of advice before we dive into your questions - while a 710 or nearabouts too may work at many of the schools you are applying for, when you are aiming, aim higher - 730 and above. Given that you have the time to do this, you should.
Now onto your questions:
1) Your profile certainly does have the potential of standing out at these programs. However, note that the Kellogg MSMS (Russell Fellows program) is not open for students currently enrolled in undergraduate business programs. Also, in addition to the schools you have listed, you might like to consider multiple European programs - HEC, LBS, and ESSEC, to name 3 excellent ones.
2) In terms of international experience, you still have time to get some. You could opt for summer school at a top business school, for example. The story with grades is similar. Given that you are in the penultimate year, there is time for you to improve them further, though they are not bad now. Just so you know, neither of these elements is a must for any of the programs you are applying to, so you could very well get through without international experience too.
3) As noted earlier, international experience is not a critical determinant, but it can add to your application if you have it. You could look for international internships or for a summer school stint.
4) No, not at all. You might need to explain it, but it wont be a negative.
5) While quizzing is a big part of your profile, the profile does seem to have other activities too. We dont see your profile as one-sided at all.
6) Yes it will, but you should be aiming for a good GMAT score just because it matters for its own sake too. Also, try to simultaneously improve grades too.
7) Listed in answer to Q1.
Hope this helps. Feel free to come back with further questions as needed.