GreenbackBoogie wrote:
Hi, Accepted Team. Sharing my profile for your feedback & program suggestion please. Also, while I'd request scholarships from everyone, could you suggest programs such that the odds of securing scholarship is improved? I'm interested in 1yr/2yr programs only and not longer ones (Dual Degree, etc.). Thanks, GB
1) Brief description of your full-time work experience. What do you do?
(In reverse-chronological order)
Since March-13: Lagos, Nigeria: Construction management of stores for a leading European retailer's expansion plans in Nigeria
(8 months) Chandigarh, India: During father's illness, managed & diversified family business of medical services (1 doctor's cabin, pharmacy & diagnostic laboratory) into a 600-member Fitness facility and secured Spa franchisee for upcoming expansion
(2yrs) Mumbai, India: Special assistant to COO of Indian conglomerate's real-estate arm. Implemented pan-India MIS & progress reporting systems. Helped in raising $40mn+ project financing & managed cross-functional teams for Process Improvements to keep costs in check, improve products & team-productivity in housing projects
(2+yrs) Pune-Mumbai, India: Construction management of offices of reputed European MNCs for an International Property Consultant. Obtained high ratings in US & Indian Green-Building Systems for the constructed properties
The career moves in Construction/Real-Estate were consciously wide-spread to gain exposure of different asset classes (corporate, housing & retail) in different roles (Consultant, Developer & Tenant). I have had increased responsibility starting from a single office property at the beginning of my career to ten retail stores currently and growth from Assistant Manager to Manager to Program Coordinator. The family business stint was essential due to compelling circumstances and I didn't drop the baton.
2) Your GMAT.
730 (V39/Q50/AWA4.5/IR-Bad)
3) College info: The name of the college, your GPA or grade average, your major, year of graduation. For any graduate degrees, please provide the same info. If you grades are low, please indicate if there were extenuating circumstances.
Indian Institute of Technology, Architecture, 6.7/10.0, 2008, No extenuating circumstances
4) Significant college and post-college extra-curricular activities or community service, especially leadership experience.
College extra-curricular activities:
Executive Editor - College's Fortnightly Newspaper
Design Head - College's Annual Techno-Management Fest
Captain - Tennis & English Dramatics teams of Boys' Hostel
Post-college extra-curricular activities:
Co-founder - Architecture students' development program at alma-mater
Volunteer - UN Participatory Slum Upgrading Program @ Lagos-Nigeria
Avid blogger - 1000+ hits/week graphic blog publisher focussing on innovations in urban slums
Papers Presented 2011/13 on Slum Policies/Entrepreneurship themes @ Innovation & Built Environment Academy, London
5) Important certifications like CFA, CPA, FSA, or CA
LEED Accredited Professional - Green Building Design & Construction
6) and 7) Your target programs. and When you plan to apply? Please specify round and application cycle, for example R1 2013-14 or R3 2012-13.
Researching programs with a 'social innovation conscience' (for lack of better words!) and/or social-entrepreneurial incubation facilities. Tentative list:
Sept/Oct: Fuqua-Duke, Johnson-Cornell, Said-Oxford, HEC, ESADE
With improved GMAT score (can score 750+) & UN Program Manager's recommendation: Dec/Jan: Sloan-MIT, Wharton-Upenn, IE
Feb/Apr: IMD & INSEAD
8) Your post-MBA goal.
Short Term: AVP/VP - Program Implementation at an International Development Fund / NGO
Long Term: Director - UNDP or UN Habitat
Fall-back: Real Estate Investment
As an Architect, I have a strong portfolio of corporate, housing & retail projects and clientele. However growing rural-urban migration increases urban poverty, particularly in developing economies, hurting infrastructures and leaving policy-makers, administrators, urban planners, businesses, citizens, etc. in a situation. I have been researching & networking at length on this issue. I believe a Top-MBA will equip me well - with knowledge across economics, finance, marketing & communication, etc. and with its widely acknowledged credibility - in pursuit of a holistic urban development goal.
You have chosen your schools well given your goals and your qualifications. If you are serious about having a chance at MIT switch it to round 1, I would also switch Wharton to Round 1 if I were you. You may also want to consider Georgetown. Your scholarship chances would be good there and with its ties to government and your goals, I think you should at least consider it.
Best,
Linda
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Linda Abraham
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