ikaytas wrote:
Hi Paul,
Can you please evaluate my profile and provide your insights on
places for improvement and estimations of chances at the schools
mentioned at the end. I am trying to touch all the aspects briefly,
for your consideration.
Raw Data:
Country : India
Industry : Consulting ( Technology : Process Improvement)
Firm : Big 4 Consulting Firm
Undergrad Major : Computer Sc. (Bachelor of Engg)
Undergrad GPA : 3.82/4.0
GMAT : 690 ( Q 50, V 33, AWA 5.5)
Post College Education : Three 3 Credit-hr
Courses(Eco,Fin,Accting-Fall'06) in a Community College in US- GPA : 4.0/4.0
TOEFL : Yet to be taken
Applying for : Fall 2008
Years of experience at time of admit : 4
Work Experience: Have been working in a big4 consulting firm after
completing undergrad('04). Has been involved with the growth process of the
firm from the beginning of my career. Led a team of peers within 6
months of joining the firm.Worked closely with LPD(Learning & Professional Department) in Coaching
teams, designing Corporate Training Workshops.Was actively involved in
recruitment activities of the firm. Promoted after the first year and
started Knowledgement Management Initiative in the firm along with Business Development
Activities and formulating Go-to-market strategies for the service offering
along with a team of senior executives. Has been working in Client
office in US for the last 1.5 years. Taking a lead role in governing
processes, formulating methodologies, maintaing Client Relationships,
streamlining onsite/offshore delivery model, building revenue pipeline through
relatinship development and trust building.
Community Involvement: Involved with the alumni association of
my school, for the last 12 years. Have been involved in organising blood
donation camps,rasing funds for the local impoverished children,
medical camps every Sunday,organising Pollution Awareness program for the
community on behalf of the school,taken weekend classes for these children
while in India. Inside firm, worked closely with Organizations like CRY
in setting up fund raising events at the office for child labors,
tsunami relief fund. In US, have been colsely involved with Minority and
Diversity Circle of the firm in organising events, promoting
the importance of diversity ( Hispanic Month, Black History Month etc);
raising funds within the firm to be handed over to "United Bay". One of
the founder members of Asia-Pac corner of the Firm's Diversity Circle.
Serve as a key member of the "performace Coaching & Development"
committe of the firm to spread the Coaching Culture within the organization,
as a part of GP2W( Great Place to Work Initiative).
Extra curricular acitivites: Inclined to writing and public speaking
from childhood. Represented school in numerous Essay/Speech contests on
State/Distrcit/National level during the final years at school. Served
as the Lead Student Editor of the annual school magazine for 5 years.
While in College, started writing at the largest Circulated national
daily in India and published three articles. In worklife, won the Partner's
Award for the Best Process Improvement publication of the year. WIth
growing up, got inclined to writing poetry,too. Worked closelt with
Students of other Engg Colleges of the state, in India to come up with a
little magazine, to be published annually. Have published poetry in a few
webzines and currently a member of a state based poetry association in US.
Still enjoy public speaking. Currently, serve as Secretary of
Toastmasters Club of the US firm. Won the "Competent Communicator"
award from Toastmasters,Inc. Mentored INROAD students on the art of effective public speaking.
WhyMBA: I want to come back to the domain of consulting but with
developed analytical skills in all domains of business, so that I don't
remain limited to my current field of operation. Hence, MBA from b-school,
primarily for analytical skill development and a formal learning
experience to apply them to real life problems. In the long term, want to
assume a decision making position (irrespective of the industry)[ backed by
the gen. mgmt consulting experience (right after b-school)] where I can
develop a shared vision, formulate strategies and define growth as a
process, not only for me but also for the organization and its people.
Target Schools( Broad Range) :
1. London Business School
2. Columbia Business School
3. Chicago GSB
4. NYU Stern
5. Cornell
6. UNC Kenan Flagler
7. Rochester - Simon
8. Georgetown
9. McComb
10. Ohio State - Fisher
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Looking fwd to your reply.
Thanks and regards,
ikaytas,
You have a strong profile with good leadership and community involvement and a bit of a differentiator in your literary side. Your only "weaknesses" are the GMAT and age/work experience. Your age will be fine by the time you apply. Use this extra time to build on your leadership profile--seek higher-responsibility roles in and outside of work and make an impact in them. Your GMAT is hardly a bad score, but given the demographic you're competing with you may want to bring up if you can.
With your current score, your odds at schools 1-3 are fair, that is, it would not surprise me if one of them came through for you, but all 3 could also ding you--such is their competitiveness. Your odds at NYU, Texas, and Cornell are decent--you are roughly competitive there. Your odds at UNC and Rochester are good, though they are not quite "safety" schools for you. Georgetown and Ohio St. should be your safeties.
Good luck,