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13 Jan 2009, 12:18
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There is an interesting poster on the BW forums from Wharton and PE and this post really struck a chord with me so I wanted to share it.
https://forums.businessweek.com/n/pfx/fo ... &tid=78862
Thanks for your question. Sorry if I slow my response time going forward as I am stuck in my office going through a huge data room with no help. I wish I had an IIT to help me sort through this mess.
So I am going to err on the side of being frank and tell you that your profile as it exists in not a high probability admit for the schools you are targeting. Realistically there are thousands of Indian engineers applying from not just India, but also the US, europe and East Asia. Its not that these schools have quotas but they can't reasonably have 100% of their class filled with people of Indian decent. Engineer, banking guys have a pretty hard time getting into H/S/W.
So here is my advice in your applications, don't try to win on your accomplishments. Unless you founded a $1B company, these schools will NOT be impressed on the face of your accomplishments. Even if you went to Harvard, Goldman Sachs and Blackstone, those "accomplishments" are actually not that interesting. Believe me, I've tried winning this game by being the best looking cookie in the jar and there is always a tastier cookie.
So..... try to connect with them as an individual. Answer the questions adequately to assure them you will not flunk out of the program (which is highly doubtful anyway). But focus on what makes you, you... So focus on your stories, your values and how you interepret the world. Remember Harvard is a pretty arrogant place. They believe that if they arm you with their degree, you WILL be placed in positions of authority. So they are more interested in what will you do, when placed into those positions. The question is not WHETHER you will become a manager, but WHAT type of manager you will become. They want to arm the right people with their degrees.
So a stupid applicant spends 80% of his essays writing about what he did in his job. But realistically based upon the company you worked for and your title, they already know 99% of what you probably did. If you were a banker, you did valuations analysis and may closed a deal or two. You probably did not save the children of the world in the process.
A smart applicant make them connect with you as an individual. They tell their lifestories and how that has shaped their dreams, goals and values. When I am done reading your application I want to remember you much in the way you remember your friends. Do you remember your friends only because of their resume, or for the countless personal stories and idiosyncracies you share with them? Most importantly be brutally honest about who you are. This is hard, but I have never heard of anybody getting rejected for being too frank. I know one guy who wrote about getting fired from his job because a gambling addiction. He wrote about how it ruined his family life. He then wrote about how many investors make similar mistakes: they let emotions,ego and personal goals cloud their investment judgment. He wrote alot about what he learned in the process and how these failures will make him a more objective investor. He got in EVERYWHERE!!!!
My applications:
TOP NOTCH BRANDS in Undregrad, Banking & PE. I ran a $100M portfolio company as the first junior PE staff in my fund EVER to be appointed to do this. Then I started a highly successful retail chain and made millions of $$s in the process.
Harvard - rejected
Stanford - rejected
Wharton - accepted
MIT - accepted
A friend of mine:
USC undergrad with 3.3 GPA. 700 GMAT. Assistant buyer at the GAP in a tiny division. She wrote beautifully personal and honest essays. Really could explain why she would make a great retail executive and how MBA would help her get there.
Harvard - accepted
Stanford - accepted
Wharton - accepted
MIT - accepted
So the point of this example is a great story > great accomplishments.
https://forums.businessweek.com/n/pfx/fo ... &tid=78862
Thanks for your question. Sorry if I slow my response time going forward as I am stuck in my office going through a huge data room with no help. I wish I had an IIT to help me sort through this mess.
So I am going to err on the side of being frank and tell you that your profile as it exists in not a high probability admit for the schools you are targeting. Realistically there are thousands of Indian engineers applying from not just India, but also the US, europe and East Asia. Its not that these schools have quotas but they can't reasonably have 100% of their class filled with people of Indian decent. Engineer, banking guys have a pretty hard time getting into H/S/W.
So here is my advice in your applications, don't try to win on your accomplishments. Unless you founded a $1B company, these schools will NOT be impressed on the face of your accomplishments. Even if you went to Harvard, Goldman Sachs and Blackstone, those "accomplishments" are actually not that interesting. Believe me, I've tried winning this game by being the best looking cookie in the jar and there is always a tastier cookie.
So..... try to connect with them as an individual. Answer the questions adequately to assure them you will not flunk out of the program (which is highly doubtful anyway). But focus on what makes you, you... So focus on your stories, your values and how you interepret the world. Remember Harvard is a pretty arrogant place. They believe that if they arm you with their degree, you WILL be placed in positions of authority. So they are more interested in what will you do, when placed into those positions. The question is not WHETHER you will become a manager, but WHAT type of manager you will become. They want to arm the right people with their degrees.
So a stupid applicant spends 80% of his essays writing about what he did in his job. But realistically based upon the company you worked for and your title, they already know 99% of what you probably did. If you were a banker, you did valuations analysis and may closed a deal or two. You probably did not save the children of the world in the process.
A smart applicant make them connect with you as an individual. They tell their lifestories and how that has shaped their dreams, goals and values. When I am done reading your application I want to remember you much in the way you remember your friends. Do you remember your friends only because of their resume, or for the countless personal stories and idiosyncracies you share with them? Most importantly be brutally honest about who you are. This is hard, but I have never heard of anybody getting rejected for being too frank. I know one guy who wrote about getting fired from his job because a gambling addiction. He wrote about how it ruined his family life. He then wrote about how many investors make similar mistakes: they let emotions,ego and personal goals cloud their investment judgment. He wrote alot about what he learned in the process and how these failures will make him a more objective investor. He got in EVERYWHERE!!!!
My applications:
TOP NOTCH BRANDS in Undregrad, Banking & PE. I ran a $100M portfolio company as the first junior PE staff in my fund EVER to be appointed to do this. Then I started a highly successful retail chain and made millions of $$s in the process.
Harvard - rejected
Stanford - rejected
Wharton - accepted
MIT - accepted
A friend of mine:
USC undergrad with 3.3 GPA. 700 GMAT. Assistant buyer at the GAP in a tiny division. She wrote beautifully personal and honest essays. Really could explain why she would make a great retail executive and how MBA would help her get there.
Harvard - accepted
Stanford - accepted
Wharton - accepted
MIT - accepted
So the point of this example is a great story > great accomplishments.
13 Jan 2009, 12:22
Kudos
Bookmarks
While I'm astounded that he would be rejected with the career he's had, I think the point he makes is incredibly solid and useful for people of all backgrounds who are applying to B school. Good post.
