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AugustAcademy
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Joined: 26 Jan 2013
Last visit: 06 Jul 2024
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Schools: Stanford '19
GMAT 1: 770 Q51 V44
GPA: 3.99
Schools: Stanford '19
GMAT 1: 770 Q51 V44
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Ask August Academy 14 Apr 2024, 10:55
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#Financing an #MBA - what are the cheapest #educationloan options for an #Indian candidate? Are #US institutions actually cheaper than Indian banks? What gives?

There are two things to consider with regard to the "interest rate":

1. The quoted interest rate.

2. The USD/INR conversion rate.

A loan from a US institution at 6% per annum, might be the same as a loan from an Indian Bank at 12% if the USD/INR conversion rate changes by 6% per annum. (You can work out the exact equivalence in Excel - I'm just giving an indication here.)

Other factors to consider:

1. Factoring in tax benefits. Typically this happens where you expect to file tax.

2. Ease of providing collateral (since Indian banks will ask you for something.)

All this considered:

1. US University co-signed loans would be best, if the school you've gotten into can offer you one.

2. Getting a US-based co-signer to co-sign a loan for you from a non-Uni-affiliated bank or credit union. Preferably a credit union.

3. Prodigy.

4. Indian banks.

I'm prioritizing the ability to get a loan without needing to provide collateral.

#Consulting #Finance #InvestmentBanking #ProductManagement #operations #AugustAcademyAnswers

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Follow me for #MBA admissions advice. I also post about #MachineLearning, #ArtificialIntelligence, and general #HumanInterest content sometimes.

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Want to talk about specific #MBA or #GMAT concerns? DM me.
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hemingala1408
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Location: India
Schools: Stern '27 (A$$)
GRE 1: Q170 V157
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Schools: Stern '27 (A$$)
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Ask August Academy 16 Apr 2024, 11:41
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Has anyone applied to Stern@NYUAD JAN 2025 MBA program?
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AugustAcademy
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Ask August Academy 17 Apr 2024, 02:14
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What is the best #GMAT test prep center? Or, in other words, which gym does #ArnoldSchwarzenegger go to, so I can also bulk up similarly?

Let’s look at this objectively:

1. Most companies have good test prep material.

2. The quality of the mock exams could be variable - not very difficult to get past though if you factor in official GMAT prep exams in your prep plan.

3. Tutors make a difference. So think about where you can find a tutor you can connect with.

4. The ability to consistently and conveniently access a #testprep option makes a difference. The best gym for me is not the one Arnold goes to. It’s the one I can go to every day - meaning something in my neighborhood. No parking issues. Something that doesn’t add friction to my labor of forcing myself to get there.

5. Online is great as well. If you are comfortable with it.

So #ttp, #Magoosh, #ManhattanPrep, E-GMAT (Rajat Sadana), Wizako (Saravana Baskar K), Chiranjeev Singh, Anish Passi, Karan Bagadiya, Bara Sapir, MA, Crackverbal (Arun Jagannathan),Christian Pacheco, #Manya and #Jamboree. - all of these folks could work.

The question is which will work best for you.­
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AugustAcademy
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Ask August Academy 17 Apr 2024, 02:15
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Not that we know - you may get a better response if you post in the public forum, as that is accessed by a lot more folks!  All the best!
hemingala1408
Has anyone applied to Stern@NYUAD JAN 2025 MBA program?
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AugustAcademy
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Schools: Stanford '19
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GPA: 3.99
Schools: Stanford '19
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Posts: 470
Kudos: 68
Ask August Academy 25 Apr 2024, 07:02
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Candidate: What is the appeal of an US/EU hashtag#MBA for hashtag#Indian internationals?

I understand that US/EU MBAs have a better global reputation and you earn in USD or Euro as opposed to INR but looking at the compensation packages from hashtag#IIM ABCK vs M7, it is actually better for Indian nationals to be in India as opposed to the US or Europe.

So why a US/EU MBA ? I’m trying to understand what’s worth the risk ?

My response:

I'm actually in favour of better job opportunities being created in India, and people staying back to build the hashtag#economy. But neither of them is happening yet - so here goes my reasoning for why a US MBA may be better:

1. ⁠Indian MBA's are a bit more theoretical for two reasons. First off, professors seem to prefer the theoretical approach.

Secondly, the class is relatively young, with very little hashtag#workexperience. If you don't have the exposure to appreciate what you are being taught, then the ability to absorb information goes down a bit.

Not commenting on the individual's intellectual abilities - just the fact that they wouldn't have had real world exposure.

2. ⁠Post-MBA jobs. Jobs are not only about the money.

We still live in the world where hashtag#innovation happens in the West. Companies are either headquartered in the West, or the clients who would be paying your firm (if you work for a services firm) would be Western companies.

As such, the good work and the decision making is done in the West, and the execution level work is done in India.

This may change in future - but for right now - do you want to be in the hashtag#driverseat?

There are advantages to being in India, which is why I decided to move back after my PhD in the US.

I counsel folks going abroad for their MBA's now, and every year, I work with several folks who already have an MBA from India, including from some IIM's, who wish to go abroad for a second MBA.

hashtag#consulting hashtag#productmanagement hashtag#finance hashtag#investmentbanking

hashtag#AugustAcademyAnswers

Want a profile evaluation? Sign up here: https://bit.ly/GM_AugAcd_Profile_Evaluation
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AugustAcademy
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Ask August Academy 02 Jun 2024, 08:45
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What kind of extracurricular activities can help you differentiate yourself?

Your extracurricular activities are a way for the admissions committee to understand more about what matters to you outside of academics and work.

As such - no one thing will help you stand out.

Find something that you are passionate about - this could be community service (find a cause that you are passionate about - a local community organization, Habitat for Humanity, or anything else really - there is no one right thing), or a hobby or outlet that you find allows you to express yourself creatively.

You could be a sportsperson, a musician, or an Instagram influencer.

The central idea is - are you demonstrating excellence? Passion? Leadership in your chosen endeavor? These qualities matter. Ticking a box doesn't.

Feel free to reach out after your GMAT is done: https://bit.ly/GM_AugAcd_Profile_Evaluation
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AugustAcademy
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Posts: 470
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Ask August Academy 11 Jun 2024, 09:05
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Candidate question: Can tools like Turnitin detect the usage of AI in writing?

Hi - It is unclear whether tools can successfully detect AI writing - but I can tell you something. It is reasonably obvious to an expert human reader.

Most AI drafts are vacuous. They lack content. They are repetitive. They fill up the pages with words, without really communicating anything of substance.

I wrote the above paragraph - but do you see what I did there? I said the same thing three times, and I also said AI can be repetitive.

This is, unfortunately, how AI's write.

It's ok if there are minor grammar errors. Even major errors if you are not a native speaker (I mean, definitely do buy a Grammarly subscription - that is just hygiene.)

But a good write up is deeply personal.

Show passion. Show creativity. Demonstrate critical analysis. Philosophize, if that suits you. Let your voice be heard.

Best,
Karthik
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AugustAcademy
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Ask August Academy 03 Jul 2024, 00:44
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Candidate: I am an Indian applicant. Graduated from a top 10 US school with a 3.95 GPA. 4 years of work experience as a strategy consultant.

I have a 720 on the GMAT. Targeting M7/T15.

Will GMAT be a roadblock?

My answer:

Your answer to my question will determine your strategy from here:

Can you improve your GMAT to 750 equivalent (say a 705 on the Focus)?

If your answer is yes -> then, don't sweat it out too much. Just take the test, and improve your chances beyond doubt.

If your answer is no, then I think you should still apply to colleges carefully chosen from the T15. But you should also choose a few safety schools outside of this bracket.

To give you more context - I believe you may have a good background, with a good number of stories that will help you stand out. Having said that, you still belong to a competitive cohort of folks three ways:

1. Indian-origin applicants

2. Consultants

3. Candidates who went to schools in the top 10, US or elsewhere.

Folks from all three cohorts above typically have very high test scores. So you should try to give yourself as much advantage as possible.

If you wish to chat more, feel free to reach out: https://bit.ly/GM_AugAcd_Profile_Evaluation.

Best,
Karthik
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