Ask Fortuna Admissions

Hello, I started my first full-time job in September 2020. I am currently in a Business Development role with an international consulting firm. I would most likely apply for MBA in Fall 2022 for the 2023 intake. I would love to hear your thoughts on applying with 2 years of work experience (which means I will have 3 years of work ex when I start school). Do you recommend waiting an additional year to start applying Fall 2023 onwards?

Hi Caroline, yes 6 years in total and 7 by the time I matriculate - I left MBB with 3 years experience and moved into big data consulting because I wanted to deep-dive into data science/big data full-time and have been at my current firm for almost 3 years now

Hi Drishti -- You will be still be given the same consideration as applicants with 4+ years, but I would want you to consider :

-Career progression, is it rapid enough and will this be reflected in LORs -- and stand up to those with 4-7 who should by then have gotten some promotions, etc.?
-Have you had time to take feedback at work and implement that feedback so the LOR writers can answer standard LOR Q2 and discuss this growth?
-Are your test scores where they need to be (aim for 760+)?
-Strong EC involvement and leadership outside fo day-to-day work role?

If you feel good about these things when writing the app at 2 years, then go for it, if not, perhaps best to wait one more year.

We are also doing profile evaluations on YouTube during MBA Spotlight. If you are interested, sign up here! redirect.php?id=unphw78cx9

Hi ilovecroquettes, firstly what’s up with the username? lol

Thanks for sharing.
Since you are aiming for some of the top schools in the world, it would work more in your favor if you aimed for a higher gmat score as the averages for those are much higher (closer to 730). And with your low gpa, this is another reason to get a very high gmat score. It would be advisable to take some additional courses (if your quant are low) and take some math courses to help compensate.
Even with your story (and thanks for revealing) it will be extremely difficult to get into HBS in particular with your gpa. It’s always great to aim high and apply to some reach schools but I would also apply to some more safety s

Hi NJ95, thanks for sharing your details. The schools understand that some firms have very rigid hierarchical structures, but it is worth mentioning that point, either in your own essays, and/or in your recommendations. It will be important to convey that you are a high performer and have had significant impact, both through your own app (essays, resume etc) and the recommendations. Regarding your second question - this is not uncommon. It doesn’t help your candidacy unfortunately. Regarding your recent non profit experience - it can help if it looks genuine (and not like something you have just started for the purposes of your application). Does it fit with your longer term interests, past and present? Conveying how it is part of a bigger picture can help it carry more weight and authenticity. Do sign up for a free one on one consultation to discuss in further detail on the Fortuna Admissions website!



That’s great that at least you are working in an international team - that will be important to emphasise. I would also explain that you would have relocated if it were not for covid.


All in round 1 in October for September 22’ intake

Nationality: Indian

Age: 27

Education: Bachelors in Computer Science and Engineering from a State University

Grade: 63.5/100

GMAT: 730


Work Experience: 4.5 years of experience (3 years in a MNC and 1.5 years in 2 start-ups)

Current Role: Deputy Manager at a HCL Technologies (A Technology services MNC)

- I am currently working in Product Management. I have seen exponential growth in my career as the role. I am currently working in requires an MBA and an average of 8-10 years of work experience at my company.

- My previous roles have been: Product Manager, and Product and Presales Consultant

Extracurriculars:
Been in leadership roles since my childhood. Held leadership roles in school, and was the General Secretary and Fashion Club Head at my University.

Additionally, I am a State level Cricket and Handball player

I also am a Director at an NGO aimed to help underprivileged children get access to basic education, and have helped more than 500 children till date.

Start-up Experience:

- I am Co-founder of a start-up that is a platform/community for Product Managers across the globe

- Recently, I have set foundations of a start-up that includes a mobile app and wearables that could help ensure a Safe and Secure society to live in for Everyone.

Post MBA Goal:
Work in a Technology/Consulting role for a F500 and get well versed with the nuances of Business.

Long term goal will be to focus on creating Social Startups, aimed to bring changes in the society.[/quote]

Hi Abdul, thanks for sharing your profile. It looks like you are a strong candidate for a top school. For the international schools like INSEAD it will be important to convey your international experience as well, I’m not sure if that’s part off your profile?[/quote] I am currently working with the Leadership team of HCL. My whole team is based in London and US, and i have been working with folks across the globe all round my career. Since i joined in the mid of pandemic, relocation wasn’t possible, hence i wasn’t able to move to London.[/quote]

Looking for input reg. likelihood of admissions and weaknesses
Age: 28
Ethnicity: Indian Male
WE: 3 years
Schools: Cornell, Fuqua, Emory, UNC, Tepper
Intake year: Fall 2022

GMAT: Yet to take. Expecting around 730
GRE (taken in 2017): 328 - 168Q, 160V

Academics:
-MS in Construction Management from a T10 US university (GPA: 3.9)
-B.Tech from India (non-IIT, T10 college in India) (GPA: 8.8/10)

Work Experience: (4 years at matriculation)
-3 Years in Engineering Consulting – Transportation & Infrastructure project management. Promoted twice in 3 years. Leading a group of 10 engineers and technicians. Managing a portfolio worth > $1.5M.
-Completed PMP certification and expecting another promotion before Round 2 deadline (Applying for Round 2).
-Nominated for the Employee of the Year in the division.
-Leading member of the steering committee for an ERG within the firm. Will be presenting a SOW for the approval of Board of Directors this August.
-- Worked 2 years as a Research Assistant owing to family separation issues. Became a better person because of that and lead to an interest in mentoring underpriviliged students during MS. Plan on explaining this in the Optional Essay.

Extra Curriculars:
-Chairperson of a commitee in a large engineering society chapter. Managed speakers for conferences, reached out and integrated students and young members into the society, and increased our numbers by 15%.
-Involved in mentorship of underprivileged HS students (black/brown/immigrant communities) for multiple organizations while on campus (T10 US university). Currently continuing to be available to similar local organizations.

Goals:
-Short term: Pivot to management consulting or look for roles in general management (failsafe)
-Long Term: Exit to an executive position in an F500 firm. Would like to be involved in making executive-level decisions and lead innovation of new policies and products more than anything.

safety schools. But you right to explain the low gpa in the optional essay section. I do worry though that even with an explanation it will be very hard to get into an M7 with such a low gpa i’m afraid. Always worth a try though I say. You’ve got some great leadership experience though in college and professionally and also great that you have some int’l experience. Based on what you said in terms of the struggles you faced in college and now your long term goal is in that space will indeed be a compelling story for all admissions . The more vulnerable and open you can be and speak to what you have learned along the journey is highly appreciated by admissions.
So yes, the only way to help mitig

•GRE:- 326 GMAT 710
•Nationality: Indian
•Age: 26 years
*GPA:- 3.20
•Work experience: 5 years in Product Engineering Division, Promoted to Assistant Manager (Current working for a Public Sector Company for Govt. Of India

Achievement:-
*Patent application pending ( Transferred for legal evaluation)
* Two technical papers in international journal

* Handling a team of 75+ People.
•Promotion : 3
•Under Grad: B.Tech Oil and Gas
•Extra-curricular : Swimming (National Level)


US B-schools you think would be a good fit?
Should I go with GRE or GMAT, or should I take another attempt for GMAT.

Gargi - thanks for sharing! It would help to know what your current role is. Assuming it’s QuantumVault (very cool by the way!), schools will want to see very clear Why MBA -- why do you need one if you’ve already jumped to entrepreneurship? Your goals play a very important role in this process -- they need to see a value in you getting an MBA from their program to reach your goals. GMAT will also be important esp. coming from a lesser know Uni -- I would aim for 760 for M7 schools. LORs can also be a bit tricky if running your own company you now is the time to reach out to past direct supervisors and or a client and plan for who will write for you. Clearly your very involved and a leader in ECs, so very good there!

Just to edit the last few statement-Aiming for a Sr Management Role in Brand Management or Product Marketing Side

Thanks for sharing your details. If you have two years experience and that is the maximum then you are fine to apply. If you have a long gap, it’s important to show what you have done during that time. So if you are studying, will you get a qualification? Maybe you can do some volunteering or an internship relating to your post MBA goals? The schools will want to see that you have used the time productively. If you don’t have international experience then schools like INSEAD and LBS are likely out of reach unfortunately.

• Started as an Assistant Manager.
• Lead a team of 12 members where work included maintenance and installation of devices which are used to manage and regulate processes and systems in power plant.
• Gold Category Award at Total Quality Management Competition from the company and runners up from the SBU for best innovation project.
(Through an internal job posting I switched to commercial and operations)
Vedanta Limited- Commercial- Procurements and Contracts (Dec 2019 – Aug 2020):
• Handled an annual spend base of ₹15 Crore
• Analysis of market trends and industry megatrends (technical, material & production), and develop a strategy for the future.
• Achieved 98% order fulfilment and 86% inventory planning accuracy.
(Due to a health issue I had to resign from the job)
Extra-Curricular Activities
1. Intercollege Volleyball Champion for year 2016 & 2017

2. Volunteered at various social service activities during college & also CSR activities at work
3. Convener of the College Photography club.

4. Currently learning Python, Data science and Artificial Intelligence.

Post MBA goals: The part of the job that excited me most was problem solving or looking at things from a strategic perspectives and presenting those findings to senior leaders. I want to transition to Leadership/Managerial roles in the Analytics Consulting.
Target: ISB, INSEAD MIM, WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management – MIM, NTU, NUS, HEC PARIS MIM, LBS MIM, Rotterdam MIM,
Questions ...?
1. I have exactly 2 years work ex and MIM programmes require a maximum of 2 years work experience. Do I stand a chance for the MIM colleges?
2. Also I have left my job since 2020. Currently I am learning Artificial Intelligence. Will it suffice to cover my gap year.?
3. Suggestions you want to give for my profile?
4. Any further colleges you want to suggest related to my profile?[/quote]

mitigate low gpa would be the courses you mentioned or similar . If you did the master’s though you’d be going to do an mba in a few years time so not sure about that route. I would also really hone in on the teaching of STEM you’ve done.
Tuck or Duke could also be good options for you. And perhaps INSEAD or Judge.
I think you have a really amazing profile (despite the gpa) and would love to chat with you more. If you want a free consultation at Fortuna Admission, you can sign up on our site for a 30 min call with Matt or Mandira. Thanks so much

Hi Vibkan, thanks for joining! A few notes:

-I would retake GMAT and aim for a high school to help supplement lower GPA
-If you can’t get 750 range GMAT, try to GRE again
-LORs are also going to be important although sometimes harder to get in Gov’t roles. Start early to support writers in crafting compelling letters that highlight your accomplishments and potential -- no form letters!
-Schools really depends on your goals post-MBA.M7 will be tough but some of the school right outside of that mix might be viable as well as European schools

For eval

OK got it. So they might wonder why you didn’t apply to b school straight out of MBB? It’s fine to have done something different (and actually taking a different track can be an advantage) but you need to spin it clearly as a positive in terms of what you bring to the program versus other MBB type profiles!

Name : Abhishek Gupta GMAT: not yet taken
Nationality: Indian male
Age: 26 years
Undergrad Information: B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering
GPA: 7.73 CGPA
Work experience: 4.5 yrs in Tata Consultancy Services... Also worked as a lead for my team...Got early promotion as well
Function: Automation tester and java developer role
Graduation: 7.73 CGPA; 12th: 83.4%; 10th: 9.4 cgpa

Extracurricular: National cadet corps( NCC ) C certificate holder...
Hosted annual fests for my account in my company...
Worked in NGO and member of Maitree club in my company who serves in NGOs and organize cultural events
Played Cricket, Basketball and Badminton in various Interschool, Intercollege and corporate tournaments
Target: ISB, IIMs

Question - How much score do i need to get into my selected clgs...
Is my profile suitable enough to get into these colleges