Ask Marvel Admissions

Hello all:

I m a SAP Consultant ( https://www.sap.com ) with 6 years of experience , I have expertise in Business Intelligence and Enterprise Performance Management (I ve worked in: Peru, Chile, Ecuador and Colombia), so I m looking for B-Schools in California, I know that the best options are: Haas, Anderson and Marshall, but I d like to have 2 or 3 more options.

I m a international student who s just preparing in GMAT (looking for 710), ending the mba i look forward to get a job in CA.

Hope you guys can suggest me some.

Regards

jav

Hi,

If you would like to add two more schools in California on your list of schools, you can consider University of California, Davis in N. California, and University of California, Irvine (Merage) in S. California.

Good luck!

Christine Lin
If you find this post helpful, please give it KUDOS!

Thanks Jon! I guess this makes a lot of sense.

I would be attempting GMAT in March what are the options for getting through the Opportunities for fall 2013 MBA full time? Can you give me score wise cut for universities ?

Hi ! I was hoping you could provide some valuable inputs to my profile !

Indian Male Engineer (Non IT)

GMAT : 680 (Q49 V34) IR-8 AWA-6.0 REALLY don't have the time/patience/energy to retake.

Work Experience : Here comes the big problem. I only have close to an year's Full Time Work experience. I have been working in my family owned engineering design and constructions firm. However, during my undergrad, I worked in the firm part time for all 4 years. My responsibilities all throughout have included technical design, site management and project bid management. Recently I established a new sector in our firm in the field of constructions. It's a new field and I have already succeeded in establishing our market dominance. Have also acquired a few massive projects in our traditional services.

I also have 4 summer/winter internships at some of the best recognized names all over the world in engineering design. Had major roles in International Airport/Rail/Metro projects.

Goals : Short - Get back to India. Work with my company and expand to a few more sectors such as military engineering services for 3-5 years.
long - Help relieve my father off his responsibilities and take charge at the helm of the company.

Extra Curricular - President of IEEE. Head of Energy Club. Won several debating competitions such as Model United Nations.
Content writer for 2 national magazines, Editor for a college club magazine and Student Editor for America Online.

Community - Worked for an year in a children's education fundraiser. Currently managing a team of 19 volunteers for government assistance work in a community of 200 people.

Other Involvements - Team member of of a hydrogen fueled aircraft design project. On completion, we plan to forge ahead commercially.
- India Head for a recently initiated global entertainment company based on employee stock ownership plan. Already several VC's have
expressed interest to fund when we're ready. Company in final structuring stages.

Choice of Universities : I know my GMAT is not 700 but it's not all that bad. Also, My work experience is on the low side so I have highlighted my involvements
in the company during undergrad. Also valuable experience at 2 start ups mentioned above.

I have already applied to Texas A&M Mays, SMU Cox, Washington Olin, Purdue Krannert, Johns Hopkins Carey, Notre Dame Mendoza.

I also plan to apply to Toronto Rotman, CMU Tepper, Vanderbilt, UC Irvine and UC San Diego Rady( New Program but I'm very impressed).

What's your opinion about my choices ? Could you list safe/competitive ? Any other programs I should look at ?

CMU Tepper and Cornell Johnson are my absolute dream schools but I'm not sure if I'd be competitive enough, especially at Cornell with it's
jump in rankings and applications. Still plan to take a shot at Tepper.

Really look forward to your inputs

Hi,

Wow, so you're applying late round to start the MBA in Fall 2013. Here's a link that will give you an idea of the past average GMAT at various business schools. I'm assuming you're starting to work on the essays as well.

https://www.businessweek.com/bschools/rankings

Good luck w everything. Please feel free to reach out if you need any help w the applications. https://www.businessweek.com/bschools/rankings

Best,
Christine Lin
If you find this post helpful, please give it a KUDOS!

Hi,

You have accomplished quite a bit professionally in a short period of time. I like the impact you've had professionally, and also with your extracurricular activities.

Grades during undergrad?

You are applying to many schools. I would take it easy this last round. If you want to apply to your dream schools - CMU Tepper and Cornell Johnson, then go for it. Make sure your essays represent you in the best way possible, and demonstrate your leadership capabilities and accomplishments.

Feel free to reach out if you are interested in getting help w the applications https://marveladmissions.com/contact-us/

Good luck!

Christine Lin
If you find this post helpful, please give it a KUDOS!

Thanks a lot for your reply Christine ! My University has a 10 point grading system so I got a WES evaluation - 3.7/4.

Great to hear that your undergrad grade was strong

Good luck to you.

Christine

Hi All ,
I saw you have consistently replied to all the people on this forum with very solid and practical advice. I hope to get some as well.
Well to start with things ....
I am only aiming to apply for executive programs.
GMAT : 620 (I know very poor)
Total Work exp : 9+ years
Work ex after graduation : 6+ years
Nationality : Indian
Current location : Belgium
Present employer (3 years +) : European Commission
I have worked extensively in USA , Europe and India.
I had a start up of my own for 3 years before I winded up because I was reciving death threats (i know rare experience).
I am not a typical Indian IT just to stress as it is the general perception.
I also do many things like I have a lobby in India for right to clean water for people in the slums of my place which I regulate with a team of 3 social activists.
I am also a social entrepreneur because I have a tie up with a real estate developer who makes green homes in India and I try to sell them to conscious environmental NRI investors.
I have also once campaigned for a political candidate and he went on to become the cabinet minister of the state . (I can get a reco from him.)
During my university days I used to voluntarily teach in a tribal school which is very famous for its contribution to the upliftment of the underprivileged.
I have also played football.
I already have an admit from Rotterdam School of Management .
My main target is INSEAD as they are aligned to my need to do an MBA

Awaiting your precious feedbcaks and comments.

Cheers
S

Dears,

would you please evaluate my profile and share your thoughts?

I am 28, brazilian. My Bachelor degree is in Mechanical Engineering and I am specialist in Petroleum Engineering. I´ve been working for Petrobras since september/2008. In may/2009 I started working on offshore drilling operations (drilling supervisor / superintendent), managing teams of up to 40 engineers on oil rigs. Prior to Petrobras, I was intern at AmBev (AB-InBev) and participated in a Work and Travel program during college vacation (cottage contruction in Knosville, TN from december 2006 until february 2007)

My school of choice is HBS, followed by MIT and Stanford. To make the story short, I want to make a career shift. I will apply in 2013 first round (admission August 2014 - first GMAT attempt: 700 Q47 / V39 Nov/2012).

I have two issues so far:

1) I know I need to improve my English a little and I believe I this will lift my GMAT score. Should I take a second test (my actual score is a little below the median)?.
2) I have the opportunity to open a small business (media on paper bags, no employees in first 6 motnhs) and I see it as an exciting challenge. This will certainly contribute to broad the experience I will share during the MBA. Since I will have to quit my job to do so (taking this risk is not a problem for me), I am quite concern over how this enterpreunership will impact my "history". Will B-Schools agree with my shot or will they think that I am lost in my track (quiting a job, opening a business and applying for and MBA at the same year)?

Thank you for your attention.

Regards,

Oswaldo Garcia

Hi,

You have really interesting background. I like your international work experience and social entrepreneurship.

INSEAD's Global EMBA program would be amazing for you.

Average GMAT for INSEAD's EMBA program is around 638, so you're not too far off. I hope your undergrad grades were good.

INSEAD EMBA application asks for 7 essays, which is a lot, but can be used to your advantage. You seem to have some great work/life experiences. Make sure you put forth really strong essays, carefully selecting the content of your answers to represent yourself in the best possible way.

What are your career goals? Make sure you can show transferrable skills that help you succeed in those roles.

I got my MBA from London Business School, I know the European business schools well. Please feel free to reach out if you're interested in getting help w the application. https://marveladmissions.com/contact-us/

Good luck!

Christine Lin
If you find this post helpful, please give it a KUDOS!

With a 710 GMAT and the international experience you laid out, I would take another look at other business schools in the top 30 (even if not in California). Typically top MBA programs get the best recruiters across all industries and at that point location becomes less relevant. The quality of the MBA program will impact your career long term ... if no other restrictions apply, have that as the main criteria.

Thank you!

Hi Christine,
I think I decided I will retake the GMAT more seriously this time. I know one is never sure if one can get into INSEAD but at least a high score looks good on the application. I have been working on my essays and my undergrad acads are pretty decent. So I think i can wait another term and retake the GMAT .
Thanks for your help and suggestions.
Sid

Hi,

Great work experience with significant managerial responsibilities. You have some time to retake the GMAT, and given you're aiming for the top schools, I would recommend doing so if you think you can improve your score. I hope your undergrad grades were strong.

If you are determined to go to business school next year, you probably should apply to a few other top business schools in addition to the three you mentioned. Your career goals should play a role in your school selection.

Regarding your second question, I would need more info. Does opening this small business relate to your career goals? What would you do with this business when you start business school? Starting a new business takes a lot of time and effort. Though it will provide learning in ways no corporate job will ever give you. If you think you can accomplish quite a bit with a new business between now and when you apply to business school in the Fall, and it ties in w your post-MBA career goal, then go for it. I would recommend consulting people you know that have been successful entrepreneurs, and discuss this opportunity with them to get their feedback. And most importantly, follow your heart, and don't worry too much about how things would look to admissions officers. Take a risk, and even if it doesn't work out, you would've learned a lot from the experience.

Feel free to reach out if you like to discuss further. clin@marveladmissions.com

Good luck!

Christine Lin
If you find this post helpful, please give it a KUDOS!

Hi,

You have an amazing profile. You didn't mention your post MBA career goal and long-term career goal. Getting clarity on your career goals will be really important, as well as showing the admissions committee why you are passionate about your career goals. Other applicants may have similar goals that you have, but the reasons you choose such career goals are uniquely yours. https://marveladmissions.com/the-power-i ... eer-goals/

The two schools really try to get to know you through the essays. For Harvard, it will be important to show a habit of leadership and achievement. HBS is not asking for a career goals essay, but it will be covered during the interview. For Stanford, it will be important to show who you are, your values, motivation, and major influences in your life that shaped you.

You can differentiate yourself by being more of yourself. The better you know yourself and the more self-aware you are, the better you will be to make choices that are consistent with your values, passions, and skills. If you're not already doing it, keeping a journal is a great way to enhance self-awareness, which is a critical component of great leadership.

For your essays, instead of describing the work that you do, focus on the results achieved, and more importantly, the lessons you learned. Make sure you're telling stories only you can tell, and not stories any other McKinsey consultant can tell. The lessons are the most important aspect of your story, you want to demonstrate maturity, humility, self-awareness, emotional intelligence, etc.

You should also reach out to current students to understand how the schools can support your career goals, and how you can contribute. It will help you answer the "why our school" questions.

Good luck!

Christine Lin
If you find this post helpful, please give it a KUDOS!