kimi8448 wrote:
It’ll be very helpful if some of the forum experts could share their feedback on my profile below, considering an HBS application.
29 year old Indian Male
GMAT: 720
Undergrad: NIT (National Institute of Technology - one of the top 10 engineering colleges in India), GPA: 3.25
Postgrad: Indian Institute of Management (from L/K/I) GPA: 3.0 (pursued immediately after Engineering)
School: 12th Grade (89%) and 10th Grade (96% - All India rank 6 and state rank 1)
Work experience: 6.5 years of experience mostly across IB (leading domestic IB) with some Strategy Consulting (Big4) and FX Trading (Corp. Treasury at a Bank) experience as well. Within IB, I have worked across sectors (focusing on tech enabled infra currently) and have closed deals with an aggregate value of $600 Million+. I have worked extensively with global partner banks and foreign companies on cross border transactions and have also extensively travelled and interacted with large global asset managers and investors during deal roadshows.
Leadership Exp.: I’ve been promoted to a lead banker role in my current firm within a span of 4.5 years from an Associate level - with revenue and sector coverage responsibilities. I currently lead a team of associates and analysts and also have additional responsibility of managing the associate pool roster. I have been consistently top rated, resulting in accelerated promotions and have led transactions even during my associate years - without a lead banker being on the transaction. I source revenue for the firm directly and have been involved in sourcing deals worth ~$200 million at an individual level. I am also a mentor to the new analysts who join our IB analyst programme.
Extra Curricular:
1. National Level Athletics (track & field) - Jr level, National level Gateball Player (Jr), District Level Cricket (Jr)
2. Received numerous academic awards (national and state level) for 10th grade performance
3. Won a few competitions as a lead vocalist. I am well versed with music production softwares and have published scratch / dummy tracks on Soundcloud (though not commercial)
4. Have won a few debate and quiz competitions conducted by my firm but organised at a national scale.
5. Have been partially involved with a local NGO focused on rehabilitation of naxal violence affected villagers (on a ad-hoc basis for educating young kids) - I was born in a naxal affected town as my father was posted there early in his service.
Others: I have studied across 5 states in India and have lived in 6. I can understand 5 local languages and can speak 4 fluently (other than English and Hindi).
Short Term Goal: to get into a large global tech PE, leveraging my skills in investment banking and learning the nuances of investment in the high growth technology areas.
Long Term Goal: To start a tech enabled B2B focused SAAS platform for professional/amateur musicians and production artists to publish and scale their art, along with tapping large enterprise clients such as Spotify, Saavn, Apple Music, etc.
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As of now my focus was applying to limited European B-schools such as INSEAD, LBS, Judge along with Kellogg outside of Europe primarily for their 1-year course. Now I’m curious and eager to know if I stand a chance to get through any of the 2-year M7s in the US. Also would be keen to understand if there’s any merit in pursuing a 2 yr course in the first place considering my experience and a previous MBA degree.
I know that’s a lot to ask for in one post - any feedback will be of great help. Thanks.
Regards.
Hi Kimi848,
A few thoughts:
1. In terms of you application to U.S. MBA programs your high school achievements are irrelevant.
2. You may want to add CBS's J-term to the U.S. shortened programs as well as Cornell's accelerated MBA.
3. Your work and leadership experience is very impressive and highly competitive. Is your GPA a translation of your grades from a percentage? If so what was the percentage. Your GMAT is low for an Indian in the M7, but it's not so low as to knock you out. So to answer your first question, I think it makes sense for you to try for HBS or a couple of other M7 programs that you will are particularly well suited to your educational and professional needs. At the same time, the programs that you are planning to apply to are excellent for you.
The question of whether the 2-year, full-time MBA is worth it for YOU is a complicated question and I don't have enough information here to even express an opinion. The MBA education is an investment. What is the increased marginal investment you will make in the FT 2-year program, over the 1-year programs you are considering? Do you feel the increased benefit is worth that increased investment? the benefit is obviously financial, but it is also personal growth and perhaps a better "brand." So while I haven't answered your question, I hope the questions I'm encouraging you to ask will be helpful.
You might be interested in:
Best,
Linda
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Hi Linda,
Thanks a lot for your feedback. I have a few answers as well as some additional questions based on your response.
1. While I do understand that my GMAT score may not be competitive (for HSB atleast), do you think it makes sense for me to wait a couple more weeks - take a retest and then see if I can improve it to 740+ levels. With my level of experience, what range do you think qualifies as safe?
2. Apart from the CBS-J and Cornell programs you mentioned about, are there any other highly rated programs which you think I should aim for? My plan is to limit the number of applications to 6 colleges. I already had six on my list: INSEAD, LBS, Kellogg, Judge, SAID & HEC. I think i will have to remove 2 from here to accommodate 2 new ones out of HSW/CBS-J/Cornell. Let me know your thoughts on this pls.
3. My GPAs are as per the official transcripts issued by my undergrad and post-grad institutes and not my assessments. That being said - what are the chances that my average GPAs are going to hurt bad?
4. My question about a 1yr vs FT 2yr course stems from the fact that I already have an MBA from a top-10 ranked institute in India (IIM) - which I pursued immediately after my undergrad degree (as is the case I guess with a lot of Engineering grads in India) and then worked for 6+ years afterwards. I therefore need to know if it makes sense for me to apply for a 2-yr MBA again? I would also have to somehow address this in my essays I believe. For me, it is question of getting back into a great college and getting a better brand, improve my chances of working for a PE fund and get some international work-experience before I head back home and explore entrepreneurship in the next 5-7 years. In terms of the incremental cost, the delta between a leading European 1 yr course and a FT-2 yr course from M7 I believe is in the range of 70-100% - and though a primary concern, depends if I can secure some financial aid for myself. More than pure financial gain - what I am looking for is enrichment, deep learning from co-participants and a global network aided by a marquee college brand.
Looking forward. Thanks.
regards.
Kim8448
You're most welcome.
1. From my experience, your GMAT is low for accepted Indian students at HBS. (I'm assuming it is balanced) As I said before it's not low enough to knock you out of consideration. However, combined with what is a below average GPA at HBS, I'd say it's smart for you to improve what can be improved. If you can get your GMAT up to a 740, then do so. There is not score that's "safe." There is competitive and not competitive. A 740 would be competitive.
2. You have a good list in your original 6. I'm not sure I would advocate for you to replace one. They all fit your needs and are probably less expensive than even the shorter U.S. programs. Plus CBS would have similar issues to HBS in terms of your GMAT score and GPA so it would be another opportunity for you to get into an M7 school, but since the chances of acceptance are lower than at the programs on your list, I can't recommend that you replace one from your original list with CBS. It is a program that I would recommend you add. Also, you don't have to apply to all your programs Round 1. (FYI the J-Term deadline for CBS is Oct 4 so it basically is R1)
3. I can't give you a percentage answer to that question. MBA admissions is a competitive process. If your GPA and GMAT are below average for your target schools, it hurts and reduces your chances. If one is a little low, and there is lots of evidence of achievement and ability and the qualities that the school is looking for, they probably will overlook it. This is particularly true when you've been out of school for several years, have strong competitive, relevant experience, and a high GMAT to show that you really do have academic ability.
4. Telling
me that you want an MBA because you want a better brand is fine. No problem. However that is not a good reason from the schools' perspective. You will need to explain to them (and frankly you should be able to do it for yourself) what their program (not their brand) will enable you to do that you can't do now and want to do after your MBA. Write and talk in terms of opportunities, programs, and courses that the schools offer and that are going to fill gaps in your education and experience that you need filled in order to achieve your goals and dreams.
I meant to close my last post with, you may be interested in:
[*]
Get Accepted to Harvard Business School[*]
MBA Admissions for Indian ApplicantsIf you'd like
one-on-one assistance with your applications, please let me know.
Best,
Linda
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Updated on: 18 Dec 2019, 12:11
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