Fuqua Profile Evaluation - Tools for B-School Profile Evaluation

Hi,

I have a GMAT of 730 (Q-50, V-39, IR-7, AWA-4) - first attempt last year.

I graduated from BITS Pilani, India (Civil engineering) with a CGPA of 8.23/10.

I will complete 6 years of working with GAIL (India) Ltd. in July this year. I executed the construction of a 21-storey green office building for four years, was then involved in tendering/ civil contract management. Presently I am heading civil construction works at multiple locations in NCR and looking after O&M jobs as well. I was promoted in 2015 to Deputy Manager from Senior Engineer.

I have organized/ led/ initiated blood donation campaigns in my organization, marathons and various corporate events and campaigns.

I was the webmaster, student placement representative and coordinator of an international conference at BITS.

I was dinged by UCLA Anderson, UNC Kenan Flagler and ISB post interview in round 2 last time.

I also applied to Ross, Tepper and Cornell. Cornell waitlisted me without interview while other 2 didn't invite for interview.

Shall I retake GMAT or work only upon my interview skills and apply in R1/ early action/ early decision this year?

Specifically, what are my chances at Duke if I apply in early action round this year?

Mate, your problem is not GMAT!... Time to reflect on your essay and how you really want to sell yourself in line with what these schools have to offer.

Being an Indian, you seem to have a unique profile. Now it's only a matter of how you package your proposition to the schools you want to apply.

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You have a very decent score and profile. The only reason that comes to mind for those dings is career goals and essays. Try working with a consultant to sort them out. Network well.

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I believe you have a great score and need to really look at other parts of your application that will separate you from the rest of the people with similar backgrounds. Also, as was mentioned before, you need to curate a great story and be able to convey that in an essay as well as in the interview. The fact that you had interviews at the schools you mentioned, means you met the academic and work experience categories. What you really need now is to bring it all together. Hope it works out!

You have a good profile so the only thing you're doing wrong is probably how you're telling your story. I'd strongly advise that you work with a consultant. I know a lot of folks who worked with Rajdeep Chimni - Admissions Gateway and were able to get their story right. I personally know people who all had the same score - 730 ( I'm one of them) but admits varied from Kelly - UNC-Fuqua-Booth. Get your stories right.

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From your results, it would be best to prioritize working on your interview skills. Working with someone who could give you honest feedback and insights on your content and delivery could prove to be the difference.

Wish you all the best!

You may also find some of the tips from the blog below helpful:
https://www.gmatclub.com/forum/veritas-prep-resource-links-no-longer-available-399979.html#/2016/04 ... interview/

3 Things to Avoid During Your MBA Admissions Interview
Would people like working with you? Can you communicate like an organization’s leader? When you interview for that coveted slot in your dream MBA program, these are some of the many areas you will be evaluated on. Chances are, at this stage you already know that you need to exemplify your ability to be on time, personable, and familiar with the details of your application.

Effectively communicating your personal highlights and your fit with the school will help you stand out favorably from the pool of other well-qualified applicants, but as you focus on presenting how exceptional you are, it can also be easy to fall for one of the popular pitfalls of the business school interview. Being cognizant of the details below will help you present yourself to your interviewer as a potential future leader who would be perfect for their school:

1) Steer Clear From an “Us vs. Them” Mentality
In day-to-day conversations with your coworkers, it can be easy to get used to generalizing negatively about other units in the organization. For example, referring to upper management as “out of touch” may feel true to you and your division. However, during your MBA interviews, you need to be more politically correct and sensitive – the way a CEO with the goal of uniting and inspiring the whole organization would carefully choose his or her words and delivery.

During practice interviews, applicants often fall into this trap when they explain examples of failures or challenging situations, as the language and tone used can give off the impression of a deeply-fostered “solo” mentality. Practicing with a sensitive listener will help call this out, allowing you to avoid this very common pitfall.

2) Hold Off On Generalizations
Related to the above, you must avoid tagging groups of people with a generalized label, whether it is by job functions, race, gender or nationality. While it may be funny for Dilbert to declare, “Marketing is only legal because it doesn’t work most of the time,” this sort of language should obviously be a no-no for you.

Likewise, highlighting an accomplishment educating the “backwards” people in one of your international offices by teaching them the “American Way” does not help in showing open-mindedness, and may actually concern your interviewer on your readiness to work with classmates from all over the world, or your potential to be a future global leader.

How then do you relate an accomplishment leading low-skilled blue-collar workers to align processes at the factory level with new technologies? You can still communicate the scale and context of this challenge without offending sensibilities – imagine describing one of them like you would describe a favorite uncle, doing so in an objective manner that would show both your appreciation and fondness at the same time.

3) End on a Positive Note
At the end of the interview, you are given the opportunity to ask questions. This is a great time to personally connect with your interviewer. Avoid showing doubts about your intention to push through with accepting an eventual offer to join the program (no matter how reasonable it is), or asking administrative details – these can always be addressed outside of the interview with better research and by connecting with the admissions office. Instead, engage the interviewer to talk about his fond memories with the school, evoking positive feelings that he would also have a good chance of associating with your particular interview.

By avoiding these three pitfalls, you’ll be sure to leave a great impression with your interviewer and bring yourself one step closer to gaining acceptance at your dream school.

Nationality: East Asian (US Citizen)
Age: 27
GPA: 3.45
GMAT: Currently getting 700 on practice tests, shooting for 720-730.

WE: 1 Yr Operations Analyst at a Bulging Bracket Bank

2 Yrs(by matriculation) at a Renewable Energy company as a Business Analyst in their Operations & Analytics Team. Created presentations and reports for top level executives including CEO and was involved in projects that increased revenue and produced significant cost savings for the company.

Volunteer Experience
3 Years Teaching English classes to older immigrants (mostly parents of American born children like me).
Youth Leader 1 Year
Raised money to help stop children trafficking for 9 Months. (Personally raised around 10k)

Undergrad

Student Government Vice President - 1 Year
Career Center Consultant 1 Year - reviewed resumes and did mock interviews for students.

MBA Plans: Short Term - MBB Consulting, Long Term - go back to a Renewable Energy company as an exec or start my own company.

Any input is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

I agree with others who stated that your score is probably not the issue. Sure, a lot of people could use a better score, but your current one is sufficient. Therefore, I also see you as a perfect example of someone who could benefit a lot from having a professional help them with their application. Have you ever tried that? And if, so what was your experience? (I know not everyone wants to go down that route, but for people who have already applied and can’t really pinpoint what the issue was, it can be a great way to save time and effort and avoid another disappointment)

Good luck to you, you seem ambitious enough that you will get there in the end, but in my opinion you might just need a little push in the right direction at this point.

If you are interested in finding out what ARINGO can offer you, simply fill out this non-committal form: https://aringo.com/mba-process-registration/ and I will make sure the CEO contacts you in order to explain what difference professional help from us can make and what our advantages are compared to other consultants.

Hi Ankit,

I'm sorry to hear about your results last year. Having evaluated several MBA applications, I can say that your problem areas lie in how you are presenting your profile in the essays and how you are answering Why MBA/ Why a particular B-school questions. It not unusual to see many students with great GMAT scores and work experience getting denied without even an interview every year. You seem to have good potential and if you write strong applications, you stand a good chance.

I'd be happy to look at your past year's application and give you specific insights to make a stronger application this year. Feel free to sign up for a FREE CONSULTATION


You might also like to read:
How to be a successful reapplicant
Ross, Michigan: Indian Reapplicant's Success Story
HEC Montreal: Indian Reapplicant's Success Story

Good luck!

Thank you for sharing,

You are a strong candidate that can apply to any top 20 MBA programs in the USA. All of this programs will give a chance to have a potential full time job offer at any of the 3 consulting firms.
Although, it is always important to build a profile that differentiates you from other candidates and getting those solid 700+.

If you need more advice on your MBA application, visit our youtube channel for more tips or sign up for a Free consultation.
Best regards,

Thanks for sharing.

The decision whether to apply this year or next year would depend on many factors, including accomplishments, with emphasis on leadership/teamwork/mentoring experiences. Showing your fit with your the Duke culture by identifying how these would help make Duke the right environment for you, and how you can contribute, including by sharing similar experiences in the past would help your chances.

All the best!

You may also find some of the tips from the entry below helpful:
https://www.gmatclub.com/forum/veritas-prep-resource-links-no-longer-available-399979.html#/2016/0 ... ss-school/

Should You Wait One More Year to Apply to Business School?

“Should I wait another year?”

This is a common question among many MBA aspirants. On the one hand, you are raring to achieve the goals that have inspired you to consider business school in the first place; on the other, however, you are wondering how much another year of preparing and additional experiences might help your admissions chances. And of course, your other life priorities – such as personal and family relationships – are also major considerations.

You may find yourself feeling impatient with the desire to move forward, while battling your nerves to leave your current path and start anew. Managing your emotions to think clearly and objectively is important in making this critical decision. (Treat this also as good practice for more life-changing and career-defining decisions later on.)

So, what should you consider in deciding whether or not to wait one more year before applying to business school?

1) Reflection on Personal Goals
Many applicants, especially younger ones, are unsure of their current paths, and thus, they pursue business school as a chance to open up potential career opportunities. However, you would do well to learn more about the possibilities that will actually be available to you post-MBA before applying.

How realistic are your target goals given your background, interests, and skills? Is this really the job that you want to hold long-term? Taking the time to answer these questions by researching, networking, and reflecting on yourself could go a long way in making the most out of the time, money, and effort you will be investing in your MBA plans. Afterwards, if you still feel uncertain, it would be best not to rush into applying to business school.

2) Improving Your GMAT Score
Candidates whose GMAT scores are way below their target school’s average need to reconsider retaking the GMAT if they want to increase their odds of acceptance. Depending on your assessment of how much higher you can score, and the amount of time needed (and available) for studying, waiting one more year to try and score closer to the school’s average could be a good reason to defer your application.

3) Accelerating Personal Development
What does your next year look like if you don’t go to business school? Would there be great opportunities to take on large-scale responsibilities at work? Or unique experiences to gain? Or a potential promotion to earn?

If the answer to any of these is “Yes!” then it could be worth it to stay another year, as these possibilities can fast-track your career and development. They might also result in stronger recommendation letters from your superiors or cement your reputation as a high potential executive in your company or industry – all factors that the Admissions Committee will notice when reviewing your future application. And depending on where you work, this may even lead to your company offering sponsorship for your MBA when you decide to pursue it later.

Weigh all of these considerations carefully, as they could affect not only your chances at achieving your MBA, but also your future career prospects afterwards.

Hello All -
I gave my GMAT a couple of days ago and got a score of 720(Q50/V38). I need advice on the schools that I can apply to with my score and have a realistic chance of admission being an Indian applicant. Below is a brief on my profile:

Graduation: Mechanical Engineering(Passed out in 2013) - GPA: 3.5(according to WES)
Work Experience: 39 months in sales and marketing at ExxonMobil Corporation and currently working as an operations manager at NEED(Network for Economic and Entrepreneurship Development ; It's a non-profit organization based out of Lucknow, India)
Extra-Curriculars: school and college Football team, Squash and Swimming school teams ; Acted in and directed Choreos during college ; Part of organizing committee of a number of college fests and led the marketing team during a couple of fests.
Volunteer work: Part of a number of volunteer activities during college and work at EM(house building, teaching, roadshows etc).

Interest: Marketing and Strategy

Thanks.

.

Thank you for your detailed profile information. You have a pretty good profile to be applying to Duke, though which other schools are you applying to as well? I would be happy to talk with you about how we can work together on your applications. Please send me an email: scott@personalmbacoach.com

Best,
Scott

Hi, thanks for taking the time to give some feedback, here's my profile. Any commentary/advice/etc. would be much appreciated.

About Me:

Caucasian Male
26 (5 years of work experience)
GMAT: 680
GPA: 3.94 (from a mid-tier west coast private school)
Undergrad: Double degrees in Finance and Economics (Summa Cum Laude in both).


Work Experience

Finance (fairly high visibility role) at a large Silicon Valley tech company (think Google, Apple, Facebook). I've also done a stint overseas as well, not sure if this would be beneficial for my application.

Extracurriculars

Working as a finance mentor with a non-profit organization to advise startups in developing countries on their books and how to best position themselves financially for potential investment.