College Senior: Reality Check, Profile Evaluation and Advice
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16 Mar 2015, 15:14
Hi,
I am a 25 years old college senior at a German University and Indian by origin. Firstly, working student in Germany is an enrolled student who can legally works for maximum of 20 hours a week during semester classes period and unlimited hours once the classes are finished. Generally, German universities has 2 semesters, winter(Oct-March) and summer(April-Sep), with classes duration of about 3.5-4 months in each semester and rest is semester break.
Following is my timeline after high school:
Post high school: Bit more than 3 years of Family Business experience in Construction Engineering.
1st University: In Germany, was enrolled for 4 semester in Electrical Engineering but didn't liked the course so only attended 2 semesters with very bad transcript
Internships: During the above mentioned 4 semesters period, did about 11 months of full-time internship in a boutique investment bank and with a very big car manufacturer in Germany
Working student: During the above mentioned 4 semesters, did international market analysis for one German company in photofinishing market and 2 months of research for a professor at same university
Dropped out of the first university because it was not working out and for new beginning in Physics related course of my interest at a different German University
Internship: Before joining the new University, did 10 months of internship in one of Big 4(PwC, KPMG, Deloitte and E&Y) in IT advisory.
2nd University in Germany: Studying Applied Physics with minor in Renewable Energy, 6 semester is standard course length but I have put my everything to finish the degree in 4 semesters. 4th semester will begin from April 2015, and by its end in August 2015, I will have all the required course work completed with only thesis left, which I will do during 2.5 month semester break (thus hopefully completing degree by the start of 5th semester). GPA as of now, 1.71/5 (German scale), translating to about 86% or top 3% in class or something between 3.7-4.0 as per US scale (different websites suggests different GPA).
Working Student: In the same Big 4 in IT Advisory, first completed the above mentioned 10 month internship, and later got enrolled in university and continued my job as working student, which is going on right now as well. So in total, I have 2.5 years of work ex with this Big 4 with 6 more months to go. Also, a job offer from them to continue as full time employee immediately after completion of degree. Worked in many different projects with major clients at different locations. Director/Partner is impressed and ready to give shining recommendation.
Scholarships/Awards: Only one small scholarship and will try for one more in coming 4th semester. Not many options available for scholarships as a non-german bachelor student. Though I will get recognized by University for finishing degree before standard length.
Extra-Curricular: Zero as of now. Nothing significant other than participating in social day organized by my company twice a year. I have no time left between my job and studies as anyways my coursework is very high because I will finish early and job is very demanding.
I understand my weakest points are dropping out of university and no extra curriculars. I intend to start an Energy club initiative at university from next month and I will go to local animal shelter (after 4th semester and while writing thesis) as I am genuinely thinking about it from quite some time. I cannot think of anything else right now.
GMAT:Planned in August 2015 with target of at least 720+ and 4.5. Very first practice test with no practice at all gave me 620, without AWA. Preparing seriously for about 10 hours a week since March 2015.
GRE:Planned in September 2015 with target of at least 165+ (Q) and 160+ (V) and 4.5 (AWA). Practicing for about 4 hours every week and trying to related my GMAT preparations with GRE like time management, specific parts of Verbal and Quantitative sections of both exams. If time and financial situation (after paying all application fees) permits, will give subject test in Oct. 2015 as well.
I am always either studying or working with almost no social life. I am totally burned out and will only rest after October 2015. I even have had no vacations to go anywhere in last 2.5 years. All this is because I feel like I am behind other people from my age group.
Intended MBA programs:
1. HBS 2+2
2. Stanford GSB
3. Yale Silver Scholars
4. Chicago Booth
5. MIT Sloan
6. INSEAD
If get selected in any MBA program, I will have about 10 months of full time experience before the 2016 session starts, though I am willing to take at least 2 years deferral. As backup, I am also applying to MS in Engineering programs but I feel like B schools are more forgiving towards college dropout scenarios compared to Graduate Engineering schools which are generally oriented towards academics more.
Any advises, comments and reality check are very welcomed. I am always over-optimistic, so I do need a reality check.
Thank you and warm regards from Germany,
Ryan