Fulltime Unpaid Experience

Question

Hi Everyone

I am 27 year old Indian applicant with 5.5 YOE. After completing 4 years at a management consulting firm, I took the opportunity of a 1-year full time UNPAID freelance consulting opportunity and then resumed working in the corporate world with another consulting firm post that . Will there be an issue with including this work experience in the US/EU B school applications? Can I enter zero as my salary in the employment information section of the application? I have all other necessary work experience documents from my clients. Kindly help

TheRedPen · Answer

Hey  MBAApplicant07

Universities in the USA/EU look for holistic profiles. Having said that, in your case, we'll have to brainstorm your profile first and then chalk out an impactful storyline highlighting your decisions taken during the last 4 years of your work experience and unpaid freelance consulting as you mentioned.

We recommend you schedule a  Free profile audit session with our MBA experts  and get your plan of action ready before your MBA deadlines.

You can also connect with us at +91 9820491179

admitStreet · Answer

MBAApplicant07 - Broadly, the answer to your question is yes, given that you have the supporting documents from your clients. Showcasing the impact of freelance work would be important, ideally through tangible/ quantified results that you helped your clients achieve. Also aim to craft a strong narrative on why you transitioned to freelance and back to consulting, how this links to your MBA plans and post-MBA goals, etc. Feel free to reach out through the link(s) below for a deeper chat. Regards, Arvind Founder, admitStreet W: https://admitstreet.com | LinkedIn | E: consultingteam@admitstreet.com

MiMEssay · Answer

Hey  MBAApplicant07 ,

Your profile presents a unique and interesting journey that can be effectively leveraged in your applications to US/EU business schools. Your 5.5 years of experience, particularly in management consulting, is highly valuable. The transition to a one-year full-time unpaid freelance consulting opportunity, despite being unconventional, showcases your willingness to pursue diverse and challenging experiences. This can be perceived positively as it reflects adaptability, a drive for professional growth, and a commitment to your field.

Regarding including this experience in your applications, you should definitely do so. Business schools appreciate diverse professional backgrounds, and your freelance consulting role adds depth to your profile. It demonstrates your ability to work independently, manage client relationships, and perhaps even your commitment to certain causes or sectors, depending on the nature of your freelance work.

As for the salary question, it is perfectly acceptable to enter zero in the salary field for this period. You can use the essay or interview components of the application to explain the nature of this role and emphasize the skills and experiences you gained during this period, which are not necessarily reflected in monetary terms.

Your profile has strong elements that can appeal to admission committees, especially with your solid experience in consulting. When applying, focus on articulating the skills and insights gained during your freelance period and how they complement your overall professional journey.

Additionally, tailor your application to highlight how your experiences align with the ethos and curriculum of the schools you are applying to. Your ability to present your unpaid role as a strategic and enriching experience will be key to strengthening your application.

For more personalized advice or application assistance, feel free to reach out on dm or   schedule a strategy session  for a more tailored approach.

MBAApplicant07 · Answer

Thank you so much for the replies and the valuable insights. Very grateful! I am an Indian Male Engineer and my current GMAT score is 690. I am thinking of applying in R2 to few US B schools with this score. (Plan to improve the score but I wont be able to take another attempt before R2). Due to the low GMAT score, I feel I would not stand a chance in the T20 programs. I am still applying to Emory (due to post-MBA consulting goals) but I am very confused if applying to other schools would make sense. Do let me know your thoughts please. Should I apply to any other US B-school too? If yes, any suggestions?

TheRedPen admitStreet MiMEssay

TheRedPen   admitStreet   MiMEssay

MiMEssay · Answer

Hey  MBAApplicant07 ,

Glad I could be of help!

Applying to Emory aligns well with your consulting goals. Your GMAT score of 690 is not that challenging for top U.S. MBA programs, and it shouldn't deter you from exploring other suitable options. Remember that GMAT is just 25% of your whole application and the rest depends on your whole profile. So focus on creating a compelling application. You should also consider schools like Simon Business School, UNC Kenan Flagler, or Rice University's Jones Graduate School of Business, which have strong consulting focuses and might be more receptive to your profile. Emphasize your unique professional experiences, leadership roles, and extracurricular achievements in your applications. While the GMAT is important, a well-rounded application highlighting your strengths and career aspirations can compensate for a lower score. Apply to a mix of schools, including some ranked between 20 and 40, to broaden your chances of acceptance. Remember, a comprehensive, well-articulated application can make a significant impact.

For more personalized advice or application assistance, feel free to reach out on dm!

admitStreet · Answer

MBAApplicant07 - I'd refrain from suggesting schools based on the initial assessment, as this would require deeper discussion(s) and understanding of your profile/ work-ex, career goals, preferences etc. Besides, doing so wouldn't do you justice. Broadly though, T20 is a bit difficult with GMAT 690, given the competitive 'Indian Male Engineer' applicant pool. Looking at UST20-30 programs with good post-MBA consulting careers would be prudent. If you'd like to have a deeper chat, feel free to connect through the link(s) below with your profile. Regards, Arvind Founder, admitStreet W: https://admitstreet.com | LinkedIn | E: consultingteam@admitstreet.com

TheRedPen · Answer

Hey  MBAApplicant07

We need a better understanding of your overall profile which will help us analyze your chances of getting admitted to a leading business school.

Do  schedule a profile audit call  with our MBA experts so they can brainstorm further in detail.

You can also directly call us at +91 9820491179

MBAGuide · Answer

MBAApplicant07 Hope its never too late to give some sensible advice, so here I am. Yes, you can certainly declare a zero as your salary if you have not yet earned anything from your freelance consulting. With appropriate evidence and narrative, it will not affect the assessment. However, I recommend that you take the opportunity to address why you took this opportunity even though you were not compensated for your time. Optimistically, the employment gap can also be seen as an opportunity to pursue passion projects or activities that give meaning to our lives. Perhaps you really wanted to work as a freelance consultant, or the project was so lucrative that you could not say no despite the lack of compensation. Think about how you developed as a person during this "time out "" and what lessons you learned (both good and bad) that ultimately led to the decision to accept a full-time position with another consulting firm. The aim of the application is to find out how you think and how you make decisions rationally. It's not really about judging whether or not you earned a certain salary during a gap year. Best Aanchal Sahni (INSEAD alum, former INSEAD MBA admissions interviewer) MBAGuideConsulting LinkedIn |WEBSITE: https://mbaguideconsulting.com/ | Message: +91 9971200927| email- mbaguideconsulting@gmail.com

Fulltime Unpaid Experience

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