Goals question

Question

After getting dinged by a couple of schools, I am taking feedback from a few of my friends on my goals essay. My long term goal is to move to Middle East and lead supply chain operations for an American retail chain there (more and more retail chains are starting operations in the Middle East). I am originally from India, but have been living in the states for about 6 years. I can read Arabic and understand it to an extent although I haven't been there yet.

After reading my goals, a few of my friends thought that schools might have wondered about the seriousness of my goal. They thought if I were serious, I would apply to schools in the gulf rather than to schools in US. But, for me US schools offer a lot more that schools in the gulf region won't be able to offer. Besides, in the short term I want to join operations consulting firms and if possible take assignments in the Middle East.

Do people write about goal of moving to other countries and do US schools look favorably upon such applicants?

msday · Answer

I think the b-school adcom's skepticism might arise from the fact that you have never been to the Middle East, and they may feel that basic knowledge of Arabic does not equal local know-how. I personally have no idea, but I'm guessing they thought your goals were out of line, especially in the current economic climate, and that you have not done enough research.

I think successful applicants who specify working in certain countries/regions are generally from those places (born, lived in for x years, etc.).

I think successful applicants who specify working in certain countries/regions are generally from those places (born, lived in for x years, etc.).

fall09 · Answer

I think you can write about the regions you want to work post-MBA.

aakashganga · Answer

Do US schools wonder why you didn't apply to Business schools in those regions instead?

aakashganga · Answer

My point was there are some emerging markets in the world. Gulf region is one of them. I already have some skills to work in this region. Hence, I want to capitalize on the business opportunity in the region. My short term goal was to join to an operations consulting firm and take assignments in the region. So, it was not that I was going to go to Gulf right after my MBA.

fall09 · Answer

I think u address that in the 'Why school?' part.

nink · Answer

Maybe adcom isn't sure how getting a MBA from their school specifically is going to help you reach your goal.

Your goal was very specific and yet, even I can't figure out why you have to get your MBA to reach that goal.

spiridon · Answer

Maybe the problem was in some other part of your application

aakashganga · Answer

oh.. I didn't talk about that as yet. I work in supply chain IT. I want to move to supply chain operations. Hence, MBA serves as a perfect bridge for the transition.

aakashganga · Answer

Possible. I am just trying to introspect. Thanks though.

aakashganga · Answer

Yeah, but then if you say you want to work in India in the long-term, my question was would schools wonder why you don't go to an Indian business school instead.

refurb · Answer

I think if you answer "why school X" and "why I want to work in the Middle East" it won't be an issue.

If you gave solid reasons for attending school "X", such as a specific concentration offered or industry connections (say a oil company that operates in the ME) then the adcom should be satisfied.

Similarly, if you can give a good reason why you want to work in the ME, such as specific interest in the region (support with examples) or your industry of interest is centered there, then you should be fine on that point also.

There are plenty of people who come to the US for MBAs who plan on have career outside of the US, it isn't an automatic disqualifier.

RF

refurb · Answer

They won't if you provide specific examples why attending their school is better than attending a school in India.

RF

bsd_lover · Answer

Hi aakash I feel that the goal is interesting and distinctive. Perhaps, you need to talk about where do these goals stem from a bit more. See if you can answer these questions :

Why are you so interested in supply chain (i.e. what is your motivation / inspiration / passion behind this)? 
Why the middle east ? 
How will operations consulting help you achieve supply chain in middle east in long run ? 
Did you mention the names of specific consulting firms ? 
Does the school place lots of students in operations consulting ? 
Does the school have great faculty/clubs that specialises in supply chain / operations (did you mention that on the essays ?)

Good luck.

aakashganga · Answer

I didn't compare the schools. Since you are from Canada, did you do so?

aakashganga · Answer

Why are you so interested in supply chain (i.e. what is your motivation / inspiration / passion behind this)?

I have been working in Supply chain IT for last 4 years. I want to move to the supply chain operations. MBA helps me in transitioning.

Why the middle east ?

Middle East is one of the emerging markets for high end retail business. A lot of US chains are setting up operations in this area (my current company being one of them). I have relatives in this area and hence been exposed to it for a while. Over the last 2 years, I have studied Arabic and have a grasp on the culture.

How will operations consulting help you achieve supply chain in middle east in long run ?

Since my background is non-business, I am not exposed to various aspects of running a business in an untapped market. Ops consulting will gives me this exposure and helps me solidify my position to grab the opportunity.

Did you mention the names of specific consulting firms ?

Yes.

Does the school place lots of students in operations consulting ?

Yes. Nowadays many MC firms are combining strategy and operations (except Mckinsey) and yes schools I applied to have a good placement in this industry.

Does the school have great faculty/clubs that specialises in supply chain / operations (did you mention that on the essays ?)

I did.

So, not sure what went wrong. I am beginning to think that some other aspect of my application didn't work.

suntaurian · Answer

Here are a few tips that I have gathered after talking to a number of successful MBAs:

1. You can and certainly should name the place if you know it already about where you want to work after MBA..i.e long term goal
2. To make a good long term goal that sounds convincing, you should be able to show some past/current WE in that area, to be able to show that yes you have done your research and middle east or where ever is the right location for you in the long term and your research shows that you will be comfortable living and working there apart from being successful.
3. Schools do not worry about where you want to work after MBA...as its your personal choice...but you certainly need to show why you need an MBA and why from this/that school...knowledge is knowledge, you should be able to apply it anywhere, so middle east or even Africa or any other place is absolutely fine, as long as you can do justice and show that this is the place you belong to...

Good luck.

spiridon · Answer

I believe that they dont pay attention where or even what do u want to work/do

they just want to see that u r highly motivated for their program coupled with some sincerity i guess...

i dont think that was a problem with ur application at all

maybe they got too many similar candidates with similar profile as urs

what r ur numbers n background if u dont mind sharing

fall09 · Answer

I'm not putting any location preference in my essays.But I believe if you do put a location,especially something other than your home country or USA,you might want to show some ties to that region.

aakashganga · Answer

oh sure.

8 yrs IT/supply chain at a fortune 50 retailer. 740 GMAT/ Good GPA.

Goals question

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