IIM Profile Evaluation Thread: Post all Profile Eval Requests Here

Hi Varshini969,

I am one of the lead consultants at Admit Expert.

This was more or less my profile back when I applied for MBA. 93% in 10th, 97% in 12th and 8 GPA in Instrumentation Engineering. I had worked in TCS for 5 years in internal IT. A very mundane and overrepresented IT profile. What I had in my favor - 720 GMAT, strong in the extracurricular space (14+ years of training and performance in south Indian classical music) and significant volunteering experience that tied into my overall story very well. I was late in the application cycle for Indian schools, so could apply only to XLRI. I did apply to Tepper, LBS and INSEAD abroad. I secured admission to XLRI and Tepper with scholarship. My post-MBA career goal was product management too but was connected to my TCS work as well as my passion for music.

Take away for you from this - Your profile is good. You need to target a GMAT of 720+. You need to show clarity of thought w.r.t. your goals and try to connect them well with your current experience, skills and passions.

For a more detailed 1-1 strategy session, please write to contactus@admitexpert.com or fill the form at http://www.admitexpert.com

Good luck!
_________________

Hello Everyone,

I am planning to apply to 1yr MBA programs at IIM ABCL Co'25

Here's my profile:
10th/12th : 92%/90% (MH state board)
GMAT: 690 (q49/v35)

Bachelor's:
BE Electronics from Mumbai Univ (top 5 in class of 70)

Masters:
MS EE from San Jose State Univ (3.8 GPA)
Final project won the EE department award for best project

Work Ex:
8+ years at top 5 semiconductor company, 6+ YOE of which are in US.
Handled varied roles within engineering, across hardware, software, operations and QC, requiring cross-functional collaboration across geographies
On track to be nominated for a tech lead within department this year
steady track record of publishing papers, innovations
Won over 75+ awards won over the years for contributions
steady cadence of promotions over the years
currently mentoring junior engineers at work and training 3rd party contractors in department operations
Part of ISO-9001 certification effort for the department
Part of department committee for hiring and onboarding interns
Did a gig with company HR to revamp job descriptions to attract better talent
Currently doing a gig to develop marketing materials for a new strategic initiative at work

ECs:
work:
Served as VP Pubic Relations for Toastmasters at company, awarded for highest open house guest turnout in the previous 5 years.
Awarded for being top 50 employee volunteers across India at company
Was part of the organizing committee for an international women's conference at company

During college (these may not be relevant, these were a long time ago):
Presented R&D project at ELECRAMA, world's largest t&d show in the electrical industry.
2 year stint as IEEE editor in college, editor of college tech/cultural magazines
Was the department placement officer, helped place 90+ of the batch

Others:
Performed in an covid awareness acapella with renowned musician
Worked as digital marketing content editor for a private SEO firm for a brief period

Interests:
reading, training to become master in kundalini yoga.

Motivation:
change in functional role and looking to work in strategy/biz dev role in semiconductor industry in India

Long Term goal:
Executive position in a F500 tech co.

Plan A:
short term plan:
strategy/biz dev role for tech cos in India by developing management skills through an MBA.
Leverage international experience to grow in the Indian tech industry
long term plan:
leadership role in f500 tech cos.

Plan B:
leverage current engineering design experience and acquire business skills to move into product management roles in tech cos.
long term goal remains the same.

Thank you for your time, insights and suggestions!

Hello, Sidgenius24!

You have an impressive profile overall, although there is room for improvement in your GMAT score since IIM A is surely very competitive. However, considering your international experience and global exposure, retaking the test may not be necessary. Your undergraduate scores and post-graduation GPA already indicate a promising academic foundation.

[I wasn't clear if your "motivation" and "goals in Tech Cos" are the same. I assumed semiconductor industry is where you aspire to work eventually. Irrespective, the guiding principle remains the same]

1. The most crucial aspect for you to address in the admissions process is explaining why the PGPx/MBA program is essential for your transition into your desired functional roles - strategy and biz dev in semiconductor industry in India. Maybe you want to establish a strong presence in the Indian job market upon your return to India, or perhaps you experienced a certain setback that has highlighted the gaps in your profile that can be bridged through the PGPX programs.

2. Conducting thorough research on your Plan A is vital - identify the specific roles you aim to pursue (draw upon examples of roles within specific companies) and understand the feeder pipeline for such positions (network and speak with industry experts). Show how will respective PGPs facilitate your transition into a strategy/business development role in similar companies? Another question you might encounter is whether an MBA is really needed to progress in the business development domain of a semiconductor company, given your extensive background in semiconductors.

And since your chosen industry may initially seem a narrow choice post MBA, I recommend exploring management consulting roles as well where you can move from a generalist to a specialization if you are so passionate about seeking projects in the semiconductor industry. In this setting, you will have the opportunity to work and devise strategy with senior leadership in the semiconductor sector business. This experience will eventually help you on your way to a CXO level position as you build trust and establish yourself in the industry.

Regarding your Plan B, it is a safe and commonly chosen path. However, since product management encompasses a broad spectrum, your success lies in demonstrating a deep understanding of the specific roles that suit you within the field (which ones and why?)

On another note, winning over 75 awards is an outstanding accomplishment that is sure to capture attention and impress. Your extracurricular activities are good, and your involvement in Toastmasters is particularly noteworthy.

Feel free to connect for a candid discussion should you need guidance on your application strategy.

Aanchal Sahni (INSEAD alum, ex admissions interviewer)
MBAGuideConsulting
LinkedIn |WEBSITE: https://mbaguideconsulting.com/ | Message: +91 9971200927| email- mbaguideconsulting@gmail.com

Hello Sidgenius24

Pretty balanced profile. Only weakness that sticks out is the 690. DOn't get me wrong- this is by no means a deal breaker in your specific case considering everything else is a strength.
Work ex (strong progress and achievements), Diversity (via extracurriculars and international experience), Career Goals (Clear and organic) all work for you.
You can potentially compensate for the below par score if you are to tie the above 3 elements well in your essays, LORs and interviews.
But the chances would be stellar if you had a 710+ in case you are considering a retake.
Nevertheless, all the best, you have a strong profile.

Best
Varun
MBAkarma.com
+91-8452954888

Hello Priyankajaismali

What works in your favor-

Past scores, Work profile (under-represented and adds diversity).

What raises questions

Missing GMAT of course- an estimate score will help further.
Career Goals- how are you planning to make this transition with your current education and work experience. Your diversity could backfire in that case if you are not able to show your research how are you planning to make this career transition successful (for example have you done something in these four years that can help you move into marketing management, even if that is outside your full time job). Also the goals stated are too disjointed- Strategy Management, Finance Management, Marketing Management are all very different jobs and require different experiences, skills and would want you to pursue different electives at ISB. With goals in their current form, ISB will see you lacking clarity and this makes this element the biggest risk in your case.
I recommend you start by articulating career goals that must be Clear and Realistic. When I say clarity, what I mean is that you should be able to tell the school the Long Term vision of your career (say ten years from now) and your personal motivation behind such vision (what motivates you to have such a vision- this helps make your profile interesting and personalized). Then you have to tell them the Short Term vision (say five years from now). This is the role you will work in for about five years in order to gain enough learning and experience to be able to transition into your long term vision. Then finally you have to tell how ISB will act as a stepping stone to help you reach your short term vision. What existing skills will ISB further strengthen and what new skills will it help you gain in order to land the targeted roles with the targeted companies. Yes, you need to be that specific. Secondly, the goals also must be realistic. If your goals are something that has got nothing to do with your experience or skills, it might be a tough transition to make. Similarly, if ISB is not known to get the kinds of roles or companies that you are targeting, the goals might not be realistic from the school’s perspective. Both ways schools will see you as an employment risk and be hesitant to admit you. You are not planning to spend several thousand dollars without a plan in mind, right? Do your research and be very clear and know what you want out of B-School, you will have limited opportunities to ‘find yourself’ during an MBA.

Best
Varun
MBAkarma.com
+91-8452954888

Hey Spectre26,

Your profile demonstrates strong academics, valuable work experience, and clear post-MBA goals, providing a solid foundation. To further enhance your profile, engage in extracurricular activities that demonstrate leadership and teamwork, such as volunteering or taking leadership roles in professional organizations. These experiences will showcase your well-roundedness.

Devote ample time and effort to GMAT preparation, aiming for a high score that aligns with averages at your target B-schools. Enroll in prep courses, utilize practice materials, and take mock exams to familiarize yourself with the test format.

Highlight instances of leadership and impact in your work experience. For example, lead a design engineering project, managing the team and implementing innovative solutions for improved efficiency or cost savings. Describe exceptional sales support and client interactions, emphasizing successful conversions and long-term relationships. Discuss effective coordination with project management teams, ensuring smooth execution and timely completion.

Network with alumni and attend information sessions to gain insights and tailor your application accordingly. Craft compelling essays that illustrate your unique story, motivations, and aspirations, emphasizing how your experiences have prepared you for the role of a product manager. Choose recommenders who can provide detailed insights into your abilities, achievements, and potential.

Admission to top B-schools is competitive, so present your experiences, skills, and goals effectively. Quantify achievements, such as cost savings or efficiency improvements, and mention recognition or awards received. Keep your application concise, impactful, and focused on showcasing leadership skills and driving results.

If you need more help, we'd be happy to set up a call and give more pointers on how to improve your profile and the right schools you should target.
You can setup a call via this link:
https://bit.ly/3DSH5km

Hey Sidgenius24,

Your profile is remarkable, showcasing a rich blend of commendable academic scores, diverse professional experiences, and a whole lot of extracurricular activities - you certainly stand out! But let's consider a few tweaks to boost your chances further.

Your 690 GMAT score is decent and can help you achieve your goal.

Next, your essays! These are your spaces to let your personality shine. Beyond achievements, your essays should capture your unique story, your leadership journey, and the positive changes you've influenced in your organisation.

Your career roadmap seems well thought out. The links between your short-term and long-term goals are clear, which is excellent. However, can we add a bit more detail? Clearer, more specific goals often resonate better with admissions committees.

You've got a fantastic list of extracurricular activities, but focus on those that highlight your leadership, initiative, teamwork, and impact. Your Toastmasters role and involvement in the women's conference certainly stand out here.

Highlight your leadership roles at work, such as your impending tech lead nomination. Talk about the tangible impacts of your mentoring and training efforts, your influence on the hiring and onboarding process, and your cross-departmental initiatives.

Your resume should emphasise the impact you've had, not just list the roles you've performed. And your letters of recommendation should ideally come from people who can vouch for your leadership abilities and potential.

In summary, showcase the impacts of your initiatives and leadership roles at work, aim for a higher GMAT score, focus your essays on your personal journey, and pick the right people to write your recommendations.

If you need more help, we'd be happy to set up a call and give more pointers on how to improve your profile and the right schools you should target.
You can setup a call via this link:
https://bit.ly/3DSH5km

Hi all, kindly evaluate my profile and suggest tentative GMAT score :

10th : 90.33% (Rajasthan state board)
12th : 91% (CBSE board)
BTech : Electrical engineering in 2018 , 9.2 CGPA (Gold medalist from reputed NIT college)
MTech : Electrical engineering in 2020, 86% (Gold medalist)
GMAT : Yet to take (scored 650 in official practice test #1)
work exp : 5 yrs in core Government R&D institute, my work is focused on Research and development of various new technologies in power electronics sector with 1 promotion
Motive for exec MBA: career domain change from Govt to Corporate and better opportunities
Extra curricular : in the organizing committee of National science day (conducted every year) from past 2 years in the office.
Hobbies : Travelling, movies, Playing cricket

Queries:
1. Will my Govt R&D job affect my application severely? As i don't have any experience in private/corporate industry?
2. How will my extra curriculars and hobbies fare against rest of the applicants?
3. Are there any certifications which i can opt for to improve my application?
4. By what time (deadline) should i target my GMAT for IIM applications?

Hi walterwhite756
I answered your Qs on another forum but posted it here so other followers of this forum (with PSU/Govt backgrounds) could also build perspective.

Queries:
1. Will my Govt R&D job affect my application severely? As i don't have any experience in private/corporate industry?

Many applicants have a negative view of government or public sector jobs because they often lack autonomy, diverse responsibilities, and opportunities for rapid growth. Admissions committees may also hold this view (who can tell!). However, it is your responsibility to break through these stereotypes and demonstrate your unique qualities. It is not possible to give a complete answer by simply reading your profile description. Instead, show what makes you special and how you go above and beyond the expected. Emphasize your initiative, adaptability, and exceptional results. Highlight your eagerness to learn and grow by continuing your education, acquiring new skills, and tackling challenging projects. Remember that adcoms can only fully understand your profile by reviewing your application materials, such as resume, essays, and letters of recommendation. Make the most of these documents.

I can tell you that this bias is not unique to PSU folks. I, too, worked in R&D for a private company for five years straight, and the first question I was asked in my MBA interview at a Top gloval school was, "You may have worked in many countries, but your responsibilities have remained the same. How would you say you have evolved in your career? To be honest, I did not expect this question at the time and I felt underprepared. But now, with my experience, I can tell you that this should be the first question you need to prepare for, regardless of your background (government or private).

2. How will my extra curriculars and hobbies fare against rest of the applicants?

Your extracurricular activities are not extensive, but I recommend you think about them thoroughly and analyze whether you might have overlooked any mundane, subtle initiatives you have taken over the years. For example, traveling, learning a new language, participating in diversity initiatives in the workplace (opposing gender discrimination, promoting diversity in the workforce), supporting those in need (financially or morally), teaching disadvantaged children, organizing diversity conversations or outside activities to promote better collaboration between teams, and more. Sometimes you have to do some soul-searching to find out in what ways you have contributed to your community.

3. Are there any certifications which i can opt for to improve my application?

This would require a deeper discussion. Schools can see through any last minute certifications.

4. Should i target GMAT in August or in October? I think if i take more time, my score can go past 700-720s. If i appear for GMAT in August (for R1), i think my score might fall below 700.

A higher score is typically better for Indian Male applicants. But don't delay it too much.

5. How much time to be devoted for application filling and how do i approach it, i am totally new to this thing and don't have any prior knowledge about the same.

It could take anywhere between 2 days to 2 months to craft a strong application depending on the capability of the applicant. Feel free to connect over a candid discussion to learn what adcoms look for in applicants.

What Indian B Schools Look For


(For LORs wherever required)
6. I can't tell at my organization for LOR so i will be sourcing it from a senior (close friend of mine) working in the same organization. Will ISB interviewers take it in negative sense?

You can take it from senior colleagues. I have done it myself and I have written extensively on this topic on this platform. Make use of the resources.

Secret Sauce For Outsanding LORs
How to select your recommenders
Strategy for acing that B School Interview (ISB)
Avoid these pitfalls in goals essays

Your academic arc is solid. Focus on the GMAT.

Personalized advice tailored to your specific situation is just a phone call or message away. Do not hesitate to reach out to us if you need help navigating your unique circumstances in the B School admissions process.

Aanchal Sahni (INSEAD alum, ex admissions interviewer)
MBAGuideConsulting
LinkedIn |WEBSITE: https://mbaguideconsulting.com/ | Message: +91 9971200927| email- mbaguideconsulting@gmail.com

Hi Everyone , Would love to get some insights about my profile .

Target Schools/Programs : IIMs PGPX/EPGP/XLRI GM/ISB

General Male
10th CBSE : 95%
12th CBSE : 87%
B.Tech CSE : 65% ( Kinda low but justifiable )

WorkEx : 5.4 Years.
Cognizant( 2.5 Years ) - PL/SQL Developer ( Got Reward for best project contributor for the year 2020 )
Currently Jio ( 2.9 years ) - Deputy Manager Product @ JioGames Cloud - ( Part of the founding team for JioGames Cloud )

Extra Curricular - Founded TAG ( tech and Gaming Club in College to promote awareness and organize Esports Competitions )
Youtube Content Creator with 18k Subs ( Host Podcasts , Live Stream Games , Host tournaments )
Exhibitor for JioGames Cloud At the Indian Mobile Congress 2022
Founded a gaming Ecommerce Site in college ( Reason for Low grad marks )
Teach Underprivileged students upto class 10th.

GMAT - Yet to give. ( Do suggest a good score if you can based on my overall profile )


Short Term Goals - Senior Product Manager ( From Decision enabler to decision Maker )
Long Term Goals - Business head of Gaming Division in any Big Firm.
Overall Goal - Really passionate about Gaming Industry, Want to make an impact by enabling it and also making it an alternative for Movies/Music in the Entertainment industry )

Hello Everyone,

Please help in evaluating my profile for IIMs PGPX/EPGP/ISB
10th: 91.8% (ICSE BOARD)
12th: 83.5% (ISC board)
BTech: Marine engineering in 2016, 7.34 CGPA- BITS Pilani
Merit scholarship holder in College.
GMAT: Yet to take (scored 650 in official practice test #1)
work exp: 6.5 yrs in Merchant Navy as a Marine Engineer(Operations Engineer) in Maersk (2nd largest Shipping Company in the world).
I have secured 3 promotions in these years.
Also received a 2000 USD scholarship for outstanding performance in the Maersk internship.
The motive for MBA: career domain change from Merchant Navy to Product Management/ Consulting.

Extracurricular :
1- Social Media Brand Ambassador for the shipping company "Maersk".
2- An active Content Creator in the Merchant Navy sector with 25000 followers across different social media platforms.
Active Debator in school and college.
3- Invited as a guest speaker on podcasts ( Eg: NIT Silchar, talks with Merchant Navy Captain) on Youtube to speak about shipping and merchant navy.
4- Featured in a leading Maritime Magazine in the Philippines as a success story in shipping.
5- Active debater in college and school. Organized an Entrepreneurship venture in college fest.
6- Participated in NGOs and helped in the social work domain.
7- Actively helped a friend in his startup which is now a successful apparel business.

Want to work and live in India in the long term. Kindly suggest advice/suggestions to strengthen my profile for admit this year.

Hi Abhimanyu998 hope you are doing great

Your profile is impressive. And I see an opportunity to show how you have turned personal weaknesses, such as your undergraduate GPA, into opportunity for growth successfully establishing yourself as a developer and a PM. This shows that you're capable of overcoming academic challenges, which is something you should be sure to strategically highlight in your application. In this way, you demonstrate a genuine interest in the field, as well as your desire to develop skills and gain knowledge beyond academics. To bolster your application, reflect on challenges you faced early in your career and outline how you overcame them. Business schools evaluate applicants objectively.

A key point to explain in your application is why you need an MBA at this time to advance your career in product management (many PMs on fast-track careers do not choose to pursue an MBA). Think about situations where your limited understanding of business dynamics as a PM has impacted your work or hindered your interactions with business stakeholders. By reflecting on these instances, you can emphasize how important an MBA degree is for you to excel as a product leader and successfully establish product-market fit. An MBA degree will provide you with the necessary business knowledge and a deep understanding of the needs of the marketplace.


Your ECs are very impressive. Target a 720+. The higher the better.

Feel free to connect for applications strategy.


Aanchal Sahni (INSEAD alum, ex admissions interviewer)
MBAGuideConsulting
LinkedIn |WEBSITE: https://mbaguideconsulting.com/ | Message: +91 9971200927| email- mbaguideconsulting@gmail.com

Hi Aanchal thanks a lot for the constructive feedback.
I will surely get in touch with you after my GMAT.

Regards,
Abhi

Hey Abhimanyu998,

Your profile is quite unique with solid experience in the tech and gaming industry. The fact that you're part of the founding team for JioGames Cloud and your work as a Youtube Content Creator showcase your passion and dedication to the industry. Your extracurricular activities are also impressive, including the founding of a tech and gaming club in college, your gaming Ecommerce site, and teaching underprivileged students.

Your undergraduate GPA is slightly on the lower end, but your strong work experience and extracurricular activities can help compensate for it. Make sure to articulate why your grades were lower and how you've grown since then.

Regarding the GMAT, a score around 700+ would be competitive for the programs you're interested in, but achieving a score on the higher end would help balance your lower GPA, and then you can target schools like ISB, IIM-A, IIM-B.

Given your leadership capabilities, XLRI GM will be a perfect fit for you.

Remember, while these are good starting points, you should also consider the individual culture, teaching style, and alumni network of each program. Tailor your applications to demonstrate fit with each specific school.

If you need more help, you can message me directly and I'd be happy to give more pointers on how to improve your profile and the right schools you should target.

Hello Abhimanyu998

Past scores are average and considering the IT background, I'll recommend a 720+ in order to stand out in the large and competitive pool of IT applicants.
Work ex has potential, but achievements and impact needs to be brought out in your stories.
Goals are solid, clear and organic.
Diversity, though low due to IT background, gets some brownie points due to the extracurricular activities. Make sure you include the accomplishments here in the stories to prove how these activities/experiences will help you add value to the experience of your batch mates inside and outside the classroom.


Varun
MBAkarma.com
+918452954888 (WApp for a quick response)

hey im not expert, but you have nice profile...

Hey Varun , Thanks for the crisp feedback.
Just wanted to ask when you talk about achievements, Does it also include my personal achievements or just professional ?
Once again , thanks for letting me know about where I lack and where I need to work on.

Hi Thank you so much for such a positive feedback. Will ping you once I get my GMAT done. Need to discuss some more pointers .

Hi,
I would like to get my profile evaluated for MBA.

Indian General Male

Target schools: ISB/Said Business School/IIMB, IIMA in this order.

Xth: 90.71%
XIIth: 89.6 %
B. Tech: 8.31 CPI, 74.61%
GATE (EE) : 99.31 percentile
AIEEE (2011) : 97.5 percentile

Work experience:
L&T ECC: 11 months (Project Management, Trainee)
A Miniratna PSU: 7+ years (Public procurement, contract management, core electrical maintenance, project management)

Extra Curricular:
+) Completed a hybrid mode PG Diploma in Environmental Law from NLSIU, Bangalore. (6.25/7.00)
+) Wrote content on platforms that have generated more than six million views and gained me 9000 followers.
+) Have fundamental data analytics skills (python, sql, tableau, excel)

Target GMAT score:> 720 planned in the second week of August.


Open to critical feedbacks and any other suggestions for college.
Posted from my mobile device

Hi PankajPrasad,

Your academics are good. Your work experience at a PSU can help you highlight the people management skills and handling real world issues at grass-root level.

You have decent extra curriculars and your data analytics skills will help you score few brownie points in the application.

You would need to score 710+ to be on the safer side, which is your target it seems.

The downside -> The work you have done within PSU regarding contract management and electrical maintenance is not so attractive on its own. You will have to present it in a more structured and vibrant way.

So your profile is good enough if you are able to highlight your work experience in a good way. All the mentioned colleges are within your reach. You can also target IIMC though.

Best wishes
_________________