smukherjee42 wrote:
Hi am looking to apply to ISB in Round 2 and would really appreciate some inputs on my profile
Background and nationality: Indian, age 29
Undergrad: Bachelor of Engineering in Electronics and Telecomm Engineering from a top public university in India (Nationally, ranked 10th in engineering)
GPA (3.33/4)
GRE (323 160 Q, 163 V) I underperformed on the day and am planning a retake.
Looking to join an MBA program in August 2024
Already applied to: Emory Goizueta, Georgetown McDonough, Cambridge Judge
Other Shortlisted Schools: Oxford Said, Cornell Johnson, Dartmouth Tuck, NYU Stern, UNC Kenan Flagler
Work Experience and Leadership (~6.5 yrs at time of joining program):
3 years at a major digital marketing agency where I was part of a founding team that helped set up a service delivery centre in India for the agency. Led a significant amount of knowledge transfer from international teams to set up the practice. Led discovery sessions and requirements gathering for every new client the Indian business unit onboarded for the marketing platforms practice for the first six months. Onboarded roughly 15 accounts in total over this period and trained 70+ new joiners. Worked directly with business unit head in talent acquisition- screening, managing job posts, ATS, and vendors (job portals, hiring agencies). Headcount grew from 4 to 200 in 6 months, interviewed hundreds of candidates and filled 80+ open positions. Led several client accounts with demonstrated impact on business KPIs like engagement, conversions and CAC
Close to 3 years at Goldman Sachs working in the Asset Management marketing team. Led go-to-market activities on digital channels for 7 ETFs, managed performance marketing campaigns targeted at fund distributors, institutional investors and family offices that led to gross sales of over $476 mn, led post-merger integration workstreams for platform integrations, rebranding, website reskinning, rebranding of over 370 funds. I also lead the SEO function within Asset Management Marketing.
Lead the mentorship program for the entire Asset Management marketing team under direct supervision of the Asset Management CMO.
Led 3 person team to regional finals of Analyst Impact Fund, where teams identify nonprofits that are tackling global challenges and pitch innovative solutions to the firm’s leadership.
After junior year in college interned at an Indian NGO called Goonj where I did fieldwork in rural India, directly mobilizing 150 individuals for rural development projects such as canal digging, shed construction, cultivating a school kitchen garden. Built a lead list for fundraising. Organized collection camps that raised over 1 metric tonne of material and $24,000 in monetary contributions. Worked directly with organization leadership to launch a range of upcylced products to monetize surplus material by producing and marketing a range of upcycled sustainable lifestyle products (bags, accessories). Set up kiosks at collection drives, earned $1200 gross sales in pilot.
Post MBA goals: Long term is to set up a PE firm focused on deploying growth equity in India. Short term is to transition from Asset Management marketing to a more core finance role in IB, preferably in FSG an group.
Anything else?
Organizer of film festival at university
Co-founded graphic design and creative club in high school
Many thanks for your consideration
smukherjee42 I will keep things honest and clear. Lots of good things in your profile. But I am getting a sense that you are not seeing the bigger picture, which is also why the schools, ISB or abroad, will find many gaps in your reasoning for transitioning from asset management marketing to core finance.
An MBA should not be the first attempt to take advantage of learning opportunities. Most successful applicants to top MBA programs show the initiative to gain additional experience by taking on projects before MBA that take them out of their comfort zone and toward their post MBA goals.
Motivation to move into a new field and develop professionally can be demonstrated by examples such as seeking internships, projects, or shadowing industry leaders in entry-level jobs (in core finance in IB/ PE). If a post-MBA goal is tied to evidence that you have gained relevant experience (even though it may not be thorough) and have gone the extra mile, the credibility of your goals increases significantly.
At the same time, you need to be pragmatic. Since you are targeting IB let's say, you should demonstrate that you know the current state of the industry in the target region and, if applicable, that you have a network in this area. For example, the recent downturn in deal-making and fundraising caused by the rise in interest rates and inflation in the U.S., and exacerbated by the war in Ukraine, has had a significant impact on the industry, as well as on recruitment in the US. The financing of leveraged transactions, which is an essential aspect, was affected as banks had to withdraw their support. Therefore, business schools will expect you to realistically assess how you can use your background to gain a foothold in IB/PE a particular field or region.
Your GRE with a Q160 is another story (for someone aspiring to switch to finance). The sooner you realize what steps you must take, the better the odds will be for you.
It goes without saying that thorough research and a solid plan for how you will achieve your goals will make all the difference.
Feel free to seek further advice.
Aanchal Sahni (INSEAD alum, ex INSEAD MBA admissions interviewer)
MBAGuideConsultingLinkedIn |WEBSITE:
https://mbaguideconsulting.com/ | Message: +91 9971200927| email-
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07 Oct 2023, 11:38
