Jun 21: Everything you wanted to know about MBA Admissions

Question

Everything you wanted to know about MBA Admissions with ARINGO

Wednesday, June 21, 2023, at 09:30 AM PST | 10:00 PM IST | 12:30 PM EDT

Join our exclusive session where ARINGO's team of MBA Admissions Consulting experts will be delighted to address all your inquiries related to MBA admissions. Gain valuable insights into various aspects, including the meticulous school selection process, key factors that schools seek in applicants, ideal timing for applications, available scholarships, and any other queries you may have that will assist you in your MBA journey.

Join the chat here: https://gmatclub.com/forum/mchat.php

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Thank you ARINGO for joining, Let’s start the session

ARINGO · Answer

Hi Everyone - I’m Jen T, CEO of ARINGO MBA Admissions Consulting. I’m excited to answer your questions today. If you are unable to ask your question today or have follow up questions, email me at JeniferT@ARINGO.com or you can set up a free profile eval with me here https://calendly.com/jenifert-aringo/gmatclub

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Welcome Everyone! To the live chat

meimei2020 · Answer

Hi

ARINGO · Answer

Hi!

Sajjad1994 · Answer

meimei2020 , Hi

Question .............. I’m looking to get into product management at top US tech companies

A brief bit about my profile:

Background
Bangladeshi, Male, 27, First-gen college grad

Why MBA
Want to transition from Brand Management into Product Management. In my current role I got to work with several product managers and found the discipline fascinating.

MBA Targets: Top 35. Dream Schools are Duke Fuqua, Tuck, UCLA. Aiming for Tepper, Johnson, USC, McCombs.
For Fall 2023 session, I got into Schulich, waitlisted at Simon and rejected from Emory and Ohio.

Work Experience
4 years (upon matriculation) in Brand Management in 2nd largest Telcom operator in Bangladesh. Have led multiple cross-functional projects with clear, large scale impact and contribution to the company. Promotion coming up next month

Interesting work project: Created mental health group with professional NGO partner support. Members get free of cost counseling. Currently 11k+ members with 50+ suicide prevention cases

Academics
-GMAT: 650 (V37, Q43, IR4, AWA4)
-Undergrad: Bachelor of Business Administration (CGPA of 3.24 out of 4-> top 20%)
-Micro-Masters in Marketing Analytics, University of California, BerkeleyX (passed with 90% score)

Leadership
Co-founded a footwear startup during undergrad ( sustainable shoes from truck tires and upcycled quilt) - although did not survive 2nd year

Certifications and Awards
-Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO)
-Google UX Design Professional Certificate
-Global Carrier Award for Best Social Marketing Campaign
-Star Performer award and Exceptional contribution awards

Extra-curriculars
-Winners and runners-up across multiple business case competitions
-Muay Thai training for last ~2 years
-Civilian Black belt in Krav Maga- Led training sessions across country

Languages - English, Bengali (Native Fluency); Turkish (B1 Level)

Thank you for your help

meimei2020 · Answer

I have some following questions:
1. I’m acting as a Department Manager in my company but there’s no official title for that. May I put myself as Intergrim Department Manager in CV and essays?
2. How to show community engagement quality if I don’t join community or social services? I only do mentoring for 1 university student
3. What are the qualities Adcom look for to offer scholarship?
Thank you

ARINGO · Answer

Wow! very impressive! Lots of great experience and exposure. These are unique attributes that could help compensate for a a lower GMAT, but that will make some schools harder to get into.. certainly would apply for Tepper and Johnson. I would love to talk more about your profile and maybe the GRE or MBA Math to help supplement your GMAT score.

Hi! 
1. Interim is a good way of putting it - will your Recommender confirm? If feels complicated, can also use optional essay to write a few sentences of what you’ve been doing
2. Were you involved on campus in undergrad? that can be helpful. WHat are you passionate about? any hobbies that will show team work or leadership? even being captain of a cricket team can be beneficial
3. Adcoms typically award merit scholarship to candidates that bring up their statistics - above average gmat/gre, high gpa, name brand/unicorn brands, and other diversity factors

meimei2020 · Answer

1. Interim is a good way of putting it - will your Recommender confirm? If feels complicated, can also use optional essay to write a few sentences of what you’ve been doing
---> Is it ok if my recommender is not my current employer?

ARINGO · Answer

Yes, lots of caveats here... how long have you worked at your current employer? how long did you work at old employer..

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Question ................ Age : 25
Graduation Year : 20219
Degree : Bachelors in Engineering
Branch : Electronics and instrumentation
CGPA : 8.6/10
Work experience : 3.6 years as a Business Analyst working in US healthcare industry. Improved business processes and generated $5M savings.
GMAT : 740
1. What schools should I target?
2. What can I do to make my profile more attractive?

meimei2020 · Answer

I have been working for 3 companies. 1st one for 2 years, 2nd for 1 year, and now for one year. My 1st recommender is from 1st company, another one is from my social community who knows me from Intership positions, till now joining a marathon running club and a mentoring organization with me. What’s your opinion on this?

ARINGO · Answer

1. Solid CGPA and WE, depends on your career goals, but if looking to move into Healthcare Management - Duke, Darden, UNC and maybe stretch to Wharton; If you are looking at product/tech - Cornell and Tepper are very strong
Beyond these schools, T10-20 would be target for management/consulting
2. to make your profile attractive, express what you are passionate about - healthcare delivery innovation; health tech innovation... or product management/development and show ways you’ve explored these paths professionally and extra outside of work

Are you afraid asking for recommendation would jeopardize your job? or not sure it will be good? Since you are reaching back to your 1st company, you’ll need to explain why - either in optional essay or some schools have space allotted for this in the form. 
2nd recommender needs to be able to speak to your professional skills and readiness for the MBA program, longevity of relationship will be beneficial as they can discuss any growth or transformation over time

Anyone applying for MBA programs starting in January or fall 2024?

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Everyone, we have around 10 minutes left in this chat session. Ask your questions quickly

meimei2020 · Answer

I do Do u have overall statistic of this Fall application for round 1/2? I’ll take my Gmat in July, is it possible to have essays done in 2 months

? I’m applying for INSEAD Sep’24

ARINGO · Answer

Are you asking about admission rates for applying to R1 or R2? The difference between R1 and R2 is minimal, apply when you have the best application, unless it is an Early Action/Early Decision round for that school - like Duke or Darden

Very possible! INSEAD has the most essays of all programs - its all about strategically sharing information about your profile

meimei2020 · Answer

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Sajjad1994 · Answer

We are closing this chat session. Thank you ARINGO for your time and inputs. We greatly appreciate it.

ARINGO · Answer

Thank you for the time today Sajjad1994 , If you are unable to ask your question today or have follow up questions, email me at JeniferT@ARINGO.com or you can set up a free profile eval with me here https://calendly.com/jenifert-aringo/gmatclub

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