Last visit was: 19 Nov 2025, 06:20 It is currently 19 Nov 2025, 06:20
Home
GMAT
Messages
Tests
Schools
Events
Rewards
Chat
My Profile
Close
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track
Your Progress

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Go to My Error Log Learn more
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel
User avatar
mNeo
User avatar
Current Student
Joined: 22 Apr 2007
Last visit: 04 Sep 2009
Posts: 1,034
Own Kudos:
30
Posts: 1,034
Kudos: 30
Male/Indian/IT pool - who belongs in there ? 06 Aug 2007, 08:18
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Yeah .. from last year's threads at various forums, it seems that Duke and Ross chose a lot of Indian applicants.
User avatar
lhotseface
User avatar
Joined: 20 Sep 2005
Last visit: 18 Jan 2025
Posts: 798
Own Kudos:
53
Posts: 798
Kudos: 53
Male/Indian/IT pool - who belongs in there ? 06 Aug 2007, 21:43
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Dang, I need to careful around this girl.

aaudetat
Good thread, all, and I think you are coming to the right conclusion. (Though I would add the introspection in a bubble is no good. Figure out who you are and what you're story is. You'll have a wealth of material to use. Then talk to others, think some more, read this forum, check out admissions books to figure out which pieces of your story will make the best package.)

On a less serious note, I was at an informal get-together with some incoming Duke students yesterday. I think half - or maybe more - of the students there were Indian. One Indian friend told me I didn't need to do an exchange program; I was having a cultural experience right there! We were joking, of course, and you can't really draw conclusions based on the demographics of one brunch. However, the word on the street is that there are a TON of Indian students enrolled at Fuqua this year. We'll see when classes start.
Show more
User avatar
aaudetat
User avatar
Joined: 01 Nov 2006
Last visit: 10 Jan 2016
Posts: 1,854
Own Kudos:
233
Given Kudos: 2
Concentration: Social Enterprise
Schools:The Duke MBA, Class of 2009
Posts: 1,854
Kudos: 233
Male/Indian/IT pool - who belongs in there ? 07 Aug 2007, 06:21
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
You outted yourself, matey.

lhotseface
Dang, I need to careful around this girl.

aaudetat
Good thread, all, and I think you are coming to the right conclusion. (Though I would add the introspection in a bubble is no good. Figure out who you are and what you're story is. You'll have a wealth of material to use. Then talk to others, think some more, read this forum, check out admissions books to figure out which pieces of your story will make the best package.)

On a less serious note, I was at an informal get-together with some incoming Duke students yesterday. I think half - or maybe more - of the students there were Indian. One Indian friend told me I didn't need to do an exchange program; I was having a cultural experience right there! We were joking, of course, and you can't really draw conclusions based on the demographics of one brunch. However, the word on the street is that there are a TON of Indian students enrolled at Fuqua this year. We'll see when classes start.
Show more
User avatar
lhotseface
User avatar
Joined: 20 Sep 2005
Last visit: 18 Jan 2025
Posts: 798
Own Kudos:
53
Posts: 798
Kudos: 53
Male/Indian/IT pool - who belongs in there ? 07 Aug 2007, 14:05
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
They still don't know what I did last summer.


aaudetat
You outted yourself, matey.

lhotseface
Dang, I need to careful around this girl.

aaudetat
Good thread, all, and I think you are coming to the right conclusion. (Though I would add the introspection in a bubble is no good. Figure out who you are and what you're story is. You'll have a wealth of material to use. Then talk to others, think some more, read this forum, check out admissions books to figure out which pieces of your story will make the best package.)

On a less serious note, I was at an informal get-together with some incoming Duke students yesterday. I think half - or maybe more - of the students there were Indian. One Indian friend told me I didn't need to do an exchange program; I was having a cultural experience right there! We were joking, of course, and you can't really draw conclusions based on the demographics of one brunch. However, the word on the street is that there are a TON of Indian students enrolled at Fuqua this year. We'll see when classes start.
Show more
User avatar
aaudetat
User avatar
Joined: 01 Nov 2006
Last visit: 10 Jan 2016
Posts: 1,854
Own Kudos:
233
Given Kudos: 2
Concentration: Social Enterprise
Schools:The Duke MBA, Class of 2009
Posts: 1,854
Kudos: 233
Male/Indian/IT pool - who belongs in there ? 07 Aug 2007, 21:15
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Don't tempt me; I will tell them. I know what you did last summer.

lhotseface
They still don't know what I did last summer.


aaudetat
You outted yourself, matey.

lhotseface
Dang, I need to careful around this girl.

aaudetat
Good thread, all, and I think you are coming to the right conclusion. (Though I would add the introspection in a bubble is no good. Figure out who you are and what you're story is. You'll have a wealth of material to use. Then talk to others, think some more, read this forum, check out admissions books to figure out which pieces of your story will make the best package.)

On a less serious note, I was at an informal get-together with some incoming Duke students yesterday. I think half - or maybe more - of the students there were Indian. One Indian friend told me I didn't need to do an exchange program; I was having a cultural experience right there! We were joking, of course, and you can't really draw conclusions based on the demographics of one brunch. However, the word on the street is that there are a TON of Indian students enrolled at Fuqua this year. We'll see when classes start.
Show more
avatar
deciblast
avatar
Joined: 21 Aug 2007
Last visit: 02 Oct 2007
Posts: 5
Posts: 5
Kudos: 0
Male/Indian/IT pool - who belongs in there ? 22 Aug 2007, 12:03
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
When I was at Chicago GSB last month, one of the associate deans said if you were in IT you really need to make yourself stand out. I fall in the Indian/IT pool but I was born and lived in the US all my life.
User avatar
kryzak
User avatar
Major Poster
Joined: 04 Jun 2007
Last visit: 10 Aug 2013
Posts: 5,452
Own Kudos:
744
Given Kudos: 14
Status:Um... what do you want to know?
Location: SF, CA, USA
Concentration: Technology, Entrepreneurship, Digital Media & Entertainment
Schools:UC Berkeley Haas School of Business MBA 2010
GPA: 3.9 - undergrad 3.6 - grad-EE
WE 1: Social Gaming
Posts: 5,452
Kudos: 744
Male/Indian/IT pool - who belongs in there ? 22 Aug 2007, 12:09
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
I think American born Indian/Chinese are in a different pool than India and China applicants. The latter are grouped as "International Students" and compete for those spots, while we compete against the locals with similar ethnic backgrounds.
User avatar
riverripper
User avatar
Major Poster
Joined: 10 Apr 2007
Last visit: 20 Aug 2022
Posts: 4,306
Own Kudos:
806
Given Kudos: 5
Location: Back in Chicago, IL
Concentration: General/Operations Management
Schools:Kellogg Alum: Class of 2010
GMAT 1: 740 Q49 V42
Posts: 4,306
Kudos: 806
Male/Indian/IT pool - who belongs in there ? 22 Aug 2007, 12:19
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
kryzak
I think American born Indian/Chinese are in a different pool than India and China applicants. The latter are grouped as "International Students" and compete for those spots, while we compete against the locals with similar ethnic backgrounds.
Show more


I don't know...they may not consider them international for class profile reasons but when they see your application they see the name and career. So at the very least that instantaneous picture of another typical Indian/Chinese code writer is there until they read a story about working on your parents' dairy farm in North Dakota or whatever tale you spin.

If I was an Indian and born in this country I would make sure to some how present it in an essay so they know I was born and raised here...in the hope that I wouldn't have to compete in that very tough demographic of IIT people.
User avatar
mNeo
User avatar
Current Student
Joined: 22 Apr 2007
Last visit: 04 Sep 2009
Posts: 1,034
Own Kudos:
30
Posts: 1,034
Kudos: 30
Male/Indian/IT pool - who belongs in there ? 22 Aug 2007, 12:29
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
riverripper
in the hope that I wouldn't have to compete in that very tough demographic of IIT people.
Show more


By IIT you mean the Indian IT? Or do you think that the IIT is a slightly different demographic? Although I won't be surprised (At this point) if I am told that more than 1000 IITians apply to B-Schools every year, so they belong to their own demographic now :(

Bah, am I ever going to get something easily? :evil:
User avatar
Ozmba
User avatar
Joined: 14 Feb 2005
Last visit: 27 Aug 2013
Posts: 953
Own Kudos:
30
Location: New York
Posts: 953
Kudos: 30
Male/Indian/IT pool - who belongs in there ? 22 Aug 2007, 13:29
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
gmatmba

To make it clear, you actually dont have to focus on how you are different from others, because you have no freaking clue what others have to offer. You just have to dig deep and paint a picture of who you are, and you will automatically succeed in differenciating, because there aint no other pmenon in this world, or another :)
Show more


Great advice gmatmba!!
User avatar
dosa_don
User avatar
Current Student
Joined: 07 Aug 2007
Last visit: 10 Jul 2009
Posts: 1,062
Own Kudos:
32
Posts: 1,062
Kudos: 32
Male/Indian/IT pool - who belongs in there ? 22 Aug 2007, 14:18
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Wow 1000 IITians? :( chances are getting slimmer.

I think there are around maybe 100 IITians applying a year though.

And for all non-Indians, as Neo pointed out, IIT does not stand for Indian IT, it stands for a school in India and I think 3 guys on this forum have attended it (that i know of)-myself, mNeo and Sardana.
User avatar
kryzak
User avatar
Major Poster
Joined: 04 Jun 2007
Last visit: 10 Aug 2013
Posts: 5,452
Own Kudos:
744
Given Kudos: 14
Status:Um... what do you want to know?
Location: SF, CA, USA
Concentration: Technology, Entrepreneurship, Digital Media & Entertainment
Schools:UC Berkeley Haas School of Business MBA 2010
GPA: 3.9 - undergrad 3.6 - grad-EE
WE 1: Social Gaming
Posts: 5,452
Kudos: 744
Male/Indian/IT pool - who belongs in there ? 22 Aug 2007, 14:57
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
it might be because the Midwest and rural areas have fewer Indians/Chinese, so it's not as competitive? An alum told me that if I applied to Kellogg or Chicago, I will have a easier time than Stanford/Haas because my demographics is not as common out there (Chinese American Tech)
avatar
aviroop
avatar
Joined: 03 Mar 2007
Last visit: 21 Aug 2017
Posts: 984
Own Kudos:
49
Given Kudos: 8
Location: Hong Kong
Concentration: Finance, Economics
Schools: HKUST MBA - Class of 2014
GMAT 1: 740 Q48 V44
GPA: 3.2
WE:Consulting (Consulting)
Schools: HKUST MBA - Class of 2014
GMAT 1: 740 Q48 V44
Posts: 984
Kudos: 49
Male/Indian/IT pool - who belongs in there ? 22 Aug 2007, 15:06
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
What does an Indian born, Saudi Arabian early childhood, Japanese childhood, Indian undergrad, US grad, and Big 4 accounting company demography (a.k.a me) portray to the ad-com officer??

1. World savvy culturally profund person.
2. Hopskotch of cultures.
3. Bumbling idiot who had no clue where he was in life.


I think IITians (both Indian IT and IIT graduates) are tough candidates - great scores, academically qualified. Their only drawback is that they all have similar profiles, but that shouldn't ease the competition.

I am trying to portray my global identity to get away with my lack of work experience. Else, I am just a Joe Schmoe who has no chance against most other applicants.
User avatar
kryzak
User avatar
Major Poster
Joined: 04 Jun 2007
Last visit: 10 Aug 2013
Posts: 5,452
Own Kudos:
744
Given Kudos: 14
Status:Um... what do you want to know?
Location: SF, CA, USA
Concentration: Technology, Entrepreneurship, Digital Media & Entertainment
Schools:UC Berkeley Haas School of Business MBA 2010
GPA: 3.9 - undergrad 3.6 - grad-EE
WE 1: Social Gaming
Posts: 5,452
Kudos: 744
Male/Indian/IT pool - who belongs in there ? 22 Aug 2007, 15:12
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
avi, your cultural background is your strength. Hopefully you have enough extracurriculars/community stuff in your cultural background or good stories to tell that will set you apart. I would definitely consider you based on what I know about your profile! :)
User avatar
forcefeed
User avatar
Joined: 29 Dec 2006
Last visit: 15 Aug 2014
Posts: 214
Own Kudos:
22
Posts: 214
Kudos: 22
Male/Indian/IT pool - who belongs in there ? 22 Aug 2007, 19:58
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
kryzak
it might be because the Midwest and rural areas have fewer Indians/Chinese, so it's not as competitive? An alum told me that if I applied to Kellogg or Chicago, I will have a easier time than Stanford/Haas because my demographics is not as common out there (Chinese American Tech)
Show more


I can't speak to other parts of the midwest, but I can tell you Chicago has HUGE Indian and Chinese communities.
User avatar
kripalkavi
User avatar
Joined: 21 Mar 2006
Last visit: 01 Aug 2008
Posts: 639
Own Kudos:
135
Location: Bangalore
Posts: 639
Kudos: 135
Male/Indian/IT pool - who belongs in there ? 22 Aug 2007, 20:34
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
1000 IITs applying to B-school every year?! Why am I even applying.... :(
User avatar
mNeo
User avatar
Current Student
Joined: 22 Apr 2007
Last visit: 04 Sep 2009
Posts: 1,034
Own Kudos:
30
Posts: 1,034
Kudos: 30
Male/Indian/IT pool - who belongs in there ? 22 Aug 2007, 20:40
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
aviroop
What does an Indian born, Saudi Arabian early childhood, Japanese childhood, Indian undergrad, US grad, and Big 4 accounting company demography (a.k.a me) portray to the ad-com officer??
Show more


My wife was born in the middle east, and grew up in middle east, Canada and Mauritius. Then she worked in India, and is in the US now. We are planning to use this background of hers as one of her strengths (Whenever she decides to apply). I don't think a lot of MBA applicants grow up at diverse places like these. So as kryzak said, I think that as far as the "diversity" goes, you have a strong story to sell.
User avatar
dabots
User avatar
Joined: 18 Sep 2006
Last visit: 28 Apr 2014
Posts: 955
Own Kudos:
34
Location: Chicago, IL
Schools:Chicago Booth 2010
Posts: 955
Kudos: 34
Male/Indian/IT pool - who belongs in there ? 23 Aug 2007, 03:33
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
forcefeed
kryzak
it might be because the Midwest and rural areas have fewer Indians/Chinese, so it's not as competitive? An alum told me that if I applied to Kellogg or Chicago, I will have a easier time than Stanford/Haas because my demographics is not as common out there (Chinese American Tech)

I can't speak to other parts of the midwest, but I can tell you Chicago has HUGE Indian and Chinese communities.
Show more


i dont know about chinese, but chicago is like the hub of indian immigrants. i spoke to a an indian chicago gsb student at a gsb event and she mentioned that every indian knows somebody in chicago.
User avatar
rajpdsouza
User avatar
Joined: 26 Jul 2007
Last visit: 22 Oct 2008
Posts: 334
Own Kudos:
7
Posts: 334
Kudos: 7
Male/Indian/IT pool - who belongs in there ? 23 Aug 2007, 07:02
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
I think it's allll about essays here. I'm a 1st generation American, parents and brothers born in India. Although I am not mainly an IT person, it is one of my responsibilities. I'm a little worried that when ad-com sees my application they will want to lump me in with indian/male/IT. Therefore, it's my mission (if i choose to accept it) to write some awesome essays so that I stand out.
User avatar
kripalkavi
User avatar
Joined: 21 Mar 2006
Last visit: 01 Aug 2008
Posts: 639
Own Kudos:
135
Location: Bangalore
Posts: 639
Kudos: 135
Male/Indian/IT pool - who belongs in there ? 23 Aug 2007, 07:22
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Guys, honestly, I think that we are obsessing a little too much over the Indian-Male-IT curse. Yes, there are tons of us applying to B-school, but honestly don't you think that each one of us is so different from the other? Goals, extra-curriculars, interests, hobbies, etc. I think we should focus on these things rather than worrying about how 'similar' we all are.

Disclaimer: If in a year's time I'm here with 10 dings against my name, I take all that back :)
   1   2   3   4