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aurobindo
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Male/Indian/IT pool - who belongs in there ? Updated on: 23 Aug 2007, 08:43
Originally posted by aurobindo on 23 Aug 2007, 08:39.
Last edited by aurobindo on 23 Aug 2007, 08:43, edited 1 time in total.
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kripalkavi
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 :)
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well said..Indian ITs are similar only in terms of their education and work ex. There is family/personal background to talk about; there is inner orientation to talk about. Learnings from similar work experiences can be different too.. 8-)

ding, going to back to my CMU app..
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Male/Indian/IT pool - who belongs in there ? 23 Aug 2007, 08:43
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kripalkavi
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.
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Bingo !!

The Wharton-MIT-Harvard-Stanford-Kellogg admit event that we attended few days back opened my eyes to the fact that there were so many more Male-Whitey-Finance guys planning to applying to B-schools. Bay area is perhaps the hub of Indians and East-asian people. If there are still more Caucasians applying to B-schools from here, then that means that a typical white male from a finance / consultancy / IT background has it as difficult as us.

If we get dinged because of being in our dreaded category, then the fault is ours that we couldn't define us as any better than a male-Indian-IT.
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Male/Indian/IT pool - who belongs in there ? 23 Aug 2007, 11:13
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kripalkavi
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.

Bingo !!

The Wharton-MIT-Harvard-Stanford-Kellogg admit event that we attended few days back opened my eyes to the fact that there were so many more Male-Whitey-Finance guys planning to applying to B-schools. Bay area is perhaps the hub of Indians and East-asian people. If there are still more Caucasians applying to B-schools from here, then that means that a typical white male from a finance / consultancy / IT background has it as difficult as us.

If we get dinged because of being in our dreaded category, then the fault is ours that we couldn't define us as any better than a male-Indian-IT.
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Our biggest disadvantage is that Indian IT applicants first gets lumped in the international student category. So we are not exactly in the same boat as the white/male/I-Banker boat.
and from the international student drum we get weeded out.

As other posts say...its up to us to go beyond our profiles and talk about ourselves... I am sure there are a lot of IT applicants who have gone hiking, trekking, done community service, etc, etc.
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Male/Indian/IT pool - who belongs in there ? 24 Aug 2007, 06:03
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Here's my question, I was born in Inda brought up in the US and am currently a US Citizen. So that makes me a 1st gen. immigrant, with a IR major and a finance background. Am I still part of the Indian/Male pool?
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Male/Indian/IT pool - who belongs in there ? 27 Aug 2007, 05:06
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Well, I guess this is the perfect thread to post this. Those of you I.I.T (Indian Male IT)-ians who are planning to use an admission-consultant for your applications: https://www.general-ed.com/
This is an agency that's run by Indian graduates from top B-schools. They *should* be able to help us better than most other admission consultants. Oh yeah, and they charge in Rupees :)

Disclaimer: I myself am not using them (or any other consultant for that matter as I prefer to write my own story), but I know one of them personally. So yeah, they're the real deal.
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Male/Indian/IT pool - who belongs in there ? 27 Aug 2007, 08:50
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pmenon
Hey guys. So in doing my research, Ive read a lot about the many number of b-school applicants who fall into the "male, Indian, IT" pool. From what I read and hear, this pool is extremely talented, and therefore, very competitive.

My question is: what determines whether an applicant gets lumped into this pool ?

My background: I am Canadian, but have an Indian background. I never went to school in India, or lived there for a matter of fact. I got a B.Eng degree in undergrad, and I currently work as a telecom engineer.

What are your thoughts ? Will I get lumped in there or not ?
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So just write about being Canadian somewhere in your essays.
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rhyme
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Male/Indian/IT pool - who belongs in there ? Updated on: 27 Aug 2007, 09:41
Originally posted by rhyme on 27 Aug 2007, 08:58.
Last edited by rhyme on 27 Aug 2007, 09:41, edited 1 time in total.
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shmegs
Here's my question, I was born in Inda brought up in the US and am currently a US Citizen. So that makes me a 1st gen. immigrant, with a IR major and a finance background. Am I still part of the Indian/Male pool?
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No. Talk about growing up in the US. Talk about finance. You are out of the pool.

Heres what makes someone part of the indian IT pool... so many essays basically read like this:

I am indian born
I grew up in a small town you have probably never heard of somewhere in india, but im compelled to tell you about it anyway
My father was poor, as was most of my family.
I worked hard at school to make a better life for myself because my father /mother/grandmother instilled in my (insert generic statement about ethics or hard work).
I was admitted to (insert top engineering school in Bangalore, Lahore, or other)
I worked hard there too. Here are my scores: X%, Y%. Impressive! No really, look at them again!
I joined (insert HUGE IT company) as a Programmer Analyst / Junior Tester / etc which is a really big deal round here.
I have never left india since for reasons I dont explain
I have worked for 2 years on a variety of low level projects with little strategic focus and will tell you all about the minutiae of these projects, skipping over the big picture.
But I now I want to work for (insert top consulting or IB firm)
Because my father wanted me to succeed
Thus, I want to come to (insert school).
Then I want to come back to india and end poverty somehow.

Avoid telling a story like this and you will differentiate.

Also, I'm not trying to offend anyone here - I really admire those that come from these challenging backgrounds and succeed.... That said, its just a very common story.
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Male/Indian/IT pool - who belongs in there ? 27 Aug 2007, 09:14
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shmegs
Here's my question, I was born in Inda brought up in the US and am currently a US Citizen. So that makes me a 1st gen. immigrant, with a IR major and a finance background. Am I still part of the Indian/Male pool?

No. Talk about growing up in the US. Talk about finance. You are out of the pool.

Heres what makes someone part of the indian IT pool... so many essays basically read like this:

I am indian born
I grew up in a small town you have probably never heard of somewhere in india, but im compelled to tell you about it anyway
My father was poor, as was most of my family.
I worked hard at school to make a better life for myself because my father /mother/grandmother instilled in my (insert generic statement about ethics or hard work).
I was admitted to (insert top engineering school in Bangalore, Lahore, or other)
I worked hard there too. Here are my scores: X%, Y%. Impressive! No really, look at them again!
I joined (insert HUGE IT company) as a Programmer Analyst / Junior Tester / etc which is a really big deal round here.
I have never left india since for reasons I dont explain
I have worked for 2 years on a variety of low level projects with little strategic focus and will tell you all about the minutiae of these projects, skipping over the big picture.
But I now I want to work for (insert top consulting or IB firm)
Because my father wanted me to succeed
Thus, I want to come to (insert school).
Then I want to come back to india and end poverty somehow.

Avoid telling a story like this and you will differentiate.
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Thanks Rhyme! I'll try to distinguish myself, and focus on my int'l experience (grew up around the world, dad worked for USAID), and finance/consulting focus on developing economies.
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rhyme
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Male/Indian/IT pool - who belongs in there ? 27 Aug 2007, 09:42
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shmegs
Here's my question, I was born in Inda brought up in the US and am currently a US Citizen. So that makes me a 1st gen. immigrant, with a IR major and a finance background. Am I still part of the Indian/Male pool?

No. Talk about growing up in the US. Talk about finance. You are out of the pool.

Heres what makes someone part of the indian IT pool... so many essays basically read like this:

I am indian born
I grew up in a small town you have probably never heard of somewhere in india, but im compelled to tell you about it anyway
My father was poor, as was most of my family.
I worked hard at school to make a better life for myself because my father /mother/grandmother instilled in my (insert generic statement about ethics or hard work).
I was admitted to (insert top engineering school in Bangalore, Lahore, or other)
I worked hard there too. Here are my scores: X%, Y%. Impressive! No really, look at them again!
I joined (insert HUGE IT company) as a Programmer Analyst / Junior Tester / etc which is a really big deal round here.
I have never left india since for reasons I dont explain
I have worked for 2 years on a variety of low level projects with little strategic focus and will tell you all about the minutiae of these projects, skipping over the big picture.
But I now I want to work for (insert top consulting or IB firm)
Because my father wanted me to succeed
Thus, I want to come to (insert school).
Then I want to come back to india and end poverty somehow.

Avoid telling a story like this and you will differentiate.

Thanks Rhyme! I'll try to distinguish myself, and focus on my int'l experience (grew up around the world, dad worked for USAID), and finance/consulting focus on developing economies.
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Yea, there you go. Don't focus on your indian background, focus on the multicultural experiences youve had growing up around the world. Just remember one other thing: the essay is about you, not your dad. Mention USAID if its relevant (which it probably is as an explanation as your movements around the world) but dont harp on it.
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Male/Indian/IT pool - who belongs in there ? 27 Aug 2007, 10:19
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rhyme
shmegs
Here's my question, I was born in Inda brought up in the US and am currently a US Citizen. So that makes me a 1st gen. immigrant, with a IR major and a finance background. Am I still part of the Indian/Male pool?

No. Talk about growing up in the US. Talk about finance. You are out of the pool.

Heres what makes someone part of the indian IT pool... so many essays basically read like this:

I am indian born
I grew up in a small town you have probably never heard of somewhere in india, but im compelled to tell you about it anyway
My father was poor, as was most of my family.
I worked hard at school to make a better life for myself because my father /mother/grandmother instilled in my (insert generic statement about ethics or hard work).
I was admitted to (insert top engineering school in Bangalore, Lahore, or other)
I worked hard there too. Here are my scores: X%, Y%. Impressive! No really, look at them again!
I joined (insert HUGE IT company) as a Programmer Analyst / Junior Tester / etc which is a really big deal round here.
I have never left india since for reasons I dont explain
I have worked for 2 years on a variety of low level projects with little strategic focus and will tell you all about the minutiae of these projects, skipping over the big picture.
But I now I want to work for (insert top consulting or IB firm)
Because my father wanted me to succeed
Thus, I want to come to (insert school).
Then I want to come back to india and end poverty somehow.

Avoid telling a story like this and you will differentiate.

Also, I'm not trying to offend anyone here - I really admire those that come from these challenging backgrounds and succeed.... That said, its just a very common story.
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Wow. Have you been secretly reading my essays? I better send some of my essays for your review.

rhyme:I sent you a PM.
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Male/Indian/IT pool - who belongs in there ? 27 Aug 2007, 10:37
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ncprasad
Wow. Have you been secretly reading my essays? I better send some of my essays for your review.

rhyme:I sent you a PM.
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:(

Dont despair, these profiles are not dead meat. Several of the people I worked with last year had this profile and they did just fine (once they changed their essays to be more about them and less about their families).
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Male/Indian/IT pool - who belongs in there ? 27 Aug 2007, 11:33
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haha, I'm the opposite, trying to show that even though I'm American born and raised (mostly), I understand the East Asian culture and lived there when I was younger. Hope they don't lump me into the Chinese IT pool because of that! ;)
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Male/Indian/IT pool - who belongs in there ? 27 Aug 2007, 15:58
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Never knew there was a Chinese IT pool - anyways I am so horrible with computers that I am not qualified to talk about IT stuff.
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Male/Indian/IT pool - who belongs in there ? 27 Aug 2007, 16:20
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Well, I made that one up... how about Chinese Engineer pool? ;)

Woh, everyone's adding an avatar now... I need to find one... It's like the naming of the b-schools! :)
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Male/Indian/IT pool - who belongs in there ? 27 Aug 2007, 16:58
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Funny. I also thought that (About you) when I saw aviroop's avatar.
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Male/Indian/IT pool - who belongs in there ? 27 Aug 2007, 17:09
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kryzak
Well, I made that one up... how about Chinese Engineer pool? ;)

Woh, everyone's adding an avatar now... I need to find one... It's like the naming of the b-schools! :)
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Ya you do, You are almost on the upper echelon of GMATClub management - my avatar is based on my mistaken identity. A lot of people in LA think I am Hispanic, hence the avatar (which is good, coz that makes it easier for me to hook up with some lovely Latinas)
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Male/Indian/IT pool - who belongs in there ? 27 Aug 2007, 17:16
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HAHA !!! Rhyme, what a riot !!! ... Its funny because its so TRUE !!...
rhyme
shmegs
Here's my question, I was born in Inda brought up in the US and am currently a US Citizen. So that makes me a 1st gen. immigrant, with a IR major and a finance background. Am I still part of the Indian/Male pool?

No. Talk about growing up in the US. Talk about finance. You are out of the pool.

Heres what makes someone part of the indian IT pool... so many essays basically read like this:

I am indian born
I grew up in a small town you have probably never heard of somewhere in india, but im compelled to tell you about it anyway
My father was poor, as was most of my family.
I worked hard at school to make a better life for myself because my father /mother/grandmother instilled in my (insert generic statement about ethics or hard work).
I was admitted to (insert top engineering school in Bangalore, Lahore, or other)
I worked hard there too. Here are my scores: X%, Y%. Impressive! No really, look at them again!
I joined (insert HUGE IT company) as a Programmer Analyst / Junior Tester / etc which is a really big deal round here.
I have never left india since for reasons I dont explain
I have worked for 2 years on a variety of low level projects with little strategic focus and will tell you all about the minutiae of these projects, skipping over the big picture.
But I now I want to work for (insert top consulting or IB firm)
Because my father wanted me to succeed
Thus, I want to come to (insert school).
Then I want to come back to india and end poverty somehow.

Avoid telling a story like this and you will differentiate.

Also, I'm not trying to offend anyone here - I really admire those that come from these challenging backgrounds and succeed.... That said, its just a very common story.
Show more
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Male/Indian/IT pool - who belongs in there ? 27 Aug 2007, 18:07
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LOL! It's always about hot chicks with you, avi ;)
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Male/Indian/IT pool - who belongs in there ? 27 Aug 2007, 19:14
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kryzak
LOL! It's always about hot chicks with you, avi ;)
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If not B-school at least the company of some lovely women is what I expect as consolation prizes!!!
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Male/Indian/IT pool - who belongs in there ? Updated on: 29 Aug 2007, 19:21
Originally posted by hbs.aspirant on 29 Aug 2007, 11:57.
Last edited by hbs.aspirant on 29 Aug 2007, 19:21, edited 1 time in total.
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