parantap wrote:
Hello,
Would love if you can look at my profile and provide some guidance on choice of schools and my chances in them too.
Nationality: Indian
Age: 26
Experience: Currently have more than 3 years of experience in data science and analytics. Have worked for a leading Indian data-science consulting firm. Worked with clients from multiple Fortune 100 clients in Search Advertising, Retail Banking, Software and Oil&Gas Industry. Proficient in ML techniques and technical tools such as Python, SQL, R, Excel, etc.
Leadership Experience @Work: Lead multiple teams comprising of onshore and offshore analysts across clients and industries. Post promotion, the scope of role expanded to project management. Recently switched firms to get a more business heavy role. Client facing role, which helped me develop good inter-personal and client management skills.
Post-MBA Goals: Break into investment banking/investment management. Pertaining to my passion for finance, have built up my knowledge in the subject through online courses, books and practical application by managing family's portfolio. Currently studying for CFA level 1.
Undergrad: B.Tech , CGPA: 9/10 (Top 15 Indian Uni)
GMAT: 710 (Q50,V37)
TOEFL:110
EC:
1. President of a student club in university
2. Captain of college football team
3. Started a book club on investing, history and evolution
4. Two 1 month stints with an NGO working in the upliftment of tribal children - (Responsibilities included: Teaching, Management of funds and later leadership for new volunteers)
5. Started an initiative to help stray-dogs during COVID
6. Part of Toastmasters Club
The STEM designation for finance major is a very important factor for me as that would extend my OPT and ease out the financial burden.
Current Target Schools: Simon MBA, Tepper, Vanderbilt, Indiana Kelley
Open to suggestions. Looking forward to hear back
Another important factor is , since most of the schools have avg. experience 5-6 years, should i wait one year and then apply. This should enable me to clear CFA-1,2 and also bypass the steep increase in competition this year due to COVID
Hi parantap - thank you for reaching out. I'll be happy to provide feedback. Although as I'm sure you know, you are from an overrepresented demographic, your profile is very strong, especially for your target schools. Your work experience seems strong, especially being able to show management/leadership experience and a promotion, plus experience across multiple industries. Your grades and scores are also strong -- especially strong for your target schools. And your extracurriculars are great -- are any of these ongoing? Of course your success will also depend on writing great application essays.
I have some questions for you to fully assess your profile, so if you're open to it, I encourage you to book a free 30-minute consultation with me or one of my colleagues via this link. If you apply this year, are you planning on R2 or R3? If R2, are your applications and recommendations already very far along? You are a strong candidate for your current target schools - I would encourage you to also apply to one or more schools that may seem like more of a stretch for you. Or are there things specific to these schools that especially appeal to you? I do think you have a decent chance of getting in this year at one or more of your target schools, and I also think if you wait a year and obtain your CFA, your application will be even stronger, especially if you expand your applications to stretch schools. Again, I think this all might be easier to discuss in more depth if we can talk directly, so feel free to book a consult if you are interested. In any case, best of luck to you!!