Thank you so much for taking the time out to evaluate my profile, really appreciate it!
I’m looking forward to my application process - I’m hoping I can pull my GMAT score up.
To answer your questions about my post MBA Goals, I’m looking at organisations such as DASRA (non profit consulting in india) and IDEO (design innovation firm that works across multiple sectors, non profit included). I’m not keen on working in the US, More keen on UK/ India/ Singapore.
1. What other schools would you suggest I apply to? I am keen on the top 10-12, and since time is tight for R2 I would like to choose Uni’s that I have a good shot at.
2. What are some points in my story that you think I should stress on in the application or gaps that I should address in my optional essay? I basically don’t want to leave room For ambiguity in my story.
reme04 wrote:
Hi! I'm looking to apply to B-schools in R2 this year, Kellogg is a top choice in terms of the culture, experience and overall value I am looking for. I would really appreciate inputs on the following:
a. Parts of my story that I should elaborate on
b. Apparent gaps that I should address
c. Additional things I can do to strengthen my application.
Background:
27, F, Indian
GMAT: 680 Q49,V34 (Looking to rewrite this)
Undergraduate degree: Architecture from a leading college in India. GPA: 7.8/10 (Note: Design courses are stringent with grades- the highest GPA in my batch was 9.2)
Thesis project: Redesigning the Juvenile delinquent centre in Mumbai.
Work Experience:
2014 - 2018 Startup
Right out of college I started an illustrated-merchandise brand called Curiosity Kills The Cat. (Called so because every illustration had a hidden cat in it - used this concept to extensively market my products). The range of products included artwork, t-shirts, notebooks, calendars etc.
Started this by myself, hired and expanded the team within a year. Established an e-commerce store, retailed the products through stores across India, participated in flea-markets and exhibitions such as Comic Con across India and Singapore (over 30 events in a span of 4 years), sold over 4000 product units.
I expanded the store to include studio services - worked with brands such as TATA, Fortis etc. I also undertook freelance architectural work for firms during this time - not sure if this is relevant.
Impactful design work:
1. Worked with Fortis hospital on a campaign to spread awareness about Organ donation - created an art installation for this at their main hospital.
2. Started an initiative called the 'Dabba Gaadi Project' in Bangalore, to help local street vendors by providing design solutions for their carts- both graphic (menus, painting the carts etc) and architectural (waterproof roofing, spatial organisation of the cart etc). Piloted with two carts.
As I wanted to get more experience/ exposure and learn from teams and other startup environments, I looked to work with other branding studios. Started CKTC when I was 21 so I felt like I was not growing beyond a point.
August 2018 - January 2019
Worked with a branding studio in Mumbai as a project manager and brand strategist. This experience exposed me to multiple brands and a varied set of projects - it was a great learning curve. I was looking to be more immersed within the growth of one startup + looking to do something socially impactful.
January 2019 - April 2019 Startup
Explored the idea of another startup - working with old billboards to create products and possibly roofing for slum housing.
Created multiple prototypes and worked with communities in Dharavi to develop the idea, had to move on from this because the quality of the billboards was very subpar.
May 2019 - Present
Currently working with a social startup as a communications manager. (Founded by the founder of a leading NGO in Asia). This startup creates activities/ sessions that are based on the interests of individuals and interests of children from low-income communities. The sessions are available on an online platform. I work closely with the product and programme team, general strategy, marketing and Comms.
International experience:
Primary schooling in Kuwait
Summer school for 2 months in Rotterdam in my third year of Undergrad
6 month internship in Srilanka (part of my Undergrad course)
6 month internship in Bali (part of my Undergrad course)
Extracurriculars:
Been learning contemporary and bollywood dance since college
Art & illustration - have been published multiple times in leading newspapers, magazines etc for my design startup
Did a 2 month writing workshop after college, and maintain a blog of short stories.
Enjoy traveling & live music - did a 2 month solo trip across the UK to watch my fav. bands - not sure this is relevant
Short Term goals:
Work with a larger organisation in the social sector, in a strategic or marketing role.
Long Term goals:
Startup on my own, use my skills as a designer/ strategist in the social sector - consulting for social startups/ comms & marketing for startups etc.
Why an MBA:
Purely to learn and enhance my skill set - I have had so many questions/ ideas about the various aspects of running a business and I feel an MBA will give me a wholesome learning experience, both in terms of the curriculum and the vast network I will be exposed to. I have followed an unorthodox path, and I really want to fuel this curiosity by virtue of the opportunities B-school will present.
Recommendations:
I can get strong recommendations from founders of both, the social startup I currently work at, and the branding studio I worked at previously.
Hi Reme,
I love your profile and think that you are a very strong candidate for MBA. The GMAT score definitely needs to improve and be more in line with the average GMAT scores of your target programs (Kellogg : ~730).
What I particularly like about your profile is your entrepreneurial work. You have run a successful venture, generated employment and done meaningful work. Putting to use your expertise in socially relevant projects is outstanding work, and what I like here is the consistency with which you have done this, across the different organizations you have worked with. This can lead you to very strong career goals. I am going to encourage you to read student blogs of your target programs (besides connecting with students) and you will find many current students across programs have done offbeat work like yours even while at business school. So while at b-school, you can continue exploring opportunities to make meaningful impact.
The MBA degree should be very relevant for you. It sounds like you have had an amazing professional journey but the steep career path has also made you aware of gaps that have prevented you from further growth (plateauing in your venture, and others not mentioned here)- this gives you the perfect pitch to justify the MBA. AT Kellogg you can also look into the MMM program or you could simply do the full time MBA and take design courses to complement the business courses.
Regarding your short term goals, do you have any organizations in mind? You will have to list 2-3 names in your goals statement. Also, do some research on how your target companies recruit - do they hire internationals and (if you wish to work in the US or other specific countries) do they recruit for your target countries? As an international applicant, its really important to know what is realistic in terms of career goals and how you will go about achieving it.
09 Aug 2019, 21:33
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