Tazz84 wrote:
Hello,
I am seeking guidance on evaluating my profile and suggestions on schools that I can target in upcoming R1 (or R3 this cycle if I need to).
Background summary: Indian, male, 29 years of age, GMAT score 750 (v42, q49, AWA 6, IR 7)
Academic summary:
B.Tech in Electronics and Communication from Indraprastha University, Delhi with an aggregate of 78.9%;
Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM - generally treated as an MBA equivalent in India), majoring in Marketing (with my minors being in IT) from International Management Institute, a top 20 Indian B-School; I scored a CGPA of 3.18 on a scale of 4 (should be in top 15% of the batch).
Work experience summary:
I had a 6 months stint in the Sales and Channel Development department of a major telecom operator in India. Being a Management Trainee, I was managing a team of around 30 tele-calling, off-rolls employees as a part of my job description.
I have been working for the last 5 years with a leading business research company (KPO sector) as a Senior Research Lead, and am managing a team of 10+ analysts. I have got two fast-tracked promotions in 2.5 years each (with the averages being about 3 and 3.5 years during the two times). I have been handling multiple projects for international clients. With time, my responsibilities have expanded from just project delivery to now people management, business development, skill development, process improvement, and solution innovation also. I have performed reasonably well in the company and am seen as one of the top performers (with a few awards coming my way consistently). I am currently managing 3 US client accounts and 1 Indian client account and requires me to continuously engage with clients over tele and video conferences and e-mails. I am stationed in Delhi/NCR, India and have been to Switzerland and the US (3 weeks each) for client workshops on difficult projects (would like to highlight in my essays).
Extra curricular and volunteering/community service summary: Overall thin, with most of the activities being intra/inter college competitions, organizing multiple events (school, college, organization levels), being the secretary of my alma mater's marketing club (organizing a host of activities as a part of this), playing table tennis and billiards, and being a casual blogger. Besides, I have a strong passion towards process and product innovation, something that I have been actively exploring for the past 18 months at my current organization.
Long term goals: A little too broad, with interest areas being in Strategy/Analytics consulting (in direct continuation to my current role), Product Marketing (directly aligned to my graduation in Marketing), and Operations in that order. Outright exclusions from my list are Human Resources, Finance and Accounting.
Based on my profile and score, could you please suggest which schools should I be rather focusing on right now (stretch/reach/safety)? My aim is to target top 20, and am also open to strong European brands.
Thanks
Hey dude,
So you have a very interesting profile and a good story. Strongest is your long history of leadership and your quick promotions. Both of these together should really boost your profile. and of course your stellar GMAT will not hurt at all either!!!
Your UG school/GPA will put you at a slight disadvantage, but if you write your essays the right way, you can use your GMAT and work experience to show progress since then.
I think your goal of hitting up Top 20 schools and Top European schools is reasonable. I would suggest a wide spread in the Top 20 (So I think top 5 would be real tough, but there's no reason for you not to try and hit your one or two favorites as stretch schools) and if you come up with good stories and a balanced school list, I would have high expectations for you
I hope this helps, and if you have any follow-up questions, do not hesitate.
Best,
Jon
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31 Jan 2016, 14:24
