Profile Evaluation

Hey shreyrmehta,

Thanks for reaching out to me. Well, the good news is that on paper you should have what it takes to get into a top 10 US MBA program. I think that the worst you are going to do is get into INSEAD. With respect to HBS and GSB, it's always a bit of a demonstrated talent, uniqueness, and luck - and it's always a good idea to apply in R1 - especially since you are a member of what happens to be an uber-competitive demographic. Anyway, the main point here is that you are competitive at the schools that you list. I believe that with the right message, personal and professional, you will not have a problem getting a thorough review by any of these admissions committees.

There are a couple of things that really set you apart from the pool - your international and family work experience, and to a lessor extent - your undergraduate degree.

With respect to your international W/E - You definitely satisfy what I believe to be a critical component for any "Indian" applicant – that is, significant (international) work experience outside of your home country. A lot of Indian applicants have worked occasionally overseas, but most will have work experience confined to the homeland. With respect to putting it on paper - can you articulate how you lead a team in a multi-national or cross border environment (this must be experience that is overseas - that is, you are not just the India-based member of an international team)? This is what the adcom would want to see when writing an essay. What you got out of it and what you can put down on paper is what will set your experience apart from other domestic applicants who may just be the India-based member. That is where I consider the line drawn between average and good "international" experience.

With respect to your family work experience - this is incredibly unique and I believe a great asset. The one key thing is that you are going to have to make sure it does not sound like bullshit. A lot of applicants will try and pump their "entrepreneurial" experience in hopes of getting one over on the adcom. They can see right through this because you haven't really put a significant amount of risk into it. The best way to show this "risk" is to have worked their prior to b-school, and to have left a good job in order to do it. You most definitely pass that bar - meaning, you would never give up a good consulting career for nothing. Unless your insane, and that is not likely.

Respectfully,
Paul Lanzillotti

Paul- You are awesome!

Thanks a ton for your prompt and detailed response.

lol ... No, you sir are awesome.