mba2016in wrote:
Hi,
I am an Indian male engineer currently working as Telecom engineer at global telecom giant.
Academics: Btech(9.2 out of 10 CGPA) from a top engineer college
Total work experience: 5.5 years
International exposure: Yes
GMAT: 720/800
Is it safe to apply with this profile?
Here's what a top MBA program's Admissions Committee expects from a male Indian engineer: top GMAT scores, good GPA, strong tech experience, has some extracurricular experience either playing cricket (maybe even a team captain) or volunteering at a local non-profit. Typical career goal: get a position at a top tech company / start a tech company of your own. Personality: structured, analytical, driven, hard working. Perceived risks: numbers-oriented, not very creative, perhaps not the strongest personal skills.
To be successful in your MBA application process you should focus on the aspects of your profile that are NOT what the AdCom expect. What have you done that other male Indian engineers haven't? How are you different? How do your hobbies, personality, career goals, experience, etc. stand out? How can you convince them that you are not "guilty" of the aforementioned perceived weaknesses?
Also, I personally heard a top Fuqua admissions officer advise an Indian engineer to try to position himself as an international candidate as opposed to an Indian candidate (play up your international experience, if you think that makes sense).
Source of info: lots of MBA research, got admitted to Fuqua, plus, many discussions with male Indian engineer friends.