Profile Evaluation

Question

Hello!

I am planning to apply for Fall-16 intake, can you please share your opinions on my profile.
Any suggestions on school selection would be appreciated as well.

Demographics:
25 years old Indian Male

GMAT:
710 (Q49, V37) - intend to re-attempt and try for a higher score

Undergrad:
VNIT - B.Tech (Electronics Communication)
- GPA: 7.75/10

Work Experience:
- As of date, completed 3 years at Oracle India as a Developer. Have worked on projects involving team work (I wasn't a lead) as well as on projects where I was the solo resource. The solo projects weren't of small scale and I was the point of contact for multiple teams across the project.
- Community service - worked with several NGOs for teaching children. Was also a project lead for one such NGO event

Extracurricular:
- Play squash and badminton - but achievements for these activities pre-date the undergrad degree (badminton - played at a National level, squash - country level in Kuwait)

Certifications:
- Passed CFA L1

MBA major:
- Finance/Strategy

Post-MBA goal:
- Finance preferably, else Consulting

Target schools:
I'm really not sure of what colleges to consider here. Maybe McCombs because of my tech background, or Stern or Booth since I am interested in Finance (both Stretch). Would you share your thoughts on this too?

bryantmichaels · Answer

The average Indian applicant has good test scores, good grades, has worked with NGOs and has 3+ years experience in IT or technology field, so the key is looking for the things in your application which help you differentiate yourself from this large group. Think about your personal journey and of the why behind the what you have done--this is where most applicants miss the mark. Everyone's what sounds the same, but the why opens up a whole new insight. One strategy would be to target schools in the midwest (like McCombs) which receive fewer Indian applicants. Also look at UNC keenan Flagler, which is next door to Research Triangle Park. Hope this helps.

pranavt · Answer

Thanks for the tips Bryant, I'll work on that.

Regards,
Pranav

bryantmichaels · Answer

With a post MBA goal of finance or consulting, you could literally go to any business school in the world to prepare. Fitting with a school should take into account three key areas: cultural fit, professional fit and academic fit. With a universal professional fit (finance and consulting), you should likely be looking to the other two areas more specifically. Where do you feel you get along with the students best and enjoy the classroom and extracurricular environment? THis is part of the cultural fit. As for academic fit, you must find schools which admit students with your credentials (grades, experience and GMAT score). I can't say this will help you narrow it down much, since you have a very standard-qualifying profile in this area.

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