Hello
kavz101Kudos to the detailed post. More information always helps evaluate your profile better. Allow me to summarize this for you. ISB is going to asses your candidature at these levels-
1. Academic Potential- How well will you be able to handle the rigor of the program. A 720+ is the way to go, looking at your past scores (which are good but not stellar). Taking the GMAT in Aug most likely means you will apply in R2 unless you are working on the applications as we speak. A good application will take 4-6 weeks if you start from scratch.
2. Quality of Work Ex- Due to your buying & account management experience you have been directly involved in business as opposed to a technical field. I'm sure you will have a lot of stories to show real business impact. ISB will appreciate if you highlight your career achievements and progress. Going by the info provided work ex looks very good.
3. Diversity- Middle East. Retail. Having been in the same boat some years ago, I can tell you that you will get brownie points on this front. Make sure you highlight your differentiating factors and how your peers will benefit from your presence.
4. Clarity of Goals- Most important aspect of your application. Why MBA and Why ISB? The goal that you have mentioned makes sense, but is long term. Also why do you need an MBA for this? You are already in a function from where you can grow organically and learn. Be prepared to show a compelling need in your essays.
To summarize the 'Qualitative' part of your profile seems strong. Make sure you make the 'Quantitative' part equally strong (namely the GMAT).
Assuming you get your target GMAT you stand a fighting chance at ISB. Success will finally depend on how well you tie the above mentioned factors in your written application.
Best
Varun Sharma+919137133507
MBAkarma.com QuoraLinkedIninfo@mbakarma.comkavz101 wrote:
Hi,
Firstly, the length of my profile below would be as big as the essay. Please excuse my naivety and please help in evaluating my profile and suggest the possibilities of strengthening the same.
My second attempt in GMAT will be in August. (first attempt was in 2016 with a bad bad score). Now Aiming at 720+ score.
Academic Background:
Primary and High school was in Muscat, Oman. 10th Grade score- 80% (CBSE)
Secondary Schooling was done in Andhra Pradesh, India. 12th Grade score- 81% (State Board)
Graduated in Chemical Engineering from Caledonian College of Engineering, (Program Affiliated to VIT U, Chennai, India). CGPA- 8.54
Internship:
A 2 month long internship in Oman's Biggest Oil & Petroleum manufacturing company, ORPIC in my 3rd year Engineering. I was placed in the Process & Operation Department. I had a good insight of the entire process.
Work Experience:
I graduated in July 2014.
Currently working in the FMCG Retail sector in the Purchase department for Processed Foods, Private label and Naturals in one of the biggest conglomerates in Muscat, with the name Khimji Ramdas (KR).
KR has taken the master Franchisee from the World renowned retail chain- SPAR International and now we give sub-licensee’s to local stores and come under SPAR Oman.
We currently have around 25+ spar stores in and across Oman. Apart from that, we manage 70+ stores in different formats.
I was trained initially for 6 months from April 2015-September 2015 and joined the company officially from November 2015.
From October 2015- February 2016, I was placed in Catering division handled by our company to cater around 1000 members in the Police department. I used to handle the vendor negotiations for products.
From March 2016- Feb 2018, I was solely handling Import Division for all the 90+ stores and was the key account manager for the Import suppliers located around the globe. I handled the category from New Products Introduction (NPIs), Negotiations with vendors, Ordering & Replenishment of products to the execution at stores and payments. It was here that I acquired extensive knowledge on products, my market, people’s skills and logistics. Also, here I used to analyze data for new launches and monitored the growth of other products.
From March 2018- June 2018, I was given the opportunity to handle processed food, Private label and Naturals/Organic Category. Here again I had a wonderful opportunity to understand customers perspective and the new trend of Healthy eating. Here I was able to make budget & targets based on previous years data for the coming year. This gave an insight on the big picture on one of the biggest categories being Processed Foods.
(P.s.) I can elaborate further but I prefer to stop at this for the moment and get into my extra circular activities. Also, I’ve resigned and will be exiting my tenure with KR in July to prepare for my GMAT and support my ailing mother in India.
Passion:
• During my studies (engg.) and till I joined my job in November 2015, I ran my own home business very successfully of Bespoke Cakes. Participated in almost around 10-12 exhibition events with my cake stalls.
• Participated in 2 Cake competitions in Amateur & cupcakes category.
Accomplishments:
• Student Volunteer for 2 prestigious conferences on Harnessing Natural Resources in Muscat.
• Merit Award in Engineering for Year 1,2&3.
• Proud Member of Toastmasters International in Muscat for the Past one year. Reached up to the Division contest within a year in Internation Speech. Visited the biggest District contest in the WORLD (District 20) and had an excellent exposure.
Others:
• Organized 4 major cultural events in Muscat with the Indian Social Club- Telugu Wing in the Youth committee. Basically my role was agenda planning, execution and back stage organizing.
• Was a host at around 5-6 official marketing events in SPAR which promoted SPAR Oman, brought in foot falls and also included customer interaction & involvement. (All the events are up on the official FB site of SPAR OMAN).
Post MBA in ISB:
• Baking is my passion and I look forward to opening my bakery chain in the future. Being a self-taught baker, doing my MBA will aid in developing on my business & marketing skills and help me with my endeavor as an entrepreneur.
Please suggest on my chances of getting through R1 and will it be advisable to apply for R2 considering my WE (Just 2-3 years till R2, also If I am not contented with my GMAT score in august).
Also, I look forward to obtaining a scholarship, how attainable could it be with my profile? (Bridge to India scholarship offered by ISB)
As I mentioned earlier, I would take these couple of months from July 2018 to introspect and know myself better in order to present a holistic application.
Looking forward to expert advice/suggestions.
Thank you in Advance,
Kavya.