ISB Profile Evaluation - Tools for B-School Profile Evaluation

As i recall cfa institute is just one & only based in usa. i have taken coaching for it from indian coaching center. yes, all levels have been completed (lvl 1,2 & 3). Since i completed my bba and cfa in 2017 & couldn't make in indian mba last year. i decided to give GMAT and appear for certified fraud examiner course

ICFAI offered a CFA, IMS Proschool offers a course called CFA and so on... CFA all levels along with the BBA is pretty good and should help to some extent. Well done on that, but GMAT still remains an important hurdle to cross. Let's try scoring as close to 700 as possible.

All the Best!

Hello mentors,

Kindly evaluate my profile for ISB and provide necessary advice for further steps.

Academics:
Bachelor of Engg (Electronics & Comm) - 7.9 (WBUT)
12th Standard: 83%
10th Standard: 89%

GMAT - no score yet (expecting 700+ in 3 months)

Work Experience:
3.1 years of experience (7 months of leave following an accident) in IT company, Infosys Ltd., working in technology: Oracle Human Capital Management, in a techno functional role, as an Impementation Consultant for various reputable US clients.

I worked and have a good idea of business hierarchies of client companies, handling their departmental structures, human workforce and compensation tracks (basically knowledge of how big companies run) as well as upto date on various issues(GDPR issue in Europe).

Post MBA goal - Strategy consultant or Strategic Marketing Consultant


Some other points which may add value to profile:

- Community Service - Teaching less priviledged kids (class 8 to college)
- Inter college accolades for dance and sports
- School captain and College Stream Representative
- I have been trading stocks for the past 2 years


What are my Chances? What score should I aim for?
Kindly advice what I need to do to increase my chances. I have completed various marketing certifications while I researched it. I am thinking of leaving Infosys and joining a digital marketing company for more experience in that field. Is it a good idea?

Any help would be highly appreciated. Thank you in advance!

Invoke wrote:

Hello mentors,

Kindly evaluate my profile for ISB and provide necessary advice for further steps.

Academics:
Bachelor of Engg (Electronics & Comm) - 7.9 (WBUT)

<<snip>>

and joining a digital marketing company for more experience in that field. Is it a good idea?

Any help would be highly appreciated. Thank you in advance!

Consider the following points Invoke:

1. The profile contours you've shared look decent. However, it will be important to understand achievements/impact therein. Only the names of employers doesn't quite help get the richness which might be there. You'll have to think about what differentiates you from so many others at your workplaces who apply too.
2. The ECs arc is good - there too, look for the impact quotient. School level stuff is unlikely to get you any brownie points.
3. The profile planning bit depends on your timeline. If you are targeting this year, then a profile change at this stage may not be super helpful. Though, the move you have mentioned should help you get some edge and worth exploring. The post here will give you some perspective on what could be slightly more feasible post-MBA paths you can look at.
4. Finally, there isn't really a magic GMAT number; read here. Always aim for way above your target school's average to make this an asset though.

Hope this helps some.

Cheers,

Thanks MG, for the fast and most illuminating reply. A couple of questions more, please.
1. Can I worry about my ISB essays/other stuff(LORs) after my Gmat a couple of months later(exam in October. Aiming for 15th December round 2 deadline if ISB)? Or should I do it hand in hand?
2. Based on the career change post you've written (thanks), is it not possible to transition to marketing for IT engineers? Or should I stick with product management? Also, I was under the impression that strategy consultants can be from any major of MBA (irrespective of IT background). Is that not so?

Invoke wrote:

Thanks MG, for the fast and most illuminating reply. A couple of questions more, please.
1. Can I worry about my ISB essays/other stuff(LORs) after my Gmat a couple of months later(exam in October. Aiming for 15th December round 2 deadline if ISB)? Or should I do it hand in hand?
2. Based on the career change post you've written (thanks), is it not possible to transition to marketing for IT engineers? Or should I stick with product management? Also, I was under the impression that strategy consultants can be from any major of MBA (irrespective of IT background). Is that not so?

Should be pretty ok after the GMAT Invoke.

Marketing is pretty broad - first you'll have to develop a sense of what within. Consulting is possible sure, but do bear in mind that it is one of the most competitive areas on campus. In either case, think about what you bring to the table and how you'll make a case for it.

Cheers,

10th - 92.2%
12th- 83.8%
Btech- 8.3 cgpa

Work experience - 7 years as Manager in PSU ( Energy sector)
Field - Mechanical Engineer

Extra curricular- athlete at school level, involvement in many extra curricular during Btech. Involved in many social activities such as teaching under privileged children and I have been contributing to social welfare after joining job

GMAT on 02.08.18...... Targeting to reach 700.....getting 680 in all mocks....Lets take it 670.
Please evaluate my profile

Hi enviousfox

Competition is intense for EEO candidates, so you should try and increase your GMAT score, if possible, to 700+. Also, in case you are not currently working, you should get into a job. Not only does that count towards your work experience (that you will need to complete the mandatory 2 years before you join ISB if you get through), but it also provides a boost to your applications.

Hi,

Your profile looks alright, but of course from the larger IT pool. You have been involved in a wide range of activities, but for ISB, your core responsibilities at work are going to be the key and anything additional will give you an edge if you are awesome at it. Just being involved may not be good enough. Since you are yet to take the GMAT, target a 720+. Anything less may make it difficult.

Moving to a digital marketing company just about 2-3 months before your application may not give you so much to leverage, but you may do that nevertheless, if you think it will help you grow better in your career. But don't do it just for your MBA application.

All the Best!
ISBmantra / Admit Square Consulting

Hello durgamadhab

Though your past acads are good and PSY experience can help stand out, please also mention more around career progress, achievements at work. ISB cares more about the 'content' and 'quality' of your work ex than just years or industry. (You can read here why these matter the most in your application)
Coming to extracurricular activities- college activities usually do not carry much weight unless you achieved something truly stellar. The social welfare during job may help you stand out, if you can showcase your contribution and impact here.
Lastly, what are your career goals my friend? The profile is incomplete without a compelling reason for an MBA at ISB. You can read here more on what can be realistic career goals.
You will need a spike in at least 3 out of these 4 factors- Academics+Quality of Work Ex+Diversity+Career Goals.
Now since a 670 GMAT is by no means a spike, you will need to have a spike in Quality of Work Ex+Diversity+Goals- tough to judge as qualitative information on all 3 is missing.
The only advice I can give you at this stage is to spend more time on GMAT prep and target a 710 to stand a better chance.
If you can, however bring out strong qualitative details in the other 3 factors, the situation may swing in your favor.

Best
Varun Sharma
+919137133507
Free Profile Review
MBAkarma.com
GMAT Score Predictor
info@mbakarma.com

Thank you Varun, for the 'Why MBA' post. It was most illuminating and helpful. Helped clear up quite a few things. A couple of questions more, please.
1. About the timeline issue you mentioned. I'm confused. Can't I worry about my ISB essays/other stuff(LORs) after my Gmat a couple of months later(exam in October. Aiming for 15th December round 2 deadline if ISB)? Or do you recommend doing it hand in hand?
2. Regarding the realistic career change, is it not possible to transition to non-IT related consultation from techno-functional consultant(present role)? Also, I was under the impression that strategy consultants can be from any major of MBA (irrespective of IT background). Is that no so?
3. Not a question per-se. More information. My ECA involves too many things(sleight of hand, speed cubing, basketball, TT, newspaper contributions, debates, oration, dance, parkour yada yada), and while not all are certified achievements, (most aren't ) looking back, can I classify these as achievements fit for leadership? P.S. I stopped them all after a major accident.

10th - 92.2%
12th- 83.8%
Btech- 8.3 cgpa

Work experience - 7 years as Manager in PSU ( Energy sector)
Executive of the year - 02 times in a row
Field - Mechanical Engineer
Day-to-day work includes resources management, manpower management, public relations management, important decisions regarding fund allocation and dealing with state level bureaucrats. Currently heading a group of 200 people and a fleet of 50 HEMMs. I have been promoted three times so far.

Extra curricular- athlete at school level, involvement in many extra curricular during Btech. Involved in many social activities such as teaching under privileged children and I have been contributing to social welfare after joining job. I am also associated with NGOs

GMAT on 02.08.18...... Targeting to reach 700.....getting 680 in all mocks....
Please evaluate my profile

I promise I shall get to that 700 mark

Thank you very much ISBmantra. I do realize that I belong to the generic IT pool, however hoping that a 730 score will be enough to offset it. Is it recommended to make a career shift to marketing merely in terms of faster career progressions and better leadership opportunities post MBA? (I am not too thrilled with my current work as a techno functional consultant. I am interested in strategy consulting and marketing consulting from what I have researched but am afraid that the grass looks greener on the other side.)

We would suggest at this point you focus on developing an expertise. It's ok if it's more towards the technical side, but it will help you in the medium term. Being too much of a generalist in the early stages of your career can get counter-productive. Therefore, if an organization is offering you a marketing role, ensure that the industry isn't too niche and your responsibilities will allow you to develop some expertise (be it functional or in an industry that has wider scope).

All the Best!
ISBmantra / Admit Square Consulting

Beyondthegmat MBAkarma ISBmantra MBADecoder

Thank you very much for your inputs. I really appreciate your insight and comments for my profile. I am considering a help from a consultant to assist me with my essays as I am really serious to reserve a seat in the next year. Will you suggest any other school which will suit my profile? Post-MBA, I am looking forward to getting into a strategic or consultancy role.