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sanantwar
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sanantwar
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sanantwar
Hi Jon,

Thank you for your feedback.

Number of schools:
- I want to have a career back in India and which is why I chose to apply only to ISB. Also, ISB has a 1 yr PGP which was one of the other reasons. I want to work in the technology space (Amazon, Google, Microsoft or a similar firm) in an emerging economy.

Volunteer work:
- I agree that I have a big weakness in my profile because of any lack of volunteer work, but I don't think that I can change that (Just want to be honest to the AdComs).
- I plan to write about my ability and experiences for 'thinking differently'. I have 2 major examples, one where I changed the way a process worked (and saved INR 1.66 mil per year) and the other where I changed the designs (optimized) the global mechanism design (and saved $0.5 mil per year).

Extra:
- As I mentioned I played Basketball at district level and I was the youngest player on the team at the time.
- I was promoted to a lead during my 'Design Variation Engineer' position at Ford in just 2.5 months.

Thanks
Sagar
Hey Sagar,
I see. But still there are other MBA programs in India right? Like the IIMs... No reason not to apply there too.

I don't necessarily agree with your thought about how to approach the lack of volunteer work. I mean, owning up to the fact that you have little is not gonna help you thaaaat much. Instead, I'd suggest making the most that you can about what you DO already have.

And as for the extras, they are a good start... but we can dig deeper too!

All the best,
JF
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Hi Jon,

Agreed IIM's are excellent programs but they have their own entrance exam (CAT) and very small percent admissions are granted through the GMAT (and the data I checked, I did not qualify as the range was 740-780). Also, their admission criteria is mainly focused on acad's and CAT. If I don't get into ISB this year I plan to give the CAT and apply to the IIM's next year. But, wanted to get in this year (2015 intake) and ISB was a very good option.

Some more extras:
- Adventure sports: white water rafting, ziplining, go karting, trekking. (Also love roller coasters)
- Managed vacation trip planning (trip day and time planning as to when to depart/return, mode of transportation, which hotels to stay, sites and restaurants to visit, and expenses).
- In all of my workplaces I have always initiated training sessions on the design tools, methods.
- Trained 5 fresh graduates on the workplace ethics and methods 101.
- Arranged info sessions for fresh hires on products 101.
- Arranged info sessions whenever I left a job so that the people taking over from me would have less obstacles to deal with.
- Coached my juniors who were interested in going for their Master's in the U.S. (pros, cons, lifestyle pointers, and ways to improve).
- Helped my friends who were searching for jobs after their Master's (resume editing tips, interview tips, skills they should work on, and correct positions to apply for)
- Always take up extra workload to help out a colleague to meet his/her deadlines.

Thanks
Sagar
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sanantwar
Hi Jon,

Agreed IIM's are excellent programs but they have their own entrance exam (CAT) and very small percent admissions are granted through the GMAT (and the data I checked, I did not qualify as the range was 740-780). Also, their admission criteria is mainly focused on acad's and CAT. If I don't get into ISB this year I plan to give the CAT and apply to the IIM's next year. But, wanted to get in this year (2015 intake) and ISB was a very good option.

Some more extras:
- Adventure sports: white water rafting, ziplining, go karting, trekking. (Also love roller coasters)
- Managed vacation trip planning (trip day and time planning as to when to depart/return, mode of transportation, which hotels to stay, sites and restaurants to visit, and expenses).
- In all of my workplaces I have always initiated training sessions on the design tools, methods.
- Trained 5 fresh graduates on the workplace ethics and methods 101.
- Arranged info sessions for fresh hires on products 101.
- Arranged info sessions whenever I left a job so that the people taking over from me would have less obstacles to deal with.
- Coached my juniors who were interested in going for their Master's in the U.S. (pros, cons, lifestyle pointers, and ways to improve).
- Helped my friends who were searching for jobs after their Master's (resume editing tips, interview tips, skills they should work on, and correct positions to apply for)
- Always take up extra workload to help out a colleague to meet his/her deadlines.

Thanks
Sagar

Sagar,
So out of all the extras you listed, the training and mentoring stuff is great. It's another type of leadership. The rest, you can leave out of your application, as they are for the most part enjoyable hobbies that we all have in one way or another.

One last question for you then, what about non-Indian Asian programs? Do they interest you? (Singapore, Hong Kong, etc.)? Might fit your goals too.

Best,
JF
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BTW, just because most Indian candidates do take the CAT, this does not mean that you CANNOT get into IIM on GMAT. They do accept a GMAT score inn lieu of a CAT score.