Profile Evaluation - Indian/730

Question

Hi,
Please evaluate my profile

1. Profile: Indian/24/Civil Engineer

2. Work-ex: 3 years at matriculation. Part of a Fast Track Management program of one of the Indian IT major. Specialized in Business Operations Consulting ( No coding exp.). One of 28 people selected across the top 10 Institutes in India. Saved over 1.4 M $ for the company.

3. GMAT Score: 730 (50,39)

4. Academics: 8.54/10 CGPA. (First Class with Distinction). Top 10 % in class. UG college- Ranked 8th in India.

5. Extra Curriculars: Represented College in Tennis Competitions, Winner of SEZ planning contest in National Tech Conference in college, Runner up in Paper presentation in International Level Technical Conference, Part time tutor to school children near college.

6. Leadership: Formulated and Organized a Quiz competition across 4 locations and over 1 lac employees.President of Civil Engineering Department. Lead department to second position in Inter Department Cultural competition. Formulated a new event in the College's Technical Conference. Elected Class Representative for 6 consecutive Semesters.

Target Colleges:
Duke-EA
Darden, Kellogg MMM, Kelley- R1

Thanks in Advance,
Spindletree

Admissionado · Answer

Hey spindletree,
You have a fantastic GMAT and your fast-track will be very helpful when you apply to show leadership promise.

My BIG question for you is "how does spindletree stand out?" I have seen many profiles which are similar to yours, and I think the key to making it into top schools, especially coming from such a competitive pool is having something absolutely unique and convincing to bring to the table. And this will make a HUGE difference,

Otherwise your PROs: Fantastic GMAT. Fast-Track Management program, excellent GPA

CONS: Non IIT, No work leadership, very tough applicant pool, little significant volunteer work.

With this things in mind I think your school list may be a wee bit on the ambitious side, so you may want to add one or two other schools to your list.

Spindletree · Answer

Thanks for the free review Jon.

Can you please state examples of how I can be Unique ? Or other instances of how people have had a unique selling point?

As for my cons
1. Non IIT: My college (NIT Trichy) is right behind the IITs in National Ranking. I know its 'Not an IIT' but still.
2. Work Leadership: Do colleges consider this for 3 year work-ex applicant pool as well ?
3. Volunteer Work: I have been doing volunteer work as and when i get time. But i am not enrolled per se in any. Do schools expect us to be enrolled in any Volunteer Organizations ?

And what colleges do you suggest I add to my list ? I am planning a career in Strategy consulting.

Thanks in Advance

Regards,
Spindletree

Admissionado · Answer

Ahhhh... if I had a secret recipe for discovering uniqueness, I would be rich!

Actually the best way is to LOOK for it. I'm afraid I don't have a magical solution, but that is the nature of uniqueness. Usually with my clients I work and work and work with them to find them. If there isn't one big obvious unique point, then we try to assemble all the unique points to give an overall impressive uniqueness. Unique is... well unique... just like the word means. You can reach uniqueness though through either CONTENT or FORM.. (both works as well!) 1. NIT is also a good brand name, and one that is known. But basically IIT is IIT, and statistically many of the top five schools hire the majority of Indian candidates from IITs. 2. Of course! I mean there ARE plenty of people applying (and getting in) with no leadership at all.... but people who DO have it... their candidacies are stronger. Also keep in mind that you will not be pooled with people of the same experience.. you will be considered as an applicant amongst applicants.. and even compared to those with 10 years experience. 3. It's not a question of official "enrollment" as much as it is strength, importance, achievements... I mean for example, many many many candidates have helped here and there during a disaster, or tutored or given some course work... but people with real STRONG volunteer experience (like 4 hours a we\eek, every year for five years... fund raising... recruitment) have a big advantage, and tend to do very well. For strategy consulting, pretty much every school is an option for you, so you need to establish the criteria. I think schools ranked about 10-30 would be great, and you need to see in terms of location, preferences, etc. which ones you would like to apply to.

Spindletree · Answer

haan... i am getting an idea of what and how to present. A useful conversation I must say. Wish I could afford your services

Thanks again for the Evaluation and your thoughts on my profile. Warm Regards, Spindletree

Admissionado · Answer

You got it spindeltree,

If you have anything else, you let me know.

And good luck!

Spindletree · Answer

Hi Jon,
Does Kellogg appreciate their alumni's recommendations more than others ?

Apart from my immediate Managerr, I am torn between choosing two Super-Managers... One who knows me for two years and another who is a Kellogg alumnus and knows me for only 5 months. (But i can ask him to write about my fit in Kellogg)

Thanks for your advice
Spindletree

Admissionado · Answer

Ohhhh, that's a tough call. I'd say that if the Kellogg guy really likes you and you have confidence that he could write good stuff despite the short time go with him, otherwise, go with your first choice.

Spindletree · Answer

Thanks Jon...

Spindletree

Admissionado · Answer

You got it,

Ah one more thought... if you go with the first dude, you can ask Mister Kellogg to write you a very short "extra" recommendation (meaning one that was not requested by the school), like one page and then have him send that in to the AdCom so they know at least that you have the support of an alumnus.

Spindletree · Answer

Jon,
I wrote to the adcom asking if there is a way wherein the alumnus can "put in a good word" for me and they reverted saying they don't accept supplemental application material. 
So what's your take/advice on this ? Does the letter you mentioned qualify as one ?
Or does Kellogg contact the alumni if we mention him in the friends/ family section of the application ?

Thanks
Spindletree

Admissionado · Answer

Hey, Well then, if they told you not to send extra application material, best bet is to follow their instructions, and to forget about that extra letter. Don't wanna go pissing off the AdCom right?

Spindletree · Answer

True that! Thanks again Jon. Spindletree

Profile Evaluation - Indian/730

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