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Othasollala
Current Student
Joined: 30 Jan 2019
Last visit: 15 Mar 2022
Posts: 11
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 19
Location: India
Schools: HEC Jan20 Intake (II)
GMAT 1: 740 Q50 V41
Products:
08 Jul 2019, 05:10
Kudos
Bookmarks
Hello,
I am kind of in a dillemna with my Target school selection process. I would like your thoughts on my selection process as well as if you think I should add any schools to my list.
I have finished my undergrad in Engineering with a really mediocre GPA. Worked for 3 years in Europe and 1 year in India.
My profile is as follows.
a. Undergrad GPA : 2.8/4 ( I was last in my class of those who passed, but i did have an undiagnosed thyroid condition that kinda messed me up)
b. Masters in Management GPA : 4/4 (Edhec Business School, France, Graduated top 10% of the promo)
c. Work ex :
2 Years in Automotive in Product Management and Strategy (Gates + Valeo + Nissan)
1 Year in E-Commerce in Pricing and category Management (Rocket Internet + Flipkart)
1 year in Engineering post undergrad
GMAT : 750 (Q51, V40)
Extras :
a. Speak French
b. Undertook Probono strategy Consulting Projects to gain valuable experience to break into consulting post MBA
c. President : Entrepreneurship Department at Entreprenuership club at Undergrad
d. Member United nations Club at EDHEC
Post MBA goals
I woud like to return to Asia after 5 years of working abroad, my ideal career paths would look like this :
a. Entreprenueship Tech (Eigher start own firm or exciting opportunity in fast growth startup)
b. Consulting for 3 years and then move to Entreprenuership with valuable experience (Most likely scenario)
c. Work in promoting intra country trade (work with commerce chambers of France for ex in India to promote investments)
I know its super competitive for a person from my demographic and Background to get into an M7/top 10 Schools. I have chosen my target schools not because of the names or ranking but really because of the programs/opportunities they offer. My Target schools at the moment are .
Dream Schools
a. Haas (Dream school because of location, Exposure to Tech and MBB Placements). Also has a double degree with EDHEC (Masters) hence hoping they atleast know my Masters School. Though I also know that its more selective then most of the M7 and my undergrad GPA kind of might kill my chances . Will my Masters GPA make a difference here ?
b. Kellogg (MMM) Combines Design, Innovation courses and an MBA into an incredible program that I think would give me the most intellectual satisfaction and also Kellogg has a Great MBB trackrecord
Schools I may have a good shot at :
a. Cornell Johnson School of Business : Well known brand in Asia, though MBB Placements are not noteworthy. Also not hearing the best things about Cornell in Gmat Club Reviews
b. HEC/NYU Stern : Targeting HEC since it has a double degree with Stern, Hence it would minimise Visa issues if i were to get into H1b Hell in the USA. Though Stern is a Finance School and not really known for Tech/Entreprenuership. Neither is HEC.
European Schools that would allow me to go back to Asia with good employment prospects :
(Though I really am not leaning toward European programs as an MBA is really an American product, with the best ecosystems for post MBA sucess wrt Entreprenuership. For Ex , All top 10 schools have incubation centres in Collaboration with Design, Engineering, Medical departments of Parent University. This is something that is simply lacking In european Programs. Also the kind of work that for Example MBB do here or Amazon offices would undertake would be less strategic since most companies hiring MBAs are MNCs for their Satellite offices. Though these schools would open up good opportunities in Asia for me. So the list is )
a. LBS : Alumni told me not the best school for placements for asians expecially with Brexit coming up. Also it is a pure B-School which does not work with Engineering/Tech Departments of any university.
b. Insead : went to an admissions event . Really impressed with program, not so impressed with lack of opportunities to leverage other departments Strengths like at a True university
What do you think ? Should I add some other schools to the List ? i have not added any safety schools as a school maybe good in Target Market but might not be any good for going back to India with good career opportunities. I also am not looking at Indian programs since the class lacks diversity of Nationalities and that is something I value a lot.
Thanks for your input
I am kind of in a dillemna with my Target school selection process. I would like your thoughts on my selection process as well as if you think I should add any schools to my list.
I have finished my undergrad in Engineering with a really mediocre GPA. Worked for 3 years in Europe and 1 year in India.
My profile is as follows.
a. Undergrad GPA : 2.8/4 ( I was last in my class of those who passed, but i did have an undiagnosed thyroid condition that kinda messed me up)
b. Masters in Management GPA : 4/4 (Edhec Business School, France, Graduated top 10% of the promo)
c. Work ex :
2 Years in Automotive in Product Management and Strategy (Gates + Valeo + Nissan)
1 Year in E-Commerce in Pricing and category Management (Rocket Internet + Flipkart)
1 year in Engineering post undergrad
GMAT : 750 (Q51, V40)
Extras :
a. Speak French
b. Undertook Probono strategy Consulting Projects to gain valuable experience to break into consulting post MBA
c. President : Entrepreneurship Department at Entreprenuership club at Undergrad
d. Member United nations Club at EDHEC
Post MBA goals
I woud like to return to Asia after 5 years of working abroad, my ideal career paths would look like this :
a. Entreprenueship Tech (Eigher start own firm or exciting opportunity in fast growth startup)
b. Consulting for 3 years and then move to Entreprenuership with valuable experience (Most likely scenario)
c. Work in promoting intra country trade (work with commerce chambers of France for ex in India to promote investments)
I know its super competitive for a person from my demographic and Background to get into an M7/top 10 Schools. I have chosen my target schools not because of the names or ranking but really because of the programs/opportunities they offer. My Target schools at the moment are .
Dream Schools
a. Haas (Dream school because of location, Exposure to Tech and MBB Placements). Also has a double degree with EDHEC (Masters) hence hoping they atleast know my Masters School. Though I also know that its more selective then most of the M7 and my undergrad GPA kind of might kill my chances . Will my Masters GPA make a difference here ?
b. Kellogg (MMM) Combines Design, Innovation courses and an MBA into an incredible program that I think would give me the most intellectual satisfaction and also Kellogg has a Great MBB trackrecord
Schools I may have a good shot at :
a. Cornell Johnson School of Business : Well known brand in Asia, though MBB Placements are not noteworthy. Also not hearing the best things about Cornell in Gmat Club Reviews
b. HEC/NYU Stern : Targeting HEC since it has a double degree with Stern, Hence it would minimise Visa issues if i were to get into H1b Hell in the USA. Though Stern is a Finance School and not really known for Tech/Entreprenuership. Neither is HEC.
European Schools that would allow me to go back to Asia with good employment prospects :
(Though I really am not leaning toward European programs as an MBA is really an American product, with the best ecosystems for post MBA sucess wrt Entreprenuership. For Ex , All top 10 schools have incubation centres in Collaboration with Design, Engineering, Medical departments of Parent University. This is something that is simply lacking In european Programs. Also the kind of work that for Example MBB do here or Amazon offices would undertake would be less strategic since most companies hiring MBAs are MNCs for their Satellite offices. Though these schools would open up good opportunities in Asia for me. So the list is )
a. LBS : Alumni told me not the best school for placements for asians expecially with Brexit coming up. Also it is a pure B-School which does not work with Engineering/Tech Departments of any university.
b. Insead : went to an admissions event . Really impressed with program, not so impressed with lack of opportunities to leverage other departments Strengths like at a True university
What do you think ? Should I add some other schools to the List ? i have not added any safety schools as a school maybe good in Target Market but might not be any good for going back to India with good career opportunities. I also am not looking at Indian programs since the class lacks diversity of Nationalities and that is something I value a lot.
Thanks for your input
08 Jul 2019, 06:05
Kudos
Bookmarks
Othasollala
If your low undergrad GPA is solely because of your medical condition, you should let the adcoms know, via the optional essay. A case in point to argue for your academic ability could be the perfect MIM score and the high GMAT score. You can also have your recommenders attest your intellectual abilities.
In my opinion, your beliefs about MBAs in Europe are misplaced. They offer some of the best MBAs in the world, and you should do some more research on them to find exactly what you need, rather than making generic statements. For example, explore their courses and electives for the ones that make most sense for you. Even if they have an affiliation with the medical college, and that's not a path you are going to follow, it would be meaningless for you. Just because interdiscilpinary courses are offered by schools does not mean that you will also require to study them. So know your needs specifically otherwise you may miss out on MBA programs that have very strong curriculum in your desired area of study. Also, MBBs do strategic work whether in USA or Europe or Asia, and they cater to their clients within the region, with geographic mobility to bring in experts on specific projects.
What you need to do immediately is introspect on your career goals and figure out a single path. You've mentioned three different paths here and that won't go down too well with the adcoms.
Its a highly competitive process out there and the reality is that b-schools are more selective of the applicants than the other way around. Focus on researching these programs deeply and getting your story right.
08 Jul 2019, 17:56
Kudos
Bookmarks
Hi Othasollala,
Thank you for your post and for sharing your profile. A few things to note:
Academics: The admissions committee will view your profile holistically, which means they will look beyond your undergraduate performance. Your master's GPA and your GMAT also speaks to your caliber, so when you address your undergraduate performance, be sure to talk about how you have overcome.
Professional experience: Your work experience seems interesting, but you have changed industries multiple time. Since this may be perceived as a red flag, it is vital you outline your goals and address how your previous experiences will help you reach them. It is also pivotal that you have a clear goal (multiple goals will not do for a successful admission); otherwise, the adcom may view your candidacy as not ready for an MBA.
Community Engagement: Are the engagement's you've done in university or post-MiM?
As to your school concerns, I recommend you speak to multiple students/alumni per university to get a better sense of the experiences you may have should you be accepted. It is important to note that while some universities offer the opportunity to take courses in other schools/departments, be mindful of the number of classes they allow (typically no more than 3 electives). Dual degrees are an alternative and give you an additional year (3 years total) to fulfill the requirements of both degrees. That said, universities that do offer a dual degree program also require you apply to and be accepted by both programs to attend.
I also think you need to be introspective and ask yourself why do you require an MBA? A clearer understanding of what you are trying to gain from the program will help you along this process of discovery. Any program you choose will have the mandatory core curriculum, and some will offer electives that allow you to "customize" your degree on your second year. Of course, less than two-year programs will have more restrictions on the electives they offer just because of time.
Political make matter complicated, especially for international students; however, the 2019 GMAC Corporate Recruiters Survey shows that 71% of European business either plan or are willing to hire internationals in 2019, up from 50% in 2018. I recommend further research on your objections so you do not miss out on some wonderful universities.
If you would like to continue the conversation, please reach out to coordinate a call.
Good luck!
Thank you for your post and for sharing your profile. A few things to note:
Academics: The admissions committee will view your profile holistically, which means they will look beyond your undergraduate performance. Your master's GPA and your GMAT also speaks to your caliber, so when you address your undergraduate performance, be sure to talk about how you have overcome.
Professional experience: Your work experience seems interesting, but you have changed industries multiple time. Since this may be perceived as a red flag, it is vital you outline your goals and address how your previous experiences will help you reach them. It is also pivotal that you have a clear goal (multiple goals will not do for a successful admission); otherwise, the adcom may view your candidacy as not ready for an MBA.
Community Engagement: Are the engagement's you've done in university or post-MiM?
As to your school concerns, I recommend you speak to multiple students/alumni per university to get a better sense of the experiences you may have should you be accepted. It is important to note that while some universities offer the opportunity to take courses in other schools/departments, be mindful of the number of classes they allow (typically no more than 3 electives). Dual degrees are an alternative and give you an additional year (3 years total) to fulfill the requirements of both degrees. That said, universities that do offer a dual degree program also require you apply to and be accepted by both programs to attend.
I also think you need to be introspective and ask yourself why do you require an MBA? A clearer understanding of what you are trying to gain from the program will help you along this process of discovery. Any program you choose will have the mandatory core curriculum, and some will offer electives that allow you to "customize" your degree on your second year. Of course, less than two-year programs will have more restrictions on the electives they offer just because of time.
Political make matter complicated, especially for international students; however, the 2019 GMAC Corporate Recruiters Survey shows that 71% of European business either plan or are willing to hire internationals in 2019, up from 50% in 2018. I recommend further research on your objections so you do not miss out on some wonderful universities.
If you would like to continue the conversation, please reach out to coordinate a call.
Good luck!
Othasollala
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