Veritas Prep Admissions Consultant
Joined: 25 Jul 2010
Affiliations: Veritas Prep
Posts: 1910
Given Kudos: 3
Re: Profile Evaluation- Please!!!
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29 Mar 2014, 15:12
Thanks for your post. You are wise to begin your planning so far in advance. Here's my take on your questions:
i) My aim is to apply for Top 20 b-schools. Will that be too ambitious?? Is Top five out of reach??
I think aiming in the top 20 is right on, with 3 years of work experience, a grad degree and a 740 GMAT, you will be well positioned at least on "paper" to make a run at these schools.
ii) My Undergrad GPA is bit on the lower side ans also a non-IIT student(even though Anna University is on the Feeder Universities list according HARVARD website), whereas my Masters GPA is above average and from a reputable University(Ranked no 1 for Chemical Eng in Canada). Will my Masters GPA mask my UG's GPA or will my UG's GPA be weighed more??
Solid performance in a program outside of your native country is a great way to solidify academic performance and assure the committee you have what it takes. You were smart to go to grad school in Canada and to a great school to boot. By the time you apply to b-school, your undergrad years will be far enough back that they won't impact your application much--and they actually look pretty good to me anyway. At least nothing to be ashamed about.
iii)I Still have three years to improve my profile, Is there anything specific I have to work on?
Energy field is hot right now and many b-schools will have some speciality offerings in that industry, so bringing some expertise to the table will be attractive if pitched correctly. SChools like to see a thread and a progression of intentional career choices which lay a good foundation for your future vision. In your case, with your eye on consulting, you should make sure over the next three years to seek challenges, leadership opportunities, and teamwork, teamwork, teamwork. Consulting is much to do with problem solving and relationship building, so to the extent you can build some anecdotal cases around these areas, you will be able to communicate to the adcom that you are well positioned to be attractive to consulting company recruiters. You might also begin reading some consulting case-prep books. The consulting interviews are generally case interviews, where they present a situation and give you a few minutes to analyze it and then return with recommendations. Of course b-school will give you the tools to do this specifically, but in the meantime, you might consider boning up on it yourself as a hobby and get yourself used to the vernacular and the approach. LAstly, you should seek leadership and involvement in your community. Lots of applicants find themselves having concentrated so much on work and getting ahead that they fail to become engaged outside of work. This is a big mistake and causes big challenges at application time. Key off some of your past interests and continue to engage with the same or similar organizations outside of work. THis shows not only interest in being involved and giving back, but also illustrates a specific passion you have for something which keeps driving you to plug in.
I hope some of this helps, and be sure to reach out to us over the next couple of years as questions arise.