Profile evaluation request - Former Developmental Journalist

Question

Name: Sayantani Nath
Age: 27, Female
Ethnicity: Indian

Undergrad: B.Sc. Microbiology (68%)
My undergrad GPA is low but there are 2 reasons for it. My university (Calcutta University) is notorious for low scores, its tough to even score above 75%. Plus, I had to deal with a terrible personal crisis all throughout my college years (Caregiver for my mother with severe psychotic issues, personal depression).  How do I convey this to the schools?

Work Experience: 5+ Years

Worked as a Developmental Journalist for 2 years. Total experience in journalism sector - 3.5 years. Have experience in exclusive grassroots reporting in 3 Indian states. Participated in regular newsroom debates, panel discussions and such.

Managed a team of 8 news correspondents at a past organization.

Helped turn an early-stage crowdfunding platform into a top recognized website in India.

Currently working as a Content Manager with a Logistics & Supply Chain company in India.

Started two personal ventures - 1 cloud kitchen, 1 web magazine (Both didn’t work out due to COVID and lockdown)

Target GMAT Score: 720 (Currently scoring around 690-700 in mocks)

ECs: U-25 Journalism Mentor for 200+ aspirants
Certificate in Screenwriting
Student Volunteer for National Service Scheme (3 Years)
Active Listener at Mental health support forum 7 Cups (2 Years)
Organizer for annual cloth donation drives among homeless children in Kolkata (2 Years)
Actively associated with animal welfare

I wish to pursue full-time MBA (preferably Marketing Major) in US or Europe. Will be eligible for need-based scholarship at some schools.

Which would be the best schools for me to target with realistic chances of acceptance?

Do I have any chance at T-25?

MBAGuide · Answer

NosyNocturnal hope you are doing great You have a fascinating background, and with the right approach, you have the potential to secure a spot in a top-notch program in the US or EU. However I would avoid naming the schools since it will take more context around your goals etc. to suggest schools to you. 1. To balance your GPA, it is best to aim for a high GMAT score. In addition, it is important to address your low GPA in your respective applications' optional essays. Business schools appreciate applicants who reflect on their shortcomings and show a willingness to take appropriate action. Whether your low GPA resulted from valid reasons such as health issues or personal challenges, or it was due to inattentiveness, it is important to honestly explain these circumstances to the admissions committee and provide appropriate evidence. However, it is recommended that you carefully consider how you present your case. 2. Another effective strategy to strengthen your application is to closely align your goals with your previous experience. For example, if you are seeking a leadership position in journalism, you can reflect on your skills and how you overcame challenges to excel in your previous job as a journalist. However, your most recent job as a content manager at a logistics company is not necessarily a clear progression from your journalism background. And your entrepreneurial endeavors must prove to be more than just failed ventures for you to gain meaningful insight for your application. Therefore, it is important that you invest time in crafting a compelling personal story that will help clarify your career decision-making process. As for your personal crisis, it is perfectly acceptable to reflect on your personal situation and show how you successfully overcame the adversity. These experiences have likely made you stronger and more empathetic, which can be valuable qualities for your application. Your ECs are very impressive. Great work there! As for scholarships, you will be eligible for need-based scholarships, and schools will review your application holistically to determine the financial aid they can offer you based on their evaluation. Feel free to reach out for a candid conversation Aanchal Sahni (INSEAD alum, ex admissions interviewer) MBAGuideConsulting LinkedIn |WEBSITE: https://mbaguideconsulting.com/ | Message: +91 9971200927| email- mbaguideconsulting@gmail.com

MiMEssay · Answer

Hey NosyNocturnal, Academics is just 1/4th of your application, and a lot of your admission chances depend on your essays, SOPs, LORs, work ex, extracurricular, and achievements, etc. So, don't worry about your undergraduate GPA; we can work with it. Mention the tough grading system of Calcutta University and share your personal journey as a caregiver for your mother with severe psychotic issues while battling your own depression, demonstrating your resilience and determination. Highlight your impressive work experience in developmental journalism, managing a team of news correspondents, and contributing to turning a crowdfunding platform into a recognized website. Emphasize the impact of your exclusive grassroots reporting, showcasing your communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills. Even though your personal ventures didn't go as planned due to COVID-19, highlight the valuable skills you developed as an entrepreneur, such as adaptability and resilience. Share the lessons learned from these experiences to showcase your willingness to take risks and learn. Keep working towards your target GMAT score of 720, and consider additional resources like GMAT tutors or online courses for an extra boost. Your dedication to mentoring aspiring journalists, volunteering for mental health support, and organizing donation drives is commendable. Showcase your roles and meaningful contributions, highlighting your compassion, leadership, and commitment to making a positive impact. When selecting schools, find a balance between T-25 range and beyond, considering programs that resonate with your career goals and offer support for diverse backgrounds. Explore schools with need-based scholarships to alleviate financial burdens. Craft a compelling narrative showcasing your strengths, growth, and potential. Let your personality shine through in your essays. Highlight examples of your leadership and impact at work, such as managing a team of news correspondents, transforming a crowdfunding platform, implementing content strategies, and the impact of your grassroots reporting. Quantify achievements where possible, showing tangible outcomes. By incorporating these examples, you can strengthen your profile and make a compelling case for admission to your desired MBA programs. If you need more help, we'd be happy to set up a call and give more pointers on how to improve your profile and the right schools you should target. You can setup a call via this link: https://bit.ly/3DSH5km

Businessconquerer · Answer

Allow me to go over step by step with major questions, I see here.

It won't be a problem. Business schools have an understanding of your mental health issues- depression, anxiety, ADHD are considered very seriously here in United States. However, you must not use them as an excuse but a reason to justify the dip at that time, you may want to think about a few things we could recommend but overall, I don't think it will be a problem. If anyone else is saying otherwise, ignore them. But you do need to compensate the GPA with a present accomplishment that could be GMAT, CFA (I, II, III) OR CPA. (Admission rule: Academic flaws can be fixed by academic accomplishments)

Brilliant, adds to a diversity from industry standpoint. Definitely a plus.

That is again amazing to show on your extra curriculars, entrepreneurship experience is certainly a plus.

Assuming that you get 720, yes, definitely. I had a client with that score who ended up in a T-15 US school and almost all in the range of t-15 to t-20 and beyond. Certainly, possible. But of course the market shifts and so 730 should be a healthy aim to get into desired schools.

To be honest about scholarship- Not really. Need based scholarships are available at some schools but they're literally not enough to cover that price tag. But there are some schools that are generous with scholarship that we can talk about, if scholarship is in-fact a criteria.

I personally wanted scholarships myself so definitely understand it.

Ykisoa · Answer

Some colleges provide need-based scholarships, but even those don't come close to covering the total cost. If financial aid is an important factor, however, we can discuss your options at some colleges known for their large scholarship programs.

Profile evaluation request - Former Developmental Journalist

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