Hi ThusSpokeZ, thanks for reaching out.
I think overall you have a strong profile. Not the most typical pre-MBA path, but still strong. In particular, I like the exposure you've gained through working at a boutique firm. I don't see the "blue chip brand" being a major hurdle for you. It seems like working at a smaller/boutique firm has given you more opportunities for personal growth and to demonstrate your leadership.
I do think the career transition concern is valid, and while many use the MBA to make a career transition, you are making a pretty big one. You need to nail that career goal story and do your research on your target industry / function / companies. Read school employment reports, talk to students/ recent alums, set up informational interviews with people in those target functions. The options you mentioned could all work, though they are quite different, so you need to do that research to decide where you'll fit best and what's most realistic post-MBA.
You've got an excellent GMAT score and that will help your chances a lot! That said, with the career switch challenges, and the tough demographic you're applying from, I would widen your school reach to extend outside the M7 schools. Once you narrow your career goals, I would select a couple of options outside the M7.
Hope that helps and best of luck!
Kate
ThusSpokeZ wrote:
Kindly evaluate my profile:
General: Indian Male 28 yrs—Lawyer/Legal Services/Legal Consultancy/Legal Advisory Services
Academic: GMAT: 760(Q48,V45)
All India Rank 69 and 17 in the All India Law Entrance Test and the Common Entrance Tests respectively
72% (Top 5% of the Batch) in B.A.LLB(Hons.) from Panjab University
Rank 1 in Taxation Law
93% in 10th Standard 92% in 12th Standard
Work Experience: Total 5 years
0-3 yrs: Worked in the Chambers of a designated Senior Barrister and was thrown, within 6 months, into the deep end of complex commercial disputes of in the Intellectual Property Rights, Infrastructure and Corporate Laws sectors. Led a team of Junior Legal and Paralegal staff and was responsible for A to Z preparation of cases, coordination with clients and liasoning with auxiliary services providers including court staff and other senior/non-senior barristers.
Highlights:
1. Complete case strategy, development, preparation and drafting of a dispute of a cumulated claim of $71 Million (500cr), while representing one of the states (provinces) in India and coordinating with 2 government agencies in the same.
2. Solely responsible for preparing, drafting and strategizing 100+ cases.
4-5 yrs: Joined a small boutique firm, focused on business advisory and insolvency resolution services, as a partner and on the administrative side took a lead role in client maintenance and business development.
Highlights:
1. Pioneered development of case strategy, drafting and preparation of an Insolvency Dispute while representing a Berlin based financial consultancy which had raised funds from a well reputed Nordic financial institution
2. Represented one of the largest Asian Banks, (Malaysia Branch), in disputes pertaining to Bank Guarantees
3. Advisory services to an e-commerce startup in the Hospitality and reasonable housing space valued at $10 million in the last funding round.
Leadership roles held:
President, Moot Court Society of my law school
Chief Convener, of the inaugural Model United Nations of the University
Chairperson in a number of Model United Nations Competitions (IR is a hobby of mine)
Target Schools: M7 and Booth, Sloan, Columbia, Kellogg
Query 1: Should I lower my expectations as far as target schools are concerned given that:
1. No Blue Chip/Reputed brand in work ex
2. Little experience with working in large corporate setups (Though have worked WITH such entities)
3. Massive career transition
Query 2: Which sector out of Consulting, General Management, Project Management and Finance (Non-Investment Banking) or others, should be set as a career goal in order to demonstrate synergy and cogency between my past experience (as indicated in the profile above) and the objective of doing an MBA which seems credible to the Adcom?
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21 Jun 2019, 23:16
