Profile Evaluation Request - Product to Entrepreneurship in AdTech

Question

Hello there!

First, some background information about me

· Demographics:

Indian Male, currently working in Bangalore, India

· Education:

Top 10-20 School In India with alumns in most top B schools in the US
GPA 8.0, Engineering in Information Technology

· GMAT:

GMAT - 720 (Q47, V41) 
I've gotten multiple 740s and 760s in my official practice tests so I'm attempting GMAT once / twice more before R2 for which I'm preparing aggressively for a 750-adjacent score to improve my odds of scholarship and competitive programs given my overrepresented background

· Work experience

I will have 4 years of workex at the time of joining the 2023 fall batch

My firm: I work at a multi national US based Advertisement-Tech or 'Ad-Tech' firm that helps big brands (read Subway, NFL, NBA amongst a lot more) and agencies run their data-driven ad campaigns end to end, grossing hundreds of millions $$ in revenue each year. That said, it is not a b-school feeder by any stretch.

Current role: My role is of a product manager wherein I oversee a product line that aims to "futureproof" our industry: ensuring that advertising is privacy first (don't you hate 'cookies'?) whilst delivering similar - and even better - performance in a variety of ad campaigns. I get to work closely with data science and engineering teams to build products whilst also overlooking a good amount of strategy - partnerships, licensing, etc. 
On the international experience front - I work with different markets ranging from US, UK, Germany, AUS etc. + all the immediate leadership above me is based out of NY

Previous role: I worked as a software engineer in the same firm -- but a role wherein I was able to show a lot of leadership examples whilst not being in a position of authority (infact I was the juniormost engineer lol)

General note on work ex:
* Quick promotions   - All my peers in the same role are 4-6+ years older and I'm the youngest PM the firm has ever had (I sound a bit obnoxious here but I have been hearing about success relative to peers so thought to mention)
* Strong recommenders - My current and previous reporting manager will be writing my recommendations and both of them have been super happy with me (or I hope)

· Extracurricular activities

* I volunteer heavily with a well-known top global non-profit in the world wherein I work with social entrepreneurs to craft their story so that they can become fellows with the non-profit, gaining access to funding as well as expertise from similar fellows in the same space, such as climate, livelihoods, etc; I think of it as a somewhat VC in the nonprofit space.
* Have had a solid foundation in music/singing in high school, and so I formed a band in University and performed in a couple of gigs here and there. Have some certifications to add to that as well.
* Ignited and lead a basketball community in my office circle (I'm really into basketball and 2K for the past couple of years)

· Post-MBA goals:

Short term: PM in Big Tech, preferably in an advertising wing - such as Google Ads, Amazon Marketing

Alternate short term path: Venture capital; combining my experience in working with social entrepreneurs in the non-profit VC space, my product background, and the inclination to work in the startup space, this sounds a really great idea -- that said, I've heard its hard for internationals.

Long term:

Entrepreneurship: I've realised that the digital advertising industry has grown too quick but some of its ways of operation and tracking are not the best -- and I have some ideas to ensure we can improve it for the better by putting user privacy and incentives first, controlling demand so supply follows and getting a better internet as an outcome.

· Target schools:

Sloan, Haas, Kellogg, Ross, UCLA -- all great in tech and well known
Considering: Tepper (great in Tech, CMU brand), Duke (great at tech, big sports culture), Stern (NY!!!! but tech is dicy), Cornell (parent brand, semesters in NY), Foster (Seattle, Tech, less $$, potential for scholarship)

Questions:
1. Which schools do you think are best fit for me?
2. I have a potential opportunity coming up in early next year that will move me to London (in the same firm) wherein I am more involved at a strategic level. Also I can work in the social entreprenurship scene as a volunteer in the UK -- my current NGO is happy to make that switch as well. Is it prudent to not apply in R2 this year compared to what I can potentially have next year (I'm also hearing applications might be up in R2 given the layoffs)? Just wondering how much value add an international experience can be to US b-schools
3. Should I write about my VC goal? Any suggestions on crafting my essays?

Much appreciated!

MBAGuide · Answer

Hi  drose97  hope this finds you well

1. R2 and onward speculation game is risky for top-tier MBA programs. Yet I do feel you will get calls from Haas, Kellogg, Tepper, Foster (and similar). You should try to further improve your GMAT, and especially take your quant score to a Q49+ level. A 740+ overall would be a safe score for a T15.

2. Having international experience in a strategic role can add another layer of interest to your candidacy and improve your prospects of getting into a top 15 program. With the UK stint, you will have the leverage and may altogether reconsider your strategy for MBA and focus on the absolute top brands. Even if you apply in this cycle with your current profile, and do not get into a T15 program, you will have the option to let go of the seat because of a lucrative international opportunity aligned ahead (you must weigh the options well). You can reapply again next year for your international stint as the added value to your profile. You can also strongly consider schools such as LBS, INSEAD, and Oxbridge next year.
Given the volatile market for international job seekers, also consider the brand recall value of your MBA program if you even have to/plan to move back to S/SE Asia.

3. Go ahead with entrepreneurial / VC goals if you'd like to, but not without researching. Strong applicants' ability to network and research is a key attribute, especially when they aspire to take less-trodden paths. This must come across in your essays and during your interviews.

Best wishes

mbaMissionMichael · Answer

Hello DRose, and thanks for your post.

First, just a quick note that the prior response from “MBAGuide” is not affiliated with mbaMission. I am not familiar with that company, so please be careful taking advice from accounts not related to mbaMission!
Anyway, the application process is truly holistic, and committees will look at your stats (GPA and GMAT), work experience, and extracurriculars.

Your GPA of 8.0 is strong, so that is a good start. Your GMAT of 720 is also strong, though compared to others in your demographic, it is below the average, so I am happy to hear that you are retaking the GMAT and hope to hit closer to a 750. In general, I suggest taking it up to 3-4 times. You have nothing to lose since schools will only look at your highest score. And even a slight increase can boost your profile. If you remain at a 720, you may still want to illustrate to the schools that you have the academic ability to succeed in the classroom. You could showcase your quant ability in your resume, your recommenders could do the same in their recommendations, or you could even take a supplemental course such as stats or calculus – which is something you would have the time to do next year.

It is hard to gauge your work experience without knowing your true accomplishments and impact you have made there. However, it is nice to see that you have been promoted multiple times and clearly stand out among your peers, given your young age compared to other PMs. To differentiate yourself from other PMs applying to business schools, it will be important to show you have made an impact and demonstrated leadership in that role. It will also be important to explain why you want your MBA, and to also illustrate the skills you already have which are transferable. Be sure your story makes sense, and is realistic and specific. You mentioned a potential short-term goal of being a PM in Big Tech, so you will have to convince the schools that you still need an MBA to achieve this goal, even though you are already a PM. Schools may question whether the MBA is actually necessary for that, so really think through your story. I would also be careful about a VC short-term goal, because you don’t have work experience in that area (even though your extracurriculars are related to VC). So you will have to convince the schools that your extracurricular experience is sufficient to be hired by a VC firm.

I like the range of schools you mentioned. They are a nice mix of reach and target schools, though I wouldn’t call any of them a “safety” school. So perhaps add 1-2 more which may be a bit less competitive, yet still really strong in tech.

And lastly, I don’t suggest you make any work-related decisions just to set yourself up for a better application. Do what is best for your career, since there is always a chance that business school does not work out. If you are ready to apply now for business school, I would not wait, especially because applications are not so high in round 2 that you would be at a disadvantage.

Good luck!

drose97 · Answer

MBAGuide , thanks for your thoughts - really appreciate it. LBS is definitely a great shout, and I've been thinking about it as well! And I'll keep the VC research in mind - it is surely a tough sell and I'll have to really stand out.

mbaMissionMichael , thanks! here are a few follow ups 
- For sure, leadership demonstrations are at the top of my list right now!
- Agreed on the 'why MBA'; it is a hard sell to a certain extent, but I'm trying to fit the long term motivation here - I really think that although it is not necessary, it is extremely helpful to have an MBA from an innovation focussed program to help with entrepreneurship further down the line
- Also agreed on the work front, that move is definitely beneficial to my career and personal growth in itself (only in the short term though as I do want to start working in the US soon); the only thinking here is whether to save a year now and kickstart my post MBA career sooner, or take that leap of faith that can potentially help me with a better school down the line.

I have a chat setup with Harshad from your team today wherein I'll chat about specifics but thanks for this really great thought starter!

Profile Evaluation Request - Product to Entrepreneurship in AdTech

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