Profile Evaluation - Second MBA : Ask Admissions Consultants

Question

Hi,
Please find my profile below:

Undergrad University: B.E, Chemical Engineering from Jadavpur University, (NIRF ranking: 9), one of the top universities in India

Undergrad GPA: 8:78/10 (Absolute scale), Batch rank: 6

Undergrad EC: a) Joint secretary and Editor of IIChE Students’ chapter

1st MBA: IIM Indore (One of the top 6 IIMs) in India

1st MBA GPA: 3.28/4.33 (Top 12% of the batch)

ECs: a) Overall coordinator for one of the biggest entrepreneurship fest of Central India

Pre-mba work ex: 6 months with Honeywell UOP

Post-mba work ex: 1 yr 2 months with Deloitte in strategy consulting

Currently working with American Express in Risk Strategy

Expected GMAT score: 750+

Reason for doing a second MBA: Planning to move into Investment Banking, work on Wall Street.

Criteria of shortlisting universities:

Just looking to maximise RoI so ultimately will come down to whoever gives the most scholarship (if any). I come from a middle class family with both parents retired so can’t afford to spend a lot of money, given the situation in the US.

Shortlisted universities:

A) Kellogg
B) Wharton
C) Booth
D) Stern
E) Cornell
F) Harvard
G) Columbia
H) Sloan

What are my chances of getting in? What are the chances of a scholarship? Is there any other program in any other geography that I should consider given my major objective is highest ROI (long term) and affordability through scholarships (short term)?

MG4MBACrystalBall · Answer

adityachowdhury3 , Some thoughts on your profile evaluation and plans. The academic arc looks good given the IIM pedigree and good GPAs. A high score will further add to your credentials - think 695 and beyond. When is your GMAT planned? The professional profile is harder to gauge. While Deloitte is a decent brand, Risk Consulting can be fairly niche and underrepresented at top schools. Have peers/seniors from your Amex team been admitted to your target schools in the recent past? From a timeline perspective, while average experience is in the ~5 years range, for second MBA grads, it's typically higher. Which intake are you targeting? The OC bit and UG extracurricular are decent. Anything since graduating? This is why ECs matter . While second MBAs are not uncommon, like this candidate , its important to build your profile well. Feel free to reach out on mcb@mbacrystalball.com for further deliberations. Cheers,

adityachowdhury3 · Answer

A) Planning to give GMAT in September. Above 700 should be doable.

B) In honeywell, I was doing technology consulting for supermajor oil companies. In Deloitte, I was in front end client facing strategy consulting for the BFSI sector. My team was called CSAD (Customer strategy and design) and worked mostly on PMO and strategy projects. In AmEx, I currently work with the India CCO team in Fraud strategy. This is one of the most coveted units in AmEx which exclusively hire from IIMs. Not sure about peers.

C) Planning to go in 2027. Will have 4.5 yrs work ex if going in fall, 4 years if going in Jan.
What should I do to improve chances with relatively low work ex?

D) Planning to volunteer at an NGO. Also have a YouTube channel that I will scale up by then.

Please advise what else I can do to improve my profile? Also scholarship is a must for me so which schools should I target?

Awaiting your response. Thanks in advance.

MBAandBeyond · Answer

Hi  adityachowdhury3  ! Your profile looks good academically and professionally, with a top IIM MBA, a high undergrad GPA, and experience in strategy consulting and risk strategy. However, a second MBA is a major hurdle at top U.S. schools unless you clearly justify why your first MBA didn’t meet your goals and how a second MBA is essential for breaking into IB. While schools like Booth, Stern, Columbia, and Cornell might be feasible with a great narrative, Wharton, Sloan, Kellogg and Harvard are highly challenging as they rarely accept second MBA candidates. Moreover, breaking into IB post-MBA is extremely competitive, especially for candidates without prior finance experience, as banks prefer, someone with pre-MBA finance exposure. While Booth, Columbia, Stern, and Cornell provide strong IB pipelines, securing a large scholarship at these schools will be difficult, as M7s rarely prioritize funding for second MBA applicants. If maximizing ROI and scholarships is critical, consider alternatives like Fuqua, Darden..., which offer finance placements with better funding chances. Additionally, one-year MBA programs such as LBS, INSEAD could provide a cost-effective route to IB, particularly in London or Europe, without the heavy financial burden of a U.S. two-year MBA(can take a look). Given your background, a direct M7 admit with a good scholarship is unlikely, so broadening your school list to include strong finance-focused programs would be a more strategic approach. You shall also explore alternative pathways into IB, networking through your current firm. Consider communicating with your target school alumni, student ambassadors to get more idea about the class, school's fit, cost and other required details, this way you will get great insights in making further decisions. Good luck!

You can take a look at  BLOG 1 ,  BLOG2  .

If you’d like, we are happy to evaluate your profile in detail and help refine your strategy. Please feel free to book a Profile Evaluation call now.

“Join Our Exclusive Webinar!”

“Bonus Offer: Get 4 schools for the price of 3 - Maximize your chances!” Limited slots available - Book your Profile Evaluation Now!

MG4MBACrystalBall · Answer

adityachowdhury3 ,

If you haven't yet, start networking and researching within Amex. We've worked with candidates from here who have gone to top schools but the specific team matters too.

NGO for NGO-sake is never how you should do this.

Do check out the link I shared about the  profile builder  and reach out on the email to discuss further.

Cheers,

TheRedPen · Answer

Hi  adityachowdhury3 ,

Your profile presents a strong foundation with a combination of academic excellence, a strong first MBA from a top Indian institution, and relevant work experience. However, applying to the most selective M7 schools with a second MBA will be challenging.

Strengths:

Strong Academic Foundation: Your undergraduate degree from IIT Kharagpur and a strong MBA from IIM Indore are significant achievements.
Relevant Work Experience: Your experience in consulting at Deloitte provides valuable industry exposure and demonstrates your analytical and problem-solving skills.
Leadership Experience: Your role as General Secretary of the IIChE Students’ chapter and your involvement in the entrepreneurship fest demonstrate your leadership and organizational skills.

Challenges:
Second MBA: Applying for a second MBA can be challenging, as admissions committees may want to understand your compelling reasons for pursuing further education.
Competition: The M7 schools are extremely competitive, with a large pool of highly qualified applicants.
Financial Constraints: Your focus on ROI and affordability is understandable. However, securing significant scholarships at these top-tier programs can be challenging.

Strategies to Enhance Your Application:

GMAT Score: Aim for a GMAT score of 750+ to significantly enhance your competitiveness.
Compelling Essays: Craft compelling essays that address your reasons for pursuing a second MBA, your career goals in investment banking, and how your unique experiences and skills will contribute to the program. Clearly articulate how a second MBA will provide you with a significant return on investment.
Strong Recommendations: Obtain strong letters of recommendation from individuals who can speak to your leadership abilities, work ethic, and potential for success in an MBA program.
Networking: Connect with alumni of your target schools to gain insights and potential mentorship.
Interview Preparation: Practice common interview questions and develop effective communication skills.
Target Schools:

Consider a mix of reach, target, and safety schools. We can help you shortlist the right-fir schools based on a detailed discussion with you about your goals and profile.

Financial Aid and Scholarships:

Research scholarship opportunities: Explore scholarships offered by the schools themselves, as well as external scholarships and fellowships.
Demonstrate Financial Need: Clearly articulate your financial need in your applications and during interviews.

Key Takeaways:

Focus on achieving a high GMAT score and crafting compelling essays.
Clearly articulate your career goals and how a second MBA will help you achieve them.
Explore scholarship opportunities and consider a mix of reach, target, and safety schools.
Be prepared to demonstrate a strong return on investment for your second MBA.

By focusing on these areas and leveraging your strengths, you can increase your chances of admission to top-tier MBA programs. Feel free to  schedule a complimentary call  with our MBA consultants. You can also connect with them via call or WhatsApp at +91 7780769732

Profile Evaluation - Second MBA : Ask Admissions Consultants

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards