Psychiatrist here!

Question

Hello there.

Here is my story: 
27/Male/Indian 
Qualifications : MBBS, MD Psychiatry 
Work Experience : 4 years 
Languages : 5 (Hindi, English, Punjabi, Kannada, Marathi)

I went to a private medical college in North India for my MBBS, where I was an average student, and then joined a prestigious college for my MD in Psychiatry in the south of India. I am currently in my final year and will be finishing it in April 2015. There has been no gap in my college education and post grad. All post graduate medical courses in India require the resident to work in either a government hospital, or a charitable/free hospital set up by a private college. Besides this, our department also organises a monthly visit to a destitute home nearby where we go and treat patients for free. In addition to this, to mark the 50th anniversary of my college, in 2013, the University had organised free health camps all over North Karnataka every sunday for the entire year, which I attended once every month. I have also done an original 1 year research during my residency.

I am working with a team of residents and consultants, so I am pretty well versed with team work and also have a fair idea of how hierarchy in an organisation works, since I have worked from being an intern to now being the senior most post graduate resident in my department. I have also taken several teaching classes for undergraduate medical students, and presented in excess of 20 seminars in the course of my residency.

As regards my leadership experiences, I was a house captain in junior school. Also, my family owns a hospital where I am a director, but I am not actively involved in the management of the hospital. But my most significant leadership role was as a lead singer for 4 years in my school choir where I pretty much picked who sung what.

I have learnt Indian Classical music for 5 years, and also won 2 singing competitions in school before I was 10 years old. I have also been a long time outdoor sports enthusiast and have played many sports including lawn tennis, squash, badminton, pool, ping pong, swimming, though only for leisure. In addition, I am widely traveled in India and abroad and embrace different cultures.

As with most doctors in India, I was coaxed into pursuing medicine even though I did not want to do it. I have always dreamt of being a food entrepreneur. But, since I had joined medicine, I was committed to completing my entire course before thinking about anything else since I am not in the habit of leaving things midway. I was an excellent grade A student in high school, and the sole reason for my average grades at med school was the fact the I had absolutely no inclination towards medicine. In fact, I worked extremely hard and managed to pass the course without failing a single exam, which is a massive achievement in my books. I have also dreamt of working at wall street for a long, long time. So, my honest answer to why I want an MBA is, I'm done with my career in medicine. I want to do something I love. I understand that that may not go down well with the Adcoms, and I may have to present a different story.

Getting a 720+ doesn't worry me too much. I have been through hell in academics, and the GMAT prep is very doable, and even if it takes more time to prepare, I know that I will get that score. I am planning to take the GMAT sometime in the first week of August next year, and apply in the early action round. My #1 choice is Tuck. I believe I will be a perfect fit for that school since my experience in Psychiatry lends me very sharp interpersonal skills, and also because I am a team player. Also, Tuck's emphasis on sports also drew me to that school.

My other choice B schools are Harvard, Wharton, Columbia, Stanford, Chicago Booth.

Simple question, do I have a shot at B school?

Admissionado · Answer

Hello there, So I have a question for you (oh wait, let me first say: good story! Very unique!

). And now my question: Where is your work experience? An MD, even if you work to get it, is not usually considered work experience. But you wrote four years of work experience. And my question is: Where? Doing what? Can you maybe elaborate? And I'll get right back to you! Best, Jon

Ubiquitous87 · Answer

Thanks for the reply Jon.
Well, I interned for a year before joining MD. MD is usually considered as work experience in the medical field. I do not know about how they perceive it in the business world, but since MD applicants from India showcase it as work experience in their US residency applications, I assumed it would be the same for B schools too. I would count it as more than work experience, since medical residency includes work, research and teaching all at the same time. I also do understand that whether the B school considers residency as work experience depends on how you present it to them.
Could you kindly tell me if American trained physicians put their residency experience as work ex? Also, I'd like to know if it is common for doctors from India to apply to B school in America.

Thanks again.

Admissionado · Answer

Allright good sir, I got it. I mean things are similar in the US, but a bit different. I mean, yes the MD is about four years, but you don't do four years of residency (one or two) and those can be considered as work years. Anyhow, I think you can make a case for you counting your MD years (or at least the residency years) as work experience. The FIRST thing they will want to know though is: WHY business? I mean, okay you don't want to be a doctor, but from their perspective that's a negative reason. That is what you DON'T want! But what DO you want? And why does it make sense for them? (meaning how can you show your business and leadership potential)? That is the key to your success. I'll be honest with you, I think it might be better/easier if you were to work one year in industry first (some med industry I mean playing off your MD) and then make a case for Bschool. But if you are ready to go now (meaning immediately after your studies), and that med non-doctor job just isn't showing up, then it's not a bad idea to apply to Bschool (meaning it's maybe even an excellent idea). Not having business/industry experience will make things a bit tougher, but with a very strong GMAT and a great story, it is possible to get into great schools. I don't know about Top 10 schools though, because a) As you mention, you were an average student; b) your work experience may be viewed a bit on the weak side. But to make up for that, you DO, as I wrote before have a great and unique story. There aren't that many doctors applying for Bschool, and even less so from India. So it's enough to make a case on (once you g et that GMAT of course, ahem ahem)

So first things first: Good luck on your GMAT! And once you have that score, we can chat a bit more about where and when and how, Best, Jon

Psychiatrist here!

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