Request for Profile evaluation- India M/30

Question

Hi,

I am vikas Sharma, I work for India's largest steel Manufacturing company Steel Authority of India Ltd (A PSU)- currently working as Asst. Mgr Projects ( work Ex 3 yrs in current capacity + 2.5 Years in shop floor- Blast Furnace, SMS etc.) Contributions: 1. Implemented new design for maintenance which increased the life of ladle by 40%, 2. Presented a technical paper on same in International conf., 3. Filed for patent that will be granted this year. 4. Responsible for initiating projects and also monitoring their implementation ( currently monitoring, with my team, projects worth 625 Mn $) 4. On shop floor lead a team of 9 Engineers and 18 Diploma engineers.

2. Gmat Score- 720 (Q- 50, V-36, IR-4, AWA-4.5)
3. B.Tech- Ceramic Engg.- 2008, from-IIT-BHU, CGPA 7.43/10
4. College posts- Youngest Captain of Athletics Team, represented University in zonal Football tournament, awarded the highest student award in college, Best athlete for all consecutive 4 years. Community Service: In college- Member of Student run NGO Kashi Utkarsh- organised Blood donation camps, Sanitation drives in slum areas, taught underprivileged children, raised money for 2004 Tsunami Victims. After college: Member of Durgapur Hostel Athletics club- organised Blood donation camps, Eye camps for underprivileged, carried out public awareness drives, Founded Advaya Classes- an Institute to teach underprivileged children for IIT entrance exams, A volunteer of Teach India since last september.
5. Target Programs: Booth, Kellogg, darden, Ross, Duke, Cornell, Kenan flagler; in that order.
6. Plan to apply this summer.
7. Post MBA goal: Short term goal: After filling the relevant skill gaps (from B-school) joining tier one not for profit Institutions viz. WB, ADB, UNDP, UNFCCC in strategy position ( evaluation and implementation of projects). 
Long term goal: Start my own social enterprise to change, no matter how meagerly, lives of people by providing solution to social problems such as sanitation, education, health etc, with special focus to India and south Asia.

I will also appreciate if you suggest any changes in my target schools, as I am pretty confused.

Thanks,
Vikas.

mbaMissionJenK · Answer

Hi Vikas,

Thanks for your post. One of your challenges will likely be that there are many other applicants with similar backgrounds and profiles, and at top 5-10 or so ranked US schools, it will likely be a stretch for you. Outside the top 15 or so may be more reasonable, just keep that in mind. And there are many variables that can swing things... if you can really describe your leadership experiences successfully that can help (such as when you led the team on the floor). If you played more of an organizer role and really took initiative in the community experiences you've shared, that can help. If your recommendations are outstanding, that can help. If your essays are memorable and show what you'll bring to the class, why the MBA and each particular school is right for you, that can help. Keep us posted on your questions and decisions and good luck!

viking2210 · Answer

Hi Jen,

I like your direct approach of evaluation. Still I would rather ask you to kindly give me some reasons for the stretch schools you mentioned above. Why Kellogg, Booth, Ross, Duke and Darden are stretches for me? is it my score? (It is above the avg. scores for all sans Booth.), My GPA? ( It is quite good w.r.t what is granted in the premiere institutes in India such as IIT BHU), I come from a manufacturing sector, which is minority in any B-School and therefore I would be a diversity candidate. Is it my Leadership positions in college or at my job ( where I have lead quite a few teams that have brought in new technology in shop floors and improved efficiency. you said I don't have any entrepreneurial experience, true verbatim, but not in essence I have always invested myself in new enterprise through innovations and taken initiatives in a rather morbid PSU- My presentation of paper in international conf. and acceptance of Patent application (while working on shop floor in extenuating condition of a steel manufacturing unit, which I think you know less about). I shall really be obliged if you enlighten me on above facts and evaluate my profile in the light of above.

Please don't go on goal as I totally accept your reason and evaluation of it.

Thanks,
VK

mbaMissionJenK · Answer

Hi again,

Thanks for sharing some more details. Overall my main reason of stating that the top ranked programs would be a stretch for you is simply that, as stated, they are SO competitive... it's not about a specific weakness for you as much as it is about the STRENGTHS of so many applicants and the need to truly stand out and be remembered and make a strong case of what you'll bring to the class and what you'll do with the degree and your fit with the school etc.

MBA admissions is not so formulaic.... it is quite holistic in nature and every aspect of everything you submit is considered... there is an element of subjectivity included in the assessments of course, and there are no guarantees either way. Yes your GMAT and GPA are fine. Your further description of your leadership & initiatives taken etc help.... what I was trying to explain in my prior post is that YOU can make an impact... it's not just about your stats and facts... think about the elements of your application where you show who you are as a person... your essays, your recommendations, eventually your interviews.

If you really do an outstanding job with those, you could have a shot at top 10-15 programs, sure. And your goals are relevant as mentioned. It's just good to keep in mind the schools where you have a strong shot of getting in.. many applicants like to apply to a range of programs for best overall chances, something to keep in mind! You DO have some solid aspects to your profile so be sure to feature and explain them and keep in mind my other points and suggestions and hopefully all will go well for you!

Good luck and let us know how we can help!

If you really do an outstanding job with those, you could have a shot at top 10-15 programs, sure. And your goals are relevant as mentioned. It's just good to keep in mind the schools where you have a strong shot of getting in.. many applicants like to apply to a range of programs for best overall chances, something to keep in mind! You DO have some solid aspects to your profile so be sure to feature and explain them and keep in mind my other points and suggestions and hopefully all will go well for you! Good luck and let us know how we can help!

Request for Profile evaluation- India M/30

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