Request guidance for double MBA (Have 1 from Top 12 B school in India)

Question

Hi,

Greetings to you. Hope you are doing well!

I am Gaurav Bansal from India. Here is a snapshot of my profile:

Age-26.5

2014 June to Present -> Working full-time as an Investment Banking Analyst (M&A) in Nomura India office (KPO)
2012 to 2014 -> 2 year full-time MBA in Capital Market from NMIMS, Mumbai (Medium of education was English) CGPA (3.50/4.00) - > Rank 2 in my batch
2010 to 2012 -> Worked full-time as a SAP BI Consultant in IBM India for SHELL (Have acknowledgement mails for my good work (23 months))
2006 to 2010 -> 4 year full-time BE in Electronics & Telecommunications from Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal University (CGPA 9.1/10.0) (Medium of education was English)
2006 -> Class 12 Score - 91%
2004 -> Class 10 Score - 90%

My LinkedIn profile is: in.linkedin.com/pub/gaurav-bansal/22/9b2/b25/

My first MBA was a specialization in Capital Market from Day 1. I feel a global MBA will help me understand businesses from an overall perspective (rather than just financial aspects) and this will help me get better opportunities in different domains such as strategy consulting, corporate finance, analytics, international business management or any other roles that you may suggest.

I am yet to start with GMAT prep. Given my background in quants and education in English I feel I can get 700+ if I work hard. I have the following questions:

1. My biggest concern: Will it be very difficult for me to get admission for a second MBA since universities may need a very strong reason for the same? Can I get some assistance here as to how to go about this?
2. I look forward to playing a more broader role in an organization rather than just in finance, so what good rewarding courses other than finance (considering investment in time and money) can I look at?
3. Assuming a score of 700+ which colleges would you recommend me as per my above profile? 
4. Do you recommend a 1 year or a 2 year program for me?
5. Is it necessary to give TOEFL as well?
6. How do I start my GMAT prep if there is a good possibility of going for a second MBA?
7. If I aim for 2016 fall, then I will have 4 years of work ex. Will working in a KPO unit for 2 years (Nomura India office) hamper my admission process?
8. I have attached my resume. Adcoms must be looking at areas other than academics. Please suggest what areas other than academics shall I work upon to make a strong admission profile.

Also want to inform you, that if I continue working in Nomura till 2016 year-end, then I will be permanently posted to the London front-end office.

I am also looking for career opportunities with a broader role and a better work-life balance (currently I work 14-15 hours a day and on most of the weekends as well). I am open to different geographies but my criteria would be:

University/Course ranking (Good Placements) > Cost + Time duration (would prefer a 1 year MBA however 2 year is also fine) > Location

I look forward to your valuable guidance.

Thanks & Regards,
Gaurav Bansal.
(+91-7506017270)

mbaMissionJenK · Answer

Hi Guarav,

Thanks for your post and detailed info. So first and foremost it's important to be realistic and note that it will be quite challenging to gain acceptance for a 2nd MBA degree... especially at the more competitive schools... there are so many qualified applicants who do NOT yet have the degree and will make a great case for why they NEED it.... that it is really tough in your situation; it does happen but you really need to work on that overall 'story' and, almost think of it as like a 'business case' of WHY they should accept you over another applicant without any MBA.

As to your other questions:

1. My biggest concern: Will it be very difficult for me to get admission for a second MBA since universities may need a very strong reason for the same? Can I get some assistance here as to how to go about this? (see above)
2. I look forward to playing a more broader role in an organization rather than just in finance, so what good rewarding courses other than finance (considering investment in time and money) can I look at?
Within the degree? Organizational behavior; strategy; negotiation; data analysis; you name it... the entire curriculum is aimed at helping you become a better leader and manager!
3. Assuming a score of 700+ which colleges would you recommend me as per my above profile?
Perhaps those roughly ranked 10-25 for best chances; but so many factors to consider! For more on choosing schools, check out our free download at: https://info.mbamission.com/Selecting-Yo ... ram-E-Book
4. Do you recommend a 1 year or a 2 year program for me?
Most in the US are 2-year; more 1-year in Europe and elsewhere.... there are pros and cons to each and personal considerations to include (overall investment; time off work; how much additional time/education/internship exposure you feel you need etc)
5. Is it necessary to give TOEFL as well?
The school/s can answer for sure; not likely if your education has been in English
6. How do I start my GMAT prep if there is a good possibility of going for a second MBA?
Take a diagnostic practice test and see where you are at and what you need to work on! Then aim for spending 6-12 weeks give or take prepping part-time, ideally.
7. If I aim for 2016 fall, then I will have 4 years of work ex. Will working in a KPO unit for 2 years (Nomura India office) hamper my admission process?
Not necessarily what is your thinking there?
8. I have attached my resume. Adcoms must be looking at areas other than academics. Please suggest what areas other than academics shall I work upon to make a strong admission profile.
For a full resume review feel free to sign up for a consultation with us at www.mbamission.com/consult. Yes community involvement and other activities and passions can help.

Good luck!

mission2016 · Answer

Hi Jen,

Thank you for the reply. Wish you and your close ones a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year with lots of smiles, good health and peace.

Sorry for my late reply, I was completely occupied in work (including weekends).

Referring to point 7 below, I was thinking if working at a KPO may not be considered as a relevant work experience as it is not a client facing role.

I was also reading on courses like MSc in Business Analytics. Do let me know if I can get some info. regarding the job prospects post this course from any good global universities.

There are so many GMAT sources available. Is there anyone that you would recommend?

Thanks & Regards,
Gaurav Bansal.

mbaMissionJenK · Answer

Hi there, Well thank you so much for the holiday wishes, very kind of you!

Hope you've had a good week as well. To best assess your work experience in full detail you may wish to undertake one of our free 30 minute consultations, at www.mbamission.com/consult... almost all work experience can be relevant to a degree; that said people & project management skills, and leadership & teamwork; analytical skills; quant skills... all of those are particularly relevant for b-school. Re: GMAT prep, I most recommend Kaplan or Manhattan GMAT. Great research; great and proven techniques and strategies. Re: the MSc in Business Analytics, the degree can be useful for specific roles in which you'd utilize those skills certainly. But for recruitment prospects etc I'd research those specific program websites and/or get in touch with their admissions or careers services offices. Wishing you the best, keep us posted!

mission2016 · Answer

Hi Jen,

Thank you very much.

I will register for the free 30 minute consultation.

Regards,
Gaurav Bansal.

mbaMissionJenK · Answer

Sounds good !

Request guidance for double MBA (Have 1 from Top 12 B school in India)

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