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pkk
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review of profile and shortlist 23 Jun 2009, 08:03
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Hi,
I plan to apply for fall 2010 and intend to specialize in finance.I have made a shortlist of universities that I am planning to apply to. It will be great if you can review my shortlist based on my profile that I am providing below.

Profile:
GMAT - 710 ( QA 51 , VA 34 , AWA 4.5)
B.E ( Electonics and Communication) from Bangalore ,India - avg 78.5%
12th - 87.67%
10th - 85.67%
Extracrricular - was a prefect at school, helped in organizing fests at coll, violin , sports..
Work-ex - Currently 1 year with a leading MNC as a RnD engineer... Have worked on java , flex ,sql and Business Objects


ShortList:
1.SMU Cox
2.Carnegie Mellon
3.Georgia Tech
4. IOWA:tippie
5.Rochester:Simon


Considering my profile (specially work-ex), do you think I have made the right choice?

Regards,
Pkk
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PaulBodine
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review of profile and shortlist 25 Jun 2009, 14:03
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pkk,

Yes, I think you are being conservative and realistic in the sorts of schools you're targeting given your profile. You might also consider Indiana, Georgetown, Maryland, and/or Vanderbilt. All are strong in finance.

Good luck,
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review of profile and shortlist 25 Jun 2009, 20:37
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Hi,
Thanks a lot for your feedback. I'm a little confused now and need your help. I am providing below a list of Universities. Please select 5-6 from these for a final shortlist.

1.SMU Cox
2.Carnegie Mellon
3.Georgia Tech
4. IOWA:tippie
5.Rochester:Simon
6. Virginia: Darden
7. Indiana :Kelley
8.Maryland : Smith
9.UCLA : Anderson

Thanks and Regards,
Pkk
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review of profile and shortlist 29 Jun 2009, 17:16
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pkk,

Given that you're applying from a common profile, demographically speaking; have relatively little work experience; and as an R&D guy may have limited leadership experience, based on what little I know about you I'd say your chances are best at the following schools from your list (in no particular order):

1. SMU Cox
2. Georgia Tech
3. IOWA:tippie
4. Rochester:Simon
5. Indiana :Kelley
6. Maryland : Smith

Good luck to you,
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review of profile and shortlist 29 Jun 2009, 19:56
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Thank you for your honest feedback. As dream options i'm applying to Virginia and either of UCLA or Carnegie Mellon. To which do you recommend I apply?

Regards,
Pkk
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PaulBodine
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review of profile and shortlist 03 Jul 2009, 10:22
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PKK,

I think your odds of admission would be highest at CMU, followed by Darden, followed by UCLA.

--Paul
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review of profile and shortlist 08 Jul 2009, 01:46
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Hi,
Thank you for your support. I have a doubt.

As I have strong analytical skills and quantitative ability, I am planning to concentrate on Finance. However, coming from a technical background,my knowledge on finance is limited and I am not sure which specific field I would like to pursue a career in( like investment banking, corporate finance etc..). How would the admissions committe react If I were to state in my essays that I would like to explore all the possible careers and then decide what I eventually want to do? Is it adviceable to contact the professors for more clarity?

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Pkk
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review of profile and shortlist 10 Jul 2009, 12:16
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PKK,

You shouldn't contact professors, you should do some research on your own to narrow down your interest. This could reading or coursework, but the best thing would be talk to people in the finance fields that interest you ("informational interviews"). You should also steer away from the most common finance careers like Private Equity, if you want to stand out from the other applicants. Do some homework about finance careers and then state a primary and secondary goal.
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review of profile and shortlist 12 Jul 2009, 22:32
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Hi,
Thanks for your help. I have started my research.

Regards,
pkk
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review of profile and shortlist 14 Jul 2009, 20:20
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Hi,
I am planning to write CFA level-1 this december. The results will only be available a month later ( possibly in early Feb). I am now confused about when to apply. What is your suggestion on this? My chances of getting in are better when I apply early without CFA or later with CFA? Or will CFA have no bearing on the admission decision? I don't want to unnecessarily hurry up things and end up doing nothing properly. Is it better to to complete the applications and then take up CFA in june?

Regards,
Pkk.
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review of profile and shortlist 16 Jul 2009, 10:28
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pkk,

I don't think you should wait to apply just because of the CFA level 1. It won't improve your chances of admission much.
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review of profile and shortlist 16 Jul 2009, 11:01
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Hi,
Thank you for your honest feedback. Guess I'll chuck CFA for now and concentrate on applications

Regards,
Pkk
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review of profile and shortlist 16 Jul 2009, 11:14
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You're welcome.
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review of profile and shortlist 13 Aug 2009, 21:22
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Hi,
Thanks for all your help!

I am getting laid off this oct end. I was wondering whether I should mention this in my essays? Since I will be applying in the first round, I would still have my current job when I apply and hopefully will have another when I am called for the interviews. What do you think I should do?

Also, I wanted to know whether mentioning student names in my essays with whom I have interacted to get more information on a particular b-school is a good idea?

regards,
pkk
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review of profile and shortlist 17 Aug 2009, 22:33
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pkk,

Mentioning student names in your essays is definitely a good idea. Regarding your job situation, you should address it in the essays. They will know anyway because -- unless you lie, which is a bad idea -- they will see from the data section of your application that you're unemployed so might as well address it directly. It's not a deal-breaker in this economy.

Good luck,
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review of profile and shortlist 18 Aug 2009, 03:12
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Hi,
Thanks for the reply. I was a bit hesitant to mention student names earlier..I will do so now.

Thanks and Regards,
Pkk
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review of profile and shortlist 21 Aug 2009, 20:49
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You're welcome.
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review of profile and shortlist 23 Aug 2009, 05:43
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Hi,
I wanted to how whether B-schools are very stringent with their word limits? Is it OK to exceed the limit by 25-30 words?

Regards,
Pkk
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review of profile and shortlist 24 Aug 2009, 10:44
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You can usually go as much as 10% over the stated length limit.
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review of profile and shortlist 24 Aug 2009, 11:12
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HI,
Thanks for the info! I was a bit concerned.

Regards,
pkk
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