ak2782 wrote:
Hello Linda,
Thank you for being of such great help to us all !
Mentioned below are details which may give you an insight into my application:
From: India, Age 28
GPA: 3.28 Babson College, Massachusetts with a Finance major, Bachelors of Science, Business Management Degree in 2006
Started college with a 2.6 GPA freshman year & final semester was 3.9 GPA. Junior/Senior Year GPA was 3.5+and Finance Major GPA was about 3.7
Work Experience: (4 years in all PLUS entrepreneurial projects)
3 years in Financial Services at a small boutique firm in Boston - Financial Analyst, Investments (2006-2007 then 2008-2010)
1 year in Family Business - Manufacturing (India) from 2007-2008 ; then went back to Boston from 2008-2010
Returned to India in 2010 October as my father was diagnosed with cancer so i had to leave and return immediately.
Entrepreneurship Experience:
Started a Fashion Accessories business while working , designed a collection of scarves and sold to e-commerce websites and boutiques in USA (2007 onwards while in India)
Also started another fashion jewelry brand a month ago (May 2011 ) and selling in the USA again- again handled everything from designing right up to dealing with buyers
GMAT: 700
Passion, Personal Story And Career goals:
Major passion is Textile Design (woven textiles- I also learned to weave myself over these years) of the type achieved during the highest period of the Renaissance in Europe, in Turkey & Iran. Long term goal is to setup a luxury lifestyle brand that has the ability to revitalize those extravagant hand woven textiles by making the designs more contemporary and suitable for Haute Couture and the finest Home Decor. Setting up such a company would be patronizing the work of villages full of weavers and artists in India who have left the trade for other lucrative professions and/or are dying in poverty due to no demand of their work. I feel an obligation to these artisans as patronage of the arts in India stopped around 1950 when the british raj was abolished. I belong to an Indian Royal Family (not anymore though, my grand father was the last ruler---various Family members now are into National level politics- senator etc.) and would like to revitalize this industry but with an approach of running a luxury brand which is why i want to pursue a good MBA.
Keeping my long term goals in mind, I would like to work in the Luxury Industry immediately following the MBA program, on the management side which would eventually prepare me for my longer term goal !
Should i elaborate on family background and this story in my application essays? I don't know where i could stand a chance though im very keen on Columbia, Kellogg, Wharton or Dartmouth, even MIT.
What are your thoughts about my candidature for those schools? Also, any other schools you recommend which may be better for working in the Luxury Industry after graduation?
Your help is much appreciated-- Thank You!
I think you should apply to 1-2 of the four programs listed because they are all stretch programs for you. And then apply to 3-5 other programs where you will be more competitive. If you meet the language requirements, consider HEC and INSEAD. In the US consider Cornell Johnson, Ross, and NYU.
I wouldn't focus on your family story, unless an essay question specifically asks for it (UCLA has in the past). If you weave in your family background and the tradition of leadership and community service, however, that would be fine. The focus of all the
MBA essays should be you -- your impact, experiences, lessons learned, and motivations.
If you would like
help with your MBA application, please let us know.