Value proposition of AdmissionConsultants:Feedback Requested

Question

Question for any successful MBA candidate, Hjort etc :

Has any of u used one of these admission consultants for assistance and guidance in MBA admissions ? I am debating whether it is worth the high cost.

Any recommendations, feedback would be highly appreciated. So far I have found Accepted.com and AdmissionConsultants.com. Both of which claim high degree of success for their candidates. Hard to say whether these candidates were successful becose of them or they wud have been successful regardless :-D

Thanks

Thanks

Hjort · Answer

Some students have reported success with the commercial admissions services. Having another person evaluate your application and portfolio is a good idea. However, as with any engagement of this nature, it is important to have realistic expectations regarding the help that one will receive. 

In addition, I will gladly provide you with guidance gratis.

banerjeea_98 · Answer

Thank you Hjort. I value your opinion in this matter. I will definitely seek ur guidance. In fact, my first hurdle is to short list programs. I was wondering if you could evaluate my chances of admission in top 10 MBA programs in the US. 

Profile: 

Target session: Fall '06 (Full-time) 

Age : 30 yr old male 

Citizenship: Indian (Might become US permanent resident by the time I apply) 

GMAT : 760 (99 %) (Q - 51, V - 41) (2nd attempt) 
 710 (94 %) (Q-50, V-35) (first attempt) 

MS in Engineering : The Ohio State University (Overall GPA: 3.25, Major GPA: 3.54) - Studied on full research scholarship; Published papers and applied for a patent. 


BS in Engineering : IIT - Roorkee (One of the best undergrad institutes in India: Equivalent GPA should be ~ 3.8) 

Work Exp: Moved away from my engg studies and joined the IT. 5 + yrs exp in IT ( in the USA ) with focus in Supply Chain Mgmt and Warehouse Management Systems. Started from Jr. Software Engineer then promoted to Software Engineer and now working as Sr. Software Engg. My current role involves mentoring and guiding junior engineers during software development lifecycle and various project management responsibilities. 

Community Service: Was a volunteer in National Social Services back in India during my undergrad study. Trying to get into some community forum now. 

Other Activities: I was the editor-in-chief in my undergrad newsletter. For fun -- play tennis, swim, rollerbade, iceskate, chess etc. 

Recommendations: Will be able to get good recos from my former boss and from an ex-colleague. However, getting a reco from my present boss is not possible for obvious reasons. 

Why MBA ? My short term goal is to move in the e-commerce and information tech management world after MBA and in the long term start my own info-services company. 

I wud appreciate your feedback on the following: 

1) My chances in top 10 MBA programs. I am only focusing on top 10-15 
 schools based on BW rankings.
2) Advise on some specific top 10 schools that I should target and 
 some "safety" schools.
3) Should I apply in Round 1 or Round 2 ? 
4) Any particular action(s) I should take in next 3-4 mos to fill any holes I 
 might have in my app. 
5) Should I await applying for Fall '07 instead of Fall '06 and try to beef up
 my community service exp or anything else ? 


Regards

Praetorian · Answer

banerjeea

I really liked your volunteering to help as a moderator. you are an important part of the club. no doubt about that. I just thought you may want to understand how the community service part really works.

With all due respect, I request you to be careful about over emphazing some things that others may not consider as community service. It might end up hurting you. I think Hjort may agree with me here. 

GMAT Club is NOT registered as a non-profit organization. Also, you are a moderator (not admin) at GMAT Club. By claiming community service and admin status at GMAT Club, you may put yourself in a spot if schools like wharton want to investigate. 

If you have ideas for the club, you are most welcome to share them. At gmat club, so many people have contributed to the growth and yet, they choose to remain anonymous and do not want recognition. please contribute and help us to help others.. then you can truly claim what you mentioned here. you will then be able to safely mention community service at gmat club on your resume. It wont count for much, but it still would be somewhat valuable. 

i hope you take this as positive feedback and work harder in your community to help others. this world can always use some quality teachers. go to your local school district and offer to teach for free. that would be something.


Praetorian

banerjeea_98 · Answer

Praet,

Thx for looking at my post. I am afraid that my comment was not articulated properly and caused some misunderstanding on your part. As u can see that the smily face next to that sentence meant for taking that litely. Needless to say that I have no intention to put my GMATClub exp anywhere in the app. The comment was meant more as a lite humor than anything else. In addition I didn't pay any attention to admin vs moderator, as I was unaware of any distinction between the two in the Club. Hope it clarifies your doubt and sorry for any confusion this may have caused. I will edit the post. :-D

Thanks

Thanks

FN · Answer

banerjee join ASHA...its a non profit organization focused on providing free education to underpriviliaged children in india...I can introduce you to ASHA's US leadership team...

(a) they need people like you..smart and motivated.
(b) you need them just as much...
(c) its really a wonderful cause..bringing the gift of education to every child....I belive education is a fundemental human right, just like access to water, bread and oxygen....after all you and I both benefited from education...we should pass the torch...

let me know if you are interested, i'll hook you with a friend who is very active in ASHA...

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