Profile Evaluation-Indian|Female|GMAT-710| WE- 7 years

Question

General Information 
Nationality- Indian
Gender- Female
Age- 29 years (30 by Fall’15)

Academic highlights

GMAT – 710, Q-59, V-35, IR-7, AWA-6

Graduate GPA – 9.4/10 (MBA from top 10 institutes in India)
- Recipient, merit scholarship for scoring highest GPA
- Awarded silver medal for being the batch topper

Undergraduate GPA – 66% (Best undergraduate business school in Asia)
- In top 15% of the batch

Work Experience Highlights 
I have around 7 years work experience spanning across channel sales and consumer insights in the consumer products domain with companies such as Unilever, Reckitt Benckiser and Ipsos.

Unilever -Sales and Customer Manager – Personal Products (2011- Till date)

-Managed annual turnover of $ 3.5 million for hair, oral and skin care category in one of the biggest states of North India by leading a team of sales officers, market executives, promoters & distributors
-Collaborated with cross-functional teams to reduce increasing channel conflict caused by entry of international retailers in the state. Recipient of teaming and collaboration award in national sales conference in 2012. 
-Recipient of Best Area in Execution Award for 2013 at HUL for being the best performer nationally in all key sales execution metrics
(Have a big story around how the team was not doing well before I took over and transformation into a high performing team over the years. Supervisor’s recommendation will also corroborate the story.)

Reckitt Benckiser –Area Sales Manager (2 years)

Rural channel specialist: Managed north rural channel business that constituted 21% to overall company turnover and grew ahead of regional growth by 1100 bps
Contributed in creating the correct Go To Market model –determined the town and outlet penetration suitable for current and future business growth for the focused towns in the region

Synovate Market Research (Acquired by Ipsos in 2011) – Senior Quantitative Market Researcher

Managed multiple market research projects end to end and was responsible for proposal writing, client management, research instrument designing, field and data team management
Worked with international teams such Nokia APAC, Nestle Switzerland Product testing centre on various studies like mystery shopping, preference mapping, satisfaction survey etc
Developed expertise in advance statistical tools such as SPSS, R etc

Achievements outside work

• Worked in Youth wing of CRY (Child Rights and You) 
• Winner of national case study contest organized by Reckitt Benckiser and was featured on national TV 
• President of Alumni Association Committee while pursuing MBA
• Founder member of Marketing club at Grad School
• Conducted seminars on applications of Bhagwad Gita in the corporate world (700 verse Hindu Scripture)
• (I have not included activities done in Undergrad as they are almost a decade old now ☺

Why MBA? 
I want to move into strategy consulting in the international arena. My work experience has given me immense opportunities to develop soft skills, lead teams to deliver business objectives, expertise in quantitative analysis etc, I feel a need gap in certain disciplines which can be filled by an international MBA and will make me a stronger global business leader. My previous MBA as well as work experience was focused on marketing and sales aspects of the business. I need to diversify myself and gain expertise in other facets of business to break into strategy consulting.

Target Schools 
Need suggestions whether top 5 will be too ambitious? I am concerned about the following factors 
1) Not a very competitive GMAT score
2) Other factors such as my age, already an MBA and 7 years of experience

MAC · Answer

Hi Vaishali,

Thanks for your message. I enjoyed reading your profile and reviewed it similar to other candidates' profiles when I worked in admissions.

Your GMAT score of 710 falls within the competitive range for these schools based on our experience last year. My concern initially was your GPA, which converts to approximately a 3.2/4.0 based on my quick analysis. I feel that your GMAT score will balance this out in your academic profile, since the GPA is only one of six components that you will be evaluated on. It is by no means a "deal-breaker."

Also, I think that the top 5 programs are going to challenging but not impossible. The reason is that you hold an MBA prior to applying to these schools. You will need to effectively communicate your aspirations for a second MBA. As you approach your applications, there are a few questions you will want to reflect upon, as top business schools will have a few questions about your candidacy:

1. What really entices you to pursue an MBA after your initial MBA?
2. How will you specifically apply your MBA after b-school, given that you have a strong academic background with an MBA from a reputable program in India?
3. Do you really need an MBA versus another traditional MBA candidate (without any prior graduate education) who is looking to get into the same program?
3. How will you apply the MBA after b-school, given that you are successful in your career currently?

Regardless of the opinions you receive from online posts, please apply to the programs which attract you the most and do not underestimate the professional and academic background that you possess. I find that 90% of MBA candidates I have worked with tend to "opt-out" of a program's application process as they feel that they do not stand a chance. They do this before the school can even receive their application. Regardless of where you fall with your competition, let the program make the ultimate decision on your candidacy. Most candidates share with me how they are pleasantly surprised when they are accepted and never thought they stood a chance in top tier programs.

The worst thing that you can do is not apply. I feel that this is worse than receiving a rejection from any program. The best thing you can do is take your "best foot forward" and leave the decision to the schools. Please do not "opt-out" of your dream schools because you think you may not stand a chance. Being fearless is one of the greatest qualities of global leaders throughout history :-D

I hope this helps you. If you would like to further speak directly with our consultants who are former admissions committee members or our recent admits at any point, please visit https://macapproved.com/free-evaluation/

Best wishes,
Sue and the MAC Team

**Was I helpful? Please give me a Kudos and I will know**

I hope this helps you. If you would like to further speak directly with our consultants who are former admissions committee members or our recent admits at any point, please visit https://macapproved.com/free-evaluation/ Best wishes, Sue and the MAC Team **Was I helpful? Please give me a Kudos and I will know**

vaishalibajaj · Answer

Hi Sue,

Thanks for your inputs. I agree that being fearless is the top most attribute required in any world leader. And Ambition has to be greater than resource else there is no fun.

Many thanks for the detailed revert.

Best

Vaishali

MAC · Answer

Hi vaishalibajaj,

Yes, that is absolutely correct. More importantly, you come from a country that is full of talent, intellect, and perserverance. A place where women have been born leaders, whether it is Prime Minister Indira Priyadarshini Gandhi, Five-time World Boxing champion Mary Com or Jhansi Ki Rani. I have no doubt that you have fearlessness and ambition within you.

Best wishes,
Sue and the MAC Team

**Was I helpful? Please give me a   Kudos   and I will know**

Profile Evaluation-Indian|Female|GMAT-710| WE- 7 years

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