Profile evaluation - Indian/28/F/Entrepreneur

Question

Hello everyone,

I'd appreciate if someone could help me get an idea of my profile and how it would look to admission committees.

Profile details:-

Age:28
Gender: Female
Status: Married (2 year old daughter)
Education: Bachelors in Engineering (Electronics and communication)

Work experience:
i) 3 Years in Renault-Nissan as Senior System engineer (2008-11), I took care of EMS verification and validation process.
ii) Self employed - Entrepreneur - Makeup Artist (2011-till date) - With no prior experience and support. Completely self-learnt the art and mastered it and exploited to create a market/brand for myself. In this endeavor got exposed to various industries and variety of personalities !. 
iii) Self built and maintained online media presence and promotion for my work. Thus achieving lead generation and client retention !. 
iii) Worked with various industries including Fashion, Advertising, Commercials, and Bridal shoots. Thus covering more than 300 such events.
v) Extensive travel experience in Europe (visited France, Italy, Portugal and Spain).

GMAT:
Prepared for few months and got a 660 score. Would like to prepare again and score a 700.

Extracurricular:
i) Painting (Very good at landscapes)
ii) Dance - Performed various stage shows in school and college.

I want to apply for 2016 (R2 and R3) and I plan to apply for Top 20 in US. Do I have a good chance of being accepted in these universities? Please evaluate and share your views.

Thanks.

PersonalMBACoach · Answer

NewRover,
Thank you for providing this background info. You certainly have a unique profile that I'd love to learn more about. In order to advise you about your chances at the top 20, it would be good to know some more info.

1) where did you go for your undergrad and what was your GPA?

2) what extra-curriculars do you do and do you have leadership roles?

3) tell me more about your business. How has it grown? How big is it (revenue)? Biggest accomplishments?

4) post MBA goals?

Feel free to email me directly if you would rather not post this publicly or if you want to discuss your background in more detail and hear about how I can help you with your apps.

[email protected]

MG4MBACrystalBall · Answer

NewRover,

In addition to the questions Scott raised, it will be important to also understand why you left the Renault gig and what makes you seek an MBA at this stage. Connecting the dots will be imperative if you are to get full mileage of that profile.

Maybe there's something more that jumps out there but purely basis what you have here, a 660 can be limiting for top 20.

NewRover · Answer

Scott and Manish - Thanks a lot.

Apologies, I was out of station and couldn't respond earlier.

1) where did you go for your undergrad and what was your GPA?
Top 20 College in India (Anna University) and my percentage is 70.

2) what extra-curriculars do you do and do you have leadership roles?
a. Dance team member and won lot of accolades in School and college
b. Represented College in state-level sports in Table Tennis and Volleyball
c. Diploma state rank holder (7th rank) in 5th semester
d. Volunteered NSS (National Service Scheme)

3) tell me more about your business. How has it grown? How big is it (revenue)? Biggest accomplishments?
a. In the past 3 years, it has grown from 1 shoot in 2 month to 10+ shoots a month.
b. On the revenue front - its not big in number !. But from X in first to 10x in 3rd year.
c. Worked closely with Tier 1 models including Miss India Diva 2014.
d. Complete onus of online marketing campaign for my FB page.
e. Worked with Brides across India.

4) post MBA goals?
a. In short & Medium term - Would like to work in MGMT role in Luxury brands (Beauty & Fashion) in US
b. On long run - would like to return to India and start my own firm.

5) why you left the Renault gig and what makes you seek an MBA at this stage?
a. Though very interesting, I couldn't settle for a day job. Also, moved to a new city and felt an opportunity in beauty sector, on which I had keen interest. So, I jumped on to it.
b. To be frank - When I started I was selling my IP for a price :-)

. But, in the process, I met lot of obstacles/opportunities to learn many aspects related to the way the business is run. Also, without basic understanding of OPS/People/Strategy running or scaling my business was quite tough. I see a pressing need for an business degree !.

Thanks !

. But, in the process, I met lot of obstacles/opportunities to learn many aspects related to the way the business is run. Also, without basic understanding of OPS/People/Strategy running or scaling my business was quite tough. I see a pressing need for an business degree !. Thanks !

WyseGyde · Answer

NewRover,

As Scott and Manish pointed out, a lot of the elements that will differentiate you with this background will include not only your level of success but also your level of responsibility and engagement. The top programs want to see track records of success, but they also certainly want to see your commitment to endeavors and your ability to both lead as well as work on a team, whether or not these ventures succeeded or failed.

Your qualifications (GPA, GMAT, letters of rec) help admissions get a picture as to how you'd fit along with other applicants, but there is more to the story. Creating your story and telling the "how" and "why" of going from Renault to being self-employed will be critical here. There is a lot to like with your profile, but condensing your various and valuable experiences--because you've certainly done a lot--is essential. Because you've done so much, you want to focus on the most important elements of your story--sometimes less is more.

In any case, I like the directions your story may be moving in, and a GMAT retake and +700 score will only boost your chances! If you have any additional questions, please request an additional FREE 15-minute profile review from a WyseGyde admissions consultants. WyseGyde consultants have track records of success at top schools such as Wharton, Booth, Tuck, HBS, Columbia, Darden, and the list goes on. They could certainly help guide you along your MBA path…and the profile review is FREE!

Sign-up for your profile review or information at https://www.wysegyde.com or email us directly at [email protected].

We look forward to helping you reach your MBA and career goals!

--The WyseGydes

MG4MBACrystalBall · Answer

Right, so the arc does sound interesting and impressive. But I would ask you to do a STRONG reality check on your post-MBA goal. Luxury sector is one, not a bit MBA recruiter and two, hardly ever takes international candidates. With another goals story, maybe it would have been interesting but if that's your goal, try to add a bit of realism and research.

Don't get me wrong. Your story has a lot of potential and with a 700+ score, it will get really interesting. But the goals story is 'the' most important thing to sort out. With that, you should have a decent shot.

PersonalMBACoach · Answer

Thanks for the additional detail. If you can get 700+ on the GMAT and explain your story very well, you would likely be an attractive candidate at many top 20 programs, though top 10 may be tougher to achieve. It will be important to have continuous involvement in extra-curriculars so I am more interested in what you have done since college.

You have made quite a transition so it will require some careful explanation, but it's certainly possible. Good luck!

AugustAcademy · Answer

NewRover,

Great job on the entrepreneurship activities so far.

Definitely try to get a 700+ score - the higher the better. Things that would affect your application:

1) What did you do at Renault - why did you decide that it was not your calling?
2) What did you learn from your time as an entrepreneur - scale will matter somehow.
3) What are your goals - how do they tie up with your past experiences.
4) Marketing of any sort is going to be a tough sell - if you say you want to work outside of India.

Best wishes.

Karthik

Profile evaluation - Indian/28/F/Entrepreneur

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