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doctorb
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Joined: 12 Nov 2015
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Location: United States
Schools: Insead July'17 Tuck '19 (I) Johnson '19 Ross '19 (II) Duke '19 HBS '19 Yale '19 Booth '19 IESE '19
GMAT 1: 710 Q49 V38
GPA: 3.5
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Schools: Insead July'17 Tuck '19 (I) Johnson '19 Ross '19 (II) Duke '19 HBS '19 Yale '19 Booth '19 IESE '19
GMAT 1: 710 Q49 V38
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Ding Evaluation Updated on: 31 Aug 2016, 23:59
Originally posted by doctorb on 09 Mar 2016, 11:55.
Last edited by doctorb on 31 Aug 2016, 23:59, edited 1 time in total.
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PersonalMBACoach
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Ding Evaluation 09 Mar 2016, 14:44
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doctorb
I applied to about 7 schools in R2 and have received 4 dings without an interview. No interviews have come in for the rest so I'm pretty convinced they'll be dings as well. It's getting hard to not be disappointed and stay motivated, but I'm doing the best I can. In the meantime, I thought it might be helpful to get a fresh pair of eyes on my profile to get some insights.

What would be the weak points in my application? I realize that with H/S/C I've been too ambitious, but were the other schools out of reach as well?

Ethnicity: Indian, Male, 28, raised in the Middle East
Education: Undergrad Computer Science (Upper Second Class degree) and 1 year Masters in Business (Upper Second Class) - both in the UK
GMAT: 710 (Q49, V38, IR8, AWA 5). Retaking later this month.
Continuing education: Certificate in Finance + Multiple MOOCs
Work ex: Total 6 years - 4 years in startup digital marketing agency (1 year leadership role). 2 years in family business - Retail.
Extracurriculars: run a technology blog (8 writers). Started a business themed peer group. Spoken at various conferences on digital marketing and published thought leadership pieces in local newspapers. Started local chapter alumni group for university
Accolades: International level award for digital marketing
Recommenders: Ex-boss (MD of company and direct supervisor) and ex-colleague. I used the optional essay to explain I couldn't use a current supervisor since I was in a family business.
Post MBA Goals - MBB Consulting with a focus on Digital Transformation.

Schools applied - Harvard (D), Stanford(D), Columbia(D), Kellogg, Yale(D), Darden, UCLA.
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Thank you for your post and I am sorry that things did not work out for you. While it certainly is discouraging, now is the time to figure out what you need to change in order to improve your candidacy for next year!

Undergrad: What were your grades? This is an important data point, so it would be helpful to know the score out of 100 (no need to convert)
Work ex: What were your roles at the startup? How often did you get promoted / salary raises?
More importantly, what is the family business? Size of the business? Your role in it? Also did you do the family business more recently?
GMAT: I am not surprised you didn't get into those schools with a 710 considering you are an Indian male. That demographic is tough, so you would have to have a very strong application to make it work.


I work with a lot of applicants who come from family businesses and we have a lot of success, but it is important to craft your story very well, ensuring it is clear and concise. For instance, why the switch from digital marketing to the family business and then to consulting? (If that is the order)

I would love to give you a more detailed evaluation, which I could really only do if I took a look at your application so I get a sense of the essays you wrote. Send me a note and we can discuss further: [email protected]

Best,
Scott
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Ding Evaluation 09 Mar 2016, 19:55
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doctorb,
I see nothing in your profile that even approaches a red flag, though as an Indian applicant your GMAT score could perhaps be stronger to optimize your odds. But your digital marketing and family business experience are nice assets and your technology blog and public speaking are also distinctive assets. So my sense is that you are not aiming too high but may simply have fallen victim to the fierce competition at top schools and perhaps some poor execution (maybe essays didn't sizzle, or reco letters seemed phoned in), and perhaps some bad luck as well. Darden and UCLA may come through for you. If you need to reapply, retaking the GMAT would be job one. I'd be happy to give you more feedback if you send your resume: [email protected].
--Paul Bodine, Great Applications for Business School, www.admitify.com/outcomes

doctorb
I applied to about 7 schools in R2 and have received 4 dings without an interview. No interviews have come in for the rest so I'm pretty convinced they'll be dings as well. It's getting hard to not be disappointed and stay motivated, but I'm doing the best I can. In the meantime, I thought it might be helpful to get a fresh pair of eyes on my profile to get some insights.

What would be the weak points in my application? I realize that with H/S/C I've been too ambitious, but were the other schools out of reach as well?

Ethnicity: Indian, Male, 28, raised in the Middle East
Education: Undergrad Computer Science (Upper Second Class degree) and 1 year Masters in Business (Upper Second Class) - both in the UK
GMAT: 710 (Q49, V38, IR8, AWA 5). Retaking later this month.
Continuing education: Certificate in Finance + Multiple MOOCs
Work ex: Total 6 years - 4 years in startup digital marketing agency (1 year leadership role). 2 years in family business - Retail.
Extracurriculars: run a technology blog (8 writers). Started a business themed peer group. Spoken at various conferences on digital marketing and published thought leadership pieces in local newspapers. Started local chapter alumni group for university
Accolades: International level award for digital marketing
Recommenders: Ex-boss (MD of company and direct supervisor) and ex-colleague. I used the optional essay to explain I couldn't use a current supervisor since I was in a family business.
Post MBA Goals - MBB Consulting with a focus on Digital Transformation.

Schools applied - Harvard (D), Stanford(D), Columbia(D), Kellogg, Yale(D), Darden, UCLA.
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Ding Evaluation 09 Mar 2016, 21:56
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doctorb
I applied to about 7 schools in R2 and have received 4 dings without an interview. No interviews have come in for the rest so I'm pretty convinced they'll be dings as well. It's getting hard to not be disappointed and stay motivated, but I'm doing the best I can. In the meantime, I thought it might be helpful to get a fresh pair of eyes on my profile to get some insights.

What would be the weak points in my application? I realize that with H/S/C I've been too ambitious, but were the other schools out of reach as well?

Ethnicity: Indian, Male, 28, raised in the Middle East
Education: Undergrad Computer Science (Upper Second Class degree) and 1 year Masters in Business (Upper Second Class) - both in the UK
GMAT: 710 (Q49, V38, IR8, AWA 5). Retaking later this month.
Continuing education: Certificate in Finance + Multiple MOOCs
Work ex: Total 6 years - 4 years in startup digital marketing agency (1 year leadership role). 2 years in family business - Retail.
Extracurriculars: run a technology blog (8 writers). Started a business themed peer group. Spoken at various conferences on digital marketing and published thought leadership pieces in local newspapers. Started local chapter alumni group for university
Accolades: International level award for digital marketing
Recommenders: Ex-boss (MD of company and direct supervisor) and ex-colleague. I used the optional essay to explain I couldn't use a current supervisor since I was in a family business.
Post MBA Goals - MBB Consulting with a focus on Digital Transformation.

Schools applied - Harvard (D), Stanford(D), Columbia(D), Kellogg, Yale(D), Darden, UCLA.
Show more

Thanks for sharing your profile.

I don't see major weaknesses from what you have provided. However, you are applying to very selective schools and coming from a very competitive pool. One area for improvement could be in presenting the reason for your career decisions, how the MBA program, and goals would fit together.

Wish you all the best!