Profile building : Advice?

Question

Hi 
I need some advice to improve my candidature for an MBA program fall 2011.

I took GMAT in December,2009.
Scored 660(V:34, Q:47)
Engineering in Information Technology(65%)

Aiming for Fall 2011.
I haven't decided the course yet. Still doing my research on Universities
and the MBA curricula. To be a little more precise i am looking forward to
Management in Information Systems
Or
International Business/GM courses to chose from.

Till date i have 20 months of full time work experience as a systems engineer
in IT sector. By fall 2011 it will be close to 3 years.

Please advice how shall i go about improving my profile to strengthen my candidature.
I have almost a year to go for the application process.

Thanks

piyatiwari · Answer

Hey Papilon86,

You have good amount of time to work on making your application attractive. You have already scored good, so no worries in that area. You can do proper research on schools that you want to apply. You can visit the schools and/or meet students/alumni.

Your work experience will be fair till you get into B-school. However it would be great if you get to do any managerial work at your current workplace. Handling a small team also counts. It will help you with "why you want to do MBA or something like that" essay question.

You should also concentrate on extra curricular activities. Like doing non profit work or perusing something extra-ordinary in your hobby-area. Everybody who applies for B-school has good GMAT score and is intelligent. What makes your application better from others is your connection with the community. Show the application reviewers that you have something that can be given back to the community for its betterment.

Other thing is, you can go through last year's essay topics of your "top 5" schools and make a rough draft of your essay. Keep polishing your essay over the time. When final essay topics are out, you can use your drafts to write final essays. This will definitely save time and last-minute-rush.

I don't know how much important this actually is, but now days I'm going through some Economics and finance fundamentals. Like you, I'm also from Engineering background. I have never studied management subjects ever. I think its good to get into B-School with some knowledge of these subject.

Good luck!

papillon86 · Answer

hi, Thanks for the advice

Really appreciate. I had planned to do some of the things you mentioned. Good to know other candidates are following some of these things as well. And the rough draft of application essays will surely help. Thanks again

AlexMBAApply · Answer

Two things you need to do. First, see if you can retake the GMAT, and shoot for 700+ if you can, especially if you're aiming for the top 15 schools. Secondly, spend the next year doing a lot of research on the schools. Scour their websites. Scour these discussion forums - there's a wealth of information here. Look at rankings publications. Visit some of the schools if you can. Talk to current students. By educating yourself on these schools, you'll be able to make a more informed choice (not to mention your essays will be that much more specific and compelling because it's coming from a position of "I know what I'm getting myself into based on my own research and experience" rather than having someone tell you what to do).

papillon86 · Answer

Hello Alex,

Thanks for the response. That was useful.
Anyways, i have started doing the research for the career/course i want to pursue.
Also i have been following the career forums religiously. So reassured that i am on the right track so far, thanks.

Next to follow would be the research on the schools as you mentioned and retaking the GMAT. Considering my schedule at work i have planned another attempt in July this year. Until then i would be continuing my research.

Apart from this do you think i should invest time building an extracurricular profile? Is it considered?Will it help? If it does, is there something specific that i can do to lend more weight to my profile?

And what kind of recommendations i need to work on?

Thanks,
Alex

AlexMBAApply · Answer

As I've mentioned before on these forums, you have to build a life, not a resume. The resume or "profile" should be a byproduct and not the reason for doing what you do.

Focus on things that interest and drive you. Adcoms want dynamic and passionate people - and it's not about picking up a hodgepodge of activities, certificates, or whatever.

There's a difference between participation and achievement - anyone can participate in whatever volunteer activity. But far fewer can actually achieve -- because to achieve anything of meaning or significance takes years of sustained commitment and sacrifice. You can't do that overnight -- and when compared to applicants that have *real* achievements, anything you pick up "for the sake of b-school admissions" will simply look like superficial window dressing.

The best way to get into b-school is to be as accomplished and talented as you can be, period. And that has to come from you, from within - and not from someone else telling you what you should do. You have to figure out what drives you and what you love, rather than being driven by what others say (as kids, it's your parents; as teens, it's your friends; as young adults, its your colleagues and peers, and now it seems t be adcoms, employers, etc).

papillon86 · Answer

Well said.

I understand that and I'll keep that in mind before asking any more question henceforth.

We all do a lot of stuff and probably want to take up a lot more as one's schedule permits. My main concern is that for this last one year i should not spend time doing things that don't matter because as you know time is the most scarce resources working professionals have.

Anyways i get the context. I'll try and pitch by your advice.
Thanks Alex.

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