Profile Evaluation

Question

Hi,

I am thinking about applying to Columbia and/or Stern school of business in upcoming year or two. I wanted to see where I stand and some of the things I can do to improve my chances. Here are some specifics:

Male, Asian American (Indian Origin)
Age: Will turn 27 this year.

Academic:
Undergrad: Queens College, NY Cumulative GPA: 2.67 (Worked 30-35 hours part time)
Majors: 1) Accounting, GPA: 3.4
2) Economics, GPA: 3.6
Minor: Computer Science

Grad: MS in Risk Management from Queens College, NY GPA: 3.84 (worked full time)

I have passed the CPA exam and I am currently in process of fulfilling the experience requirement.

Work Exp:
Part Time
1)Stock Clerk, Cashier at a store for 4 years while in High School and College Part time.
2)Teller, Customer Service Rep at 2 banks for about 4 years part time.
Full Time
1) Field Auditor, Quality Assurance Analyst, Quality Assurance Manager and Collections supervisor at a Life Insurance company full time (total of 2 years)
2) Staff auditor at a subsidiary of a Big 4 accounting firm, 1 year full time.
3) I have a job offer which I will be starting in September of this year at one of the Big 4 firms, working in their Structured Finance Division.

I have not yet taken the GMAT exam. In a mock exam I scored around 580 without preparation. I am confident of achieving around 650 after preparation.

I am planning to take the CFA level 1 exam this year. I am confident of clearing at-least 1 level before applying to the MBA programs.

I do not have any volunteering work experience.

I will greatly appreciate if I can get some pointers as to how I stand in the crowd of applicants and some of the things I can do to make myself more attractive.

Please let me know if there is anything else I can add to make my situation more clear.

Thank You.

PaulBodine · Answer

hkmba,

There are several areas I recommend focusing on. Given your undergrad GPA, you should aim for a 700+ GMAT if your goal is a top 20 school. You didn't mention leadership at work so it's vital that you show it outside of work. So a lack of extracurriculars will hurt you. Finally, at 27 you do not want to wait much longer to apply. You are at the typical starting age for the MBA now. You didn't mention what kinds of schools you're targeting, but obviously your odds of admission increase the lower you move through the B-school food chain. Given your profile as it is now (assuming 650 GMAT) you could target some schools between the top 20 and top 30. You may want to read Accepted.com's  advice for Indian applicants .

Good luck,

ykaiim · Answer

Hello Paul,

Please evaluate my profile and provide me guidance on which B-schools should I select.

My MBA interest: FT, 12-15 months program in Entrepreneurship/Business mgt, Strategy & Marketing.

GMAT 1(on Nov 15, 2007) - 640 (Q46, V31)
GMAT 2(scheduled on June 24, 2010)

Total Work Exp: 6 yrs (3.5 yrs IT + 2.5 yrs Departmental/Retail stores chain (Family business in New Delhi, India))

International Exp:
Twice on client site (based in Oakland, California) (2.5 months + 1.5 months)

Sex – Male
Age – 30 yrs
Nationality - Indian

Current Responsibilities:
Managing day-to-day operations, sales, marketing, private label production. I am managing transaction worth INR 10 Cr (approx), while total business revenue is 25 Cr.

Previous IT exp: 
1. As a Sr. QA, managing a team of 4 in my second organization, received client appreciations. Working closely with one of top 5 Japanese organization (business partner of my US client).
2. Worked with multicultural teams (Indian+American+Japanese)
3. As a software engg in India's top IT organization for 2.5 yrs

Education:
B. Tech (Computers) from Kurukshetra Univ, 2004 passout, 73% marks
XII – 67%, CBSE board
X – 73%, CBSE board

ECs: 
1. Nothing special, but was participating in some social responsibility events in my IT organizations. 
2. Helped my organization to spread the idea of Save Paper. Even got appreciation from my development center Admin Head.
3. My retail outlets were the first in New Delhi to start avoiding polyethene bags and use of bio-degradable/plastic bags as per govt regulations. Hudreds of customers appreciated our efforts and even various other retailers following this practice.

Aim: After MBA, I want to gain exposure for a few years in FMCG org such as Nestle/Unileve/P&G and after that I want to expand my family business or will start my new ventures ( not decided yet ).

I would like to know:

1. How my profile looks for an MBA from the top 10-20 B-schools?
2. Do lack of good ECs reflect bad on my profile?
3. What, in your opinion, is my strengths and weakness reflected in my profile?
4. I have changed my career from IT sector to retail sector. Is it negative?
5. In my IT exp, I didnt have direct leadership role . So, it is negative on my profile?
6. Please mention what should I do to make my case stronger for final call.
7. Please list the best schools for Entrepreneurship, Strategy & Business mgt, Marketing.

------
Ykaiim

hkmba · Answer

Hi Paul,

Thanks for your advice. I will keep your tips in mind.

Himanshu

PaulBodine · Answer

You're welcome.

PaulBodine · Answer

ykaiim,

1. How my profile looks for an MBA from the top 10-20 B-schools?
 Given your profile, age, and GMAT you are not competitive for top 10 schools, but there may be some schools in the 10 thru 20 slots where you have a chance.

2. Do lack of good ECs reflect bad on my profile?
 Yes, ECs show well-roundedness and also ideally will show leadership. They're important.

3. What, in your opinion, is my strengths and weakness reflected in my profile?
 Age, GMAT score, very common applicant pool, no ECs. Your leadership and international exposure seem solid, and your family business's industry helps you stand out a little.

4. I have changed my career from IT sector to retail sector. Is it negative?
 Not if you can explain why you did it, and perhaps show that it was part of plan. If you intend to stay in retail that would help.

5. In my IT exp, I didnt have direct leadership role . So, it is negative on my profile?
 Direct is better than indirect, but indirect/informal is better than none at all.

6. Please mention what should I do to make my case stronger for final call.
 See my comments above on your weaknesses. You need to address those.

7. Please list the best schools for Entrepreneurship, Strategy & Business mgt, Marketing.
 Entrep: USC, Babason, Michigan, Stanford, MIT among others
Strategy: HBS, Michigan, Tuck, INSEAD among others
Marketing: Kellogg, Duke, Wharton, Michigan, among others

ykaiim · Answer

Thanks Paul.

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