Profile Evaluation! Please Help!

Question

Indian Male, Age- 26

Work Experience- 5+ Years in total. 
1 year in the financial services industry as a Financial Analyst and 4+ years as a Senior Manager- Business Development & Strategy at a diversified firm with interests in Textiles, Power and Higher education (most recent job). Also Co-Founded an internet venture in 2006 which I later sold off to the other partners making a decent profit on my investment.

GMAT- 720

College- Cardiff University, Business School. Degree- BSc in Accounting & Finance Result- Upper 2.1 Degree. Topped year 1 and scored a first class in both year 1 and 2 but because of death in the family had issues with my final year grades and hence the upper 2:1. Graduated in 2008.

Treasurer of the Indian society at the B-school. Developed the Corporate social responsibility charter for my current firm with focus on education and sanitation for the poor. Working with the biggest environmental NGO in India on part time basis.

Target Schools- ISB, Darden, Cambridge, IMD, INSEAD, LBS, NUS and Nanyang (Singapore)

Planning to apply for R2 2014

Reason for pursuing an MBA is that I want to change careers. Post MBA goal is to move into Strategy Consulting. Plan to gain some experience in the consulting field through a job/internship before the start of my MBA.

Thanks

Regards

Admissionado · Answer

Before I get into your evaluation (things look pretty good to start with) I need a bit more precise information about your work experience - what firms you worked for, what positions you held, whether you have leadership, what your main achievements are....

As you can imagine your work experience is one of the most significant aspects of your application, and you are aiming high... so I wanna first have a look on what you actually have before I jump in and evalaute your profile.

Best,
JF

ramalo · Answer

Hey thanks for the reply. Completely agree with what you said. Hence providing a little more information about my work experience.

So in 2006 I co-founded an internet based company- basically the website provided higher secondary students a plethora of information on all there educational needs and also had a database of tutors who could be approached for private classes. Eventually ended up selling the venture at a decent a profit.

In the summer of 2007 interned with a leading MNC bank in india, in the corporate banking division for 3 months.

Right after graduating in 2008, I started working as a financial analyst with a small firm in india. Where I conducted market research and industry analysis of certain sectors of the economy. Utilized fundamental and financial analysis in studying current and future trends in the stock market. Also developed a report on the market entry strategy in the telecom sector for a firm.

After working there for a year I started working for my current employer. In the last 4 years or so I've worked on the development of a hydropower project, setting up of 2 new b-schools and the expansion of the textile division into denim fabrics. I've been most closely associated with the hydropower project. I was part of the team that developed the financial models and gave the final makeover to the business plan of the project. I was tasked with preparing detailed monthly progress report and worked directly under the person In-Charge of the execution of the project. Working on a infrastructure project this early in my career taught me a lot. I learnt about the issues and opportunities in the infra space in the country. Slowly as my work impressed my seniors I was made Manager, business development and Strategy bypassing many others who were more senior. My most recent achievement has been the management accepting my report on the expansion of the education vertical in higher secondary education. The idea was my own and when I pitched it to the management I was told to formulate a detailed report on all the aspects. The report was finally accepted by the management and the firm is currently at a very advanced stage of its implementation. I am one of the youngest people working at the firm and by far the youngest in a managerial role. There is a lot that I learnt through my different experiences especially on the leadership front, that I plan to showcase through my essays, including how I formulated the new corporate social responsibility charter.

I think through my essays I will be able to show the business schools why I would be a suitable candidate for their school. I'm just worried that my school selection might not be accurate and that I might be aiming too high.

Kindly advise

Thanks and Regards

Admissionado · Answer

That's MUCH better! Okay, so from the way things look here, I have some good news for you: I don't think you are aiming too high. I think that you have some tougher schools on your school list and some easier ones, and that on the whole they should balance out. Plus I was very impressed by how you wrote about your work experience. If there is one thing that B-schools always look out for it is this type of "shooting star" profile you have shown here - moving up the ladder faster than anyone else - with real promotions, and being the youngest manager does not hurt at all either

So make sure you keep on emphasizing this when you write your essays. I'm not sure about your goals though (I'm not sure they are bad either but it's a thought) - On the one hand, yes strategy consulting is the "normal" post-MBA job, buuuuut you have a lot of strong experience in finance, which is another MBA classic powerhouse, and you might want to make use of your past experience for your future goals. You could also apply with a "strategy consulting" goal, but it's something to think about. I just think that since you have already gained a leadership position, why not carry on towards "higher managerial duties" within your industry. Otherwise, things look pretty good. "Just" write some beautiful, passionate, fascinating essays, and you are all done!

ramalo · Answer

Hey thank you so much for the detailed explanation and encouraging words.

The reason I want to pursue a career in consulting is because problem solving is something I love doing. I think I have a fairly analytical mind. Its something I've been doing in my current position as well. But now I want to pursue it at a much wider scale. Want to work and learn it at a proper management consulting firm (hopefully one of the big 4). I like to stay ahead of the market. I'd love to provide consulting advice to clients that would help them achieve desired results. Moreover through consulting I'm hoping to widen my understanding of new sectors (preferably Petroleum and Minerals, both fields fascinate me). So pursuing a career in consulting will be the immediate goal post my mba. Long term goal would be to start my own business utilizing the expertise gained through my work experiences. My motivation for setting up my own business (maybe in Oil and gas or Mining) is my upbringing. I come from a family where no one’s willing to take the risk of starting something on their own. From a very young age kids are told that should study hard and strive to get into either the civil services or a good engineering college (eg. IIT). I want to change this perception. Also post my MBA I would love to continue working on certain social issues that I consider exceptionally important such as providing clean drinking water, proper sanitation and good quality education to the less well off in society.

Does that make sense to you?

Admissionado · Answer

Sure it makes sense! And it's a grand goal to be sure. Buuuuuuuuut my question I was asking myself is: is this the best goal you can present to the AdCom? I mean let's start with your long-term goals (I think moving to consulting is pretty reasonable)... but so far do you have any proven entrepreneurship? Have you laid the bases for your business? Actually you don't yet know what you want to do! And this from the AdCom's point of view is not so fantastic. You'd be surprised (or maybe not) how many people go to business school thinking they will start their own business, and become the next Apple or whatever.... but even the percentage of startups that don't crash is pretty small... and the schools want people with good solid goals, who are guaranteed success (or at least a good solid career), so keep that in mind when you present them your goals...

Afterwards if you still dream of opening that business, of course by all means!!!

But right now our job is to get you IN!

Afterwards if you still dream of opening that business, of course by all means!!!

But right now our job is to get you IN!

ramalo · Answer

Thanks once again for your prompt response

You make a very good point. I agree I should rework my long term goal. Btw I do have some entrepreneurial experience. I co-founded an internet based educational portal back in 2006. I sold my entire stake in the firm to the other co-founder making a decent return on investment.

Also. what about my short term goal of moving into consulting and the reasoning behind it? Does all that make sense?

Thank you so much for all the guidance you've provided already.

Regards

Admissionado · Answer

Aha! Great!

Well, when you come up with your long-term goals, see how you can tie it in to this experience. Best is when you are specific as possible (I don't know, but for example, let's say your company was based on one or two patented products, then you have a certain expertise in a certain field, and you should be basing the goal on that specific field).

And your logic for your short-term goals makes sense just make sure that the entire arc from past to present to future fits in a single natural looking line.

ramalo · Answer

Interaction with you has been extremely useful. Thanks for all the guidance that you've provided :D

Regards

Admissionado · Answer

Happy to help dude.

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