HELP- Early Career Applicant

Question

Hi
I am an Indian aspiring to get an MBA from a US school. I will be an early career applicant when I apply ( fall â€™07 or â€™08).
My profile-
>Indian/Male/21
>Engineer 8.2/10 (not from IIT)
> IT Industry
> 7 months wok exp as on date (will have 2 yrs by fall â€™07)
>Yet to take GMAT
>Proficient with numbers (guess that takes care of half the GMAT worries).
>Planning for some community work in the next 1 year (not exactly community work, but some sort of extra curricular/organizing work).

Target Schools-
Wharton, Columbia, Chicago GSB, HBS, Stanford.
Are there schools which encourage early career applicants? If so which ones?
Since I have plenty of time before my app process, could you tell me how to make best use of the time available?
I plan to apply by fall 07 at the earliest.

Regards
MBA07

mba07 · Answer

Sorry, forgot to mention.
Post MBA Goal - To work for a Wall Street IB.
Regards.

BumblebeeMan · Answer

There are a few questions you'll need to be able to answer if you're going to apply to business schools at a young age:

Why do you want to get an MBA now?

With your lack of work experience, in what ways do you plan on contributing the school's community?

Why do you want to work in Investment Banking? If you know you want to go into investment banking, why don't you go into an analyst program instead of going to school at such a young age?

Porscheboy16 · Answer

For the last question, the MBA is probably what he needs to get into the IB firm. From what I have noticed, if you didn't go to a top school for undergrad, getting into an analyst position is even tougher.

BumblebeeMan · Answer

While that may be true, that doesn't mean that he'll get the true benefit of an MBA and be able to secure a position as an associate at an investment bank. The primary difference between a new associate (who doesn't have experience as an analyst) and an new analyst is basically work experience. Their both junior level bankers that are going to be doing primarily grunt work at the beginning of their careers, and are both going to be trained the basics of valuation, modeling, etc by the firm they accept a position with.

Somebody that is the OP's age is going to have a more difficult time in his job search than the students he would be in school with because he lacks work experience, and as somebody that is that age, this is a question that he'll likely be asked by any bank he interviews with.

mba07 · Answer

Hi
Thanks for ur replies. I can understand when u say "work in a related position". But in a country like India, finance/IB positions are hard to get unless u have an MBA. There is no "American" culture of IBs recruiting undergrads here. I currently work in IT for a fin client. Will that be a reason enough for them to accept? Also, isnt "career change" one of the primary reasons for ppl to do an MBA?
Regarding going to school at young age, wont the fact that I'm clear about my career goals early in life, go in favor of me?
Thanks in advance.

Hjort · Answer

The whole issue of admission of younger students seems to get needlessly confused. Some schools are genuinely interested in increasing their chronological diversity, they have wisely come to the realization that younger applicants can provide useful perspective and that people "mature" at different rates. And, of course, "younger" students have been in MBA programs all along. That said, as a younger student you might find yourself at a competitive disadvantage when it comes to finding employment after your MBA. However, if you are willing to accept a lower position in the hierarchy of your employer this might not be as much of an obstacle.

mba07 · Answer

Thanks Hjort, for putting it clearly. I'm not very specific about an "Associate" postion after MBA. I'll be more than willing to join as a Sr. Analyst or a Jr. Associate. I'm more enthusiastic about the industry than the designation, for I believe designation is only a matter of time. Moreover, if I stay in my current industry for 5 yrs and then app to a bschool, wont it be much more difficult to change my career path?

mba07 · Answer

Hi 

I'm in a huge dilemma now and thought I wud seek your help. Last week, I went through the selection process of a FUTURES TRADING company in Bangalore (they trade in European Markets). I'll know their decision tomorrow. If I get an offer, do u suggest that I chuck my current job, work for a coupla years as a trader and then app to Stan/HBS/Columbia? Will it deter my chances if I work for a small company? (The company I am mentioning was started only in 2004).

Thanks in advance.

Regards

Hjort · Answer

My greater concern than how MBA programs will look at this experience is whether it fits with your general career and life goals. in general, the name of your employer and your title are less important for admissions at the top cluster schools than what you actually achieve in your position and how you sell that experience.

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