Hello
nkcnkc,
Your profile looks good on the surface. You have a strong profile with several notable achievements and experiences.
Let us begin by highlighting your chances of acceptance.
1. INSEAD: Your international experience, leadership roles, and work at globally significant banks can be valuable for your application. Your strong academic performance and certifications also contribute positively. However, INSEAD is highly competitive, and acceptance depends on various factors beyond your profile alone, such as essays, recommendations, and interview performance. With a well-crafted application, you have a competitive chance of admission.
2. LBS: Your experience in risk management and operations, along with leadership roles and achievements, align well with LBS's emphasis on practical skills and diversity. Your profile should be competitive, but keep in mind that LBS is also highly selective. Strong application materials will be essential to stand out.
3. IESE: Your diverse experiences, leadership roles, and international exposure are valuable for IESE's focus on a global perspective. However, IESE also considers factors like fit with their mission and values. Your profile aligns well, but a strong application is necessary to increase your chances.
4. Both Oxford and Cambridge universities have highly competitive MBA programs. Your profile showcases strong academic performance, international exposure, and leadership experiences. However, these universities typically consider a holistic view of applicants, including intellectual curiosity and fit with their programs. You have a competitive profile, but the application process will require strong supporting materials to increase your chances.
Now covering another important aspect: Scholarships at lower-ranked US schools:
Lower-ranked US schools may offer scholarships to attract strong candidates. Your profile, including your work experience, leadership roles, and achievements, can make you a competitive candidate for scholarships. However, scholarship decisions are highly variable and depend on the individual school's criteria, applicant pool, and available funds. It's worth exploring scholarship opportunities at specific schools and submitting strong applications to maximize your chances.
Speaking about your international exposure and post-MBA goals: Leverage your international experience and interactions with regulators and supervisors. Highlight your ability to work in multicultural settings and your understanding of global business dynamics. Refine your post-MBA goals and align them with your past experiences and skills. Showcase how an MBA will bridge any gaps and accelerate your progress towards your desired career path.
While your GRE score is not exceptionally high, it is still within a competitive range for many MBA programs. Admissions committees consider multiple factors, including your work experience, academic performance, and other achievements. It's important to focus on other aspects of your application, such as essays, recommendations, and interviews, to highlight your strengths and potential. If you are unable to improve your score significantly, concentrate on crafting a compelling narrative and showcasing your unique qualities in the other components of your application.
Remember that admission decisions are not solely based on individual aspects of your profile but on the overall package you present, including your essays, recommendations, and interviews. Put your best foot forward in each component, tailor your application to each school's values and strengths, and demonstrate your passion, leadership potential, and ability to contribute to the program and the business community.
We offer a limited number of
complimentary profile evaluations each week . We match you with the students and alums of top B-Schools according to your background and target schools. In this call, the experts will try to dig out your USP for top B-schools and provide you with honest feedback on your profile and chances to your target schools.
Book a free profile evaluation call now! Good luck with your application process!
Neha Hadke
Strategy Manager
TestimonialsMeet our Panel of Consultants. Email:
neha@mbaandbeyond.comMBA and Beyondnkcnkc wrote:
Hello everyone,
I would greatly appreciate your guidance and honest assessment of my profile. Thank you in advance for your time and patience.
General background: I am a 29-year-old male, an Indian national.
Education:
Mechanical Engineering, from Delhi Technological University (university ranked within the top 15 in India) with a GPA of 8.3/10 or 3.8/4, placing me in the 90th percentile of my batch.
Certifications:
I am a certified Financial Risk Manager (FRM), clearing both parts successfully in first attempt.
Test Scores:
I obtained a GRE score of 324 in my first attempt, with a breakdown of 165 in Quantitative and 159 in Verbal.
Work experience:
I currently possess 6 years of work experience, with a total of 7 years expected at the time of commencing the MBA program. My professional experience predominantly lies around Government of India (Public Sector).
Central Bank Experience: Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
I am working as a Central Banker (Manager) at the RBI since last 4 years, responsible for supervising and managing risks at one of the Globally Systemically Important Banks (GSIBs). This role involved regular interactions and meetings with the GSIB's Board and Senior Management. The supervisory reports I prepared are reviewed by high-ranking officials, including the Governor of the central bank. Significant number of officials from RBI and the supervised entity having direct reporting. For international experience: There are various interactions with regulators and supervisors in overseas jurisdiction on a regular basis, recent G20 hosting experience, leisure travelling overseas etc.
Oil Marketing Company Experience: Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL)
For 2 years, I worked at a Fortune 500 oil marketing company, ranked 142nd globally and 2nd in India among public sector companies. In this role, I managed technical operations at an oil plant and oversaw the supply chain management of white oil across a large geographic area. I led a team of around 30 individuals who reported directly to me.
Additional Experience:
1. Z S Associates: I also had a 3-month stint as a Business Operations Associate at a pharmaceutical consulting firm.
2. Furthermore, I completed summer internships at PEPSICO and a hyperlocal startup. During my undergraduate years, I co-founded a start-up, although it unfortunately did not succeed.
Extra-curricular activities:
Active Involvement:
I have excelled in volleyball and chess at the national level. I have formed volleyball teams at the high school, university, and professional levels, including a team in Mumbai, where I am currently based.
Event Management:
I have experience in conceptualizing and executing corporate conferences and music concerts, benefiting from the opportunities available in Mumbai.
Past Leadership Roles:
During my undergraduate years, I served as the Cultural Secretary of the Student Union, having been elected by over 8000 students. Additionally, I was the Convenor for two years of the Annual Cultural Festival at my university. The festival attracted a footfall of 70,000 participants over three days and secured sponsorships exceeding Rs 1 crore (10 million INR) for each event.
Post-MBA Goals:
My post-MBA aspiration is to pursue a career in general consulting at MBB or similar firms. Alternatively, I am also interested in management roles within operations or risk management domains, preferably in the Middle East, and then in Europe. I am not inclined towards a finance-focused career and instead aim to explore different industries.
Thank you for taking the time to review my profile. I would greatly appreciate any feedback or additional insights you may have. I'm planning to apply in R1.
a) I would like to know my chances of being accepted into MBA programs at INSEAD, LBS, IESE, Oxbridge etc. (specifically looking for one-year- 15 months MBA programs).
b) Additionally, do I stand a chance of receiving a significant scholarship at lower-ranked US schools? Just wanted a second opinion here.
c) Which areas should I focus on to make my profile more competitive?
d) Lastly, will my relatively low GRE score be an impediment to securing admission at these schools? I plan to allocate more effort to my applications and do not anticipate significant bump in the score.
Thank you once again.