What Are My Chances - Profile Evaluation Tool! WAMC

kvmrvn - would like to understand what your short-term and long-term goals are? Also, have you considered MiM, MiF, Masters in Strategy, etc. programs that typically have younger participants? Ofcourse the decision on which program would depend both on your goals and how close your profile is to the cohort, but let's start with the goals.

Also totally agree with BB's points.

Regards,
Arvind
HEC Paris MBA alum, Admissions interviewer
W:https://admitstreet.com | E: consultingteam@admitstreet.com

I would like to get my chances rated at Said Business School and LSE. I am a student in my last year of undergrad and I am planning on applying for MFin programs 2024 fall intake in the UK.

Background and nationality:- Bachelors in Accounting and finance undergraduate, Indian
Gpa:- 9.30/10.00 (first and second year)
[*]GMAT/GRE:- I will give GMAT in September
[*]Work experience and leadership:- held leadership roles like being vice president of a college club, I was also very active in my second year as HOD for three clubs and total work experience is about 1.5 years (purely internships only)
[*]I am also an alumni of University of Oxford, I was a visiting scholar at St. Catherines College, awarded the prestigious Betty and Donald Keating Scholarship by St Catherines (one of the two candidates selected from all over India) , I am also submitting a project for COP 28 and my last essay which I wrote for my last tutorial (subject: fintech) in Oxford is in talks to get published @TheConversation
[*]Post Master goals:- good good amount of work experience in top companies (I am interested in sales and trading and equity research personally)
Target schools:- Said Business School, LBS, LSE, Kings College London, Imperial College.

Posted from my mobile device

Background:

Demographic: 32M, Indian, currently working in Southeast Asia.

GRE: 161V, 164Q

Undergrad: Electronics Engineering from a top-tier Indian college. GPA: 3.05/4.
I liked building software stuff (like websites/scripts) from high school time. Despite my electronics major, my passion for software drove me to develop a college notes-sharing platform and a campus news website/org.

Professional Experience (8+ Years):

Software Engineer (1.5 yrs): At the India office of a prominent American tech company.

Entrepreneur (2 yrs): Started a social networking startup; pivoted various products, struggled with funding and sustainable revenue. Had five member team, shut down eventually.

E-commerce in South east Asia (2 years) :

a. Built a software development team (7 members) from scratch, greatly impacting business.

b. Advanced to Head of Business Intelligence; expanded the team and managed all data-related functions.

Fintech in South east Asia (2020 Jan onwards):

a. Joined as part of the initial team during e-wallet launch. Led use-case expansion (like bills payment, mobile top up, deals, etc) and built the team to 35 members. This team was critical in driving the e-wallet growth during covid, which grew into one of the biggest e-wallets in the country.

b. Progressed to Head of Budget Planning & Marketing, transitioning focus from hyper-growth to profitability. Managed additional 40 people.

c. Country Head, Fintech (Current): Overall leadership role, managing 120 personnel company, directing P&L, and driving profitability.

Extracurriculars:

1. Volunteered in website development for nonprofits in India and SE Asia.

2. Mentored new startups on tech products and MVP development (did it for free, haha)

3. Conducted tech workshops at the office, teaching Python and SQL.

4. Led a significant CSR initiative during COVID-19, facilitating e-commerce partnerships and payments integration with 30-40 NGOs, collecting substantial donations. This effort enabled these NGOs to accept micro-donations from the users of the e-com app nationwide and had to pay no payment processing charges.

Interests:

1. Freelancing in software development and graphic design.

2. Travel and recreational scuba diving.

Why MBA?
I feel my exposure to new tech stuff has plateaued while working in South East Asia (Though I love this place and earning quite well). I am still passionate about creating impact with interesting tech products. And want to move to product role in an interesting tech company. Hence I feel at this age and work experience, MBA makes sense that can help with the pivot.

Posted from my mobile device

Hello Mendax91,

I hope you are doing well. Your background and professional journey showcase a diverse range of experiences, responsibilities, and accomplishments, which are valuable assets as you consider pursuing an MBA. Your motivations for pursuing an MBA are well-founded, given your desire to pivot towards a product role in an interesting tech company and reignite your passion for creating impact through tech products. An MBA can certainly help you achieve these goals by providing you with a broader skill set, strategic thinking abilities, networking opportunities, and exposure to new perspectives.

Your background spans software engineering, entrepreneurship, e-commerce, fintech, leadership, and volunteering. This varied experience can provide unique insights and perspectives that can be enriched through an MBA program. Your progression from software engineer to country head showcases your leadership skills and ability to manage teams of varying sizes. An MBA can further refine your leadership and management abilities, preparing you to lead effectively in dynamic and diverse environments. While your technical skills are strong, an MBA can help you develop a deeper understanding of business operations, strategy, finance, marketing, and other aspects critical for a product management role.

An MBA program provides ample networking opportunities, connecting you with fellow students, alumni, faculty, and industry professionals. This network can assist you in your career transition and provide insights into new avenues for impact. Many MBA programs offer concentrations or tracks in technology management or product management, which could align well with your aspirations. You could learn about product development, user experience design, data analytics, and more.

MBA programs emphasize soft skills such as communication, negotiation, and problem-solving, which are essential for effective leadership and collaboration, especially in product management roles. An MBA can serve as a bridge between your current role and a future product management position, providing you with credibility and opening doors to opportunities that may require a combination of technical and business expertise. Your experiences in India and Southeast Asia, combined with an MBA from a renowned international institution, can make you a well-rounded global professional valuable for companies with international operations.

Your entrepreneurial experience will be highly regarded, and an MBA can help you refine your business model, funding strategies, and product-market fit analysis for future endeavors.

Given your extensive experience, consider targeting MBA programs that value diverse backgrounds and offer strong connections to the tech industry. Additionally, make sure to highlight your unique experiences and accomplishments in your application essays and interviews to stand out from other applicants. A successful MBA application will demonstrate how your background, aspirations, and the program's offerings align to create a compelling narrative for your career journey.

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!

Neha Hadke
Strategy Manager
Testimonials
Meet our Panel of Consultants.
Email: neha@mbaandbeyond.com
MBA and Beyond

Hello StrawberryDembaBa,

I hope you are doing well. You have a strong profile with a mix of academic excellence, diverse work experience, and extracurricular involvement. Your GMAT score of 730 is quite competitive, and your experience in data analysis, product management, and volunteering adds to your uniqueness as an applicant.

Safe Choices:

Cornell 1-year Tech MBA: Your experience and GMAT score align well with Cornell's program, which focuses on technology management. Your data analytics experience could be a strong asset here.

Foster School of Business (University of Washington): With your profile, Foster could be a great option. It has a strong tech presence and a 1-year accelerated program that might suit your goals.

Probable Choices:

UCLA Anderson: Given your background and interest in tech, UCLA Anderson's location in Silicon Beach could offer excellent networking opportunities. Your experience could resonate well with their program.

Kellogg MBAi (Northwestern University): This program is tailored for candidates interested in the intersection of business and technology. Your data analysis and product management roles align with the program's focus.

Duke Fuqua: Fuqua's tech club and CASE (Center for the Advancement of Social Entrepreneurship) align with your interests. Your experience in tech and product management could be a good fit here.

Reach Choices:

Haas School of Business (UC Berkeley): Your experience and interest in tech align well with Haas's reputation in innovation and technology management.

Columbia Business School: Columbia's location in NYC and strong connections to various industries might offer good opportunities for your career switch. However, competition is high.

MIT Sloan: While it's a reach, your tech-focused background and aspiration for product management make it worth considering. MIT Sloan is known for its strong tech network.

In terms of taking the GMAT again, your current score of 730 is solid and well above the average for most of your target schools. However, if you feel that you can improve your score significantly and have the time to do so, it might enhance your chances at the reach schools. But given your strong overall profile, it's not a necessity.

Remember that school selection should also consider cultural fit, program curriculum, networking opportunities, and specific resources that align with your goals. Ensure your application essays, recommendations, and interviews reflect your unique experiences and future aspirations.

Good luck with your MBA journey!

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!

Neha Hadke
Strategy Manager
Testimonials
Meet our Panel of Consultants.
Email: neha@mbaandbeyond.com
MBA and Beyond

Hello Saachij,

I hope you are doing good. You have an impressive profile with strong academic achievements and a range of leadership experiences. Your involvement in extracurricular activities, leadership roles, and your status as an alumnus of the University of Oxford showcase your dedication and potential. Your aspirations for sales and trading, as well as equity research, align well with MFin programs.

Said Business School, University of Oxford:

Your strong academic performance and your connection as an alumni visiting scholar at St. Catherine's College, along with the Betty and Donald Keating Scholarship, demonstrate your affiliation with the university. Your leadership roles in college clubs and your involvement in extracurricular activities are positive indicators of your engagement and leadership potential. Your interest in sales and trading aligns with the finance focus of the MFin program. The fact that you're an Oxford alumnus might give you an edge in the application process, as they often value their own alumni's applications.

London School of Economics (LSE):

Your strong academic performance and background in Accounting and Finance are well-suited for the MFin program at LSE. Your leadership roles and work experience contribute to your overall profile. Your involvement in the COP 28 project and the potential publication of your essay demonstrate your engagement in the field and your ability to contribute to discussions and research.

Given your accomplishments, both institutions are likely to view your application positively. However, it's important to keep in mind that admissions decisions are influenced by a variety of factors, and there's always a level of uncertainty in the process. Make sure to craft compelling application essays that highlight your unique experiences, skills, and aspirations. Your GRE/GMAT score will also play a significant role in your application, so prepare well for the exam.

Overall, your profile seems strong and competitive for the MFin programs at Said Business School (Oxford) and LSE. As always, it's a good idea to apply to a range of schools to increase your chances of admission.

Good luck with your applications!

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!

Neha Hadke
Strategy Manager
Testimonials
Meet our Panel of Consultants.
Email: neha@mbaandbeyond.com
MBA and Beyond

Hi Saachij, please see some points from an initial assessment:

1. The GPA and pedigree are strong. A good GMAT score (i.e. above your target school's average) would put you in a good position for your target programs.

2. ECs i.e. clubs and leadership roles sound interesting. The association with the Oxford brand is a differentiating factor. Would like to understand more about your internships: which sector/ function were they in?

3. Your post-Master goals of sales, trading & equity research are aligned to Masters in Finance Programs in general. Would suggest understanding more about your target roles i.e. skills required to thrive in these roles, how did (similar) Masters alumni transition to these roles, etc. Then, identifying your transferable skills (from internships, ECs, personality traits etc.) and highlighting how your target school can "fill in the gaps" can help craft a strong application.

Hope this helps some. Feel free to reach out for a detailed 1:1.

Regards,
Arvind
HEC Paris MBA alum, Admissions interviewer
W:https://admitstreet.com | E: consultingteam@admitstreet.com

Mendax91

Overall a stellar profile! Your GRE is alright and your Quant score could have been better.

What is keeping you from joining an interesting tech company given your rich experience and enterprising endeavors? Are you looking for a change in geography, perhaps wanting to move where most of the action is right now (The US?).

First, outline why you feel an MBA is necessary to move into product management given your extensive background in the tech domain. Second, if you have attempted to make this transition but have encountered specific obstacles and previously undiscovered difficulties in moving into bigtech companies, you should identify the types of programs and schools that would help you enter your desired career with minimal opportunity cost and optimal return on investment (although several 2 year programs will still consider you a strong fit due to your experience in tech). Given your age, you may be better suited for a shorter MBA program that can quickly provide you with the network and launching platform you need. Nonetheless, identifying the appropriate programs is an important consideration and likely the first step on your path to an MBA

I would advise you to look into some of the leading 1 year programs in the US and elsewhere(EU/UK and Singapore).
I think you are a good fit for some of the programs like Kellogg 1 year, Columbia J Term, INSEAD (Singapore Campus), LBS, Cornell Tech MBA, Tepper Masters in Product Mgt (1 year and targeted to Bigtech recruiters)

Best wishes

Aanchal Sahni (INSEAD alum, ex INSEAD MBA admissions interviewer)
MBAGuideConsulting
LinkedIn |WEBSITE: https://mbaguideconsulting.com/ | Message: +91 9971200927| email- mbaguideconsulting@gmail.com

Hi Saachij hope you are doing great

Your profile is impressive specifically your academics. However, if you are looking for a career in finance, an internship can help you stand out from the crowd as it helps you reflect on real-world applications you have experienced and how that may have fueled your interest in exploring the topic further. It also gives you a lot of talking points for applying to some of the most selective programs like LSE.

For competitive MSc Finance applications, I advise you to address the following checklist in your application to demonstrate a strong motivation for the program:

Academic focus: Aim for a high GMAT score. Highlight any other academic accolades, scholarships, or recognitions you have received.

Proof of enthusiasm and motivation for the subject: Provide context regarding your passion for finance, starting from an early stage, and supplement your interest with examples of relevant courses, internships, or projects you have undertaken.

Understanding, experience, and appreciation of the subject through real-life applications and projects: Utilize insights from your internships, jobs, or other finance-related projects. Discuss specific projects or finance-related topics that have been pivotal in motivating you to further explore the subject.

Super curricular activities: Share details about supplementary books, articles, research papers, or newspapers you have read. Highlight any relevant podcasts you listen to and explain how these activities support and complement your interest in the subject.

I strongly advise you to cover these points thoroughly in your SOPs, essays and interviews.

Additionally, having a variety of extracurricular activities and language skills is advantageous. Discuss how these experiences and skills can contribute to your future as a business leader.

Here are a few other points to keep in mind:

1.Demonstrate originality and a thoughtful approach in your application.
2.Show active engagement with the target school and potential recruiters to learn about the post-MFin prospects, showcasing your conscientiousness. My applicants who recently successfully converted their offers from LSE had actively reached out to professors and engaged in discussions to gain meaningful insights about the program and courses. Demonstrating enthusiasm to truly understand the academic environment at LSE and other schools can greatly contribute to your success.

Focus on getting a high GMAT to reinstate your strong academic focus. Regardless, with a strong application expressing your motivation for the master's program, you should be accepted to the schools of your choice with a scholarship.

Best wishes

Aanchal Sahni (INSEAD alum, ex INSEAD MBA admissions interviewer)
MBAGuideConsulting
LinkedIn |WEBSITE: https://mbaguideconsulting.com/ | Message: +91 9971200927| email- mbaguideconsulting@gmail.com

Hello everyone, my name is Marco.

I’m 25 and I’m an Italian master's degree student. I’ve started looking for an MBA at a top school. I’ll complete my master’s degree at 26 so I think that the best moment to apply would be in 3/4 years, when I’ll be 28/29 years old.

Considering my background, the best choice for me would probably be to do my MBA in Europe, since they’re usually 12-15 months long and less expensive. On the other hand, HBS is my dream since I was like 20.

Could you please give me some tips and suggestions on what to do in these 3/4 years to become a good candidate for these schools?
I would also be extremely interested in an honest opinion on my background to help me find the weak spots that I can strengthen in the next years to increase my chances.

Here’re the schools I’m interested in:
Tier 1: HBS, Wharton
Tier 2: Columbia, INSEAD, Kellogg, Yale
Tier 3: SDA Bocconi, HEC Paris; London Business School

__________________________________________

If you’re interested, here’s my background:

Education:
Master’s Degree: I’m currently enrolled in a Double Master’s Degree program:
MSc in Management at Bocconi University (4.0 GPA)
Master of International Business at the Darla Moore: University of South Carolina (no GPA yet).
Next summer I’ll get both degrees.

Bachelor: BSc in Digital marketing from a not ranked university.
Good GPA but I don’t know how to convert it in a 4.0 scale (it’s 27.7/30 in the Italian grading system), final grade 107/110.

Experience:
Almost 5 years of experience in marketing (all 5 in Italy), of which 4 in consulting. Good and provable results with clients, some quantitative results in my portfolio are really good. I also had leadership roles, and huge responsibilities, such as leading projects, independently managing hundreds of thousands of euros of budget, etc.
The main issue (imo) is that all my experience is in small-size companies, definitely not big names to put on my resume. On the other hand, this allowed me to take much more responsibilities and develop entrepreneurship and expertise in several industries and functions, having worked in different areas of the company.
Still, I feel that not having “big names” on the resume can be a major issue in being accepted to top schools, in particular in the US.

I had a leadership role for one year in a tech startup, it wasn’t so successful (but I learned A LOT), so I don’t even know how to communicate this experience in my resume and essays.

Extracurricular activities:
I’m trilingual, I’m native Italian, fluent in English, and intermediate in Spanish (and I’m working to improve it).
I attended a lot of courses outside the university path in various areas, from strategy and management to IT.
Unfortunately, I have really few and weak sports/associations activities, since these are not really a big thing in Italy.

GMAT:
I took it for the application to the Bocconi’s MSc. I scored 710 (Q49, V39).
But I will certainly take it another time with the focus edition since I can still manage to score in the 90 percentile with no additional training. Hopefully, I’ll get a score that can help me with my application.

My goal after the MBA is to work in management consulting firms and/or premium automotive brands.

Thank you in advance!

Posted from my mobile device

Please somebody help me out.

I have following profile which appears to be very weak to me.

Please tell if there is some chance for me to get into any of the top US B-schools-

Gmat 740
Ielts 8

-I am 29-year old male civil engineer.
-MTECH from IIT Roorkee with good grades.
-undertook a extensive research project in final year of mtech
-I have had good grades in all of my education
-got selected as Senior technical associate in southern railways after Mtech but couldn't join due to family problems
-Working with my father in his building material sales business and also provides commercial and residential property on rent.
My responsibilities are to take care of general operations of the goods supply, accounts and tax filing.

Posted from my mobile device

gulluhullu

Weak is only a matter of perspective.

What are your post-MBA goals?
What are your preferred schools/geographies/ preferences?

My goal is to move to job in finance and towards top governance roles in long term. Looking to join in US or canada

Posted from my mobile device

gulluhullu - quick q's before providing some feedback: how many years work-ex/ family business experience do you have, and are you applying for 2024 intake?


Regards,
Arvind
HEC Paris MBA alum, Admissions interviewer
W:https://admitstreet.com| E: consultingteam@admitstreet.com

I have 4years of experience as of now and yes i am applying for 2024 intake

Posted from my mobile device

Score is perfect for Top Canadian schools. Like top 5 easily! It will come down to profile.

As for US, I believe, Georgetown would a school worth exploring given your career interest. Reach out if you have any questions.

gulluhullu Hope you are doing great

Sometimes you may underestimate the depth of experience you gain working as a self-employed person or in a family business. One aspect that is highly valued by both business schools and recruiters is hands-on experience in directly managing various important projects (if you come from a family business, you should have had this experience). Think about the contributions you have made to your family business and focus on the key success metrics you have independently led. Candidates who have experience scaling a family business can offer a unique perspective, having experienced firsthand the impact of making decisions that align with specific goals.

As a new generation participant in the family business, you can illustrate your case with examples that highlight your fresh and unconventional approach to the business. This will set you apart from the traditional norms that family business management adheres to and motivate you to pursue an MBA now. The experience of working in a family business brings significant learning and challenges that, if effectively presented in your application, can position you as a strong candidate.

Fortunately, your GMAT score is solid and will bolster your application.

As for your goals, my advice is to do thorough research. Think about the positions you want to pursue in finance and why companies might prefer you for those positions over other students who have already built a solid professional foundation in the field. In order to do this, requires a deep understanding of your current profile. However, I can advise you that if you are highly involved in financial planning and analysis for your business, you can lay the foundation for your interest in other finance-related positions. Fundamental business objectives involve cost containment and profit maximization. Recall successful examples (your ideas and initiatives) that have positively impacted your business. Earning certifications in finance would undoubtedly enhance your career prospects if your interest were in that direction. However, other roles such as Investment Banking (IB) or Private Equity/Venture Capital (PE /VC) could be ambitious and require significant effort to transition and may not be possible to attain immediately post MBA, especially in a new geographic context. It is important to be realistic about your goals and strategically communicate them to the admissions committee.

If you get your goals strategy wrong, you would have almost no chance of getting into a top 20 MBA in the US. Therefore, your focus must be now to research your goals and then create a target list of schools.

Do not hesitate to reach out to us if you need help navigating your unique circumstances in the B School admissions process.

Aanchal Sahni (INSEAD alum, ex INSEAD MBA admissions interviewer)
MBAGuideConsulting
LinkedIn |WEBSITE: https://mbaguideconsulting.com/ | Message(WA): +91 9971200927| email- mbaguideconsulting@gmail.com

gulluhullu - thanks for updating this. Some feedback:

1. Academic profile is strong given the IIT pedigree and GMAT score. With a strong professional experience (next point) and rationale for why MBA/ post-MBA goals (point 3), it would be ideal to target the T10-20 programs with a focus on finance (point 4).

2. The professional arc is interesting and I would like to understand more details about the family business to better assess the strength i.e. the context of your industry, challenges you faced, actions you took, tangible impact of your actions, and learnings/ takeaways which can help in/ post MBA. I worked with a candidate with family business experience (including a failed venture): he had great anecdotes and learnings/ skills from these experiences. He was admitted into a top-10 program. Business/ entrepreneurship experience, if strong and presented well can be an asset, as B-schools love candidates who have faced on-the-ground challenges and can bring practical viewpoints to classroom discussions.

3. Finance involves several sub-domains/ roles e.g. IB, PE, VC, consulting, fin-tech (management/ PM within here), corporate finance, etc. Narrowing down your post-MBA goals i.e. target sector, function, geography and ideally also companies is key. Subsequently, identifying your transferable skills and the gaps that the MBA can help you fill will make the narrative stronger. Finance roles, particularly IB and PE/ VC revolve around networking and sometimes certain geographies, so speaking to alumni who are in similar roles can help. Transitioning from finance consulting immediately post-MBA (given your entrepreneurial experience, consulting can be interesting) to PE/ VC in the medium/ long term is also a path that can work.

4. While I'm unable to recommend programs given the limited context we are dealing with at this point, broadly speaking, looking at T10-20 US/ Canada programs with strong alumni networks and post-MBA opportunities in finance (can vary by sub-domain though, ref. above point) would be a good starting point.

Hope this helps a bit. Feel free to reach out for a detailed 1:1 chat.

Regards,
Arvind
HEC Paris MBA alum, Admissions interviewer
W:https://admitstreet.com | E: consultingteam@admitstreet.com