Profile evaluation (760 GMAT Score)

[himanshu.bt]

Hi,

My profile is as follows:

27/M/760 with work experience of 3 years (1 year at BCG followed by 2 years (at the time of joining B-school)) at a top Real Estate Private Equity fund.

My academic credentials are also strong (top 3 of 300 students during my first MBA at Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (ranked top 5 in asia), Gold Medallist). Before that I did my undergrad at Indian Institute of Technology (top engineering school in India) where I graduated as the best all rounder of my hostel. I was also involved in a small micro-finance initiative while at engineering school, was the editor of college journal and had a decent GPA.

I want to get your views regarding prospects in the first round of addmission at

Harvard/Stanford/Wharton

Reasons for doing second MBA

1) International exposure
2) Stronger network of these schools and global recognition

Please guide!

[mili]

Congrats on your GMAT score - well done! However, you should note that top scores alone are not enough to get you into a top school. They will consider multiple dimensions when evaluating your candidacy, including:

Academics: You are very strong in this dimension - 760 GMAT, IIT grad, top grades in undergrad and MBA. This definitely help you!

Professional experience: It's really great that you transitioned into the business world. Having BCG on your resume is excellent, and the real estate PE transition is fine as well, as long as it makes sense with your career narrative. More importantly though, they'll want to see that you've demonstrated your leadership capacity in the professional arena, so be sure to focus on stories where you were leading teams, overcoming challenges, taking initiative, etc.

Community: Ad coms at the schools you are looking consider post-college community leadership an important quality. I didn't see any mention of this in your profile, so this is a bit of red flag. Having a board seat on a non-profit that you are passionate about, mentoring students,... whatever it might be, it's important to show that you are making a positive contribution on your community.

Extracurriculars: I also didn't see anything about post-college extracurricular activities -- another red flag. It is important to show that you are an individual who is deeply engaged with the world around you -- whether that means you are a marathon runner, a pianist, a soccer player or a photographer. Doesn't matter so much what the activities, but that you do them consistently and fully. Ideally, you can demonstrate leadership through these activities as well.

Now, I'm not saying that you can't get into the schools you are considering, but I do think you'll have to work to compensate for these last two dimensions - likely with personal stories. My main concern is that you'll come across as a one dimensional candidate (really, really smart guy!). I'd say that your profile doesn't necessarily scream HBS or GSB, but again, it depends how you can position yourself. If your heart is set on these schools, I suggest choosing one of them, also including Wharton, and then choosing 2-3 other schools in the top 10 - Columbia, UC Berkeley, Michigan, Tuck, and perhaps one safety like UCLA or Darden.

I hope this helps. Good luck!

Mili Mittal
Senior Consultant
http://www.mbamission.com

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[himanshu.bt]

Hey,

Regarding community service: I started a microlending program at IIT Kharagpur, which I mentored for a while. Then I moved to supporting economically weaker students through an NGO run by an IIMA professor. I not only donate financially to the organization but also play an active role in strategizing expansion plans and selecting students.

Regarding extra-curricular activities I am passionate about travelling. In last 3 years have travelled extensively- Kerela, Lakshadweep, Switzerland, Italy, France, Germany, Austria. I am also learning photography, but wouldn't really call it as an extra curricular activity because it doesnt really occupy a lot of mind space. I cannot write about it with passion.

[himanshu.bt]

My career narrative is as follows:

1) Want to remain in the investment industry
2) Want to transition into an international role, preferably in fixed income and other asset classes (these asset classes are at an initial stage in India)
3) Want to then move to use the international exposure in fixed income in India. Indian debt market is something that I expect to take off, and this will see a lot of activity. Professionals with experience in this field are likely to do well.
4) Long term aim is to open a multi-asset class fund; I love investing

[mili]

Great - I think that your entrepreneurial experience founding the microlending program will go a long way both on the community and leadership fronts. Your leadership role with the NGO also sounds like a robust experience.

With all that said, I still recommend that you add a safety school or two to your list -- competition is quite fierce!

Good luck,
Mili

[himanshu.bt]

I will add columbia / stern. Thanks for your inputs!

[mili]

Sure no problem. Good luck!