profile evaluation and review of shortlist

[punit_kedia]

Hi,
I plan to apply for fall 2010 and intend to specialize in finance.I have made a shortlist of universities that I am planning to apply to. It will be great if you can review my shortlist based on my profile that I am providing below.

Profile:
GMAT - 710 ( QA 51 , VA 34 , AWA 4.5)
B.E ( Electonics and Communication) from Bangalore ,India - avg 78.5%
12th - 87.67%
10th - 85.67%
Extracrricular - was a prefect at school, helped in organizing fests at coll, violin , sports..
Work-ex - Currently 1 year with a leading MNC as a RnD engineer... Have worked on java , flex ,sql and Business Objects


ShortList:
1.SMU Cox
2.Carnegie Mellon
3.Georgia Tech
4. IOWA:tippie
5.Rochester:Simon


Considering my profile (specially work-ex), do you think I have made the right choice?

Regards,
Pkk

[mbamission]

Hi Pkk,

Based on the information you provided, this list of schools seems reasonable. Your challenge will be to differentiate yourself from others with similar backgrounds, specifically focusing on your professional experience and how you have demonstrated leadership and initiative.

Best Regards,
Erin

Erin Schuhmacher
MBA Mission
646-485-8844
Website: www.mbamission.com
Blog: www.mbamission.com/blog
MBA Mission Insider’s Guides: www.mbamission.com/store.php
Free Consultation: www.mbamission.com/consult.php

[punit_kedia]

Hi,
Thank you for your encouragement. I am also considering the following universities and would like your opinion on the same.

1. Indiana Kelley
2. Maryland Smith
3. UCLA: Anderson

please let me know your opinion on my chances for the above universities. Also, should I consider any other universities??

Regards,
Pkk

[mbamission]

Hi Pkk,

These schools also seem reasonable - UCLA could be considered more of a stretch school. In terms of considering other programs, this is tough to answer without knowing your priorities (i.e. small or large class size, urban or rural location, etc.) as well as your situation in terms of when you would like to go back to school.

Are you 100% certain that you must enroll in business school in the fall of 2010? Or might you be able to stay in your current job and reapply should you not be accepted to the school of your choice? We always recommend that our clients apply to a range of programs with some "stretch schools" as well as more "realistic" options as well.

I hope this helps.

Erin Schuhmacher
MBA Mission
646-485-8844
Website: www.mbamission.com
Blog: www.mbamission.com/blog
MBA Mission Insider’s Guides: www.mbamission.com/store.php
Free Consultation: www.mbamission.com/consult.php

[punit_kedia]

Hi Erin,
Thanks for your reply. I am certain that I need to go in fall 2010. Regarding priorities (i.e. small or large class size, urban or rural location, etc.), i'm only concerned about placements.

I'm revising my list. Your consesus will be very helpful. Sorry for the trouble caused.

1. Rochester Simon
2. SMU Cox
3. Illinois Urbana ( Replaced fo IOWA)
4. Indiana Kelley ( Replaced for Georgia)
5. Virgina ( Replaced for Carnegie Mellon since Darden provides loans without requiring a co-signer and is stronger in finance)
6. UCLA ( added)

I think Virgina and UCLA are "Stretch" schools while the others are "realistic".
Your opinion will be of great value for me.

Regards,
pkk

[mbamission]

Hi Pkk,

This seems to be a well-rounded list.
Good luck with the application process.

Best Regards,
Erin

Erin Schuhmacher
MBA Mission
646-485-8844
Website: www.mbamission.com
Blog: www.mbamission.com/blog
MBA Mission Insider’s Guides: www.mbamission.com/store.php
Free Consultation: www.mbamission.com/consult.php

[punit_kedia]

Hi Erin,
Thanks for your help. Finally my list is ready. When do you think I should apply to these schools. Trying to apply for all in the first round is the best option, but I may not get sufficient time to prepare the essays well. So i'm thinking 3 in first and 3 in second. whats your take on this? To which do you think I should apply first?

Regards,
Pkk.

Hi Pkk,

This seems to be a well-rounded list.
Good luck with the application process.

Best Regards,
Erin

Erin Schuhmacher
MBA Mission
646-485-8844
Website: http://www.mbamission.com
Blog: http://www.mbamission.com/blog
MBA Mission Insider’s Guides: http://www.mbamission.com/store.php
Free Consultation: http://www.mbamission.com/consult.php

[mbamission]

Hi Pkk,

We always recommend that our clients apply to only as many schools as they can realistically complete "very, very well" in any given round. Of course, all applicants have different personal and professional commitments, so you will be the best judge in gauging how much time you have to devote to your applications.

In terms of which schools you should apply to first...this is also a personal decision. Perhaps you want to take a look at the deadlines as well as the decision dates and see how you might be able to work with the varying dates for each round. By applying in Round 1, you may find that some of the schools will notify you before Round 2 applications are due and this may also impact your choice.

I hope this helps.
Regards,
Erin

Erin Schuhmacher
MBA Mission
646-485-8844
Website: www.mbamission.com
Blog: www.mbamission.com/blog
MBA Mission Insider’s Guides: www.mbamission.com/store.php
Free Consultation: www.mbamission.com/consult.php

[punit_kedia]

Hi Erin,
Thank you for all the help.

Regards,
Pkk

[punit_kedia]

Hi Erin,
Thank you for your support. I have a doubt.

As I have strong analytical skills and quantitative ability, I am planning to concentrate on Finance. However, coming from a technical background,my knowledge on finance is limited and I am not sure which specific field I would like to pursue a career in( like investment banking, corporate finance etc..). How would the admissions committe react If I were to state in my essays that I would like to explore all the possible careers and then decide what I eventually want to do? Is it adviceable to contact the professors for more clarity?

Regards,
Pkk

[mbamission]

You need to focus on one long term career goal for your essays in order to help the admissions committee understand your career plans and why their resources are the best fit. Please review our free personal statement guide for tips on how to structure your essay:

http://www.mbamission.com/docs/mbamissi ... _guide.pdf

If you are truly interested in Investment Banking and other areas of finance that are hard hit by the financial crisis, I do recommend that you consider discussing "back up" goals or your "plan B" for the short term goals. Your secondary goals should still prepare you to achieve your ultimate long term goal. We recently wrote a blog entry about this topic:

http://www.mbamission.com/blog/2009/06/ ... ls-really/

I hope that helps!

Monica Okrah
MBA Mission
646-485-8844
Website: http://www.mbamission.com
Blog: http://www.mbamission.com/blog
MBA Mission Insider’s Guides: http://www.mbamission.com/store.php
Free Consultation: http://www.mbamission.com/consult.php

[punit_kedia]

Hi,
Thank you.
I am planning to write CFA level-1 this december. The results will only be available a month later ( possibly in early Feb). I am now confused about when to apply. What is your suggestion on this? My chances of getting in are better when I apply early without CFA or later with CFA? Or will CFA have no bearing on the admission decision? I don't want to unnecessarily hurry up things and end up doing nothing properly. Is it better to to complete the applications and then take up CFA in june?

Regards,
Pkk.

[mbamission]

You are better off applying in Rounds 1 or 2 (for schools with 3 rounds) or Rounds 1, 2, and 3 (for schools with four rounds). Some programs might accept the CFA results after you submit your application, but please check with your target programs to make sure this is possible.

Best,
Monica Okrah
MBA Mission
646-485-8844
Website: www.mbamission.com
Blog: www.mbamission.com/blog
MBA Mission Insider’s Guides: www.mbamission.com/store.php
Free Consultation: www.mbamission.com/consult.php

[punit_kedia]

Hi,
Thank you for your prompt reply.

Regards,
pkk

[mbamission]

Glad I could help!

Monica Okrah
MBA Mission
646-485-8844
Website: www.mbamission.com
Blog: www.mbamission.com/blog
MBA Mission Insider’s Guides: www.mbamission.com/store.php
Free Consultation: www.mbamission.com/consult.php