Profile Evaluation and test advice

[avijit99]

Hello Mili!

I just came to know about this forum yesterday and couldn't help asking for a professional advice!

Please evaluate my chances. My profile in brief is as follows:
BE (Hons) Mechanical Engineering, top 5 ranked college, India: CGPA 9.1/10 (Distinction)

I have been working for a top manufacturing firm (automotive sector) for the past 2.5 years in Europe (France and Germany). Job profile: Quality Manager for preparation sector (I report to the Quality Manager-Plant). I lead a team of 8 people. Projects include: qualification/ industrialization of new products/processes, control of manufacturing systems and treatment of non-conformities.

Did some good research work during under-grad studies which resulted into 3 research papers. I have strong technical recommendations which I have used for masters’ applications. Last year I had masters’ admits from MIT and UMichigan. I did not go for masters due to bond with the company and personal finances. I still have the admits for fall 2013.

At my company, people are already aware that I may leave; something that I am not very sure of myself. Leaving the company is frowned upon and I do not know who to ask for recommendation, so that is a big problem. Till now I have always thought of masters’ education, before going for MBA. However, recently, I started feeling that it was getting late for masters.

I have strong technical recommendations from some very well-known research faculties. However, that is useless for MBA applications? Or could still ask one or two of them for recommendations?

Also I need to start preparing for GMAT. How should I go about it? which books to follow? What programs might be within reach with this profile? the "safe" ones. Which colleges are already ruled out, if any? How important is GMAT?

Extra curriculars:
I captained 6 member College Chess team for 2 years: won a gold and a silver. I play Chess for my city in France (member of the French Chess Federation). I was a visiting faculty, Mathematics at IMS Pune for 4 months, when I was doing a 6 months’ internship in Pune.

I have some good and bad experiences at Forex trading. I was an active trader for over a year, but a bit dormant now. I still follow the market and just do technical analysis now.

Social work:
volunteer at NSS in college, but was not very active. No social work in Europe, never thought about it as I was always busy going on euro trips :)

Thanks for your help.

[mili]

Hello,

Welcome to the forum! I think your academic scores and your professional background are very strong. Your extracurricular and community leadership are a little weak, but shouldn't be a major issue. And you can always improve those areas between now and applying.

As for whether to do an MBA or a Masters degree - that is a very personal choice. If you want an MBA ultimately, there is no reason or need to do a Masters before an MBA (it can be detrimental, in fact). But if you're deciding between the two, you'll have to research the differences between the programs and decide what's right for you.

For recommendations, I would advise against professor recommendations unless it's your only option. They want to see professional recommendations, ideally. It is common that people can't tell their supervisors because it could have negative impact on their career, but in that case, try to find someone else who has worked closely with you but whom you trust or who has since left the company.

It's difficult to recommend programs to you in the absence of knowing your GMAT score and what you want to do post-MBA. As for GMAT preparation, Manhattan GMAT is great.

Best of luck,
Mili

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