Profile Evaluation for a top MBA program

[nivedita.raghav]

Hi,

I am looking to apply for the following programs for the 2013 intake and would like a profile evaluation.

Schools:
HEC, INSEAD, IMD, Tuck, NYU, IE,Thunderbird, Ivey, Rotterdam, ESADE, Tepper, Fuqua.

Profile: Female/28

Undergraduation: first class degree in Engineering with a 70%

Post Graduation: A two year full time post graduate diploma in management with a CGPA of 2.8 on 4. In my major, my CGPA was 3.13 on 4.

GRE/GMAT: My unoffocial GMAT score is 700. I hope to get as much when I take up GMAT in three weeks.

Work Experience: Five years (as on date) as a consultant (currently a senior consultant) in the BFSI domain, working for an IT company in the risk management area including two years of international experience in Melbourne. Worked with few top banks in India, UAE and Melbourne.
I have had a promotion and also really good projects.

Extra Curriculars: Not great.

Recos: expecting decent to good recos from supervisors/colleagues.

Rationale for an MBA: I hold a PG Diploma (equivalent to an MBA in my country) in management which I gained immediately after my undergraduation. Hence I feel I have not able to utilise it to the fullest. Also, there are certain roles not available to MBAs without work experience at campus.
I want to move to consulting/strategic roles and have an international career.

With my not-so-great acads (an understatement really) and also no out-of-the-world extra curriculars (there will be some - like member of toastmasters' club, event management stuff I have done) how ugly are my chances. I get that these are all top schools, but I don't want to forego my salary for a year or two and get back to where I first was. What do you think I can do to strengthen my application?

Many Thanks.

[rachel]

Hi!! There are things you can do starting now to strengthen your application. Start with the GMAT. If you can get a score above 700, that puts you in a more comfortable spot when applying. Of course, you also need to perform on the quant section since most top schools are most focused on this over the verbal. Next, really begin to look at your career to date, and figure out what your best accomplishments are. AdComs don't want to read about your responsibilities - they want to see what kind of leadership potential you have, and that comes through by way of showing them that you take risks or initiative or make decisions. Your extra-curricular activities are also very important - and it's not to late to add some to your profile. Look for activities where you can take a leadership role - that doesn't mean you have to be leading an entire project, but maybe you are leading a team. Lastly, work hard to find the best people to write your recommendations, and help these people write strong letters by giving them a "cheat sheet" with your strengths, weaknesses, accomplishments, etc. That will be something they can draw from as they pull together your recommendation.

Best of luck,

Rachel Beck


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