Profile Evaluation

[AnkitK254]

Hi,

Kindly evaluate my profile.

Background information:
Nationality: Indian
Undergrad - GGSIP University ( 81.1% ). (GPA- 3.1/4.0)
Majors : in Computer Science and Technology

GMAT : 1st attempt : 680 (Q48 V35 AWA 5.0)

Work Experience - (1.5 years - Information Technology in Service Industry - Domain: Mobility- Working as a UI designer)


Major Responsibilities / Achievements:

Jan’2013 - May'2014

1) Involved in the estimation of various projects- estimating about the efforts, assumptions and timelines required for the build.
2) Requirement elicitation and code enhancement / restructuring based on requirements (software code).
3) Mentoring of new joiners in project team (have mentored more than 7 new joiners to the team successfully)
4) Worked on optimization of existing processes. Designed various tools to optimise different operation which were done manually.
5) Team coordinator- : Initiate and coordinate team building activities and project trips.
6) Working on multi-platforms environment dealing with different clients and at different levels.


Extra Curricular:

1) An active member in organizing events in employer organization (as stated above, already have organized few big events, mostly single handed).
2) Teaching the under privileged kids of Nandlal Slum Area, Delhi, as a part of PMI (Passion Movement International), an International NGO, Since Jan 2011. Also involved in the marketing of various initiatives taken by the NGO. Also a part of many programmes such as Blanket distribution drive, vitamin supplement drives etc.
3) Member of the core organizing committee of the inter-college technical cum Cultural Fest FNORD’11 during graduation.
4) Member of the organizing committee of national seminar- "˜Technophilia 2011’ on cloud computing and green IT technology during graduation.
5) Core founder of College society- IRIS, which is a student society with the objective of guidance to the freshers on various technical and cultural fields, in 2010.

6) Was the head of the college Cultural Fashion team. Participated and organized various fashion shows. Also won the 2nd runners up in Fashionista- a Fashion cum Talent event organised in my IT company.

7) Part of the organising committee- Bang6 community of my company- Organising various recreational events


I am planning to apply to NUS and NTU. I assume my dream of ISB is almost shattered with my current score.

I am pretty naïve about the B-schools. So, kindly suggest some B-schools with reference to my profile.
P.s- I know I have that typical male Indian IT profile. Kindly also suggest me how to improve the same.
Post MBA I intend to have a future in marketing/Brand management.

Thanks in advance.

[mbamissionjenK]

Hi there,

Thanks for posting. As you know, you are part of large applicant pool-- Indian IT and engineering/technical applicants, who often have high GMAT scores by the way. This applicant group tends to be great with the quant and analytical and technical portions of the application and of b-school, but the concern is whether they have strong leadership, management, communication, and team work skills... more of the people skills you could say.

You will have to work hard to stand out from this pool of applicants, from others with similar backgrounds! How? Dig deep and brainstorm on what makes YOU unique... b-school admissions decisions are made holistically... it's not just based on grades or facts or stats, but on a holistic picture of the applicant and what they'll contribute to the program, who they are as a person. That is primarily evidenced through your ESSAYS, fyi!! (And interview if you get to that point.) Elements you need to convey in your application for a chance at a top rated program include:
-what past experiences and skills will benefit you in the classroom, and later in your career
-what key traits and experiences make you UNIQUE; basically, 'why YOU??' vs other applicants
-why you want the MBA, with clear short term and long term post-MBA goals
-why NOW
-why that specific school is right for you

If you lack any of the above components, you risk that another well or similarly-qualified applicant who includes all of those, will wind up getting accepted over you!

My take upon reading your profile thus far is that all of the fashion involvement and interest and accomplishments you have is what helps you stand out and be remembered, and is atypical among your applicant pool... so use that and highlight it and focus on what skills those experiences have provided you with! Particularly, people skills, leadership, communication skills etc.

I would also showcase your mentoring skills, as evidenced by "mentoring new joiners" as you described, as that is a valuable leadership skill that other more solely-IT focused applicants may lack.

Your desire to move into brand management is a decent jump, so be sure you really do explain your passion for it, how you made this decision, why you think you're qualified for this or how you'll use past experiences (maybe again the fashion experiences? and definitely the marketing you did for the NGO) to contribute to this new career path.

Re: schools, I wouldn't say 680 disqualifies you from ISB?? Their average is just over 710? Not dramatically off. Of course higher is better if you are considering re-taking, that could help. But a lot will be based on your overall application, profile, essays, interview etc, fyi. For more on choosing schools, check out our free download at: http://info.mbamission.com/Selecting-Yo ... ram-E-Book

Finally-- you are fairly young/i.e. fewer than average years of work experience, with just 1.5 years to date? The average accepted applicant has about 5 years of experience. That's not a strict requirement per se, but there's a likely q that would come up if you applied now/soon of--should he really attend NOW or would it be better for him to wait a year or two and gain more experience he could bring to the class?? Something to think about there.

Keep us posted on your questions and progress and decisions! Good luck to you!