Keya, No problem on the early morning/late night call thanks for the sensitivity to the situation though. I think that your stories are fine, but the accomplishments themselves dont really standout. Still, the wow factor can come from the interpersonal side of the equation. In essay one, it is not the life cycle project itself that is impressive, but the fact that a simple idea took hold and became a major learning point for others and that you lead this initiative. The cumbersome details ("I first worked on it myself, making a huge Level 1 Data Flow + Process Flow diagram which showed the entire necessary transactions at a glance, and then put all the other transactions into Policy Life transactions, and Policy Termination transactions. I then went on to build separate diagrams for each set of transactions Loans, Surrenders, Waivers and Benefits, Reports etc.") of putting together the project are not nearly as important as how you got others to share your vision and then implemented. The human sides of stories are often far more compelling than the tangible accomplishments themselves. Sincerely, Jeremy Shinewald MBA Mission www.mbamission.com 646-485-8844 Skype: MBAMission
Hello Jeremy, First of all, a huge thank-you for responding to this query. Also, I am the guilty person who woke you up at that ungodly hour last week. I hope you won't hate me forever. By the way, I also got my AWA scores.. a 6.0 After going through a lot of posts on this forum, and after coming down from cloud nine (on which my GMAT scores had put me) I evaluated my profile, and recompiled my list of schools. So far, it's Chicago, Michigan and Tuck. Now coming to my work experience, here are the few interesting things that I can think of: 1. When I joined CSC, the Vantage projects were just being set up. And there were a batch of new joinees (including me) who were unable to attend any of the formal trainings. We didnt know the ABC of Insurance, and even after giving our FLMI level One exams, it was tough to visualize how the Vantage transactions fit into the whole scheme of things. I came up with the idea of a Vantage Policy Life Cycle Diagram I first worked on it myself, making a huge Level 1 Data Flow + Process Flow diagram which showed the entire necessary transactions at a glance, and then put all the other transactions into Policy Life transactions, and Policy Termination transactions. I then went on to build separate diagrams for each set of transactions Loans, Surrenders, Waivers and Benefits, Reports etc. Halfway through the diagrams, I showed it to my manager who loved the idea. He asked the rest of my team to help me, and I gave a presentation of the completed diagram on the First Anniversary of the Vantage projects. I also asked for permission to start a series of trainings for any new person in the Vantage projects, using the Life Cycle Diagram as a starting point. The trainings were a big success. I have left CSC, but the diagram is still used as the start of any training program for people entering the Vantage projects. 2. When I came to my present company, it was because they agreed to transition me from a Tech to BA role. They did not have any BA work as of then, but wanted to bid for a project involving BA work. I did not have any prior BA experience, but I was sent as the BA to work in their US office for three months and then offshore for three months of the six month trial period. We did not have an Indian BA before, so there were many interpersonal issues that needed to be ironed out (both in the BA team there, who were resistant to the idea of an Indian BA, and the Indian Techs, who definitely did not like taking directions from a girl younger than them). I had to do good work in a very negative environment, and also induce an element of positive thinking, because only then could I bring about the comfort factor needed to inspire confidence. I had to co-ordinate between at least 4-6 departments for even a simple SPR, and often needed to make a brilliant first impression in even the smallest of things. I had to get work done by people over whom I not only did not have any direct authority, but also many of who resented my being there. Im happy to say I managed to do that. It was a hard road, with high pressure, but I made it work. We got a permanent contract, and the confidence level has increased. I did not stop there. Again, I set about putting into practice a series of trainings for the Unit testing team offshore to raise the competence level. I gave trainings from Business and Product knowledge to Testing practices. At the end of two months, the Unit testing team was delivering items with 0-1 defects, as opposed to 4-5 defects earlier. Why I think these incidents are interesting is because I feel they show that Im willing to take initiative when I see I can make a difference, and that I dont give up when the going gets tough. I dont stop when Ive won the first round, but think of ways to optimize a good situation. I dont know whether these things would actually sound impressive or not on an application essay, and I would love your opinion here. The other thing I am having a bit of a problem with, is how to weave in all these myriad experiences into the various essays and which essay to put what into Could you please advise? I would be applying to Chicago, Tuck and Michigan in the first round. Thank you again, Keya
I think you will anyway go ahead with this and Jeremy is a guru here, but i would think that one should stick to what the school wants. The more you deviate, more are the chances of you not following instructions unless and until the school itself mentions that you can write a letter.
Who am I? I am just another a$$hat applying for Fall '07.
well kgkid..all the schools accept recos not sent online. that is not a problem at all.
As requested, MBAMission's analysis of essay questions continues today with ISB. I will try to complete IIM shortly. Thank you for patience. Sincerely, Jeremy Shinewald MBAMission www.mbamission.com 646-485-8844 Skype: MBAMission Next: Duke Previously Posted: HBS, Chicago, Columbia, Haas, MIT, Darden, Tuck, Wharton, Stanford, LBS ISB 3)You are applying to your dream job after ISB. Please prepare a cover letter accompanying your CV. (300 words max) It seems to me that this question is merely a hidden goal statement. You are essentially explaining your credentials to this phantom employer, a letter which covers your past qualifications and future endeavors. Of course, there is always room to sing the praises of your ISB MBA, but be careful to show knowledge of the program and not just laud the school and its ability to prepare you for this dream role. Ideally, you will be humble and let your strengths speak for themselves. You will have room for a very brief introduction, body (the bulk of your essay) and conclusion - every word will count.
Hi Jeremy,
First of all.. Hats off to your patience while answering the queries... You are doing an amazing job... You certainly saved many of us from committing blunders in our essays...
I had a query related to an ISB essays I have quoted above. I was not able to figure out whether and how the CV be included in 300 words, as the question mentioned 'accompanying your CV'.
I mailed the Adcoms at ISB and got a prompt response:
------------------------------------------------ Dear Patron, You just need to write a covering letter and not the CV itself. Regards, Srinath Manager - Admissions & Financial Aid
------------------------------------------------
My question now to you will be: How important do you think it is to incorporate the salient feature of your CV in the essays, given the word limit is just 300 words? Schools in US generally ask to upload your CV separately.... But there is no place in the ISB app for your CV...
Should I try and squeeze the prominant part of my CV into the essays, or should I somehow expect my recommenders to write about it? ??:
My profile is as follows I am an IT engineer working with Asia's largest IT organization. My GMAT score is 660. I applied this year in Yale and carnegie universities but got the rejection from both of them
My marks are as follows
Bachelor in computer science -73% Masters in computer application -75.25% (with distinction) I have been deputed in US for the past one year and have received numerous awards and appreciation from the clients.
I have also been involved in charity organization fot the last 5 yrs.
Extra curriculars - Average I am planning to apply for Virginia, Ohio and LBS. I dont know how much chances do I have. So I would really appreciate your guidance here. Please let me know in what all universities should I apply.
You are right.If I remember correctly,the application instructions say that the CV will be generated automatically based on the details we fed.Now this resume thing.We need to ask this from the admissions ppl.
I was wondering when you would be able to post the analysis of NYU Stern essays !!!! specially the third Essay (Please describe yourself to your MBA classmates. You may use any method to convey your message (e.g. words, illustrations).Feel free to be creative. All submissions become part of NYU Stern's permanent records and cannot be returned for any reason. We do not recommend submitting anything that must be viewed or played electronically, or that is perishable (e.g. food). If you submit a written essay, it should be 2 pages maximum, double-spaced, 12-point font.). Pls let me know the extent to which I can let my imagination run wild on this essay.
You are right.If I remember correctly,the application instructions say that the CV will be generated automatically based on the details we fed.Now this resume thing.We need to ask this from the admissions ppl.
Hi Jeremy, All that I came to know from website indicates that CMU does not offer guaranteed loan(w/o cosigner). But here you have indicated that it has nocosigner loan. Where did you this info from? Paresh
International applicants frequently inquire about which schools have loan programs for international students that do not require co-signers and also cover up to 100% of tuition and living expenses. Among BusinessWeeks top-twenty the following schools offer such programs, unless otherwise noted:
Northwestern Requires co-signer but co-signer can be international
Chicago
Pennsylvania
Stanford
Harvard
Michigan
Cornell
Columbia
MIT
Dartmouth
Duke
Virginia
NYU Only covers $40,000 without co-signer
UCLA No direct school sponsored program offered
Carnegie Mellon No direct school sponsored program offered
UNC Chapel-Hill
UC Berkeley
Indiana No direct school sponsored program offered
Texas Austin Requires co-signer
Emory
(Sources: individual MBA program websites) Sincerely, Jeremy Shinewald MBA Mission www.mbamission.com 646-485-8844 Skype: MBAMission
Hi Jeremy, i am pursuing my mba from a institue in delhi.4 months into the course i really dont think this is adding any value to me and am thinking about an mba abroad. to begin with im very confused as ulike the other participants on this thread i dont have much knowledge abt the global mba scene nor am i an IIT or academecially topper(infact i have been below average). with the small research i have done(primarily 1 yr courses) i have got conflicting impressions....some say MSC some say MBA,some say no job assurance and some say tht will not b an issue.i will need placements(even if not campus ones). im a plain B.Com grad with 3 years work ex in IT sales and Banking BPO.i am willing to appear for Gmat if req. could u guide me which country to consider,wht kinda course(master or mba)-i m passionate abt marketing so would like to make a career out of it.
is getting a ork visa after the course an issue?a lot of pple have given me responses like if u go to u.k u wont get jobs etc and places like australia u cant stay on after the course.
also abt financing the course-since i wont qualify for scholarships with my poor acads what other options will i have?
my brother is posted at london so is thr any options in london whereby i could enroll n stay with him to save on the living costs. tough one,but for starters give me a direction whereby i can further research upon. thanks abhishek
Thanks for your inquiry. You certainly have a chance at a top-five school, but it will come down to you discovering the everyday spectacular in your profile. Your GMAT will get you a look, but it will be incumbent upon you to show that within your typical experience, you have in fact done something unusual and have inordinate potential going forward. You need not show that you have done any one thing in particular, but that everything you have done has had an element of excellence and creativity. If you can achieve this, you may have a chance at a CBS, MIT or Chicago. Sincerely, Jeremy Shinewald MBA Mission www.mbamission.com 646-485-8844 Skype: MBAMission
Hi Jeremy,
My profile is as follows I am an IT engineer working with Infosys for the last 3.75 years and I will have four and a half years experience by fall 2007.Before that I worked in a little known tyre company when the IT sector was at its height of recession
My marks are as follows
10th Standard -79% 12th Standard -88% Engineering (Mech) 69% from Goverment Engg College
I have received the National Talent search Examination scholarship in India which is awarded to students in India after two rounds of tests and an interview.
I have been deputed in US for the past one year and have received numerous awards and appreciation from the clients. I have been working in Oracle Apps in the Supply Chain Management domain.
I recently wrote the GMAT and scored 780 with a 99 percentile in both Maths and English.
I have also been involved in charity programs and recently organised fund raising program in my account for Cancer affected children in US.
Extra curriculars - I have a keen interest in writing and have published articles in college magazines and was a part of the student wing of a prominent newspaper in India. Other than that reading, playing the guitar and body building.
Before my GMAT score I was reconciled to the idea of trying only for ISB IIMs and the second rung foreign universities. But I see a chance because of my exceptional GMAT score. Honestly do you feel that I should apply for the top 5 now and whether it is worthwhile just because I have a GMAT score, considering that everything else is typical of an Indian IT engineer and my GPA is nothing much to write home about.
I would really appreciate your guidance here, because with just a little less than two months to go, I am slightly confused.
Kamikaze, Thanks for your zeal. Are you a male or a female? Sincerely, Jeremy Shinewald MBA Mission www.mbamission.com 646-485-8844 Skype: MBAMission
A breif about my profile:
I am from India.
GMAT - 740 TOEFL - 287
ACADEMIC: I am 25 year old engineer in the field of Electronics and Telecommunication. I have been the top performer at my institute and have been the recepient of scholarships twice in four years. I have also received quite a few other awards for academic excellence. Always ranked either 1st or 2nd in my institute.
Work-Experience:
After engineering I worked for 2 years as a software developer at a multinational. During this I was also posted to US for 4 months for some additional work assignments. I was responsilble for heading a team of 5 people, was involved in security audits and was also the security coordinator for my project. After that for the next 2 years I have worked at a very small manufactuing company as an Assistant Marketing Manager. This is a very small organization with only about 50 employees. I made this change in career as I wanted to shift into marketing and also learn about the manufactuing industry as my dream is to start my own consultancy firm. So since I had the knowledge of service industry I also wanted to learn about manufactuing to complete my knowldege. Though it is a very small organization the roles and responsibilites that I have in this organization are very significant. It ranged from client meetings to presentations to designing marketing mix to creating promotions.
Extra-Curicullar:
I am the founder member and the secretarty of alumni association of my engineering college. I was reponsible for initiating and establishing the committe, setting up the website, creating industry interface for the institute throguh the alumni network, conducting guest lectures and training the students in group discussion, personal interview and presentation skills.
I was also the chair of the Placements committe at my engineering college. Here I had to organize the members in teams and coordinate all efforts of the committee. The committtee was reponsible for establishing contacts in the industry and convincing them to recruit from our campus.
I was also the member of students council responsible for organizing Annual functions, annual sports meets and college cultural festival.
I have been active in a variety of sports from Soccer to cricket and have won quite a few awards for the same.
Social Service:
During college days I have volunteered for organizing a number of blood donation camps. I am currently heading a group of 6 people and together we are trying to edcuate the underpriviledged children in our locality. We also try to spread awareness amongst the parents about the value of education so that they send their kids to school. But it is not an officially registered organization.
I wanted to know based on my profile which are the colleges that I have a good chance of securing and admit. I given below the tentative list of colleges that I was looking forward to applying for Fall 2007. If possible I want you guys to tell me what are the strenghts and weaknesses in my application and also what are my chances in each of these colleges. Also if you could suggest which are the best colleges based on my profile and any colleges that I have missed out in the list. I want to major in the field of marketing.
1. Wharton 2. Harvard 3. Stanford 4. Kellog 5. Columbia 6. NYU - Stern 7. Michigan Ann Arbor 8. Berkley - Haas 9. Duke 10. UCLA - Anderson
Please let me know if I have missed out on any good colleges based on my profile.
Hi Jeremy , first of all let me congratulate you for the wonderful effort you are putting in here.
with just 2 years full -time experience(@ matriculation) , i was confused whether i should apply to any of the top 10 B-schools , I also have completed 3 years , as an entrepreneur. Heres my profile : 1)Gmat 710,Toefl Scheduled this week 2)Current Age :23 3)Excellent Acads-Merit list in SSC , HSC. 4)Above Average Acads in Undergrad - 63 %,Mumbai Univ(Because of the entrepreneural engagement) 5)Founder and Proprietor of a Retail Shop since feb 2003, which later became a major distribution chain for Power Solutions. Turn-Over above $1 Million in 2005. 6)Awarded 'Best New Dealer' by one of the vendors for the year 2003. 7)joined a global IT/Consulting Firm (Campus Recruitment) in mid-2005. recipient of the Super New Joinee Award, which is given to the top two percent of the new joinees worldwide. 9)Excellent Recommendations from supervisor(IT Firm) as well as Regional Manager (Vendor)
With all these i intend to apply this season , but would like to have ur opinion on whether i will be competitive @ top 10 B-schools esp :Stanford ,Chicago ,Kellogg,Michigan.
my list contains other bschools ranked between 10 and 20 -such as CMU,UNC etc.
Anoup, Thanks for your inquiry. This is a very broad commentary because so much of your profile is, as yet, unknown to me. With strong grades, a potential 720, strong international experience, seemingly exemplary community service you might be a strong candidate in the top-10-20. Again, this diagnosis should be taken with a grain of salt. Schools of interest to you might include Duke and Darden with the emphasis on entrepreneurship and Carnegie Mellon in terms of tech. Sincerely, Jeremy Shinewald MBA Mission www.mbamission.com 646-485-8844 Skype: MBAMission
Hi Jeremy, I am Anoop and for the past few days have been pondering with the idea of GMAT and an MBA from the US. A brief profile of me would go like this:
Academics: -------------- * 10th - 90% * 12th - 90% * B.Tech, Computer Science - 76% (university of Kerala-inside the top 10 in class of 50)
I do not know how to convert my % marks to CGPA. Pardon me that.
Work Profile ------------- * Have 4 years work experince in IT (5 by the time I apply) * worked out of locations in India,New Zealand and currently out of Saudi Arabia (with IBM Saudi Arabia at present). * Last 1.5 years have been client facing roles involving obtaining requirements from the end clients as well as deisgn level work and implementation. * I work predominantly as an IT Consultant providing highly specialised services. * I Have received a letter of appriciation from CEO of my previous organization for exemplary work. * I have a total of 3 organizations in my resume and have progressed from a run of the mill IT professional to a consultant who can offer well placed and higly effective advice (So I feel) * Have been involved in a public service scheme called NSS during collage days (I have the certificate ) as well as been a regular blood donor (got a certificate for that as well).Not done too much since coming to Saudi Arabia. * I have some technical certifications as well.
GMAT ------- Not yet given it, actually about to start preperation but IMHO I feel I can manage a score of 720+.
Sorry for making this long but with this profile what are the schools I can realistically aim on making it to ? I would like to be involved with IT after my MBA and would be looking at Entrepreneurship in the longer term.
Do give your opinion as to where you would place myself with respect to the good BSchools. Regards, Anoop
Hi Jeremy, I would request you to please help me....
My profile: Age: 28 Sex: Male Nationality: Indian Education: Ive done a 4 yr Engineering degree in Computer Science with 74% marks. Gold Medalist in Final Year GMAT:740 (quant-51, verbal-40)
IT Work Ex- About 6 yrs (Last 4 years in Tata Consultancy Services with 1 year in USA, 1 Year in LG Soft India). Currently working as Project Manager (handling a team of 35 people) - seven projects of TCS for ICICI Prudential , Mumbai
Achievements: 2nd Prize in Wellness & Fitness Challenge Competition at Deluxe Corporation , Minneapolis Certificate of Recognition for TACTiCS (Technical Architect Configuration at TCS, Hyderabad) Rated 5 on the scale of 5 in Annual Appraisal in April 2004 Rated 5 on the scale of 5 in Confirmation rating in December 2003 Star of the Month Award from TCS Mumbai in September 2003 Got Best Performer Award in German Language Course in ITP Training of TCS in Trivandrum Got Best Employee Award in LG Soft India for Period Jan 2002 Jun 2002 Gold Medallist In Engineering College for the Best Student Active Participant in Annual Program ZEST in SRMS Engineering College Runner Up in Software Competition in Annual College Program ZEST in 1999 Runner Up in Dance Competition in Annual College Program ZEST in 1997 Grade A Certificate in MS Visual Basic Course in SRMS Engineering College, Bareilly Successfully led the College Cricket Team for three consecutive years.
Community work: Member of the Disaster Management Group for TCS mainly involved in blood donations to the victims and also visiting the affected people at regular intervals during any disaster like recent Mumbai train bomb blasts. Volunteer for the TCS Teaching team for the under Privileged Children (fisherman community at Colaba) Volunteer for the TCS Teaching team for the Blind Children at Tardeo School.
I want to pursue my MBA in finance.
I have shortlisted following schools:
Wharton (Round 1) Chicago (Round 1) LBS (Round 1) Harvard (Round 2) Yale (Round 1) Insead (Round 1) University of Michigan (Round 2) Darden (Round 1) ISB (Round 2)
Can you please suggest that where all i have a good chance of admission with decent scholarship? Do I need to add more safe bets to the above list?
Thanks for your inquiry. Schools ask specific questions for a reason and that is, obviously, that they want to know specific things about you. Sending one generic letter will send the wrong message, because it will provide them with information that they dont want and derpive them of information that they do want, all the while subtly informing them that the recommender does not care enough to take the time necessary to personalize his responses on your behalf. In short, bad idea! Sincerely, Jeremy Shinewald MBA Mission www.mbamission.com 646-485-8844 Skype: MBAMission
hello jeremy. ur doin a really gud job mate.
i need a pretty generic kinda assistance. i guess itll help many.
most of us are gonna apply to 8-10 odd schools. and all of em require two recos. now asking my referees to fill 10 online forms...which all have very stupid kind of questions... will be a bit tedious fr muh referees. so i was thinking of just getting em to write down one long reference letter and getting it copied signed and sent to many. how gud/bad is dat?
i kno it aint that bad an idea.. so now what i expect from u is to give us a format (like a set of all-encompassing 5-6 questions) that they can answer and which will be acceptable to all the institutes.
Thanks for your post. I am pleased that you found ISB to be helpful. I will post IIMA this weekend, along with a few others. Sincerely, Jeremy Shinewald MBA Mission www.mbamission.com 646-485-8844 Skype: MBAMission
Thanks alot Jeremy for the analsys of ISB essays. Was travelling and didnt ch eck this. It certainly wld be of big help to many ISB aspirants.
Thanks for your post. I have answered this question two frames above. Just thought that I would bring it to your attention. Sincerely, Jeremy Shinewald MBA Mission www.mbamission.com 646-485-8844 Skype: MBAMission
maverick_1212 Says
Jeremy, this is a really good question and I too would really like an answer to this.
Rohit, Thanks for your inquiry. I would not recommend completing your MBA at an average U.S. program and then trying to get into a top-U.S. program thereafter. It shows a lack of direction and also mitigates your need for the second MBA. If you are trying to break into the top-ranks of finance, I would recommend diversifying your profile over the next year and then applying with a determined and focused approach. What else do you have in your profile, beyond your work and 730? Sincerely, Jeremy Shinewald MBA Mission www.mbamission.com 646-485-8844 Skype: MBAMission
Hi Jeremy, I work as a software engineer in India and aspire to do an MBA abroad , preferably in a top US B school. However, what concerns me is that I have been working for only about a year now , giving me close to two years experience only by the time of course commencement. I've scored 730 in my GMAT and wonder if i should apply this time. Also, I'd like to change lines and get into something finance related. I'm wondering if i should apply to top B schools or choose an alternate path - thinking of doing a one year MBA from an average place, working thereafter, and thinkin of a top MBA later. What do you suggest. Rohit
I hope you won't hate me forever.
I hope you won't hate me forever.
??:
recipient of the Super New Joinee Award, which is given to the top two percent of the new joinees worldwide.