Thanks for your inquiry. I am guessing that considering you have won various awards in the academic sphere that your 68% average is actually quite high in relative terms. (Is that the case?) That, coupled with your expected GMAT, various certifications, hypothetical completion of CFA level one and experience in merchant banking, should form the foundation of a credible application that sends a clear message I am destined to become an investment banker. On the strength of your proven interest and your community activities, I think that you have a chance at Chicago, Ross, INSEAD and LBS and should be very competitive at the remaining schools. Your application will hinge on your ability to prove that you are not just a quant jock/ egghead finance guy, but that you have something unique to offer the class via your professional, community and personal experiences. It is difficult for me to comment on your legal employment status, but I would expect that with any of the MBAs programs you noted under your belt, you should have the credibility to gain employment. That written, schools like Ivey, Queens and Schulich, dont have the massive banking culture of Chicago or NYU, because the economy just does not support those jobs in the same way. Whereas the Bulge Bracket American banks hire a few thousand MBAs into their M&A; and Corporate Finance areas around the world each year, the six major Canadian banks might hire a few dozen. Sincerely, Jeremy Shinewald MBA Mission www.mbamission.com 646-485-8844 Skype: MBAMission
Hi Jeremy,
I am posting my profile and request you to please Vet my profile and let me know what are my chances of making it to 😃 1)Chicago GSB 2)NYU STERN 3)Ross 4)Richard Ivey 5)Queens 6)Schulich IESE 9) Insead 10)London Business School 11)Oxford. (FYI I am looking for MBA in Finance with core emphasis on investment banking, which I want to pursue as a career. Please also advise me on what are my chances of getting Job & PR because this is one of my most important parameters for an foreign MBA).
Here is my Profile :-
Acad's & Professional Qualifications
XIIth :- 70.4% Graduation :- Bachelor of Commerce - 68.6% Post Graduation (professional) :- Company Sectryship (ACS) Diploma :- Computer Application (A+) Certifications :- National Stock Eexchange of India Ltd's Certification in Financial Markets (NCFM)- 4 certificatification (Completed)
Futher I am planning to complete another 3 certification from NCFM in -Derivatives Market -Debt Market -Commodities Market
Presently Pursunig Level 1 of CFA
Work Experince Presently Working as Manager (Merchant Banking & Issue Management) with a start up Company since 25/02/2005. Area of work include: -
-Managing New Capital Issues -Merchant Banking -Opening New Branches, Selecting & training sales teams -Managing new Debt Issues & Private Placement of Capital -Advising clients on Equity Portfolio -Advt & sales of Third party products like MFs & Insurance -Handling a team of Sub brokers & selling agents & monitoring their Performance =>Worked as Personal Banker with HDFC BANK LIMITED (Secuderabad Branch- Joined on 01-06-2004 till 18-02-2005). The Job has given me complete exposure to Retail Banking which includes :- - Acting as Financial Planner & Investment Advisor for High Net worth Clients - Opening and monitoring Demand and Time Deposits (including NRI Accounts). - Selling Banks&third; party Products such as Mutual Funds & Insurance - Handling routine operational Issues of the Retail Banking. - Responsible for generation, reporting and reconciliation of various reports on the Performance & Revenue generation of all the employees in the Branch. - Device marketing strategy along with the team at Branch level which includes conducting consumer Meets to Advertise the Banks Products & to increase its presence - Conversant with the operation relating to Depository Services. Worked as a Company Secretary with M/s P.S.Rao & Associates, a leading firm of Company Secretaries in Hyderabad for 3 years and 5 months. (27 months Pre-qualification) The areas of work in this Job included:- -Knowledge and experience in the area of Corporate laws, more Specifically Companies Act, FEMA, Intellectual Property rights, SEBI & RBI compliances. -Also well versed with the aspects of Financial Accounting, Financial & Secretarial Audit & liaisoning with various government Departments like RBI, ROC, and DGFT etc. Academic Achievements: -Awarded the Best Project & Presentation Award on the subject of Mutual Funds - Concept and issues involved by Hyderabad Chapter of ICSI during SMTP ( National Level Event) -Obtained 2nd highest marks in Banking Theory & Practice in Graduation. ( In More than 50000 students) -Won Medals in Public Speaking in National Police Academy. Sports Achievement - Represented South Zone in Badminton in School. (i.e. represented whole of South India at National Level) -Won 1st three positions in -Shooting -Swimming -Riding -Tennis -Squash -Table Tennis Community Service Involved with the Activities of Social Service Club for welfare of Children for the past 4 years. I work as a placement Consultant & Coordinator of Educational programs. GMAT :- ) Will be taking GMAT on 11th September (Confident of 700+) Please let me know if you need any other information on my profile. Thankx Azeem
Thanks for your latest inquiry. If you are seeking "big leverage" you should probably be pursuing a full-time MBA. The ASP program is generally designed for sponsored candidates, as they target a specific problem within their firms or within their skillsets as they relate to their firms. While there is no prohibition on attending the course independently, I am not sure that the program would offer the same experiences and the program is probably not designed to give you a career boost in terms of immediate marketability to external firms. I just don't see this program as an MBA substitute. Is that what you had in mind? Sincerely, Jeremy Shinewald MBA Mission www.mbamission.com 646-485-8844 Skype: MBAMission
Hi Jeremy, How are you? I have one query regarding MIT ASP ( Advanced Study Program). Its 4 month program- Can tell me how this program is percieved in Industry. Does it help the participants to get big leverage in their respective careers.?
hi Jeremy, Thx for helping most of us out here. My q's are,
1. Is it true tht US B Schools only take in ppl with work exp. 2. I am a fresher hv done my Bachlers in Hotel Management & currently pursuing my Masters in Business Management In JBIMS, a top 10 B School in India. I want to do another MBA abroad as it will help in having a global perspective. What schools do u recomend 4 me?\ 3. Can i pursue MS in say marketing, wats the scope of MS vis-a-vis MBA in a tier 3 B School in US.
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, my research conflicts with the information you provide above at least in one case UC Berkeley Haas School of Business http://mba.haas.berkeley.edu/finaid_02.html
Am I missing something here ?
Thanks You-Know-Who A Confused Soul.
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
Confused Soul, Thanks for keeping me on my toes. Some of the schools websites are a bit out of date and have conflicting links, so I was a bit apprehensive about posting the list in my previous post. In this case though, I think that the links below show that Haas is in line with what I posted. http://www.haas.berkeley.edu/MBA/finaid/prvtmba.html#International
International Students The Haas School of Business is pleased to offer three different loan programs for International Students for the 2006-07 academic year. All three loan programs are available without the use of a U.S. Citizen or permanent resident as a co-signer; however, using a co-signer could secure you better terms on the loan. The three programs being offered for 2006-07 are the Sallie Mae UC Preferred Loan; the Comprehensive Access Loan; and the CitiAssist Loan.
Dear Jeremy, Thanks for clearing my doubts regarding the ASP program. Now i won't be pursuing that. I hate to bother you again with one more query (pardon me for that): I wanted to know how good the 'Specialized Master' programs are, offered by some European B-Schools like RSM, HEC etc? How much they can give the boost to one's professional career ? how good are they in comaprison to MBA? My first priority is definitely MBA but still I like to know abt various other options. As in India we don't get these type of Information very easily. Thanks to you that we have get one valuable interface for clearing our doubts. (PS: I am Master's in Computer Applications and s/w engg with 3 yrs of work ex).
Thanks and regards, HMG
Thanks for your latest inquiry. If you are seeking big leverage you should probably be pursuing a full-time MBA. The ASP program is generally designed for sponsored candidates, as they target a specific problem within their firms or within their skillsets as they relate to their firms. While there is no prohibition on attending the course independently, I am not sure that the program would offer the same experiences and the program is probably not designed to give you a career boost in terms of immediate marketability to external firms. I just don't see this program as an MBA substitute. Is that what you had in mind? Sincerely, Jeremy Shinewald MBA Mission www.mbamission.com 646-485-8844 Skype: MBAMission
I have a specific query regarding community service. I was involved a good deal in community service in my recent past but I was not associated with any organisation. I was on my own. So I dont have any certificates for the same.
My query is that:
1. Do we need to produce some sort of proof for the service we have done?
2. How can we make sure that adcomm really understands that it is not easy to get certificates for the work I have done since I was not associated with any organisation? Can we mention this in our essays?
My profile in brief: Work exp: 3+ in IT/Telecom with biggest names in my domain, 1.5 years international. GMAT: Yet to take, aiming at 700+. Community service: Decent but without any certificates. Extra currics: Lots of sports. (in school, in college and at work)
Also do I stand a chance at top 10 with this profile. I am currently contemplating Top 15-30 US schools.
Thanks for your most recent post. I think that HBS is in the same category as Stanford. It will be quite difficult for you to standout professionally and capture the imagination of the AdCom. I would put Kellogg in the same category as Wharton, an opportunity exists, but it will hinge entirely on your execution. If you are able to grab the Adcoms attention with your scores and then quickly differentiate via your extensive extra-curricular and community activities, you could be successful. Unfortunately, with such a wealth of "over-qualified" Indian applicants, nothing is certain. Sincerely, Jeremy Shinewald MBAMission www.mbamission.com 646-485-8844 Skype: MBAMission
Hello Jeremy, Thanks a lot for all your time and words. It is really really helpful.
Will it be possible for you to analyse my possibilities at the following schools:
Harvard Stanford Wharton Kellogg Chicago Columbia London
I have new schools to the list - namely Harvard and Kellogg. I accept that with all that i had explained, Harvard and Stanford are difficult and all the other schools are not "cake walks" either. But i have decided to go full steam, however risky or difficult it might sound. I wouldnt mind a true and straight reply, as i dont want to start with any wrong ideas or assumptions.
You had mentioned that Wharton, Chicago and Columbia are possibilities - provided i work hard and present good applications and interviews. That leaves Harvard, Kellogg and London. Please comment on my chances with those schools. I am gathering info reg all the schools in the list and amd working on strategies to prepare essays.
Hope i'm not asking too much and also hope that this is allowed in the forum.
On the leadership front, i would like to add something new. I was the "placement representative" for my department in undergrad college. The placement representative is selected by the students to co-ordinate all the preparation and performance related activities of the class members. The placement representatives of various departments, along with a staff member who is called the placement officer, form the placement panel, that deals with all activities related to campus recrutiments - preparing the other students for recrutiments, preparing college brochures, visiting companies and inviting them to participate in recruitment events, co-ordinate things when companies visit the college - these kind of activities. Overall - we had a succesful year. By graduation, we had placed 37 out of the 40+ eligible students. I believe that this will add a lot of weight on the leadership or even managerial skills. Please comment on this as well.
Thanks for your most recent post. I think that HBS is in the same category as Stanford. It will be quite difficult for you to standout professionally and capture the imagination of the AdCom. I would put Kellogg in the same category as Wharton, an opportunity exists, but it will hinge entirely on your execution. If you are able to grab the Adcoms attention with your scores and then quickly differentiate via your extensive extra-curricular and community activities, you could be successful. Unfortunately, with such a wealth of "over-qualified" Indian applicants, nothing is certain. Sincerely, Jeremy Shinewald MBAMission www.mbamission.com 646-485-8844 Skype: MBAMission
Thanks for your time. Yes - there are so many of us out there :) Harvard i know is a tough option. Planning to go for it anyway - not because of the brand name, but because i feel that Harvard fits my requirements perfectly. Glad to know what you've mentioned about Kellogg. I will give my best shot at all these schools. I understand that it is all about presenting my profile in an AdCom specific manner.
I am in the process of collecting all the application materials - transcripts, formaing essay strategies, speaking with recommendors. Will get back to your in case in need further clarification. Thanks for all your help.
Please have a look at my profile and let me know if it is strong enough for me to consider applying to top 10 B-Schools. Also, please suggest if there is anything in particular I should work upon to improve my candidature.
I am interesed in pursuing MBA in finance.
I also want to know whether old achievements, e.g. extracurriculars or participation in activities in school also count or is it that only recent achievements are considered. Also, does family background matter?
Work-ex Total 35 months till date. 28 months (and continuing) in software industry including 4 months of international experience (China) in helping my company expand its base. I have been among the best performers in my team and have received excellent appraisal feedbacks from my managers. I have lead small teams and have also taken initiatives on many ocassions to deal with issues. I am also due for promotion next year.
Before my current job, I had spent 7 months teaching in an MBA coaching institute. There also, I was among the top performers.
Education B.E. in Information Technology Graduated in 2003 with overall 73.7 %. (topper had 78%).
ExtracurricularIn recent years, I have been associated with an institute that houses HIV+ kids. I am very passionate about environment protection. Last year, I had sponsored a child's education under Concern India Foundation group. I am an active member of a Speaking Club (now Toastmaster' club) in my company. In college, I was involved in organizing many inter and intra college events. I was among the top 10 students in my class in acads. I was also involved in placement committee and various other committees. In School, I was the captain of my district's cricket team and goalkeeper of my district's soccer team. I have also held the positions of School Captain and House Captain (apart from being the class representative every year).
Family BackgroundI come from a business family. Whenever I am home on vacations, I help my dad in business. I am always consulted on any major business decisions taken.
I have one doubt on how to describe your company and role in the resume template given by ISB.
ISB Resume template states that, below your company name and your title, describe 'About the company or about your role..'. How should we go about it? Suppose I am working as a Team Lead in XYZ company i) XYZ is an IT services company focusing on the development of custom, mission-critical software applications. The role of a Team Lead in Tavant is to contribute towards architecture definition, estimation and planning of the project. ii) I contribute towards architecture definition, estimation and planning of the project. iii) Contributing towards architecture definition, estimation and planning of the project. Which of the following ways is the best way to write about your company or role? Is there any better way to write this? Thanks and Regards Deba
first a big thanks to you & PG for having us reap fruits of your experience Please have a look at my profile and let me know if it is strong enough for me to consider applying to top US B-Schools. 1) I am specifically looking at one year intensive program to help me specialize in General managemen/marketing & Strategy. 2)I have a background in Sales ( & small amount of Marketing) I unfortunately have bad academics .:( Can I hopefor a seat .my good work exp.. can it discount my bad acads. 3) would be grate full if you can give me a list of good colleges.:) 4) Do employers in America value Indian marketing and sales experience?:neutral: 5) does marketing & sales experience conducive for a career in strategy & genral management? ??:
GMAT Details Score - 640 Breakup - Q-47 V-28
Screwed verbal on the D day, been among the top 4% in Indian entrance test ( cat xlri) a second shot is planed in early september Work-ex Total 42 months till date.
Last 6 months as Product Manager(sales & marketing) at western region in India 350 sq KM territory, for leading Consumer durable MNC, Turnaround the sales in region/branch in 32 working days achieving sales targets unachievable for last 24 months, Reporting to the both Local and national Manager. Generated a 34% growth against an industry growth of 20% in half1. Responsible for a Target sales turnover of $53 Million .
14 Months as Executive at a start Up consumer durable Company, I was responsible for launching a product in a region and setting up a sales channel for the same.Was succesfull in selling the entire stock profitably with in 60 days of launch. 22 Months as Sales Engineer ( contractual- I am in the same company which initially employed me on contract) was responsible for secondary sales, training , market expansion,corporate sales and channel management all this with focus on High end sales( phew- 22months after all):neutral:
giving a miss to sales related achievements. Education B.E. in Mechanical Engineering Graduated in 2002 with overall 59.6 %. The catch is I took 6.5 years for a 4 years course. Reason: Parents health problem ++ youth full indescrition ( year 1-45%; 2nd year 50%; 3rd year 52%;4th year 59.7%) Average acads in School Extracurricular Represented college in extempore debating & elocution , participant in school and college dramatics, participated in improvisational dramatics, Edited the English section of my college magazine, dramatics in school. Target A 740 Gmat score. I think I need to pull up the verbal skills. & my last gmat was an off day Zero in on a bschool with good curriculum & reputation( you can help me here) Advice regarding my realistic chance of me getting into a good US B school ( tried 2 full years here in india) Will await your honest assessment.:neutral:
Thanks for your inquiry. You dont need proof of your service. There is a benefit of the doubt given to applicants, though many of the schools are doing background checks after admitting students to ensure that candidates are telling the truth. I apologize, but I dont understand your second question about certificates. As for your profile, please give me some more background on your professional career and some information on your academic profile. Sincerely, Jeremy Shinewald MBAMission www.mbamission.com 646-485-8844 Skype: MBAMission
Hi Jeremy,
Thanks for helping PG members.:)
I have a specific query regarding community service. I was involved a good deal in community service in my recent past but I was not associated with any organisation. I was on my own. So I dont have any certificates for the same.
My query is that:
1. Do we need to produce some sort of proof for the service we have done?
2. How can we make sure that adcomm really understands that it is not easy to get certificates for the work I have done since I was not associated with any organisation? Can we mention this in our essays?
My profile in brief: Work exp: 3+ in IT/Telecom with biggest names in my domain, 1.5 years international. GMAT: Yet to take, aiming at 700+. Community service: Decent but without any certificates. Extra currics: Lots of sports. (in school, in college and at work)
Also do I stand a chance at top 10 with this profile. I am currently contemplating Top 15-30 US schools.
Dear Jeremy, Thanks for clearing my doubts regarding the ASP program. I wanted to know how good the 'Specialized Master' programs are, offered by some European B-Schools like RSM, HEC etc? How much they can give the boost to one's professional career ? how good are they in comaprison to MBA?
As in India we don't get these type of Information very easily. Thanks to you that we have get one valuable interface for clearing our doubts. (PS: I am Master's in Computer Applications and s/w engg with 3 yrs of work ex).
While it can be a difficult road, it is not an impossible one; the top schools do accept hundreds of Indian applicants each year. Please let me know if you have any questions at all going forward. Sincerely, Jeremy Shinewald MBA Mission www.mbamission.com 646-485-8844 Skype: MBAMission
Thanks for your time. Yes - there are so many of us out there :) Harvard i know is a tough option. Planning to go for it anyway - not because of the brand name, but because i feel that Harvard fits my requirements perfectly. Glad to know what you've mentioned about Kellogg. I will give my best shot at all these schools. I understand that it is all about presenting my profile in an AdCom specific manner.
I am in the process of collecting all the application materials - transcripts, formaing essay strategies, speaking with recommendors. Will get back to your in case in need further clarification. Thanks for all your help.
My second query was: Do I need to mention the reason (in essays) that why I am not able to provide "proof" for the community work.
My detailed profile is as follows:
Acads:
B-tech with DISTINCTION from an average school in India. Secured 71% ( class topper being 75%) which converts to a GPA of 3.8. Was among top 6 students in class of 75. I have also done a PG Diploma in Embedded Design securing 82% (class topper being 84%). I stood SECOND in class of 32 students there.
Work Exp:
I have been working as a Software Engineer in telecom industry for last 3.5 years.
Regarding leadership skills: -I was promoted as Module lead within 7-8 months after starting my career in my first company (XYZ).
-After around 2 years I moved to a different company (ABC) where I was made Feature lead (led a team of 4 members) apart from few other lead responsibilities.
-I came back to my first company (XYZ) after working for an year in ABC as I was given a Tech lead position with onsite deputation.
-I am currently leading a team of 6 members apart from having an addition responsibitly of tracking Test team also for their status.
-I volunteered for a pilot Six Sigma project when I was Feature lead in ABC. Only 2 teams volunteered through out the company.
-I also initiated few process related activities onsite in my current team. Those activities are currently carried out by few other teams also in our company.
-I have also been mentor for a group of new joinees.
Note, however, that my designation is still Software Engineer though I am due for promotion this year.
Extra Currics:
-I have completed 2 levels of French language from an Internationaly reputed institute.
-I have been involved in games and sports through out my life. I have been a playing member of cricket, basketball and soccer team in school,college and company and captained Cricket and Basketball teams during my schools days and in company.
-I have also won a STATE Level GOLD MEDAL in martial arts during my school days.
Community work:
I am currently helping out 5 of my colleagues with English language.
I have also done some community work back in my home country.
I am desperately trying to connect to some NGO here (onsite) but due to language barrier not able to do so until now.:( ------------------------------------------------------------
As I stated earlier, I am currently targetting Top 15-30 US schools.
Please guide me whether my choice of schools is correct or shall I give a shot to few Top 10 schools also with this profile.
Waiting for your candid response.
Sincerely, TimeWellWasted
P.S: I am targetting Tech Consulting or Operations career post MBA.
Thanks for your inquiry. You don't need "proof" of your service. There is a benefit of the doubt given to applicants, though many of the schools are doing background checks after admitting students to ensure that candidates are telling the truth. I apologize, but I don't understand your second question about certificates. As for your profile, please give me some more background on your professional career and some information on your academic profile. Sincerely, Jeremy Shinewald MBAMission www.mbamission.com 646-485-8844 Skype: MBAMission
Thanks for your latest inquiry. A specialized Masters Program is not an MBA; it is a specialized Masters Program. You cant really shortcut your MBA. I am not denigrating the specialized programs, but the concept behind your MBA is that it is not that specialized, that it creates a manager capable of making a variety of decisions across the board, whether you are examining a finance, marketing, operational or strategic problem. If you want to specialize in a certain area, like finance for example, take a specialized program in risk management or international finance. If you want to have a broad set of skills, go for your MBA. Sincerely, Jeremy Shinewald MBAMission www.mbamission.com 646-485-8844 Skype: MBAMission
Dear Jeremy, Thanks for clearing my doubts regarding the ASP program. I wanted to know how good the 'Specialized Master' programs are, offered by some European B-Schools like RSM, HEC etc? How much they can give the boost to one's professional career ? how good are they in comaprison to MBA?
As in India we don't get these type of Information very easily. Thanks to you that we have get one valuable interface for clearing our doubts. (PS: I am Master's in Computer Applications and s/w engg with 3 yrs of work ex).
Hi Jeremy, I am planning to take GMAT in August, earlier i was aiming only ISB, but some friends suggested me to play safe and apply to some more B-Schools which take GMAT score. As i wish to settle in India after my MBA and my first choice is ISB, i am looking for B-Schools similar to ISB, i.e. they should: 1) Have Indian recruiters. 2) Cost me similar to what ISB will cost. 3) Preferably 1 year course. I realized that only Asian Institutes can full fill these requirements. So I filtered some institutes: 1) ISB (1st Choice) 2) NUS 3) NTU I am a S/W professional with 3 year of work Ex. in one of the India's largest S/W firms. Since it's a peculiar choice that I am looking for, i am not getting much information about it. Can you please comment on my selected institutes and add a few more which fits in my criterion? Regards Saurabh
IESE 9) Insead 10)London Business School 11)Oxford. (FYI I am looking for MBA in Finance with core emphasis on investment banking, which I want to pursue as a career. Please also advise me on what are my chances of getting Job & PR because this is one of my most important parameters for an foreign MBA).
IESE 9) Insead 10)London Business School 11)Oxford. (FYI I am looking for MBA in Finance with core emphasis on investment banking, which I want to pursue as a career. Please also advise me on what are my chances of getting Job & PR because this is one of my most important parameters for an foreign MBA).
XIIth :- 70.4%
??: