Anant (and everybody else),

Thank you for your patience in my answering these questions.  With Stanford GSB’s 1st round deadline now past, I will hopefully have more time to post.

First, really try to improve your GMAT score.  For Indian applicants (especially those in IT), your GMAT score is a big differentiator within a large applicant group.  Assuming you did not graduate from an IIT-equivalent Duke is not a probable with that score.  You should be applying for less competitive programs like Darden, Tepper, and perhaps McCombs (considering your interest in entrepreneurship) as well.

On another note, you sound very interesting which helps but a higher GMAT score of say 730+ would make sure your application is looked at more seriously for admissions committee members to notice.

Best of luck,

Naveen,

Where do you wish to be geographically after school?  The answer to that question is important to evaluating HEC Paris versus UNC-KF or UT Austin.

Another strategy might be to apply to the combined NYU Stern-HEC Paris dual degree program from HEC Paris (since NYU Stern has an excellent entrepreneurship program and many strategic consulting companies interview there).   You can find out more information about the dual degree program at http://www.mba.hec.edu/Academics/International-Partnerships/Double-Degree-Program/.

Good luck,

Would appreciate your help to evaluate my profile and target schools. How about my chances to get into these schools? Are there any recommendations on schools from you to better fit my career objectives? Thanks a lot!

 

Demographics:  31 age, Male, Chinese

GMAT: 760 AWA 4.0

TOEFL: 105(R30 L28 S21 W26)

Education:

Bachelors in Electrical Engineering in a top university in China

Undergrad GPA: 3.2(10/26)

Master in Electrical Engineering in a top university in China  

GPA: around 3.5 (top 10% in class)

WE:

Total 6.5 years in a top international energy company, Marketing & Sales functions in downstream business, including:

2 years as sales director leading a national sales team to develop key account business in transportation sector

2 years as sector marketing manager for metal and power sector

2.5 years as key account manager for power sector in north and southwest of China

Career Goal:

Post my MBA, I aim to get into following roles:

Short term: General manager in downstream business in top energy companies

Long term: Leader of a top international energy company in China, supporting energy security, efficiency and sustainability of China.

Hello Michael,

Thank you for your inputs. Really appreciate! Regarding my geographical presence, my first preference is Singapore followed by US, London and then Paris. The reason is that I have heard that MBA degree per se is more recognized in US than Europe and secondly, in France you need to have fluency in French for all major consulting/marketing jobs. But globally where does HEC Paris stand against US schools?

Regards,

LK

I would never advise someone to be dishonest for ethical reasons alone.  However, even for pragmatic reasons, I assume they would check by your social security number or other have some other way to cross-reference if you are an international applicant.

Thank you so much Michael !!

I thought the same. Just wanted to get it cleared from  you. Thanks for the clarification.

First of all, I define 50/50 as within reach.  Schools that are closer to a safety I imagine would be the Canadian schools.  The others would be either reaches or 50/50 but more importantly these schools are within reach.  You really want to eliminate schools that would be out of reach (say the Top 5).

Also, you do not need certificates for your activities.

Good luck,

Hi Micheal,

Need your help in evaluating my profile and answering a couple of questions. Thanks a ton in advance. Hope to talk further.

I am an Indian-Male-FMCG-28yrs.

Although I am an Indian by passport, I have been living in Singapore for the past 12years (Permanent Resident). Have spent all my life from high school onwards in Singapore.

Work experience wise, currently working for one of the top MNC in FMCG space as a Senior financial analyst in the brand management team. Stellar work experience over the last 2.5 yrs here. Promoted and got global awards within the company (top 1% talent). Manage brand's Asia portfolio profits delivery, long term strategy planning, supply chain design/analysis and competitive and pricing strategy work. Have working exposure in 13 asian countries including China, India, Indonesia, Thailand, Australia, Japan and Korea.

Before this, was working with one of the Top IT consulting firms (2 yrs after undergrad) running project teams and selling deals to clients. Switched to FMCG job because wanted to solve real business problems and moved from managing a local $1Million in portfolio to pan-asia portfolio of $200Million.

Extra Curriculars:
Amateur Cricket Player. Represented my company and my varsity team at all levels in the singapore professional cricket league. Won several tournaments/championships over the last 10 years.
Actively invovled in community service with company programs and programs outside. Not just collecting and distributing money to NGOs but spent 2 weeks in thailand to help build shelters in tsunami affected areas for Habitat for Humanity.

I have a degree in Computer Engineering. GPA was a modest 3.1 but very strong and active ECAs, leadership roles and awards in various competitions. Full academic scholarship in both high school and University (5% of the class)
GMAT: 690 (Q49/V34). Had a tough day on GMAT but honestly the score can probably only go up another 20/30 points at best. So, I am not retaking at this point as I feel I dont have much time to work on my essays.

Future Career Options:
Consulting - first choice
Investment Banking in the FMCG/CPG sector - second choice

Help needed from you:
1. Selection of schools: I am looking at Wharton, Chicago and Kellogg as stretch. LBS, Darden, Cornell as safety/competitive. Off the 3 schools mentioned above in stretch, do you think the chances are realistic or very slim given my GMAT and GPA weakness?

2. Am I missing any school in the range of Ranking 8-12 (Tuck, Ross, Haas, Columbia, Duke) where you think I should be looking to apply? would i be better off focusing in the 8-12 range than focusing on 3 top 5 schools?

3. Any overall comments on each of the sections? Any perspective from you is appreciated.

Thanks a ton in advance.

Cheers

Hi Michael,

Thanks for your valuable insight into the B-school application process.  I would appreciate your help in evaluating my chances at the following schools:

1. Stanford
2. Berkeley
3. UCLA
4. USC

Here's my profile:

Academics
* GMAT: 750 (Q49/87% V44/97% AWA6.0/90%)
* GPA: 2.9/4.0 (3.2 in my last two years) - poor GPA partially a result of extensive extracurricular involvement at UCLA (see "leadership activities" below...)
* B.S. Mechanical Engineering, UCLA

Work
* 4.5 years work experience as an airline pilot and flight instructor
* 4 summer engineering internships during college (mechanical, hydro, project, technical operations engineer)

Leadership Activities in College
* Executive Director, Dance Marathon at UCLA: lead committee of 80-students in planning $200,000 fundraising event
* Resident Assistant and held several other leadership positions at UCLA

Volunteer Activities after College
* Currently volunteer with pilot union on a committee
* Volunteer with UCLA Alumni Association

Goals
* Take airline pilot work experience, coupled with an MBA, to eventually re-enter the industry in airline consulting and management

My main concern is my weak GPA.  Will the upward trend and most notably, extensive extracurricular involvement in college help my case?  At times, these activities required 30-40 hours per week, WITH a full load of engineering classes.  Additionally, will my GMAT score help compensate for my GPA?  And will my unique work experience/industry help? 

I've also heard the the University of California has to obtain special permission to admit an applicant with a sub-3.0 GPA.  Do you know if there is any truth to this report?  If so, just how difficult will it be to gain admission to UCLA or Berkeley?  Should I even bother applying?  Are there other more "GPA friendly" top-20 schools that may be more lenient with my sub-par GPA?  Thanks again for your help.