ISB PROFILE EVALUATION THREAD - Post all Profile Eval Requests Here! : ISB - Page 301

Hi All,

Could you please evaluate my profile, I have yet to take GMAT:

Location: India
Gender: Male
Age: 28
Qualifications: BTech in Computer Science from Symbiosis International
Bachelor's CGPA - 3.55 (out of 4)
12th (State Board) - 88.5%
10th (CBSE Board) - 80 CGPA
Work Experience: 6 Years in technical roles
Current Role: Principal Engineer
Domain: Data Engineering and Analytics
GMAT Score: Yet to give
Interested in Full-time MBA
Reason for MBA: Want to change fields and try some other roles
Post-MBA goals: Not decided yet, maybe into Product/Program Management

Work Experience (6YOE):
1. Principal Engineer-> Airtel Digital (09/23-Present):
Working as a lead engineer (do not have anyone reporting to me) as part of the data platform team

2. Data Engineer II-> Expedia Group (03/22-09/23):
Worked as a lead engineer (do not have anyone reporting to me) as part of the data engineering division of the product analytics team for various Data Science stakeholders. Played an architect and mentor role for juniors in the team as well. Had some major achievements such as severe process optimization and the implementation of new architecture standards. Worked with some key product performance projects such as funnel progression which were exposed to leadership including CTO and CEO. Was the goto pers

3. Data Engineer 2-> PayPal (08/21-03/22):
Worked as a senior engineer on the credit risk strategy team, supporting several reporting and data science use cases. Had some major achievements such as the implementation of a new framework by anticipating stakeholder needs which resulted in saving 40 man hours in the team.

4. Business Technology Solutions Associate Consultant-> ZS (04/19-07/21):
Worked as a team lead for several pharmaceutical clients, and was involved in end-to-end project management and technical implementations. I had 3-5 members reporting to me which varied from an intern, contractors, and FTEs. Had some major achievements which involved redesigning an already live project from scratch to deal with performance issues which resulted in a foreseeable overhead cost of 200K USD. Demonstrated tools capabilities which resulted in signing up of new projects from a key client.

5. Software Engineer-> Amdocs (08/17-04/19):
Worked as an associate engineer for a telecom client, was involved in mentoring new members of the team, and presented several topics during client visits (this included, client leadership as well). Worked on an implementation of a key scorecard for SVPs which resulted in onboarding new projects worth 500K USD.

Awards:
1. Received two shotouts and a nomination for my hero award during my tenure at Expedia.
2. Received a spot award during my tenure at PayPal.

Had the opportunity to international travel, but couldn't proceed due to visa issues

Hobbies-> Not much, into gymming, board games, and traveling

Thanks

gmatloverop wrote:Hi All,

Could you please evaluate my profile, I have yet to take GMAT:

Location: India
Gender: Male
Age: 28
Qualifications: BTech in Computer Science from Symbiosis International
Bachelor's CGPA - 3.55 (out of 4)
12th (State Board) - 88.5%
10th (CBSE Board) - 80 CGPA
Work Experience: 6 Years in technical roles
Current Role: Principal Engineer
Domain: Data Engineering and Analytics
GMAT Score: Yet to give
Interested in Full-time MBA
Reason for MBA: Want to change fields and try some other roles
Post-MBA goals: Not decided yet, maybe into Product/Program Management

Work Experience (6YOE):
1. Principal Engineer-> Airtel Digital (09/23-Present):
Working as a lead engineer (do not have anyone reporting to me) as part of the data platform team

2. Data Engineer II-> Expedia Group (03/22-09/23):
Worked as a lead engineer (do not have anyone reporting to me) as part of the data engineering division of the product analytics team for various Data Science stakeholders. Played an architect and mentor role for juniors in the team as well. Had some major achievements such as severe process optimization and the implementation of new architecture standards. Worked with some key product performance projects such as funnel progression which were exposed to leadership including CTO and CEO. Was the goto pers

3. Data Engineer 2-> PayPal (08/21-03/22):
Worked as a senior engineer on the credit risk strategy team, supporting several reporting and data science use cases. Had some major achievements such as the implementation of a new framework by anticipating stakeholder needs which resulted in saving 40 man hours in the team.

4. Business Technology Solutions Associate Consultant-> ZS (04/19-07/21):
Worked as a team lead for several pharmaceutical clients, and was involved in end-to-end project management and technical implementations. I had 3-5 members reporting to me which varied from an intern, contractors, and FTEs. Had some major achievements which involved redesigning an already live project from scratch to deal with performance issues which resulted in a foreseeable overhead cost of 200K USD. Demonstrated tools capabilities which resulted in signing up of new projects from a key client.

5. Software Engineer-> Amdocs (08/17-04/19):
Worked as an associate engineer for a telecom client, was involved in mentoring new members of the team, and presented several topics during client visits (this included, client leadership as well). Worked on an implementation of a key scorecard for SVPs which resulted in onboarding new projects worth 500K USD.

Awards:
1. Received two shotouts and a nomination for my hero award during my tenure at Expedia.
2. Received a spot award during my tenure at PayPal.

Had the opportunity to international travel, but couldn't proceed due to visa issues

Hobbies-> Not much, into gymming, board games, and traveling

Thanks

gmatloverop

The things that stand out for me in your profile are
1. Solid tech exposure
2. Association with feeder brands

However, you need to be strategic about finding the hooks in your experience. ISB sees a lot of pre-MBA techies applying to the program. You will have to execute your application well to stand out. Your professional recommendation will also need to be exemplary. You need to unpack your experiences and reconstruct your stories in a way that shows that working on high-impact projects has given you a much more hands-on experience and opportunity to engage with leaders from the industry, more experiential maturity, and more capability to contextualize business problems than most tech background applicants.

Additionally, while international exposure can be a strength, the larger objective is to assess your ability to handle critical decision-making and team management in a cross-cultural context. "Culture" in this context is not limited to nationality, but extends to working with people who may hold different values, practices, beliefs, and ideologies. You may not have worked in an international setting purely, but you may have strong examples of leadership from working across levels to bring about a significant impact. Your diverse experiences and perspectives can make you a standout candidate for PGP program.

Your Goals
Product/Program is a broad domain and typical error candidates make is not delving further into their passion and desire to address a problem they have witnessed through their experience or to capitalize on an opportunity. What is the bigger picture/vision underlying your product or program management objectives than your previous expertise and qualifications? The same would be expected of consulting goals should you cite those.

Aim for a high GMAT score and reflect on your engagements outside of work that have generated impact.

Here are some ISB specific links that can give you more clarity on how to become a competitive applicant

1.How to think about the new ISB Essays
2.Fail-proof strategy for acing that ISB Interview
3.What ISB looks for really? A fresh perspective
4.The Secret Sauce For Outstanding Letters of Recommendations
5.How To Select Your Recommenders
6.Avoid these pitfalls in goals essays
7.Things to keep in mind as a reapplicant


Get tailored advice specific to your unique situation. We do not cap discussion hours for our applicants

Aanchal Sahni (INSEAD alum, ex MBA admissions interviewer)
MBAGuideConsulting
LinkedIn |WEBSITE: https://mbaguideconsulting.com/ | Message: +91 9971200927| email- mbaguideconsulting@gmail.com

kumaraish1195 wrote:Equally interested in transitioning to Finance roles but due to lack of any relevant experience in finance i am afraid I won't be able to convince the admission panel. Although I have cleared CFA L1 in May this year

At ISB, it will be almost impossible to accomplish a transition from Operations to Finance, after 6 years of experience in core Operations role.

So, would suggest that you keep your post-MBA goals close to the pre-MBA education & experience.
--
Ashish.

Hello gmatloverop,

I hope you are doing well. Your profile for the MBA program appears to have several strong elements. However, keep in mind that ISB, like other top business schools, evaluates applicants holistically, considering various aspects of your profile. Your academic background is decent, but it's not outstanding. A higher GPA could have strengthened your profile further. Since you haven't taken the GMAT yet, it's essential to perform well on the exam to complement your profile. A strong GMAT score can enhance your competitiveness.

You have six solid years of work experience in technical roles, including leadership positions. Your experience spans well-known companies such as Airtel Digital, Expedia Group, PayPal, ZS, and Amdocs. Your achievements, such as process optimization, architectural leadership, and project management, demonstrate your expertise and impact in your field. Your work in data engineering and analytics is highly relevant in today's business landscape. It's a valuable skillset that can be leveraged in various industries and roles, including Product/Program Management.

Coming to your ECs, the awards and recognition you've received, including spot awards and nominations for hero awards, indicate your contributions and impact in your previous roles. Although you didn't have the opportunity to travel internationally, the fact that you were prepared for international assignments shows your potential for a global mindset, which is valued by business schools. While you mention an interest in Product/Program Management, it's essential to clarify your goals further in your application. Admissions committees want to see a clear connection between your past experiences, MBA, and future career objectives.

Overall, your profile has many strong elements, including your work experience, domain expertise, and recognition in your field. To improve your chances of admission to ISB, consider performing well on the GMAT, and ensure your application essays and recommendations provide a clear and compelling narrative of your career journey and aspirations. Clarify your post-MBA goals, and if possible, highlight any leadership or impact in non-professional areas of your life.

Good luck with your application!

We offer a limited number of complimentary profile evaluations each week . We match you with the students and alums of top B-Schools according to your background and target schools. In this call, the experts will try to dig out your USP for top B-schools and provide you with honest feedback on your profile and chances to your target schools.

Book a free profile evaluation call now!

Neha Hadke
Strategy Manager
Testimonials
Meet our Panel of Consultants.
Email: neha@mbaandbeyond.com
MBA and Beyond

gmatloverop wrote:Hi All,

Could you please evaluate my profile, I have yet to take GMAT:

Location: India
Gender: Male
Age: 28
Qualifications: BTech in Computer Science from Symbiosis International
Bachelor's CGPA - 3.55 (out of 4)
12th (State Board) - 88.5%
10th (CBSE Board) - 80 CGPA
Work Experience: 6 Years in technical roles
Current Role: Principal Engineer
Domain: Data Engineering and Analytics
GMAT Score: Yet to give
Interested in Full-time MBA
Reason for MBA: Want to change fields and try some other roles
Post-MBA goals: Not decided yet, maybe into Product/Program Management

Work Experience (6YOE):
1. Principal Engineer-> Airtel Digital (09/23-Present):
Working as a lead engineer (do not have anyone reporting to me) as part of the data platform team

2. Data Engineer II-> Expedia Group (03/22-09/23):
Worked as a lead engineer (do not have anyone reporting to me) as part of the data engineering division of the product analytics team for various Data Science stakeholders. Played an architect and mentor role for juniors in the team as well. Had some major achievements such as severe process optimization and the implementation of new architecture standards. Worked with some key product performance projects such as funnel progression which were exposed to leadership including CTO and CEO. Was the goto pers

3. Data Engineer 2-> PayPal (08/21-03/22):
Worked as a senior engineer on the credit risk strategy team, supporting several reporting and data science use cases. Had some major achievements such as the implementation of a new framework by anticipating stakeholder needs which resulted in saving 40 man hours in the team.

4. Business Technology Solutions Associate Consultant-> ZS (04/19-07/21):
Worked as a team lead for several pharmaceutical clients, and was involved in end-to-end project management and technical implementations. I had 3-5 members reporting to me which varied from an intern, contractors, and FTEs. Had some major achievements which involved redesigning an already live project from scratch to deal with performance issues which resulted in a foreseeable overhead cost of 200K USD. Demonstrated tools capabilities which resulted in signing up of new projects from a key client.

5. Software Engineer-> Amdocs (08/17-04/19):
Worked as an associate engineer for a telecom client, was involved in mentoring new members of the team, and presented several topics during client visits (this included, client leadership as well). Worked on an implementation of a key scorecard for SVPs which resulted in onboarding new projects worth 500K USD.

Awards:
1. Received two shotouts and a nomination for my hero award during my tenure at Expedia.
2. Received a spot award during my tenure at PayPal.

Had the opportunity to international travel, but couldn't proceed due to visa issues

Hobbies-> Not much, into gymming, board games, and traveling

Thanks

_________________

Hello kumaraish1195,

I hope you are doing well. Your profile for the ISB MBA program is quite strong, and with a GMAT score of 750, you have a competitive advantage. Your academic credentials are impressive, with a strong 10th-grade score, excellent 12th-grade performance, and a B.Tech (Hons.) degree from an Old IIT. These academic achievements reflect your strong foundation.

Your six years of experience in the Oil and Gas Industry, particularly in Operations, demonstrate your commitment to a specific industry and functional area. It's a valuable foundation for your post-MBA goals. Earning the CFA Level 1 qualification is a significant achievement and shows your dedication to finance. While you may not have direct finance experience, this can still be seen as a positive signal of your interest and capability in the field.

While your academic and professional achievements are strong, the extracurricular section of your profile appears relatively weaker. If you can highlight any leadership or impactful experiences outside of work, it can add depth to your application.

Your career goals of transitioning to Supply Chain Management or consulting roles align well with your background and experience. Mention your interest in Finance as well, as the CFA Level 1 qualification can be seen as a step in that direction. However, be prepared to explain why you want to make this shift and how you plan to bridge the gap in your application.

With your profile and GMAT score, you can aim for top-tier MBA programs both in India and internationally. For India, ISB is an excellent choice, given your GMAT score and aspirations. Additionally, you can consider other top Indian B-schools.

If you are open to international programs, you can target renowned business schools in the US, Europe, and Asia. Some of the top-ranked programs globally include Harvard Business School, Stanford GSB, Wharton, INSEAD, London Business School, and Kellogg. Your choice of programs should align with your career goals, location preferences, and the program's strengths.

Overall, your strong academic background, exceptional GMAT score, and relevant work experience make you a competitive applicant for top-tier MBA programs. Strengthen your extracurricular section, be clear about your post-MBA goals, and consider targeting a mix of Indian and international programs based on your preferences and career objectives.

Good luck with your applications!

We offer a limited number of complimentary profile evaluations each week . We match you with the students and alums of top B-Schools according to your background and target schools. In this call, the experts will try to dig out your USP for top B-schools and provide you with honest feedback on your profile and chances to your target schools.

Book a free profile evaluation call now!

Neha Hadke
Strategy Manager
Testimonials
Meet our Panel of Consultants.
Email: neha@mbaandbeyond.com
MBA and Beyond

kumaraish1195 wrote:Demographics : Indian Male, Engineering, Age 27

Professional Background: I have worked for 6 years in Operations role(Assistant Manager) in the Oil and Gas Industry, specifically in the Petrochemicals sector.
My experience includes Unit Operations, M&I Planning, and Brownfield Project commissioning.

Academics:
10th: 10 CGPA
12th: 93.4%
B.Tech(Hons.) in Chemical Engineering from a Tier-1 Institute(Old IIT) with a CGPA of 8.1/10
CFA L1 qualified(in May,2023), no plans of appearing for L2 as of now.

Extracurricular Activities: Nothing significant. Few awards in Hockey and Fine Arts competitions during college in various inter-hostel competitions.

Post-MBA Aspirations: Move into Supply Chain Management or consulting roles in relevant industry.
Equally interested in transitioning to Finance roles but due to lack of any relevant experience in finance i am afraid I won't be able to convince the admission panel. Although I have cleared CFA L1 in May this year, I am unsure if that would be enough.

GMAT: 750 (Q50 V42)

I am planning to apply in R2 and would like to know which programs should I target based on my profile and GMAT score.

_________________

Hi All,

I just gave my GMAT exam and would like to have my profile evaluated in order to get a fair idea of my chances for an admit in ISB:


Age: 23 yr

GMAT Score: 700 [Quant:50 , Verbal:34, I.R.:4 ]

Educational Qualifications:

Graduation: B.Tech in Electronics & Communication Engineering from Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh, India in 2022 with 91.6% aggregate.
CLASS XII: Secured 93.6% in Science; Board: CBSE; Year: 2018
CLASS X: Secured 95%; Board: CBSE; Year:2016

Work Experience:
Working as a Software Engineer at UKG (short for Ultimate Kronos Group) for almost a year and 2 months now.

Extra Curricular:

1) Participated in debates, exhibitions & competitions throughout school & college life
2) Won an INR 5000 Science Scholarship for a national level exhibition; Prize Money of INR 1200 at District Level; Reached State Level of the same.
3) Was part of the school music band as a Drummer.
4) Part of the school Football Team as well.

Would appreciate some honest consults and reviews about my profile and love to get some insight on my chances of getting into ISB.

Hi,
Please evaluate my profile.
Targetting 1st round of ISB.
10th- 91.4% CBSE
12th- 83.83% maharashtra state board
Btech CGPA- 8.45 chemical engineering from IIT BHU, 2016 passout
GMAT score- 730
GATE AIR 90 out of 16000 student
short term goal- consultant in the field of energy and sustainable development
Work ex - 7 years and 1 month current. in IOCL, operations management
Look after day to day workings of operation of converting crude oil into petroleum products.
I have 35 subordinates under me.
Coordinated a shutdown of plant, completed 7 days earlier so saved INR 20 crore for IOCL
Gave suggestions related to processes, one led to savings of INR 5 lakh weekly.
Commissioned new desalter technology, project worth INR 9 crore.
College-
Published 3 articles in small journals about granular flow in 2/3 dimensions.
Presented one paper on conversion of plastic waste into liquid fuel. also converted thermocol into diesel though process was not efficient
extra curricular-
lawn tennis- have won 2 gold and 3 silver in doubles and singles at tournament that happens at workplace every year.
Marketing executive at college technical fest, was able to bring sponsors from banking sector, total fund was about INR 25lakh. this was done in 2014
won one quiz in 2018, hosted by star plus program sabse smart kaon? at nagpur.
last year i had applied with 700 gmat score for second round of ISB but was rejected

Runawaybon wrote:Hi All,

I just gave my GMAT exam and would like to have my profile evaluated in order to get a fair idea of my chances for an admit in ISB:


Age: 23 yr

GMAT Score: 700 [Quant:50 , Verbal:34, I.R.:4 ]

Educational Qualifications:

Graduation: B.Tech in Electronics & Communication Engineering from Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh, India in 2022 with 91.6% aggregate.
CLASS XII: Secured 93.6% in Science; Board: CBSE; Year: 2018
CLASS X: Secured 95%; Board: CBSE; Year:2016

Work Experience:
Working as a Software Engineer at UKG (short for Ultimate Kronos Group) for almost a year and 2 months now.

Hi Runawaybon, while everything is decent, I would like to ask you how much you were scoring in GMAT, in your mocks?

If you were scoring significantly higher than 700, I would suggest that you consider retaking the GMAT to make your profile stronger, especially considering that there are still few months before the R2 deadline. Note that 700 is already a decent score, but a higher score will make the profile stronger.

On the other hand, if you were getting a score of around 700 in mocks as well, then just focus on the application.

p.s. I don't get any hint on your post-MBA goals, from your post.
--
Ashish.

munindra95 wrote:Targetting 1st round of ISB.

You are late for that munindra95

last year i had applied with 700 gmat score for second round of ISB but was rejected

Did you not even make it to the interview stage?

If you did, you could get in touch with ISB for feedback. Incorporating that feedback in your reapplicant essay and showing specific action on that feedback, is generally a good way to approach the reapplicant essay.

Also, do mention that you have a vastly improved GMAT score (even if you do not mention the exact score) in the reapplicant essay.

ISB Reapplicant strategy
--
Ashish.

ISBeacon wrote:

Runawaybon wrote:Hi All,

I just gave my GMAT exam and would like to have my profile evaluated in order to get a fair idea of my chances for an admit in ISB:


Age: 23 yr

GMAT Score: 700 [Quant:50 , Verbal:34, I.R.:4 ]

Educational Qualifications:

Graduation: B.Tech in Electronics & Communication Engineering from Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh, India in 2022 with 91.6% aggregate.
CLASS XII: Secured 93.6% in Science; Board: CBSE; Year: 2018
CLASS X: Secured 95%; Board: CBSE; Year:2016

Work Experience:
Working as a Software Engineer at UKG (short for Ultimate Kronos Group) for almost a year and 2 months now.

Hi Runawaybon, while everything is decent, I would like to ask you how much you were scoring in GMAT, in your mocks?

If you were scoring significantly higher than 700, I would suggest that you consider retaking the GMAT to make your profile stronger, especially considering that there are still few months before the R2 deadline. Note that 700 is already a decent score, but a higher score will make the profile stronger.

On the other hand, if you were getting a score of around 700 in mocks as well, then just focus on the application.

p.s. I don't get any hint on your post-MBA goals, from your post.
--
Ashish.

Hi Ashish
Thanks for the revert!

Regarding the mocks scenario, I was getting a score of around 700-730 during my preparation.
As for the existing role and my post MBA goals, I'd like to switch my role from the existing software development to the technical/product management domain. I understand that it's not an elaborate/ descriptive insight into my future goals but I hope you get the picture.

PS: This might not be the right forum to ask this but with the aforementioned profile, can I target some good/top B-Schools globally? If yes, could you please share your valuable insight on what all options could be reachable with this profile & score?

Thanks & regards

ISBeacon wrote:

munindra95 wrote:Targetting 1st round of ISB.

You are late for that munindra95

last year i had applied with 700 gmat score for second round of ISB but was rejected

Did you not even make it to the interview stage?

If you did, you could get in touch with ISB for feedback. Incorporating that feedback in your reapplicant essay and showing specific action on that feedback, is generally a good way to approach the reapplicant essay.

Also, do mention that you have a vastly improved GMAT score (even if you do not mention the exact score) in the reapplicant essay.

ISB Reapplicant strategy
--
Ashish.

I have applied for the first round.
submitted my essays already.
Yes i did get the interview invite and problem was with communication and articulation of ideas. these were not at par as expected from a consultant.
I did mention my score improvement and also wrote that I have joined toastmasters for my communication improvement.
I just want to know what are the chances of a interview call and a final admit?
Plus how to prepare for my interview. I think interview was the culprit as communication and articulation mostly come in interview part.

Hi All,

Can you please evaluate my profile for an FPM program? Sorry for the long post but I wanted to be as detailed as possible

Academics:

10th. Std. : 87% (West Bengal State Board) - Completed in 2000 (Top 10% of my class)
12th. Std. : 79% (West Bengal State Board) - Completed in 2002 (Top 10% of my class)
B.E. in Chemical Engineering from Visveswaraya Technological University: First Class with Distinction (Top 15% of my Class) (Class of 2006)
PGDM in Development & Sustainable Finance from IFMR, Chennai (now Krea University): Ranked 3rd. in my Class (Class of 2011)
MBA from McGill University: GPA 3.84 / 4: Academic Dean's Honor List (Top 5 in Class of 2018)

GMAT:

720 (Q49, V40) (2014)
680 (Q48, V34) (2022)

I am trying desperately to push this to 700 but it becomes increasingly harder with a job, family life and a two-year old baby

Work- Experience: Overall 12 years of Work Experience predominantly in Banking and Insurance

Post B.E. in Chemical Engineering

a) Yokogawa India Ltd: - 1 year as an Executive Engineer - Maintained Distributed Control Systems, calibrated pumps, Near-infrared and Sulphur Analyzer systems at client (IOCL, Vadodara) site

b) Srijan, Center for Community Welfare: 1 year as Head of Community Development - Led fundraising activities, event planning, project management and strategic planning working for an NGO (target beneficiaries: children who dwell in slums in Kolkata)

Post PGDM in India

c) L&T Finance Ltd: 1 year as a Credit Analyst in Construction Equipment Financing

d) Union Bank of India: 4 years - Started as a Probationary officer and got promoted to Branch Manager - Designed an innovative metrics to predict repayment capacity of self help groups by 95% (as a P.O. in a rural branch), managed a fairly large credit portfolio (credit adjudication, due diligence and financial modeling) at regional head quarters (as an Assistant Manager), led a team of 10 with general management responsibility of a mid-size semi-urban branch, developed and maintained a profitable portfolio while achieving all my targets every quarter (as a Branch Manager)

During MBA in Canada

e) McGill Business Consulting Group: Managing Partner - Internship Experience for 10 months - Formulated a business plan for a healthcare mobile app to reduce adverse drug events, helping the client market the business idea and secure VC funding of $500,000 CAD

Post MBA in Canada

f) Royal Bank of Canada: 8 months - Commercial Account Manager at Canada's largest bank - Developed needs-based sales strategies, underwrote new credit proposals up to $2 million CAD and renewals up to $5 million CAD, maintained a credit portfolio of 15 clients

g) Continental Casualty Company (known as CNA Canada - this company is the 7th. largest P&C insurer in the US): 4 years and counting - Started as Operations Support and Underwriting Assistant (Commercial Auto) and then got promoted to Underwriting Audit Analyst - Major achievements include improvement in turnaround time for Operating procedures such as rating, garage policy issuance, drafting the first manual for automobile rating process, drafting SOPs to improve processes, coaching employees, preparing dashboards and performance metrics to report Operating performance to the executives and initiating a couple of impactful projects that drew the attention of top management

Research Experience

United Nations Habitat: 22 months - Part-time Researcher - Global Municipal Database Project in collaboration with NYU Stern - Conducted surveys, interviewed the Mayor of Kolkata, academics, real estate developers, lawyers and experts on informal sector to present data on urban planning regulations, infra development and access to jobs to the UN team in London, analyzed the municipality budget to identify trends and patterns of investment and allocation of capital costs in different sectors

Bandhan Bank (then an NBFC): 4 months - Internship during the PGDM program in India - Analyzed the impact of Bandhan's different programs on beneficiaries from a neutral perspective, conducted surveys and interviews involving BDOs, local elites and general population across West Bengal

The Collaboration Vector: 6 years and counting - Pro-bono consulting on research on impact investment, CSR, community and stakeholder engagement etc.

Extra-Curriculars

Founded an organization to train low income women on financial literacy, helping them realize the importance of savings - Helped connect over 100 beneficiaries to formal banking system and avail micro loans over 2 years

Co-founded an organization in Montreal to help refugees and newcomers find meaningful employment in the community, helped the newcomers with French language training, designing CVs and Cover Letters, organized a job crawl that helped 20 people secure employment in 6 months

VP of Net Impact Club at McGill: Net Impact is a nonprofit membership organization (with 400 global chapters across continents) for students and professionals interested in using business skills in support of various social and environmental causes. My responsibility was to organize events and promote the mission of the organization within McGill community.

VP of Samarthan: IFMR's (now Krea University) oldest Club - Organized various events promoting social, cultural and environmental awareness in Chennai

Research Interest: Something to do with microfinance, development economics, CSR, bottom-of-the-pyramid marketing strategies - I am yet to narrow down on my research goals

Target Schools: ISB, IIMs, IIT Delhi, IIT Chennai, XLRI, Symbiosis

abhisheksingh2525 wrote:Hi,
Please evaluate my profile.

Age: 27 years

Education:
Graduation: B.A. LL.B. (Hons.) from National Law University, Lucknow - 6.55 CGPA
12th: 81.8%, CBSE
10th: 8.4 CGPA, CBSE

GMAT: Yet to take (targeting 700+).


Work Experience (2.5 years):
1. Content Marketer (Founding Member) - US-based startup (August '23 - current)
- Created and leading the entire content team from ground.
- Strategizing and developing content for multiple content channels with complete ownership.

2. Head of Content - UK-based startup (March '23 - August '23)
- Established the content workstream alone from ground up.
- Managed a team of writers, designers, and editors.
- Managed work with a PR agency and helped promote the brand across multiple publications.

3. Content Strategist - Bangalore-based fintech startup (January '23 - March '23)
- Established the complete content team with writers, designers, and editors from scratch.
- Created roadmaps and content strategy for the next 6 months.
- Established SOPs for content publication and management.

4. Content Strategist - Bangalore-based cloud computing startup (February '22 - December '22)
- Started as a writer and got promoted within 6 months.
- Built the entire content engine from scratch.
- Worked closely with product teams and managed a team of freelancers, interns, and designers.

5. Writer - Gurugram-based logistics software company (July '21 - February '22)
- Worked as a writer-editor and developed and owned several channels of content.
- Managed a team of 4 interns and a freelancer to develop and publish content across multiple channels.

6. Legal Intern - Hon'ble Supreme Court of India (December '17)
- Worked at the office of the Advocate General of Sikkim.
- Drafted multiple PILs, legal notices, and court arguments.
- Worked on multiple client negotiations.

Co-curricular:
1. Became Editor of the Law Review of my college in my first year and worked on 2 national journals.
2. Was an active part of the debating society at college and represented my university at a national competition.

Extra-curricular:
1. Was an active member of the college band and won multiple national level competitions.
2. Currently offer pro bono services as a legal consultant to underprivileged women who are victims of domestic violence, providing support related to alimony, child custody and related criminal cases.
3. I am also a sessions guitarist - am not currently working with artists full-time but join in as and when a performance comes.

I am also building a tech startup in parallel with a co-founder from IIIT, Hyderabad. We've got an MVP and working on advanced AI (it's not a wrapper, we're building the tech from ground up). Simultaneously, I run an AI consulting agency with my co-founder.

Before going to law school, I used to be a professional guitarist. I toured with an artist and performed at multiple venues in India, and saved up some money before going to law school. I paid for some of it using my own savings.

Thank you in advance.

👋 Hey abhisheksingh2525,

I came across your profile evaluation query on the forum and thought I'd reach out to offer some assistance from my own experience.

So here is what I would suggest:

Strengths:

➡️ Diverse Professional Experience: Your background in content marketing, PR, and startup ecosystem adds a multifaceted aspect to your profile. Your role as a founding member and content leader for multiple startups showcases entrepreneurial flair and leadership.

➡️ Extracurricular Involvement: Your work as a pro bono legal consultant and sessions guitarist adds depth to your profile and can serve as compelling examples of empathy and creative talents, which could set you apart from the typical applicant pool.


Areas for Improvement:

➡️ Undergraduate CGPA: With a 6.55 CGPA from a National Law University, you're at a slight disadvantage given ISB's competitive academic environment.

➡️ GMAT Score: While you're targeting 700+, currently having no GMAT score puts you in a risky situation.


Suggestions:

➡️ Aim High on GMAT: Given your lower undergraduate CGPA, a GMAT score of 710+ could add strength to your academic credentials.

➡️ Highlight Professional Achievements: Your experience in startups is ripe for showcasing soft skills like initiative, leadership, and adaptability. Narrate instances where you had significant impact—be it in reaching an exceptional number of readers or enhancing brand awareness through your content strategy.

If you need more help, we'd be happy to set up a FREE call and give more pointers on how to improve your profile and the right schools you should target.

You can setup a call via this link:

👉 https://bit.ly/3DSH5km 👈

munindra95 wrote:I just want to know what are the chances of a interview call and a final admit?

Chances of an interview call are very bright (provided that essays are in decent shape); chances of a final admit will obviously depend on how you perform in the interview.
--
Ashish.

Runawaybon wrote:Regarding the mocks scenario, I was getting a score of around 700-730 during my preparation.

Frankly, I do believe that you can consider a re-attempt after a month's prep. A 730 is definitely better than a 700.

As for the existing role and my post MBA goals, I'd like to switch my role from the existing software development to the technical/product management domain

Sounds good.
--
Ashish.

munindra95 wrote:Hi,
Please evaluate my profile.
Targetting 1st round of ISB.
10th- 91.4% CBSE
12th- 83.83% maharashtra state board
Btech CGPA- 8.45 chemical engineering from IIT BHU, 2016 passout
GMAT score- 730
GATE AIR 90 out of 16000 student
short term goal- consultant in the field of energy and sustainable development
Work ex - 7 years and 1 month current. in IOCL, operations management
Look after day to day workings of operation of converting crude oil into petroleum products.
I have 35 subordinates under me.
Coordinated a shutdown of plant, completed 7 days earlier so saved INR 20 crore for IOCL
Gave suggestions related to processes, one led to savings of INR 5 lakh weekly.
Commissioned new desalter technology, project worth INR 9 crore.
College-
Published 3 articles in small journals about granular flow in 2/3 dimensions.
Presented one paper on conversion of plastic waste into liquid fuel. also converted thermocol into diesel though process was not efficient
extra curricular-
lawn tennis- have won 2 gold and 3 silver in doubles and singles at tournament that happens at workplace every year.
Marketing executive at college technical fest, was able to bring sponsors from banking sector, total fund was about INR 25lakh. this was done in 2014
won one quiz in 2018, hosted by star plus program sabse smart kaon? at nagpur.
last year i had applied with 700 gmat score for second round of ISB but was rejected

Hi munindra95,

Since you have got the shortlist last year for interview and your score has improved, you should get a shortlist this year as well unless you have done something terribly wrong with your application. Candidates from ICOL/BPCL/HPCL/ONGC etc generally get the interview call with a decent application at an 680+ score.

Your profile is good, but profiles dont matter that much for admission.

About your selection chances, well, no one can predict that. Reason - GMAT and profile has nothing to do with your interview performance. We have seen candidates working in same city in same plant of IOCL with same work profile getting opposite result to their respective GMAT score. Candidates with 690-700 have qualified, while candidates with 730-740 have not qualified with exactly same work profile. That means interviews are very important and your admission depends on how you perform there.

As you have already submitted your application, you should focus completely on interview part. And hope that you have also applied to other colleges as well.

Runawaybon wrote:Hi All,

I just gave my GMAT exam and would like to have my profile evaluated in order to get a fair idea of my chances for an admit in ISB:


Age: 23 yr

GMAT Score: 700 [Quant:50 , Verbal:34, I.R.:4 ]

Educational Qualifications:

Graduation: B.Tech in Electronics & Communication Engineering from Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh, India in 2022 with 91.6% aggregate.
CLASS XII: Secured 93.6% in Science; Board: CBSE; Year: 2018
CLASS X: Secured 95%; Board: CBSE; Year:2016

Work Experience:
Working as a Software Engineer at UKG (short for Ultimate Kronos Group) for almost a year and 2 months now.

Extra Curricular:

1) Participated in debates, exhibitions & competitions throughout school & college life
2) Won an INR 5000 Science Scholarship for a national level exhibition; Prize Money of INR 1200 at District Level; Reached State Level of the same.
3) Was part of the school music band as a Drummer.
4) Part of the school Football Team as well.

Would appreciate some honest consults and reviews about my profile and love to get some insight on my chances of getting into ISB.

Runawaybon

Solid academic background with the Q50, and the PEC pedigree.

You are a relatively young applicant for 1 year PGP MBA or a 2-year MBA in the US (although you could apply for ISB deferred admit with a super strong application); however, if you give yourself some more time to enhance your profile (At least 1-2 more year before you can apply) you could grab projects and professional opportunities that add a new dimension to your portfolio. The profile enhancement would need to show as a take-off point in your career graph depending on your goals. For example, in a strategic role in a startup or in strategy where you get hands-on experience in the building blocks of businesses, negotiate an international assignment, or get into beginner roles in an industry you want to break into post-MBA. I feel there would be no dearth of opportunities for someone young and ambitious.

You should try to showcase how you are different from other similar applicants given your early promotions, thorough industry insights, project management, and crisis management exposure, and mature overall outlook.

Do not hesitate to reach out for a candid discussion. We do not cap discussion hours for our applicants

Aanchal Sahni (INSEAD alum, ex INSEAD MBA admissions interviewer)
MBAGuideConsulting
LinkedIn |WEBSITE: https://mbaguideconsulting.com/ | Message: +91 9971200927| email- mbaguideconsulting@gmail.com

munindra95 wrote:Hi,
Please evaluate my profile.
Targetting 1st round of ISB.
10th- 91.4% CBSE
12th- 83.83% maharashtra state board
Btech CGPA- 8.45 chemical engineering from IIT BHU, 2016 passout
GMAT score- 730
GATE AIR 90 out of 16000 student
short term goal- consultant in the field of energy and sustainable development
Work ex - 7 years and 1 month current. in IOCL, operations management
Look after day to day workings of operation of converting crude oil into petroleum products.
I have 35 subordinates under me.
Coordinated a shutdown of plant, completed 7 days earlier so saved INR 20 crore for IOCL
Gave suggestions related to processes, one led to savings of INR 5 lakh weekly.
Commissioned new desalter technology, project worth INR 9 crore.
College-
Published 3 articles in small journals about granular flow in 2/3 dimensions.
Presented one paper on conversion of plastic waste into liquid fuel. also converted thermocol into diesel though process was not efficient
extra curricular-
lawn tennis- have won 2 gold and 3 silver in doubles and singles at tournament that happens at workplace every year.
Marketing executive at college technical fest, was able to bring sponsors from banking sector, total fund was about INR 25lakh. this was done in 2014
won one quiz in 2018, hosted by star plus program sabse smart kaon? at nagpur.
last year i had applied with 700 gmat score for second round of ISB but was rejected

munindra95

You have a solid academic background and an impressive undergraduate pedigree.

I'm sorry to hear that you didn't secure admission to ISB last year. In my discussions during ding analysis, I've encountered several applicants from the army and public sector who faced similar challenges in their initial attempts. There appears to be a common pattern in these situations.

Admissions committees often hold preconceived notions about candidates from government or public sector jobs. These perceptions may include a perceived lack of autonomy, limited diversity in responsibilities, and slower career growth opportunities. However, it falls upon you to break through these stereotypes and showcase your unique qualities. Demonstrate what sets you apart and how you consistently exceed expectations. Highlight your proactive nature, adaptability, and track record of delivering exceptional results. Emphasize your eagerness to learn, grow, and expand your skill set by pursuing further education, acquiring new skills, and tackling complex projects. Remember that admissions committees can only gain a comprehensive understanding of your profile through your application materials, such as your resume, essays, and letters of recommendation. Make the most of these documents to convey your true potential. Prepare well for the interview. Speak about your goals narrative with someone who understands the MBA journey and beyond.

This bias isn't limited to individuals in the public sector. I, too, worked in R&D for a private company for five consecutive years, and during my MBA interview at a top global school, I was confronted with "While you've worked in various countries, your responsibilities appear to have remained consistent. How would you describe your career evolution?" To be honest, I wasn't prepared for this question at the time and felt somewhat caught off guard. With the benefit of hindsight and experience, I can now confidently tell you that regardless of your background, whether it's in the government or private sector, you should anticipate and prepare for your growth narrative, and do better than most PSU applicants. This is especially crucial, given your extensive five-plus years of experience in the same domain.

I routinely work with military, naval, manufacturing, and operations applicants, and I have 10 years of industry experience in manufacturing and operations design and management. Please contact me should you like a candid discussion about your profile.

Get personalized advice for your specific situation. Do not hesitate to reach out to us should you need help navigating your interviews.

Aanchal Sahni (INSEAD alum, ex INSEAD MBA admissions interviewer)
MBAGuideConsulting
LinkedIn |WEBSITE: https://mbaguideconsulting.com/ | Message(WA): +91 9971200927| email- mbaguideconsulting@gmail.com

sayandeepbasak1 wrote:Hi All,

Can you please evaluate my profile for an FPM program? Sorry for the long post but I wanted to be as detailed as possible

Academics:

10th. Std. : 87% (West Bengal State Board) - Completed in 2000 (Top 10% of my class)
12th. Std. : 79% (West Bengal State Board) - Completed in 2002 (Top 10% of my class)
B.E. in Chemical Engineering from Visveswaraya Technological University: First Class with Distinction (Top 15% of my Class) (Class of 2006)
PGDM in Development & Sustainable Finance from IFMR, Chennai (now Krea University): Ranked 3rd. in my Class (Class of 2011)
MBA from McGill University: GPA 3.84 / 4: Academic Dean's Honor List (Top 5 in Class of 2018)

GMAT:

720 (Q49, V40) (2014)
680 (Q48, V34) (2022)

I am trying desperately to push this to 700 but it becomes increasingly harder with a job, family life and a two-year old baby

Work- Experience: Overall 12 years of Work Experience predominantly in Banking and Insurance

Post B.E. in Chemical Engineering

a) Yokogawa India Ltd: - 1 year as an Executive Engineer - Maintained Distributed Control Systems, calibrated pumps, Near-infrared and Sulphur Analyzer systems at client (IOCL, Vadodara) site

b) Srijan, Center for Community Welfare: 1 year as Head of Community Development - Led fundraising activities, event planning, project management and strategic planning working for an NGO (target beneficiaries: children who dwell in slums in Kolkata)

Post PGDM in India

c) L&T Finance Ltd: 1 year as a Credit Analyst in Construction Equipment Financing

d) Union Bank of India: 4 years - Started as a Probationary officer and got promoted to Branch Manager - Designed an innovative metrics to predict repayment capacity of self help groups by 95% (as a P.O. in a rural branch), managed a fairly large credit portfolio (credit adjudication, due diligence and financial modeling) at regional head quarters (as an Assistant Manager), led a team of 10 with general management responsibility of a mid-size semi-urban branch, developed and maintained a profitable portfolio while achieving all my targets every quarter (as a Branch Manager)

During MBA in Canada

e) McGill Business Consulting Group: Managing Partner - Internship Experience for 10 months - Formulated a business plan for a healthcare mobile app to reduce adverse drug events, helping the client market the business idea and secure VC funding of $500,000 CAD

Post MBA in Canada

f) Royal Bank of Canada: 8 months - Commercial Account Manager at Canada's largest bank - Developed needs-based sales strategies, underwrote new credit proposals up to $2 million CAD and renewals up to $5 million CAD, maintained a credit portfolio of 15 clients

g) Continental Casualty Company (known as CNA Canada - this company is the 7th. largest P&C insurer in the US): 4 years and counting - Started as Operations Support and Underwriting Assistant (Commercial Auto) and then got promoted to Underwriting Audit Analyst - Major achievements include improvement in turnaround time for Operating procedures such as rating, garage policy issuance, drafting the first manual for automobile rating process, drafting SOPs to improve processes, coaching employees, preparing dashboards and performance metrics to report Operating performance to the executives and initiating a couple of impactful projects that drew the attention of top management

Research Experience

United Nations Habitat: 22 months - Part-time Researcher - Global Municipal Database Project in collaboration with NYU Stern - Conducted surveys, interviewed the Mayor of Kolkata, academics, real estate developers, lawyers and experts on informal sector to present data on urban planning regulations, infra development and access to jobs to the UN team in London, analyzed the municipality budget to identify trends and patterns of investment and allocation of capital costs in different sectors

Bandhan Bank (then an NBFC): 4 months - Internship during the PGDM program in India - Analyzed the impact of Bandhan's different programs on beneficiaries from a neutral perspective, conducted surveys and interviews involving BDOs, local elites and general population across West Bengal

The Collaboration Vector: 6 years and counting - Pro-bono consulting on research on impact investment, CSR, community and stakeholder engagement etc.

Extra-Curriculars

Founded an organization to train low income women on financial literacy, helping them realize the importance of savings - Helped connect over 100 beneficiaries to formal banking system and avail micro loans over 2 years

Co-founded an organization in Montreal to help refugees and newcomers find meaningful employment in the community, helped the newcomers with French language training, designing CVs and Cover Letters, organized a job crawl that helped 20 people secure employment in 6 months

VP of Net Impact Club at McGill: Net Impact is a nonprofit membership organization (with 400 global chapters across continents) for students and professionals interested in using business skills in support of various social and environmental causes. My responsibility was to organize events and promote the mission of the organization within McGill community.

VP of Samarthan: IFMR's (now Krea University) oldest Club - Organized various events promoting social, cultural and environmental awareness in Chennai

Research Interest: Something to do with microfinance, development economics, CSR, bottom-of-the-pyramid marketing strategies - I am yet to narrow down on my research goals

Target Schools: ISB, IIMs, IIT Delhi, IIT Chennai, XLRI, Symbiosis

👋 Hey sayandeepbasak1,

I came across your profile evaluation query on the forum and thought I'd reach out to offer some assistance from my own experience.

So here is what I would suggest:

Strengths:
➡️ Academic Diversity and Excellence: With degrees in Chemical Engineering, Sustainable Finance, and an MBA, your academic portfolio is not only strong but also multifaceted. A GPA of 3.84 at McGill further amplifies your credibility.

➡️ Versatile Experience: The transition from engineering to community welfare, then finance and banking is a remarkable journey. This eclectic mix could make you a fit for a broad range of research topics.

➡️ Leadership and Innovation: Your role as Branch Manager with Union Bank of India involved innovative metrics and a leadership role. This shows an ability to lead and innovate concurrently, which is critical for an FPM program.

➡️ Research and Impact: Being part of the United Nations Habitat project adds a layer of gravitas to your application. Your ongoing pro-bono consulting work is a testament to your commitment to impactful research.


School Recommendations:
➡️ Your profile resonates with research-oriented schools like ISB, IIMs, and IITs. Your diverse background will enrich their academic environment.

If you need more help, we'd be happy to set up a FREE call and give more pointers on how to improve your profile and the right schools you should target.

You can setup a call via this link:

👉 https://bit.ly/3DSH5km 👈

munindra95 wrote:Hi,
Please evaluate my profile.
Targetting 1st round of ISB.
10th- 91.4% CBSE
12th- 83.83% maharashtra state board
Btech CGPA- 8.45 chemical engineering from IIT BHU, 2016 passout
GMAT score- 730
GATE AIR 90 out of 16000 student
short term goal- consultant in the field of energy and sustainable development
Work ex - 7 years and 1 month current. in IOCL, operations management
Look after day to day workings of operation of converting crude oil into petroleum products.
I have 35 subordinates under me.
Coordinated a shutdown of plant, completed 7 days earlier so saved INR 20 crore for IOCL
Gave suggestions related to processes, one led to savings of INR 5 lakh weekly.
Commissioned new desalter technology, project worth INR 9 crore.
College-
Published 3 articles in small journals about granular flow in 2/3 dimensions.
Presented one paper on conversion of plastic waste into liquid fuel. also converted thermocol into diesel though process was not efficient
extra curricular-
lawn tennis- have won 2 gold and 3 silver in doubles and singles at tournament that happens at workplace every year.
Marketing executive at college technical fest, was able to bring sponsors from banking sector, total fund was about INR 25lakh. this was done in 2014
won one quiz in 2018, hosted by star plus program sabse smart kaon? at nagpur.
last year i had applied with 700 gmat score for second round of ISB but was rejected

👋 Hey munindra95,

I came across your profile evaluation query on the forum and thought I'd reach out to offer some assistance from my own experience.

So here is what I would suggest:

Strengths:
➡️ Exceptional Academic Credentials: Achieving an 8.45 CGPA from a premier institute like IIT BHU is no small feat. It showcases not just your academic prowess but also your dedication and focus. The GMAT score of 730 further adds weight to your academic accomplishments, placing you in a favorable position compared to other candidates.

➡️ High Industry Impact: Your role at IOCL involved streamlining the production process and achieving significant savings. With the quantifiable impact of INR 20 crores in savings, you have demonstrated the ability to bring about change at a corporate level. This experience positions you as a hands-on problem solver and an invaluable asset for any organization.

➡️ Technical Expertise and Research Involvement: The presence of three publications and a presentation about waste-to-fuel technologies indicates a strong inclination towards research and development. This adds another layer of depth to your profile, highlighting you as someone who can excel in both academic and corporate environments.

➡️ Well-rounded Extra-Curricular Activities: Your accomplishments in lawn tennis and your involvement as a marketing executive during a college fest indicate a well-balanced profile. It shows that you can manage your time efficiently to excel not just in your professional life but also in your personal interests.


Suggestions:
➡️ Enhance your leadership portfolio by taking on strategic roles, either in your current job or in volunteer settings.

➡️ Consider enrolling in a course or workshop that specifically addresses business management or leadership skills to further amplify your managerial credentials.


School Recommendations:
➡️ The Indian School of Business (ISB) would be a great fit for you, given their focus on leadership, diversity, and impact. Your profile aligns perfectly with these criteria, making you a strong candidate for their competitive applicant pool.

If you need more help, we'd be happy to set up a FREE call and give more pointers on how to improve your profile and the right schools you should target.

You can setup a call via this link:

👉 https://bit.ly/3DSH5km 👈