This blog post is part of a series of MBA profile evaluations called “What are My Chances?” by Michelle Stockman. Michelle, who started consulting for Accepted in 2007 and worked previously in the Columbia Business School admissions office, will provide selected applicants with school recommendations as well as an assessment of their strengths and weaknesses.
If you would like Michelle to evaluate your profile at no charge and as part of this series, please provide the information requested at https://reports.accepted.com/what_are_my_chances.
PROFILE #8: Sachin, energy sector veteran with an entrepreneurial spark
Note: This profile request arrived with very little information.
Give me more details folks!
-BACKGROUND: 30+ Indian male who graduated in 2001 from Nagpur University in India. Chemical engineer with 12 years managerial experience in the natural gas industry.
Sachin, why now? That would be my question for you.
You’re on the older end of the scale when it comes to MBA candidates. You’ve got to explain why you’re ready to interrupt your career for two years, lose income, and perhaps give up your current management position to pursue an MBA.
It’s not enough to be in a mid-career funk.
At first glance, if you want to advance your career within the industry, you might fit better into an EMBA program. Have you considered that?
-GOALS: Progress career within the energy industry, pursue entrepreneurship allied to the energy sector, and contribute towards India’s social development.
These goals definitely make sense with what you’ve shared about your background. When writing your essays, you should share specific, personal examples from your work experience that show past leadership successes. Then state what skills you are missing that an MBA will address.
As an older candidate, you also need to show you have the industry network and connections to move into your next position. Don’t think you can rely only on career services to make this transition.
-GMAT: 580 Verbal-37 Quant-77
Halt. Hit the breaks. Stop right there.
This is not a competitive GMAT score. Other aspects of your profile are really going to have to stand out for you to be accepted to any school. Right now they do not.
Retake your GMAT.
-GPA: 73.5%
Very good GPA from a strong, though relatively lesser known Indian university in terms of international renown. It’s not so important though, as you graduated more than a decade ago. Your GMAT is a better indicator, at this point, of your ability to keep up in an MBA classroom.
-EXTRACURRICULAR: Teamwork in social activities.
This is very vague. What kinds of activities? What did you accomplish?
-SCHOOLS:
Sorry. I’m not going to recommend any schools for you. Believe it or not, I’ve read applications with about this level of information from the candidate. They don’t get past a first read.
Sachin, you’ve got to go on some long walks and think about why you really want an MBA. What do you hope to achieve? What stories from your past indicate your leadership potential?
Don’t approach your MBA from a mental space of feeling stuck or wanting out of your current situation.
Research, have conversations throughout the energy sector, then connect the dots from your past to your future. Make your ability to do something extraordinary within your industry sound plausible.
Michelle Stockman is a professional journalist, former Columbia Business School admissions insider, and experienced MBA admissions consultant.
Related Resources:
• What are My Chances?: Rahul, the Indian Male IT Guy
• Best MBA Programs: A Guide to Selecting the Right One
• Leadership in Admissions