Hey all,

I have been working on my MBA applications, and dealing with trying to make my profile stick out in a very competitive field. So I'd like to share some tips with everybody. Now these tips can apply to everybody, but are aimed at people who have the dreaded "typical" Indian IT professional profile.

Work experience: Number of years of experience is important, of course, but try to emphasize accomplishments you've made. Have you been involved in any successful, long-term projects? Launched unique products? Definitely mention these, but also, how the processes have changed your understanding of "business technology." Even if you are working in IT, there is still a lot you can learn about business - if you can relate this in your application, it shows that you are interested in ideas beyond your own realm.

GMAT: Score is important, yes, but don't stress if you don't break 700. Look at the profiles of the schools you're applying to, and undoubtedly, the median score will be somewhere between 600 and 660. Shoot for the stars, try to fall in this range, and don't worry if you don't get higher. Schools won't be looking for the highest scores, and if you keep taking the test, the schools will know and that might not be a good sign.

Extra curricular activities: I'm of the opinion that these can make or break your application. Think about it: if you're in a field where everybody has a similar profile, the admissions committees are going to be looking for something additional - extra - that makes you stand out. If you haven't already, volunteer somewhere. It doesn't necessarily have to be business related, because it shows you're interested in things outside of your own world. If you started a club during undergrad, certainly mention this.

Lastly, it's important to get a second, or even a third set of eyes on your applications. Find a trusted friend and ask him what he/she thinks. Sometimes small things that you miss can be caught.

Anyway, I hope this helps. Feel free to add to this, if you have any other tips. Keep in mind I'm still applying for my MBAs, so I'm not actually sure if these things work or not!

Hello Kabir_mba

Thanks for the excellent post. As you can guess i am an indian and applying for to B-schools in Europe. Namely, ESADE, IESE, HEC

I will really appreciate if you could comment on my profile :

Work Experience: 3 years by the time of program start date. International experience as working in Thailand for the whole duration of the job. Working for a Satellite Company headquarter in Thailand. Responsibility of International sales handling 3 international markets and 1 Joint venture.

Bachelor in Businees with double major in Marketing and Finance GPA: 3.21
Gmat: 640 ( Q: 47, V:31)
Toefl: 117

Thanks for your comments once again.

Hey bajargyan,

It seems like you have a pretty strong profile, definitely emphasize your work experience in your applications, that's going to be important.

Your GMAT and GPA are a bit on the low side compared to averages at those top schools, but that doesn't mean you won't get in necessarily. In any case if I were you I'd add another 2nd tier school, Manchester or Cranfield... Maybe Cambridge, just to make sure.