I wanted to seek opinion on my profile.

Indian Male, Aged 24 years
Gmat - 570
Work ex- 4 years in audit, management advisory
GPA- 3.26 B.Com+M.com

Co-curricular activities have been great. Since I was and am ( as an alumnus) very active at undergrad college managing events.

I have cleared the 1st level (CPT), 2nd i.e -Intermediate Level(IPCC) and 1st group of C.A Final of the
Chartered Accountancy Course-ICAI. Taking the 2nd group's exam (the last exam required to clear for C.A ) this May.


With this profile I'm looking forward to pursue Full Time MBA an go for Fall 2016 .

I have applied to :

Pepperdine-Graziadio
Fordham
San Diego State Uni
San Jose State Uni

Please provide me your insights, Incase I get admits from Peppperdine & Fordham.
Should I go for any of them ?

Kindly, Pls guide me on the same.

Thank you so much in advance Everyone.

[Edited by Shah on Apr 28, 2016]

Take a look at: Shortcut to find the best US MBA www.find-mba.com/board/36065

@Shah,

your profile "appears" weaker than the average applicant from India. However you have admits already so describing your profile is of little use. Tell us about your career goals, which company do you want to work for - what location? what do you plan to achieve during your MBA?

CPT/ ICAI might be valued by some recruiters. But if your plan is to stay and work in US, you'd be better off with a CFA/CPA certification.

Assuming I could afford the fees, and cost of living in Bronx, out of the schools you mentioned, I would select Fordham without a shadow of doubt.

@Dunkan , @ Ayon ,

Thank you so much Ayon for your views. I have not received admits yet. Just Received an interview call request from Fordham .

My goals are to work for 2-3 years in US after my MBA and then get back to India and work into Management Consultancy or manage finance/business of a good listed Company.

Location is not a criteria frankly. I want to go for better program, good college and which pays me back good returns.

Thanks once again @Ayon.

@Shah,

I am sorry working for 2-3 year in US then moving back to India to work into Management Consultancy is not a goal, more of a generic plan or desire - best case scenario of sorts.

Goals are specific, something like Business & Operations Consultant in Deloitte - Chicago office.

Regardless, the 4 listed schools you mentioned Fordham would provide you the combination of location, strong ties and brand name. All 4 would love to have your money regardless.

The ROI part would depend upon you, and how your use your MBA, what skills you gain, how you apply them onto your job. I cannot imagine the likes of San Jose State University opening any doors, that your previous work experience doesn't.

Good luck!

Just FYI most of the top management consultancies would probably rather recruit students from the Harvard/Columbia/Wharton tier of schools, rather than the schools that you're looking at. And those top firms will probably recruit you to work in your home country, using your connections and knowledge of business there - rather than trying to jump through the visa hoops to have you work in the US for only 2-3 years.

@Shah,

I am sorry working for 2-3 year in US then moving back to India to work into Management Consultancy is not a goal, more of a generic plan or desire - best case scenario of sorts.

Goals are specific, something like Business & Operations Consultant in Deloitte - Chicago office.

Regardless, the 4 listed schools you mentioned Fordham would provide you the combination of location, strong ties and brand name. All 4 would love to have your money regardless.

The ROI part would depend upon you, and how your use your MBA, what skills you gain, how you apply them onto your job. I cannot imagine the likes of San Jose State University opening any doors, that your previous work experience doesn't.

Good luck!

[Edited by Shah on May 02, 2016]

Just FYI most of the top management consultancies would probably rather recruit students from the Harvard/Columbia/Wharton tier of schools, rather than the schools that you're looking at. And those top firms will probably recruit you to work in your home country, using your connections and knowledge of business there - rather than trying to jump through the visa hoops to have you work in the US for only 2-3 years.

@Shah,

You gotta do that research yourself buddy.

I would however say this, I researched on internet for 3 mins and their Career Services does not look impressive especially for the tuition fees they charge ~ $95,000 for a 20 month MBA. The Avg. Salary from their website says $75,000 for Class of 2012-13, and that was with only a response rate of 58%. I have reason to believe that most international students end up going to National Diversity conferences like Black, Hispanic, Asian, women's MBA.

Not to forget the cost of living in Malibu will burn a hole into your pocket, given that most entry level Finance / Accounting roles will fetch you $ 50,000 - $70,000 and will depend more upon your CFA/ CPA rather than brand name of school.

That's why I say, it's very important to have a goal. E,g, If you goal is to work as an Accountant in Cherry Bekaert then go the their website, and see which schools they go to for recruiting / internships. Usually that info will be present in their recruiting calendar.

Similarly e.g. if you want to get into JP Morgan - Financial Analyst, check their website. Use LinkedIn, ask schools those questions directly. Maybe, you'd find that your target company recruits from a cheaper state university than a costly pvt. school located in a fancy city.

P.S - UC Irvine costs $96,000 in tuition. I think that provides more bang for the buck.

@Ayon ,

Thank you so much. You are completely right, I gotta do some strong introspection and decide my goals and then choose the colleges. I really appreciate your detailed response explaining how to go about it.

Thanks once again.