One fact that all MBA applicants must realize is that every top global business school receives thousands of applications from India. While this does not mean that every single Indian applicant is directly competing with you, it does mean that you need to think hard about how you can differentiate yourself. There was a time -- about a decade ago -- when Indian applicants were considered “unique” because of the diverse developing world that they represented. Given that today there are over 100,000 Indians studying in the US alone, that time has clearly passed and superficial “differentiators” just don’t cut it anymore. With selectivity rates dropping as low as 10%, admission officers all around the world are getting more discerning.
Yet, many Indian applicants tend to stick with run-of-the-mill stories that shed little insight into their character, history, beliefs or ambitions. One thing to keep in mind is that no matter what you have done, someone has probably done it before. That’s not a problem. The problem arises if you fail to dig deeper -- you need to go beyond “what” you have done, and talk about “why” you have done it, and how it has shaped your development as a person and as a leader. Personalize your story; bring out positive attributes such as passion, commitment, team-work, global-awareness, ambition and leadership.
Based on our interactions with several MBA applicants, here are a few common errors Indian MBA applicants tend to make.
Error 1: Simply highlight engineering degree, high GMAT score, and work in the IT Sector
Ok, so you attended a great engineering college, did well academically,and then landed a pretty competitive job in a tech firm. You then cracked the GMAT. Obviously, you’ll get into a great MBA program now, right? Wrong. The problem is that many, if not most, Indian applicants have exactly the same profile! Rather than harping on your past achievements, admission officers would rather hear you address issues such as why you studied engineering, what were the skills you picked up, how those skills help you in your current job, and how have your current professional responsibilities have shaped your ambitions for the future. In essence, they want to get to know you beyond what a resume can tell them. As a Assciate Director at the Ross School of Busines at the University of Michigan says, “Show us through the application, resume, and especially the essays, what is unique about yourself and why you're a good fit for our school. Be professional, know yourself, and research the school to which you're applying."
Error 2: Simply highlight the size and nature of work of your family business
Since many Indian applicants also tend to come from family-business backgrounds, one common mistake we see with several applicants is that they spend far too much time explaining what their business does or how successful it is. What business schools really want to know is what role do you play at your family business. What are your responsibilities? Do you lead teams? Do you interact with clients? Do you oversee certain projects? If you want to highlight statistics like revenue or profit growth, do so by all means. Just remember, to also highlight your role in increasing revenues and profits. After all, potential for adept leadership and initiative often form the backbone of admission decisions at selective b-schools. As an admission rep from Coumbia puts it, “Columbia Business School selects applicants from varied business and other backgrounds who have the potential to become successful global leaders. Their common denominators are a record of achievement, demonstrated leadership and the ability to work as members of a team.”
Error 3: Simply highlight the extraordinary width of your extra-curricular involvement
A common misconception many applicants have is that the more activities or achievements one can put on down on an placation, the higher the chances of getting into a great b-school. Many flood their essays, recommendations and resume with several disparate activities - from playing a sport, debating, acting to also doing social service, the application often reads like a laundry list of activities. Not only is such an approach futile, but it can also hurt you dearly. As a simple rule of thumb, business schools want to see deep commitment to certain activities rather than superficial involvement in several. If you can pick on a couple of things to highlight and then focus in on them, you will be in a far better position.
Error 4: Simply highlight how an MBA will help you make a career-switch
One question every b-school application will cover is the simple "Why MBA?" question. Admission officers read your response very carefully since it gives them an indication of what your career trajectory is likely to be. Since many Indian applicants see an MBA abroad as a stepping stone to making a career switch or a direct route to changing geographies, their stories often tend to lack focus and cohesion. Remember to always tie in your current experience with your future goals. If you can develop a winning story that takes into account your undergraduate degree, your work-experience and interests, and ties that into your reasons for doing an MBA and your future goals, your application is bound to stand out. An IT guy simply saying he wants to do an MBA so that he can switch to a career in trading is bound to come across as unfocused. However, if that same IT guy highlights how the analytical skills he has picked up will help him make the transition -- and add to this, his deep interest in finance (as perhaps reflected in some classes he has taken or his involvement with the stock-market) -- he can build a convincing story that admission committees will look at favourably.
In order to differentiate yourself from the typical Indian applicant, it is important you reflect on your experiences, goals and beliefs. At College Connect, our business school coaches will not only understand your profile and bring out unique elements, but will also work to develop a cohesive, convincing story that will set you apart from the throng of other applicants. Visit http://www.collegeconnect.in/home.html or call us at (0)9999177517 to get started today.
Yet, many Indian applicants tend to stick with run-of-the-mill stories that shed little insight into their character, history, beliefs or ambitions. One thing to keep in mind is that no matter what you have done, someone has probably done it before. That’s not a problem. The problem arises if you fail to dig deeper -- you need to go beyond “what” you have done, and talk about “why” you have done it, and how it has shaped your development as a person and as a leader. Personalize your story; bring out positive attributes such as passion, commitment, team-work, global-awareness, ambition and leadership.
Based on our interactions with several MBA applicants, here are a few common errors Indian MBA applicants tend to make.
Error 1: Simply highlight engineering degree, high GMAT score, and work in the IT Sector
Ok, so you attended a great engineering college, did well academically,and then landed a pretty competitive job in a tech firm. You then cracked the GMAT. Obviously, you’ll get into a great MBA program now, right? Wrong. The problem is that many, if not most, Indian applicants have exactly the same profile! Rather than harping on your past achievements, admission officers would rather hear you address issues such as why you studied engineering, what were the skills you picked up, how those skills help you in your current job, and how have your current professional responsibilities have shaped your ambitions for the future. In essence, they want to get to know you beyond what a resume can tell them. As a Assciate Director at the Ross School of Busines at the University of Michigan says, “Show us through the application, resume, and especially the essays, what is unique about yourself and why you're a good fit for our school. Be professional, know yourself, and research the school to which you're applying."
Error 2: Simply highlight the size and nature of work of your family business
Since many Indian applicants also tend to come from family-business backgrounds, one common mistake we see with several applicants is that they spend far too much time explaining what their business does or how successful it is. What business schools really want to know is what role do you play at your family business. What are your responsibilities? Do you lead teams? Do you interact with clients? Do you oversee certain projects? If you want to highlight statistics like revenue or profit growth, do so by all means. Just remember, to also highlight your role in increasing revenues and profits. After all, potential for adept leadership and initiative often form the backbone of admission decisions at selective b-schools. As an admission rep from Coumbia puts it, “Columbia Business School selects applicants from varied business and other backgrounds who have the potential to become successful global leaders. Their common denominators are a record of achievement, demonstrated leadership and the ability to work as members of a team.”
Error 3: Simply highlight the extraordinary width of your extra-curricular involvement
A common misconception many applicants have is that the more activities or achievements one can put on down on an placation, the higher the chances of getting into a great b-school. Many flood their essays, recommendations and resume with several disparate activities - from playing a sport, debating, acting to also doing social service, the application often reads like a laundry list of activities. Not only is such an approach futile, but it can also hurt you dearly. As a simple rule of thumb, business schools want to see deep commitment to certain activities rather than superficial involvement in several. If you can pick on a couple of things to highlight and then focus in on them, you will be in a far better position.
Error 4: Simply highlight how an MBA will help you make a career-switch
One question every b-school application will cover is the simple "Why MBA?" question. Admission officers read your response very carefully since it gives them an indication of what your career trajectory is likely to be. Since many Indian applicants see an MBA abroad as a stepping stone to making a career switch or a direct route to changing geographies, their stories often tend to lack focus and cohesion. Remember to always tie in your current experience with your future goals. If you can develop a winning story that takes into account your undergraduate degree, your work-experience and interests, and ties that into your reasons for doing an MBA and your future goals, your application is bound to stand out. An IT guy simply saying he wants to do an MBA so that he can switch to a career in trading is bound to come across as unfocused. However, if that same IT guy highlights how the analytical skills he has picked up will help him make the transition -- and add to this, his deep interest in finance (as perhaps reflected in some classes he has taken or his involvement with the stock-market) -- he can build a convincing story that admission committees will look at favourably.
In order to differentiate yourself from the typical Indian applicant, it is important you reflect on your experiences, goals and beliefs. At College Connect, our business school coaches will not only understand your profile and bring out unique elements, but will also work to develop a cohesive, convincing story that will set you apart from the throng of other applicants. Visit http://www.collegeconnect.in/home.html or call us at (0)9999177517 to get started today.
