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What do admissions directors look for in an application?
This is a transcript summary of theTopMBA.com Scorecard expert chat with Mr. David Simpson, senior manager of MBA marketing and admissions of London Business School in the UK. TopMBA.com Scorecard runs expert chats at regular intervals throughout the year. Questions were sent in by respondents from all around the world.
See first part here: www.topmba.com/mba_admissions/mbaselection00/article/what_does_lbs_admissions_director_look_for_in_an_application/
Question:
I wish to do my MBA abroad (especially in the UK and US). I am preparing to do the GMAT within another six months and TOEFL next month. I need to know when can I safely apply for the most prestigious business schools in the UK and US with my GMAT and TOEFL scores so that I can also obtain my scholarships earlier without any hindrance before the 2007 sessions begin. Am I too late to apply for business schools and scholarships for the 2007 session? If so, when should I apply?
Answer:
If you wish to start your MBA in 2007 you will need to be sure to have taken GMAT and TOEFL at the time of application. We operate a longer (and later) admissions timetable than most US schools and have four stages. You should aim for our third stage of 27 February, as we do not allow final stage candidates to apply for many of our scholarships.
You have below our average of five years experience, but that is just an average and every year we admit people with less. The current class range for work experience is 2-13 years.
Question:
I have been working as a senior risk analyst in a multinational company for the past two years in India. I hold a postgraduate diploma in management (PGDM) in finance from a well-known institute in India. Now to get an international platform for a better career opportunity, I am planning to do an MBA from a foreign university. Will the directors and admissions officers of foreign universities see my PGDM as a negative point for me or will they only see the quality and place of work experience along with the GMAT score and my other academic record?
Answer:
It is up to you to present all information and make us think of it positively. We do look for a good academic record and value the PGDM positively.
Question:
I have one year’s work experience, after my graduation, as a sales medical representative in a pharmaceutical company. I also have experience of temporary work during university as a sales manager in a pharmaceutical company for 3.5 years. It was not my project work or practical work but was my job during university. Would admissions directors take into account my working experience as 4.5 years or only for one year?
Answer:
We would look at all experience, and see how you present it. You will probably need a bit more post graduate experience to be really competitive, but it's hard to say without seeing a full application.
Question:
If one has studied towards an undergrad degree while working full time in parallel, is that considered post-grad experience as well?
Answer:
Yes, we are well aware that many people work full time whilst studying and take account of that.
Question:
I would like to know if full time voluntary work is considered to be work experience and if it is considered to have the same significance for a candidate as a paid job for the admissions officers.
Answer:
This kind of experience is considered as an extra to professional full time post graduation work experience. It is often not considered to be a direct substitute, but that all depends exactly what the work is.
Question:
I have a Bachelors of Technology in Computer Science and I have work experience of 2.5 years in a software company. I have both Indian and international experience. I want to pursue an MBA and my GMAT score is 690. I want to make a switch to a management consultancy post MBA. However I want to concentrate on the IT Industry. Could you provide me some information if my profile connects to my aspirations?
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