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sombaner · 2009 October 27th, 08:36 PM

Hi Everybody,

I first came accross this forum at the end of last fall's application season and since then I have tried to learn from each of the posts made in the forum. In this period I have increased by GMAT score from 640 to 730 and have submitted a research paper at ICFAI journal for Bank Management (a local journal), the only two components of application under my control apart from statement of purpose.

I would request you to check and evaluate my profile and suggest whether my profile fits into the PhD programs which I am targeting. Also, suggest any further program that might be a good fit for me and point out the weaknesses that I should address through my statement of purpose.

Undergrad: BSc Honours (First Class) in Physics (2002) 62.5%

Grad: MBA, Marketing (2005) CGPA 2.87 (Calculated differently from that of US, the highest was around 3.4. I was among top 5 in Marketing courses)

Standardized Test Scores: GMAT 730 (Quant-50, Verbal-40, AWA 5.5) , TOEFL 109 (Both taken in 2009)

Work Experience: 4.5 years of experience in Banking and Financial Services S&D. Currently in a well known Co.

Research Experience: I have recently submitted a research paper to ICFAI journal for Bank Management, on Risk and Marketing in consumer loan industry in India. Apart from this, I was involved as an editor in publication of my MBA college's magazine.

Research Interests: Consumer Research, Internet Marketing, Online search behaviour, Pricing, Services Marketing.

letter of reference: 1. Marketing Professor 2. Economics Prof 3. AVP Marketing at my Co

Programs under consideration: UW Milwaukee, Univ of South Carolina, Univ of Kansas, Univ of Houston, Univ of Buffalo, Univ of Iowa

Thanks in advance for reading such a long post and for providing your suggestions.

Ancalagon The Black · 2009 October 27th, 10:32 PM

Iowa and Milwaukee will be difficult considering your profile but the rest are doable.

longshot · 2009 October 27th, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ancalagon The Black

Iowa and Milwaukee will be difficult considering your profile but the rest are doable.

Wisconsin-Madison may be a stretch, but Milwaukee is quite doable with this profile. I would recommend applying to more schools though, don't constrain yourself before you need to.

possible_phd · 2009 October 27th, 11:41 PM

First of all, are you interested in a quant or CB program?

Also, I'm not sure why people are downing your profile while fluffing up much weaker profiles in finance threads, but from what I can tell, you hit all the requirements: you have a solid GMAT (730 with 50 Q, though that might be relatively low if you're Indian), you had first class honours in undergrad and a strong showing in your MBA, you have experience doing research (though just submitting a paper doesn't really mean anything), and you at least have a general idea of your interests.

Are your schools not very impressive? Are your letter of reference writers unknown? If so, then yeah, you'll probably need to aim low. However, if you these aren't issues, you might as well take at least a few shots at some higher programs.

clovus · 2009 October 28th, 12:58 AM

I agree with possible_phd, I think you have a pretty good chance at some higher level programs. Are you able to apply to more than 7 programs? If you can't I think your list is pretty good.

In general, marketing profiles don't tend to be as good as finance or accounting profiles at a given school. Have you taken a look at the average GMAT scores in those schools? Many are below 700, so you might be aiming a little low for your GMAT score.

sombaner · 2009 October 28th, 02:00 AM

My focus is on Quant and Marketing strategy/mgmt programs.

UW Milwaukee is my first preference as 3-4 faculty in the school do research in my interest area.

As pointed out by possible, I am a bit concerned that my references may not be very well connected with faculties in US, though my eco prof is a Phd from top 10 college in US. As far a my school is concerned, it ranks around 15 in India and it has produced around 5-6 Phds from top 30 US programs.

One of the questions which I wanted to ask the forum was whether I should take the third reference from another Mkt prof or from an AVP Mktg in my co., considering that most consider professional reference letters as irrelevant? (The AVP is in a better position to speak about my research interest as I deal with it in my current co, though not as a researcher)

I will try to broaden the list of schools to a total of 10-12 programs.

clovus · 2009 October 28th, 02:15 AM

It is my undertanding that profs are often a better choice than someone in industry for letters.

possible_phd · 2009 October 28th, 03:04 AM

Forget the industry letter; that will not help at all.

Ancalagon The Black · 2009 October 28th, 05:49 PM

Which college/university did you do your B.Sc and MBA from?

sombaner · 2009 October 28th, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ancalagon The Black

Which college/university did you do your B.Sc and MBA from?

I did my BSc from Science College, Patna University and MBA from IMI, New Delhi

2009 October 27th, 08:36 PM	#1 (permalink)
sombaner I JUST got here. Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 11	Profile Evalutation and Phd Program selection - Marketing Hi Everybody, I first came accross this forum at the end of last fall's application season and since then I have tried to learn from each of the posts made in the forum. In this period I have increased by GMAT score from 640 to 730 and have submitted a research paper at ICFAI journal for Bank Management (a local journal), the only two components of application under my control apart from statement of purpose. I would request you to check and evaluate my profile and suggest whether my profile fits into the PhD programs which I am targeting. Also, suggest any further program that might be a good fit for me and point out the weaknesses that I should address through my statement of purpose. Undergrad: BSc Honours (First Class) in Physics (2002) 62.5% Grad: MBA, Marketing (2005) CGPA 2.87 (Calculated differently from that of US, the highest was around 3.4. I was among top 5 in Marketing courses) Standardized Test Scores: GMAT 730 (Quant-50, Verbal-40, AWA 5.5) , TOEFL 109 (Both taken in 2009) Work Experience: 4.5 years of experience in Banking and Financial Services S&D. Currently in a well known Co. Research Experience: I have recently submitted a research paper to ICFAI journal for Bank Management, on Risk and Marketing in consumer loan industry in India. Apart from this, I was involved as an editor in publication of my MBA college's magazine. Research Interests: Consumer Research, Internet Marketing, Online search behaviour, Pricing, Services Marketing. letter of reference: 1. Marketing Professor 2. Economics Prof 3. AVP Marketing at my Co Programs under consideration: UW Milwaukee, Univ of South Carolina, Univ of Kansas, Univ of Houston, Univ of Buffalo, Univ of Iowa Thanks in advance for reading such a long post and for providing your suggestions.

2009 October 27th, 11:41 PM	#4 (permalink)
possible_phd Can't believe it Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 741	First of all, are you interested in a quant or CB program? Also, I'm not sure why people are downing your profile while fluffing up much weaker profiles in finance threads, but from what I can tell, you hit all the requirements: you have a solid GMAT (730 with 50 Q, though that might be relatively low if you're Indian), you had first class honours in undergrad and a strong showing in your MBA, you have experience doing research (though just submitting a paper doesn't really mean anything), and you at least have a general idea of your interests. Are your schools not very impressive? Are your letter of reference writers unknown? If so, then yeah, you'll probably need to aim low. However, if you these aren't issues, you might as well take at least a few shots at some higher programs. _ _ _ _ SIG _ _ _ _

2009 October 28th, 03:04 AM	#8 (permalink)
possible_phd Can't believe it Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 741	Forget the industry letter; that will not help at all. _ _ _ _ SIG _ _ _ _

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2009 October 27th, 10:32 PM	#2 (permalink)
Ancalagon The Black TestMagic Guru Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Kolkata, India Posts: 1,156	Iowa and Milwaukee will be difficult considering your profile but the rest are doable.

2009 October 28th, 12:58 AM	#5 (permalink)
clovus I JUST got here. Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 21	I agree with possible_phd, I think you have a pretty good chance at some higher level programs. Are you able to apply to more than 7 programs? If you can't I think your list is pretty good. In general, marketing profiles don't tend to be as good as finance or accounting profiles at a given school. Have you taken a look at the average GMAT scores in those schools? Many are below 700, so you might be aiming a little low for your GMAT score.

2009 October 28th, 02:00 AM	#6 (permalink)
sombaner I JUST got here. Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 11	My focus is on Quant and Marketing strategy/mgmt programs. UW Milwaukee is my first preference as 3-4 faculty in the school do research in my interest area. As pointed out by possible, I am a bit concerned that my references may not be very well connected with faculties in US, though my eco prof is a Phd from top 10 college in US. As far a my school is concerned, it ranks around 15 in India and it has produced around 5-6 Phds from top 30 US programs. One of the questions which I wanted to ask the forum was whether I should take the third reference from another Mkt prof or from an AVP Mktg in my co., considering that most consider professional reference letters as irrelevant? (The AVP is in a better position to speak about my research interest as I deal with it in my current co, though not as a researcher) I will try to broaden the list of schools to a total of 10-12 programs.

2009 October 28th, 02:15 AM	#7 (permalink)
clovus I JUST got here. Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 21	It is my undertanding that profs are often a better choice than someone in industry for letters.

2009 October 28th, 05:49 PM	#9 (permalink)
Ancalagon The Black TestMagic Guru Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Kolkata, India Posts: 1,156	Which college/university did you do your B.Sc and MBA from?

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