Want to know more about STEM MBAs in the USA? Confused about the differences between a one-year and a two-year MBA program?
Check out our third zoom hangout of this admissions year, to get answers to these and other pressing MBA application questions.
This is the video of the third zoom hangout we hosted this year:
Please click on the youtube link. In the video details, you will find that we have listed out all the questions that were discussed in this session, and provided the time stamps for each question. The timestamp is clickable – by clicking on the time-stamp, you will be able to go to the relevant part of the video and get your questions answered.
The following major topics were discussed (copied from the zoom chat transcript. Please excuse typos):
0.00
Welcome and Introduction – Karthik, and two prospective students
7:15
One-year MBA programs – discussion on STEM certification, and internships – should one avoid a one-year MBA because one does not get to do an internship? Is it advantageous to do a STEM MBA in USA? When is it acceptable to do a one-year program, and when is it absolutely necessary to do a two-year program?
9:40
How does the admission committee look at changed career goal essay coming in from a re-applicant?
10:20
When schools look at applicants who are in their 30s, do they look at really the age or their higher experience? How does the candidate’s age affect their assessment?
13:00
How does the candidate’s age influence admission decisions? How do you decide if you should apply for a regular MBA or an executive MBA? What are the pros and cons of each?
16:10
How important is the optional essay question that a lot of colleges have, for someone with no obvious red flags in their candidature?
Plus Karthik’s additional comments on “special” optional essays like the one at Harvard, or Oxford.
19:55
I’m interested in the Civil Engineering Department for the LGO program; they asked that one of their two mandatory recommendations be technical. I’ve never had someone with a technical title supervising me, but we’ve worked on a lot of technical initiatives. Would it be okay if my technical supervisor were to write me a recommendation letter?
23:00
How do you figure out which college is the best fit for you? Should you attend online/offline college events?
28:30
Discussions on doing a second MBA abroad. Discussions on pursuing an MBA as an older applicant.
I’m heading my own venture. Given the nature of my work, I don’t have a direct supervisor. So what would your advice be on whom I should be looking forward to choose us my recommendations?
31:00
I’m still preparing for my GRE. When should I have my score ready, in order to finish 10 applications by the R1 deadlines? Should I consider R2?
Plus a short discussion on how many schools one should apply to.
33:20
Which is better – R1 or R2?
34:00
What GMAT score do I need to target M7 schools?
35:10
While I am 30+, I have a PhD, and 3.5 years of post-PhD experience. How will my age impact my application?
37:20
If I cannot get a letter from my current supervisor, who should I get it from? Can it be from someone I worked with on an extracurricular activity?
39:10
What should I keep in mind when I apply to an M7 school, but request a test waiver?
42:50
Can I get into an M7 school if I don’t have international experience?
44:00
Should I go for STEM programs as I do not wish to change my industry?
45:00
What are suitable STEM courses for someone with 14 years of experience?
47:00
Will this year’s application cycle be as competitive as last year’s?
52:10
Hi, I’m a polymer engineer with 9 years of experience in business development, marketing and 730 on the GMAT, and looking to secure an admin to a top schools in Netherlands. I have a low GPA of 2.5. How do I overcome this and position myself?
Karthik’s advice on GPA conversion.
53:40
Can I start my application with August Academy, and work on getting a GMAT score in parallel?
Short answer: Preferably not. Long and nuanced application – see the video!
1:00:10
Application timelines.
1:01:10
What is your take on the early entry and open interview options provided by some schools?
1:04:20
if your GPA is slightly lower than the median GPA of the school you’re applying to, would that hamper your chances for a scholarship?
1:04:40
Will the schools evaluate you on how much you have research you have done about that particular school, let’s say by contacting the faculty or by connecting with an alum? And how do you show that in your essay?
1:10:00
Is it difficult for 30+ applicants to get a scholarship?
