We interviewed Anshuman Pandey, CEIBS MBA Candidate for the Class Entering 2014, and learned about some of the strategies, best practices, and tips for the MBA Admission process (Research, GMAT, Essays and Balancing Work & MBA Admissions).
1) Why did you choose to join an MBA program?
There are many reasons which motivated me to do an MBA:
a. Many of the roles and positions I wanted to apply, required an MBA; or applicants with an MBA were given preference.
b. An MBA widens the horizons and increases your chances to thrive in new functions and new markets thus creating more opportunities. So if, down the line, I feel I need to switch my function, let’s say from Pharma to Luxury Brand Management it wouldn’t be a steep ask.
c. I wanted to be part of the strategy team of a company that requires a thorough understanding of market forces and finances. An MBA would help me bridge this knowledge gap in a shorter span of time than if I were to slog on with my current qualification and role.
d. Better compensation.
2) While shortlisting Business Schools what were your criteria. Why Asian Business Schools?
I shortlisted the schools before taking the GMAT and I made a checklist with the following points in order of their importance:
• Placements: Placements and career services provided were top priority for me. I focused on schools which had more than 90% placement record.
• Expenses: Because I come from a financially humble family, the total cost of the program was an important consideration for my family and I. A major chunk of the expenses would be sponsored by my family and we wanted to take minimum possible loan.
• Duration: A program of duration of less than two years was preferred.
• Reputation/Ranking and Accreditation: The school should be well ranked (in top 30-35) and have good accreditation. Opportunities of student exchange arise from such points, which further enrich your MBA experience.
With a lot happening in Asia, I preferred to complete my MBA from an emerging market, where I would get several opportunities to explore. The diversity of the economy is another factor. Also, most top Asian Business Schools have courses dedicated for emerging markets, and the cost of the program is relatively lower compared to US and European counterparts.
Related Download: MBA Research Guide (Choose your MBA)
3) Why CEIBS?
When you choose to stay in Asia, the options for Business Schools ranked in top 30 becomes limited. This actually helped because I didn’t have to send my scores to colleges different from what I chose while giving my GMAT. Thus researching wasn’t a very steep task.
I listened to podcasts, surfed videos and went through brochures numerous times. And as per the criteria I had for selecting the business schools, I found that CEIBS was the best pick. Growth exhibited by China is what is actually driving the Asian Economy and the curriculum at CEIBS boasts of “China Depth Global Breadth” factor, which makes it best in China.
As far as higher education is concerned, CEIBS is rated among the most successful joint ventures in the world, and the phenomenal growth that the institution has seen in 20 years made CEIBS my first choice. Other contributing factors include its location & the course on healthcare. Since I have experience in healthcare, and China is a booming market for the same, my experience would have an incremental value with an MBA.
CEIBS has a vibrant student community and around 40 student clubs so I guess I could enjoy a multi-dimensional growth rather than single dimensional academic oriented growth.
4) What was you GMAT Score and what preparation strategies did you follow to reach a GMAT 710 Score?
I scored 710 in GMAT with Verbal: 38, Quant Score: 49, AWA: 5.5 and IR: 7.
I found myself comfortable with the Quantitative section so my basic aim was to get my verbal score up; verbal score somehow carries more weightage than quant so it is important that you get an above average score in verbal. For this, apart from the official guide, I purchased Verbal Aptitude Handbook of GMAT by GMAC.
Strategy wise I practiced equal distribution of SC, CR and RC questions but did a little more of SC and CR questions because Reading comprehension wasn’t my strong point. I also bought the extra question pack and extra exam pack from GMAC to master the computer adaptive format as much as possible. Because I am working, I couldn’t spend more than 2 hours daily, but I did a lot of casual reading and problem solving in free time while travelling for work and coming back home. I studied mostly on weekends. The latest edition of Manhattan GMAT was helpful, but I used it more as a reference than as a study material.
For AWA, I found a template online and prepared on my own using it and trying 10-15 questions from OG13. I carried out my practice of AWA on the computer rather than using pen/paper. I didn’t prepare much for IR as I felt comfortable with it. I gave free tests conducted by Veritas Prep and Kaplan too, for practice under timed conditions. For overall exam, I feel it is important to remain focused for a long period, because it is more like a marathon. Don’t get bored studying or reading. Since the toughest section comes towards the end one needs to be on the toes for four hours.
5) Since you have worked only in one company how did you approach the recommendation letters?
Working in one company for long actually helps because people know you well. I have excellent rapport with my managers and supervisors, and they knew that I was interested in pursuing my MBA. So when I went to them with the request to write recommendations they were not surprised and were helpful. Here are some useful tips for MBA Aspirants:
a. Keep your referees updated about your plans and let them know that you are passionate about your plans of pursuing an MBA.
b. Choose your referees properly. Make sure that your referees know you well both professionally and personally. My referees were from work they were used to filling out my appraisal forms, so it wasn’t tough for them. Make sure that they are good with writing skills.
c. Enlist your achievements if referees aren’t clear because they have a lot going on.
6) How did you approach the essays?
All the colleges that I applied had essays on similar themes, so I had to prepare for not more than 7-8 different questions. Essay writing mostly involved introspection and research. I used to start by writing the questions on a notepad and thinking about different points that could be written for a day and then come up with a draft followed by editing to fit the essay within the word limit.
I then read the essays aloud without the questions to my friends and family members and asked them what could be the questions. This exercise ensured that my essays are to the point. Getting a lot of different views made me write decent essays in a short time. I think it is important to leverage your resources well during the application process so that you can do your best. Also reading about the school is important because it helps not only with your essays but also in interviews.
7) How did you prepare for the interview?
The interviews that I had participated were over Skype, and the experience was completely new to me. Learn how to handle a Skype interview and practice as much as possible, I had seven days to prepare for mine and I practiced with my family and friends every now and then over Skype. For the interview, this is what I did:
a. Every interview has a lot of general questions, which you can prepare well. Answers to questions like, “Tell me something about yourself, your career progression,” should be at the back of your hand. Do your research, identify these questions write down the answers and memorize them well so that you don’t waste time thinking of what to say.
b. Know your subject inside out. If the interviewer has experience in your chosen field, he can ask some tricky or tough questions. This happened with me during CEIBS interview.
c. Revise your essays and go through your application form as many times as possible.
d. Inputs from research done while shortlisting the college can be used to answer questions like, “How will you contribute to the class?”
e. The research done while shortlisting the college can also be used to ask any questions after the interview.
f. Have a good night sleep before the interview and stay relaxed.
8) What was the most important lesson that you learned through the MBA Admission process
Focused efforts and positive mindset can get you where you want to be. Anything short of “relentless” reduces your chances to reach your goal.
9) How did you balance MBA Admission process with your work? Did you follow a daily schedule?
As I said I hardly had exclusive time to prepare for GMAT, it was a similar case for application essays too. So basically I had to make most of what time I had. My evenings were spent in front of the word processor and my travelling time, which is nearly four hours per day, was spent on introspection and jotting of points or thinking how to be impactful with my essays or mumbling the answers to obvious interview questions. I remember, I had to run a half marathon during the application process for one of the universities (CUHK), so I used to train in the morning before going to work and edit and draft essays in the evening. Somehow everything worked out and I was even selected for CUHK full-time MBA program.
10) You can visit this page after 2 or 3 years and check whether you have reached this goal or whether your goals have evolved - what would you like to achieve after an MBA?
I would like to be working as a strategy manager in a Pharmaceutical company preferably in South East Asia (China, India or Singapore).
About Anshuman Pandey
Apart from being admitted to the prestigious CEIBS MBA August 2014 Class, Anshuman Pandey is a computer science engineer and has been working since July 2010 with Cognizant Technology Solutions. Within three years, Anshuman switched his role to an IT Business Analyst in Pharmaceutical function. He is an endurance runner, basketball player, and a blogger. He has also reviewed technical books.