Feedback Plz (PhD Mgmt - Marketing)

Graduate School
1

<p>My brief profile is as follows:</p>

<p>Bachelor in Statistics (Hons.) from Indian Statistical Institute (GPA: 3.5, Percentage: 61)
MBA from ICFAI University (through flexible learning) (GPA: 3.5, Percentage: 69)</p>

<p>Work experience of 8 years, primarily in offshore Analytics companies, like-</p>

<p>HSBC (4 years) - in Marketing Analytics and Operations Analytics for US-Credit Card business
Barclays (3 years) - in Risk Analytics for UK Retail Banking business
Deloitte Consulting (1 year)</p>

<p>I have extensive knowledge in technical aspects like- statistical model building, data mining along with leadership and management aspects like- setting up new teams, recruitment & mentoring etc.</p>

<p>GRE Score: Verbal (157), Quant (167), AW (4.0)
TOEFL: will be available by Wednesday</p>

<h2>Key ECs includes- painting (won 2 international awards while in VIII-IX grades), theater acting, event management (multiple 100+ participant events managed in college and in office), freelance tuition to students on Mathematics and Statistics</h2>

<p>Given these, can you please evaluate my chances for PhD (Mgmt- Marketing) regarding the universities mentioned below?</p>

<p>University of Chicago (Booth)
Northwestern University (Kellogg)
New York University (Stern)
University of Texas, Austin (McComb)
University of Texas, Dallas (Jindal)
INSEAD, Singapore
Boston University</p>

<p>Do let me know if more information is needed. Also please suggest if you think I should retake the GRE etc.</p>

2

<p>I mentioned that EC’s aren’t a factor at U.S. grad schools unless they relate to your study. But what is ‘freelance tuition’? If you mean tutoring, then do put that you worked as a tutor on your CV because it may help you if there are teaching assistantships to be had.</p>

3

<p>We cannot evaluate your chances - admissions to PhD programs don’t work on a credential 1 + credential 2 credential 3 = admission scheme. They’re holistic, and they are also in relation to the other applicants to your programs. Your grades are competitive, and your business background is likely to be a plus. Your GRE scores are fine - the verbal’s a bit low, but not so low that you need to retake necessarily.</p>

<p>I have noticed that you haven’t mentioned anything about research. PhD programs are research programs first and foremost. A PhD in management exists to train you to be a researcher in the science of management, and ultimately to be an academic researcher in the field. I hope that this is what you desire, because a PhD (even in management) is not really designed for you to take back into the business world and work with, although you could of course do that. </p>

<p>Given that, one of the most important things for admission is research fit. Do your research interests match up with at least some professors’ in your target department? Are there resources at the various schools for you to conduct research in whatever you’re interested in?</p>

<p>I think that business management PhDs tend to be a little more relaxed (sometimes) about the prior research requirements - most other PhD programs would only admit students with at least a year’s worth and more likely 2-3+ of research experience, but business programs may use your work experience as a proxy for that. Still, it would probably do well for you to explain in your statement of purpose how your experience at your three firms relates to your current research interests and how that experience has prepared you to be a researcher.</p>

<p>Also, none of your extracurriculars matter, with the exception of the tutoring possibly, and that mores for TAing purposes than anything else (and also shows your grasp of statistics).</p>

4

<p>Thanks a lot for your feedback. Yes, I gave tuition to students on Maths and Stat. I will certainly keep your inputs in mind while writing my SoP. Would you mind if I want to run them through any of you over private message? Or would you know if anyone else would be interested in guiding me through it?</p>