Cindy Tokumitsu
Senior Advisor, Accepted
310-815-9553
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Dec 16, 2015
Dec 20, 2015
PuzzleChampion wrote:Female, US Citizen, South Asian descent (but born and raised here)
GMAT 730 Quant 48 Verbal 42
Education
Cornell University, 2011, BA, Economics, GPA 3.2
Johns Hopkins, 2013, Evening Masters Program, Energy and Climate Policy, GPA 3.5
College Activities
Business team leader of Cornell University Solar Decathlon - this drove me to pursue a career in energy and sustainability
Serve as a College Ambassador for both Cornell and my Johns Hopkins Program
Community Activities
Pro Bono consulting through Compass Pro Bono for a Sustainable Agriculture nonprofit
Pitching a comedy drama show/screenplay that I've been working on for the last year
Improv
Work Experience
Federal Government (FERC) for almost 3 years
Consulting in Energy Efficiency for a year and a half
Utility for 6 months (will be a year upon matriculation)
I had to leave my consulting gig because the company was not getting work and was going under! Switched to the utility world, which has been great, but I want to pursue business school right now. Should I explain this in my application?
In my application, I'm going to stress my career in the energy industry. I want to work in the social/technological innovation space as a thought leader, focusing on solutions to our energy problems.
Any insight would be great (let me know if you have additional questions)! I just took the GMAT yesterday and am applying R2, so it's going to be a hustle! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE HELP!
Dec 20, 2015
tigertigertiger wrote:Background: 24 y/o White Male
Concerns:
1. I missed a number of classes in a literature elective my junior year due to illness (unexcused, so I was technically in the wrong), my professor was unforgiving, and he flunked me for the course. Trying to overcome what I assume is a pretty costly blemish in the eyes of admissions officers, and I'd love any insights you may have.
2. Should I try to switch into either a corporate strategy / direct investment role at another firm and wait before applying? I'm worried that BlackRock isn't a "gold-level" feeder firm into top three business schools.
School Applying to: HBS, GSB, Wharton
Undergrad Institution: H / P / Y
Undergrad GPA: 3.52 (with the F..., ~3.65 without)
Major: International Affairs, with a focus on International Trade; Minor in Theater.
GMAT: 780 (Q 49, V 51)
Languages: Spanish
Work Experience: Internship with a public sector banking group (think Bank of America, JPMorgan, Citi) after sophomore year. Spent ~five months working for the White House Council of Economic Advisers as a research analyst in the trade policy concentration, then spent two years working for BlackRock's Financial Markets Advisory Group in New York (advises government institutions like the Federal Reserve, Her Majesty's Treasury, ECB).
Quant Experience: Introductory micro + macro. Intermediate micro. Introductory and intermediate political statistics. Econometrics. Latin American political economy. Course on innovation. Seminar on the Federal Reserve. No accounting / pure finance classes.
Strength of LoR 1: Dean of the College, with whom I've taken three seminars. Likely best LoR.
Strength of LoR 2: Managing Director from BlackRock, who has extensive policy experience from working at the NY Fed. Quite close with him, so I'm hopeful this will be cogent as well.
Dec 20, 2015
Jan 4, 2016
Feb 1, 2016
Feb 1, 2016
tigertigertiger wrote:Background: 24 y/o White Male
Concerns:
1. I missed a number of classes in a literature elective my junior year due to illness (unexcused, so I was technically in the wrong), my professor was unforgiving, and he flunked me for the course. Trying to overcome what I assume is a pretty costly blemish in the eyes of admissions officers, and I'd love any insights you may have.
2. Should I try to switch into either a corporate strategy / direct investment role at another firm and wait before applying? I'm worried that BlackRock isn't a "gold-level" feeder firm into top three business schools.
School Applying to: HBS, GSB, Wharton
Undergrad Institution: H / P / Y
Undergrad GPA: 3.52 (with the F..., ~3.65 without)
Major: International Affairs, with a focus on International Trade; Minor in Theater.
GMAT: 780 (Q 49, V 51)
Languages: Spanish
Work Experience: Internship with a public sector banking group (think Bank of America, JPMorgan, Citi) after sophomore year. Spent ~five months working for the White House Council of Economic Advisers as a research analyst in the trade policy concentration, then spent two years working for BlackRock's Financial Markets Advisory Group in New York (advises government institutions like the Federal Reserve, Her Majesty's Treasury, ECB).
Quant Experience: Introductory micro + macro. Intermediate micro. Introductory and intermediate political statistics. Econometrics. Latin American political economy. Course on innovation. Seminar on the Federal Reserve. No accounting / pure finance classes.
Strength of LoR 1: Dean of the College, with whom I've taken three seminars. Likely best LoR.
Strength of LoR 2: Managing Director from BlackRock, who has extensive policy experience from working at the NY Fed. Quite close with him, so I'm hopeful this will be cogent as well.
Feb 28, 2016
Feb 29, 2016
evilphilospher wrote:Age : 25
Educational Qualifications : Bachelors in Applied Petroleum Engineering
CGPA : 2.97, Equivalent percentage : 79.40%
Year of passing : 2012
Location :India
GMAT:710
10th: 89.8%
12th: 86.4%
TOEFL: 115
Work Experience
4 Years (By the time I will start applying it will be 5 yrs) in Reliance Industries Ltd. (India's largest private company with more than 40000 employees)
- Working as Workover Engineer (planning, executing and managing drilling and workover operations of oil and gas wells)
- Managing a team of 20+ engineers directly and more than 200 employees indirectly.
- Managing 200+ sites and 10+ Rigs (In-charge of all rigs).
- Revised and implemented operations procedures that led to reduction in down time from 15%(approx) to <2% effectively saving more than $5,000,000
- Take mentoring classes for new recruits (fresh graduates) and provide training to them about different oil and gas field operations.
Extracurriculars
- Teaching orphans, underprivileged children and illiterate adults via NGO subjects like Maths, Physics, Chemistry and Computers( More than 3 yrs now.)
- Team member of project's Table Tennis and Badminton team.
- Organized Free Health and Eye checkup camps, and Blood donation camps in various villages in India since 2013 , held half yearly. (Through company's CSR policy)
Target 1 : Full time MBA 2 years at a leading college
Target 2 : M Finance at a leading college
My questions :
1. An honest opinion about where I stand
2. What could I do to improve my case ?
3. As per my case, which are the schools that I should be looking at ?
Mar 2, 2016
Mar 26, 2016
captainarroganto wrote:HI,
Thank you guys very much for doing this. Could you evaluate my profile? I am looking to move into ERP consulting in Manufacturing / Supply Chain Management domains.
Age : 29
1) Brief description of your full-time work experience. What do you do?
- Graduated with a B'Tech degree in EEE (Electrical and Electronics Engineering) in 2007 from a local college in Hyderabad, AP.
- Joined IBM as an associate systems engineer in Sept'07.
- Left IBM in Oct'08 to join BHEL as an Electrical Engineer. Working there presently. Total workEx - 8 Years +
- Posted to Pumps Division, oversee product testing (Technical evaluation, testing management, lead a team of 5 workers, 2 supervisors, 1 engineer)
- No noteworthy ECA. Implemented some good project in BHEL (Technical stuff, but lead a team of 2)
2) Your GMAT/GRE with breakdown, preferably in percentiles.
- Yet to take.
3) College info: The name of the college, your GPA or grade average, your major, year of graduation. For any graduate degrees, please provide the same info. If you grades are low, please indicate if there were extenuating circumstances.
- DVR College of Engineering, B'Tech EEE - 77.4 %
4) Significant college and post-college extra-curricular activities or community service, especially leadership experience.
- Nothing noteworthy.
5) Important certifications like CFA, CPA, FSA, or CA.
- None
6) Your target programs. Please note that our experience is with the top MBA programs (FT, PT, EMBA, Sloan Fellows) around the world. If the programs you are targeting are not listed here, we may not respond due to lack of time.
ISB / IIM Executive programs.
7) When you plan to apply? Please specify round and application cycle, for example R2 2015-16 or R1 2016-17.
R1-2017-18
8) Your post-MBA goal.
- Make a career change into ERP consulting in Supply Chain Management / Logistics / Manufacturing
Mar 27, 2016
Apr 4, 2016
SleeplessInSydney wrote:Linda, Cindy, thank you for taking the time to do this (both for myself and others). I welcome your candid feedback.
Personal background (all information assumed to be at matriculation - R1 2017-18):
- 26 year old Australian male, living in the U.S, Latin American family background
1) Brief description of your full-time work experience. What do you do?
- 4.5 years total work experience
- 2 years at a $3bn middle market private equity firm in the US. Active deal flow and involved in 6 portfolio companies.
- Prior thereto, 2.5 years at Australia's top investment bank. Spent first year in Melbourne. Moved to New York for the remaining 1.5 years to help develop the firm's new renewable energy investment vehicle focused on Latin America. Overarching reason for move was that I wanted to develop an investing career in the U.S.
2) Your GMAT/GRE with breakdown, preferably in percentiles.
- 720 on 1st attempt: IR 7, Q48 (73%), V40 (91%), AW5, 94% overall
- Key question: Wasn't able to study for the 3 weeks leading into exam due to work and I'm typically stronger on quant - do I need to re-sit?
3) College info:
- Leading Australian university, Bachelor of Commerce with Honors in Finance (December 2012). Honors is an additional research year for high performing students - thesis sponsored by local funds management body. Overall average (~75%) weakened by freshman and sophomore years.
4) Significant college and post-college extra-curricular activities or community service, especially leadership experience.
- Leading fundraiser as well as mentor in U.S. education-focused charity (increasing involvement with Board and executive committee)
- Traveled to Thailand on multiple occasions for kick-boxing camps
- U.S. representative on my University's alumni council
- Native Spanish speaker but Australian citizen (bizarre, I know)
5) Important certifications like CFA, CPA, FSA, or CA.
- none [pretty good at making coffee?]
6) Your target programs.
- Exploring either top 3 full-time or part-time at Columbia (I love investing and the idea of the value investing program)
- Strong preference towards HBS due to network in Australia and long term leadership opportunities
7) When you plan to apply?
- R1 2017-18
8) Your post-MBA goal.
- I plan to stay in financial sponsorship (either PE or VC)
- Reason for MBA: I love what I do currently and would like more out of life than just making a financial return and accumulating wealth; I would be leaving a career-path PE role (as opposed to 2-and-out) to pursue an MBA. A top business school will help provide sponsorship and leadership to portfolio companies and non-profits both in the U.S. and in Australia.
Thank you so much!
-Sleepless in Sydney
Apr 18, 2016
Apr 20, 2016
May 7, 2016
sveniga4 wrote:It will be really helpful to me if you give me a feedback on my profile-
Under Grad- Vellore Institute of Technology (India)-7.7/10-EE ( Last time I saw the ranking, it is in top 15, I am not sure if it is recognized in USA.)
Grad- Arizona State University-Master's in Electrical Engineering ( Power and Energy-Renewable energy focus) -3.3/4
GMAT- 720. Will Scoring higher help?. I am applying of fall 2018, so I have time.
First Job-
Bloom Energy- Fuel Cell company in Sunnyvale, California.-8 months.
Did some design, testing, commissioning of fuel cells. Learned about grid integration, IEEE standards etc. This job gave me a good understanding of American power Grids.
But unfortunately had to leave the company because of visa sponsorship issues.
Second Job-
A mid size engineering and manufacturing firm in California- 1 year and 6 months.
Worked as an electrical engineer-designing control houses, protection and controls of high voltage electrical substations. Both renewable and conventional. A purely technical job designing circuits . worked for clients like PG&E, Southern California Edison, Etc
I was leading a team of 5 electrical technicians during the commissioning activities.
Third & present job -
One of the most reputed EPC firms for power and energy- Planning to work for two and half years. (until mid 2018)
Designing high voltage electrical substations and relaying schemes focusing on renewables. Currently working on projects for Duke energy, nextEra, Entergy. I am trying to get into projects in Africa. ( keeping my WE short as I don't want to bore you with my technical details of the job)
I have 3 designers working for me.
Draw Backs-
1) I work in a purely technical field and it takes a very good time( to become an expert) to get into leadership roles. All the project leads in my company at least have 8-12 years of experience and managers even more than that. I am not sure if B schools understand this. (I was the captain of my school football team if that helps.)
2) Indian Engineer even through I never worked in India. I made my first dollar in USA.
Post MBA-
Consulting, hopefully in clean energy firms. Can even return back to my present company, we have our own consulting division which specializes in energy consulting. I am still trying to get my post MBA goals in order.
Target Schools-
Duke- They have energy specialization. Dream School!!-Close proximity to energy giants like Duke energy, NextEra etc.
McCombs- Second Preference.
Johnson
Anderson
Rice
Tepper
ISB
Marshall- For it's reputation in southern California. Why is it ranked so low?
Am I being too ambitious in the school list? Considering that I will be making atleast $115K p.a by 2020 if I stay in my present job. Not sure if it is worth my time and money if I step outside top 25.
I already have a H1B visa, I will be lottery exempt until 2021. I can get a H1B visa without lottery if I graduate before 2021. So I have to get into an MBA program by 2018 or else let go of the B school dream or apply to ISB or other international programs.
I am very keen on using the service of admission consultants as I have only one admission window.
Your inputs will be very helpful.
May 20, 2016
Updated on: Oct 5, 2016
Updated on: Jul 10, 2016
saukap02 wrote:Hi Linda,
I am writing to you after getting rejects from 3 schools (LBS, Columbia (both round 2), and INSEAD (Round 1))
I wonder whether I've been applying to a right mix of b-schools or not ?
Nationality : Indian
Age: 26
GMAT: 680 (84 %ile) (Q47 V35; 67% and 73% )
GPA. 3.7 - Bachelors of Business Administration; IP University
Work Experiences:
Senior Consultant (Operations consulting) with a Big 4 (Associated for nearly 5 years ; 3 promotions)
Worked 1 year full-time and 1 year part-time with a not-for-profit in child education sector
Extra curricular : Have been involved in dramatics and been doing theater for almost 12 years
I want to transition to a strategy consulting role (preferably with M/B/B, pretty open to working with big 4s as well, but in a different geography)
I am particularly interested in US and Singapore b-schools. (Already applied and got a ding from LBS and INSEAD, only schools I would prefer in EU region)
I would like to know the right mix of schools I should be applying to (with the current GMAT score) ; schools where consulting experience is valued and I could be a competitive/ strong applicant. Appreciate your help !
Let me know if you need any additional info. Thanks.
Jul 10, 2016
PM1989 wrote:Hi,
Thanks for doing this.
I would appreciate your suggestions on dream, reach and safe schools. Any strategy on which ones to target in R1 and R2?
Also, what are the weaknesses of the profile?
Indian, F, 27
1) Brief description of your full-time work experience. What do you do?
Industry – Non-profit; 4 years in 2 international NGOs
2.5 years in Business Development - Building and managing strategic partnerships, primarily with corporate social responsibility divisions
1.5 years in Programme Management - Monitoring the implementation of developmental programmes in livelihoods (microfinance and skill training)
No overseas work experience but have worked on collaborative projects with colleagues in US (weekly calls, joint proposals etc.)
Have significant leadership experience in these roles
2) Your GMAT/GRE with breakdown, preferably in percentiles.
GMAT – 740/ 96 percentile; Q48/ 71 percentile, V 42/ 97 percentile; IR 3; AWA Awaited
3) College Info
University of Delhi - Bachelor’s (Honours) Degree in Journalism - 69% (First Division) – 2010
Master’s Degree in Sustainable Development Practice - CGPA 9.27/10 - 2012 - University Gold Medal
Post Graduate Diploma in Urban Environmental Management and Law - Grade A
4) Significant college and post-college extra-curricular activities or community service, especially leadership experience.
Pioneered the first renewable energy powered mobile market in the national capital by facilitating 50 vendors to own solar lights and discontinue the use of illegally sourced electricity
Was member of Editing and Designing Team at School and College Level
But, no ongoing long term extra curricular currently
5) Important certifications like CFA, CPA, FSA, or CA.
No
6) Your target programs
Stanford, Berkeley, Yale, UCLA, Cornell, Schulick, UBC
7) When you plan to apply?
R1 2016-17
8) Your post-MBA goal.
Non-profit management and strategy
Corporate social responsibility and sustainable businesses
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