1. How to get into a Top BSchool

2. www.bitsaa.org The global BITS-Pilani Alumni Community 501©3 Registered in New Jersey, USA Why BSchool Switching Careers Switching Geographies Senior Level Positions Entrepreneurship – Mentorship + Network

3. www.bitsaa.org The global BITS-Pilani Alumni Community 501©3 Registered in New Jersey, USA Typical Career paths post BSchool Consulting Finance – Investment Banking, Private Banking, Private Equity, Venture Capital, Corporate Finance Corporate Leadership Roles Tech – Product Management Entrepreneurship Non-Profit

4. www.bitsaa.org The global BITS-Pilani Alumni Community 501©3 Registered in New Jersey, USA Indian vs International BSchools - No Right Answer International vs Indian perspective Career Trajectory No. of Options Bschool experience vs Job School Geographical preference $$$ expenditure vs income

5. www.bitsaa.org The global BITS-Pilani Alumni Community 501©3 Registered in New Jersey, USA International Bschools Job Experience – Quality and Quantity Academic Background – High GMAT/GPA (or both) Leadership Opportunities – On and Off Job Extracurricular Involvement International Perspective/Experience Clarity of Goals Choice of Recommenders

6. www.bitsaa.org The global BITS-Pilani Alumni Community 501©3 Registered in New Jersey, USA Bschool Application Format Essays ranging from none to 9 Academic Background Recommendations Short questions on career path, international travel, videos, ppts etc Resume

7. www.bitsaa.org The global BITS-Pilani Alumni Community 501©3 Registered in New Jersey, USA Job Experience - No Typical Career Path Career Trajectory so far - Variety of Roles – Justification of each - Promotions How do they tie with your long term goals If not why are you doing it still ? If not what else are you doing to justify your long term goals Extra effort required by Indians to stand out from crowded profiles – IT, Finance, Consulting

8. www.bitsaa.org The global BITS-Pilani Alumni Community 501©3 Registered in New Jersey, USA Academic Background Bschool is not an escape route for your low GPA Low GPA can be justified by high GMAT (740+) Low GMAT can be justified by high GPA Low GMAT for Indians – (720-) Ideal combination - high GMAT + GPA If both low what else have you done academically – Papers published, head of a technical group at Work/College, any extra courses outside college academics

9. www.bitsaa.org The global BITS-Pilani Alumni Community 501©3 Registered in New Jersey, USA Leadership Opportunities(Professional) Led a product launch Heading an important global project Introduced a diversity initiative Generated XX P&L by an innovative sales pitch Optimized or streamlined an existing process Created a new product Even initiatives in which you failed !!

10. www.bitsaa.org The global BITS-Pilani Alumni Community 501©3 Registered in New Jersey, USA Extracurricular Involvement - Be Careful Don’t do it for the sake of doing it Pick up one or two initiatives Stick for long term Contribute meaningfully BITSAA Leadership Roles – Great opportunity to lead meaningful projects Non-Profit Teaching, Startup leadership kind of programs, Charity Fundraisers at Work, Pro Bono Mention the impact Small meaningful initiatives better than saving the world kind of BS!

11. www.bitsaa.org The global BITS-Pilani Alumni Community 501©3 Registered in New Jersey, USA International Perspective Try to get international exposure at work either full time or short meaningful stints Try to engage in activities even outside your work when posted on international projects Even undergrad internships, exchange programs useful

12. www.bitsaa.org The global BITS-Pilani Alumni Community 501©3 Registered in New Jersey, USA Choice of Recommenders Most schools require 2 Should be people who have worked closely with you in the past Don’t fall for the “Big Shot Recommender” trap Try to maintain relationships outside work Best to have diversity in terms of recommenders – 1 Work + 1 Extracurricular, 1 Boss + 1 Client, 1 Immediate Boss + 1 Cross Border Head Work with them, don’t write for them

13. www.bitsaa.org The global BITS-Pilani Alumni Community 501©3 Registered in New Jersey, USA Typical List of BSchools Harvard – General Management Wharton - Finance Stanford – Tech, Entrepreneurship Chicago Booth - Finance INSEAD – Consulting, General Management London Business School – Finance, Consulting Kellogg – Consulting, General Management MIT Sloan – Tech, Entrepreneurship Columbia – Finance, Consulting Berkeley Haas – Tech, Entrepreneurship Tuck – Dartmouth – General Management, Consulting NYU Stern - Finance

14. www.bitsaa.org The global BITS-Pilani Alumni Community 501©3 Registered in New Jersey, USA Admissions Consultants Depends on You – A personal choice Look at their background and their expertise in your selected schools Take free consultations to gauge a fit

15. www.bitsaa.org The global BITS-Pilani Alumni Community 501©3 Registered in New Jersey, USA Questions ??