Coming to America

If you’re reading this either you’re a fresh graduate looking to enhance your body of knowledge or a seasoned professional looking to enhance his prospects. Either way deciding to study abroad is a huge step. A step that requires strong mental, emotional and financial commitment.

Studying Abroad:
Where to begin?
First make an honest assessment as to why you really want to pursue a Masters in Business Administration? Some people have a herd mentality while others are goal defined while approaching an answer to that question. If you feel your answer is based on herd mentality, I would highly recommend you rethink the entire exercise. More so, because it is an extremely expensive one. Once you have crossed the hurdle of justifying to yourself the need for a Masters. Proceed to websites such as www.usnews.com, businessweek.com and financialtimes.com to gain an idea about the universities. Kindly use the same as an indicator and not a benchmark.

Is it a gamble?
Simple answer. It sure is!!! I say that because you’re staring at a minimum $50000 investment for an MBA from a decent school. If you’re looking to do it from a university in a major city, I would recommend you add an additional $25000 to that figure. This would ideally run through the duration of your 2 year course. These figures do not account for any on campus jobs and/or assistantships. Post these expenses no one guarantees you a job.

Do you need a counselor?
It depends on the type of person you are. If your really aggressive and don’t need constant handholding and reassurance then you don’t need one. I say that convincingly because I didn’t have a counselor yet I managed to get accepts in 5 of the 7 universities I had applied to (the two rejects were from ranked universities and were my lucky draws any case). I managed to get a full assistantship to cover my MBA and my stay. However, if you are deciding to do it on your own, I would recommend giving yourself a head start and communicating with as many people abroad(especially in universities) as possible. Even if the said people are not MBA students they are for the most part aware about the funding scenario on campus or can link you to their friends in your field of study. For your convenience, I have made a list of Indian Student Associations across the United States. I will try and post it in the near future. As for essays, I was told by some of my friends that had taken counseling that they were required to write their own essays which were edited by the counselor for a price. My take on that was if you write crappy then what’s getting edited is also crappy. I have known established players that provide great assistance and seen my fair share of fly by night operators, as I call them that ruined rocking profiles by botching up the application process. I feel if you’re running your application process and you mess it up then it’s just you to blame and no one else. And honestly, I didn’t want someone else to be in control of my game plan.

Game Plan:
If you’re looking to join the fall semester, I would recommend start shooting out emails to all universities asking them for their brochures by at least March of the previous year. That way you should receive most of them by June/July. You can always read things online but it doesn’t hurt to have hardcopies (especially if it’s free). And call for brochures from all universities because up until you take your actual GMAT test you don’t know which score range you’re going to fall under. There are several Indian graduate students associations that act as a link between the university and the prospective students. I would strongly recommend contacting such associations that tap into their membership to get your queries answered. For the most part these associations are stand alone entities and are not coerced or influenced by the university to give tainted feedback. However, in the end make your own decision rather then following the help that comes out of such interactions as the gospel truth. Contact your Professors for those priceless letters of recommendation. There is a lot of confusion with regards which colleges accept MCOM Part I as the 16th year and which require Part II to be completed.
Some colleges clearly state their requirement on their website while others don’t. If in doubt while requesting a brochure ask the admission team for an answer. Indian students constitute the largest foreign student population in the United States. I am sure they will know exactly what you’re referring to thanks to their exposure to prior students from India.

GMAT/Tofel?
I am sure most of us are aware as to where we are most likely to land on the GMAT test. I would recommend a minimum of 3 month preparation and a max of 6. If you haven’t touched math in a while and have a phobia to transcend then be prepared to spend extra time on your preparation. Here I would say coaching classes might be worth your consideration because they are relatively structured in their approach. If your one of those that keeps pushing picking up his book to the coming Monday then it’s the perfect investment. As for Tofel, would highly recommend that you get into an English only communication mode 3 months prior to the test and ask your family and friends to do the same. Given that you’re going to be training yourself in proper usage of the Queen’s language feel free to use that expertise to correct and/or critique your family and friends.
In due course of time your error spotting radar mechanism would make even an Editor at Rediff proud. Try to tune into CNN/CNBC more often if you’re not exposed to English around you in conversations. It will allow you to understand the American accent better and copy some of their ways of pronunciations.

Selection process:
The university selection process for a lot of people is akin to finding a needle in a haystack. However, if you have been doing your homework as outlined above then this process can be less of heartburn with a reasonable strike rate. Several theories floated around when I was doing my selection. Some came from counselors while others came from mere idealists. I was told to apply to upwards of 10 universities so as to convince the visa officer that I had the necessary inclination and financial might to pursue a Masters in the States. Others noted that applying to Ivy League schools was the only sure way to convince the visa officer. I consider both of these formulas to be untested and lacking merit. I have known people that have applied to just one university and gotten a visa and I have known people that have applied to 20 universities and got their visas rejected. Moreover, I feel you should apply to schools that first offer what you’re looking for and second that you know you will qualify for. I juggled between the idea of applying to either 10 or 7 universities. I ended up applying to 7. The composition (2 lucky draws, 3 50-50 bets and 2 sure bets). I had also made up my mind to pursue an MBA in marketing. I had rudimentarily divided the US into different zones with industry concentrations. Kindly feel free to differ but I had categorized the west coast for the media/entertainment and tech industries whereas the east coast was primarily for the financial sector. I ended up categorizing the mid-west as a good mix of both. I ended up picking Chicago because it has the Board of Trade, houses the head offices of quite a few fortune 500 companies, the university’s proximity to downtown and the opportunity to sustain the fast paced life that I was exposed to in Mumbai. Universities can be in rural locations or urban locations. Those in rural locations generally have a lower fee structure and the cost of living is also relatively cheaper. There has always been a debate about major city universities affording you better job prospects. Honestly, I would rate that assessment as being extremely subjective. It depends on the type of school or rather the status of your school. University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign is in a remote location. However, their career service department does an awesome job to make sure top companies pay them a visit. Also try and find out the level of assistance the career department provides so that you are mentally prepared to go out on your own if your university draws the corner cell phone shop for recruitment. Most universities decide on your application by evaluating you on GMAT score, academics, extra curricular activities and statement of purpose. Try and take note of the first deadlines for your most favored universities. If you meet the first deadline chances are they might still accept you if you just about make the cut. If you send in your application by the final deadline chances are by then they have a good idea about the student profile for that year and you’re competing against a more attractive talent pool.

What do I major in?
This question hounds the uninitiated. The best answer to that would be to find out what your inherent skill sets are. If you’re a number cruncher then definitely consider majors in Finance and/or accounting. If you feel you have strong presentation skills and a qualitative mindset consider marketing. It would be of immense help if you train yourself in statistics especially packages like SPSS and/or learn how to work with Nielsen software and/or Lexus Nexus software. Ideally, most B-schools don’t train you in these but most top FMCG companies recruit people that have exposure to the same. Other options include strategic management, human resources and last but definitely not the least Information Systems. If you’re a techie you might want to consider the Masters in Information Systems (MIS) as well. The course work ideally perfectly marries IT content with business basics.

Essays and statement of purpose:
Some colleges require essays to questions asked whereas some are merely happy to read your statement of purpose. Apply the KISS formula, keeping it short and simple. When I say short I mean adhere to the word restriction they have set forth. Requested length of essay varies from university to university. Most essays are trying to draw on your past ability to solve a problem and your current ability to translate the same in words. Try keeping such experiences extremely realistic. Do brag but in tablespoons so as not to look pompous. If you have managed to re-engineer R&D, prospecting, marketing, sales, finance and production in the same year then maybe you need to take over as CEO rather then go for an MBA. Admission committees have read all possible essays prior to your application and for the most part are aware as to what’s true and what’s cooked. Moreover, your flamboyance in the essay could haunt you during the phone interview. Even if you have outsourced your essay writing(something I do not personally support), do make it a point to read the entire essay and identify parts that you are not happy about or think you might not be able to carry forward convincingly. I have seen several people churn out first drafts and push it down the throats of unsuspecting aspirants. It always helps the person writing the essay if there are inputs from the person the essay is for. Moreover, if you’re writing your own essays draw on quotes from the university’s brochure. This helps the admission committee know you have taken the time and effort to get to know about the university before choosing to align yourself with them. Always have a few people read your essay and give you feedback. Feedback doesn’t merely constitute proof reading; it also involves asking a person’s honest assessment on the subject matter. Try to incorporate the style of writing as seen in business magazines and newspapers. However, make sure while the language does draw on your extensive vocabulary it doesn’t send the admission committee on a dictionary hunt. The point is to sound professional, eloquent and yet simple.

Visa power: Go get it!
So you aced your GMAT and Tofel exams. You managed to send in your applications within the first deadline and got accepted to your dream university. Congratulations! Your job is almost done but it still isn’t time to break out the bubbly. The visa officer is the final hurdle to cross to realize the dream of landing on US shores. The visa interview is akin to getting your nail pulled out of your toe. Primarily because irrespective of your academic prowess and/or your financial might the visa officer’s verdict holds supreme. There are several people that offer coaching on how to ace your visa interview. Honestly, I do not think the American consulate distributes notes to these people as to what a visa officer conjures up as a potential immigrant or not. For the most part from what I have heard these sessions are public speaking sessions that teach or rather coach you how to deliver answers to pre-determined questions effectively. It helps in the interview if you’re confident and look composed rather then a nervous wreck. Know which document you have placed where for easy retrieval and don’t engage the visa officer in frivolous chit chat. I would however ask you to prepare yourself for questions such as Why this specific university? Make sure you have a strong case for that answer and aren’t long winded and hazy. Keep a diplomatic answer prepared for What if I reject your visa application now? I have heard the visa officer spring this one at a few candidates that were standing before me not with the actual intent of rejecting them but with the intent of testing them. While this is no beauty contest where in you’re answers need to bring world peace and eliminate poverty and hunger do keep a ready answer as to how you foresee contributing to the Indian economy post an education in the US.

Life on Campus!

I have a drawn up a “to do” and “not to do” list. These have been gathered through personal observation and complaints from classmates.

1. Grooming is a critical component. Make sure you take the trouble. Chewed out nails and disastrous clothing combinations don’t really place you in a league of global managers.
2. I love Indian food just as much as the guy next door. But cooking it in
US where there is relatively less ventilation in the kitchen makes your clothes reek of spices. Make sure your clothes are safe guarded against the same and that you don’t cook in clothes you would be wearing outside.
3. During lectures, avoid jumping the gun to provide answers. People consider it to be rude to be cut off. The class strength is limited hence for the most part if you want to express your opinion the professor does make sure it’s drawn on.
4. Learn to regulate your voice. We as Indians, thanks to the surrounding noise pollution back home tend to be a little loud. It might be common nature at home but is considered shouting and extremely rude in the US.
5. Try and formulate groups with people other then Indians. I am assuming you’re looking to expose yourself to different cultures and mindsets. If it was just Indian thought process then you could have tapped into the same in India. Moreover, group projects are the perfect networking tool. Some of your team mates might be already working. It is the perfect setting to develop friendship so as to make a pitch for an internship and/or at a later stage a job.
6. Some people with excruciatingly long names are better off cutting short the same or coming up with American names. It’s extremely personal but I leave you to judge if you really feel it helps your cause. I changed my name from Chandrashekar to Chandra primarily because I know that Chandra is in common usage in the States and much easier for my professors and potential interviewers to recall and pronounce.
7. Work on your accent and try to neutralize it. Also while giving presentations or talking in groups slow down. We as Indians tend to speak rather fast. Remember it is you that’s trying to make it in someone else’s land. The onus of making an effort to communicate and communicate effectively lies on you.
8. Make sure you grab health insurance in the States. Minor ailments can cost a bomb in the US. Most universities incorporate health coverage for their students. There are cheaper alternatives outside but make sure you understand what’s being offered prior to blindly signing up with a cheaper plan.

Consider these recommendations as mere insights into life on campus and the US. If you feel any of the above challenge your integrity as an Indian, self respect or identity feel free to ignore at will.

Coursework
Apart from drawing on extensive course descriptions, speak to your academic advisor as to what you can expect on the course. Seniors are also a good resource in terms of understanding the Professor’s mindset, grading policy and value of course content. People pick courses where they are assured an A grade. I would request you to also consider tougher graded courses that provide more insight into the functional field. A lot of universities also offer real time real life courses. This would be your best bet to gain insight into the American workforce. Moreover, the same can be added to your resume and in my opinion are priceless in terms of the exposure they provide.

Value of an Internship:
A lot of students are too preoccupied with their coursework and trying to manage their personal chores and lose sight of the most critical component of their MBA experience. I think very rarely would any MBA graduate tell you that an internship no matter how trivial in profile is a waste of your time. Not enough time is spent on searching for and landing an internship. Most students realize the loss during the last semester, a little too late in the day for any rectifications. The internship experiences can be drawn on while interviewing with prospective companies. Moreover, in my opinion it shows prospective employer that someone else has already taken the gamble of hiring and testing you. This holds true for most Indians in my view even if you have worked for MNCs back home.

Searching for a job?
I have seen a lot of internships getting converted into full time placements and I have also seen work relationships leading to references for openings in other firms. I honestly believe the magic key to a job in the US is networking. Mere networking devoid of capability will lead you nowhere. However, if you can draw on your professors, classmates and even other Indians around you and impress them to draw their assistance for your job hunt then consider your battle half won.

I hope the article has helped you gain insight into the MBA application process and life thereafter. I’ll see you when you get there.

Good luck,
Salil Chandrashekar
UIC MBA