Itz gonna be ISB

Finally I decided that itz gonna be ISB. A couple of ISB admits advised me to mathematically analyze the situation. So my admit decision has turned out to be my first b-school style problem.

Here is the matrix I came up with. Just plain totals as opposed to weighted scores to keep things simple. ISB beat RSM considering my requirements. So i think I'm on my way to ISB even though RSM is a lovely school!!!

Columns
A - Diversity (1-5)
B - Reputation in US (1-5)
C - Reputation in Europe (1-5)
D - Profs (1-5)
E - Placement (1-5)
F - Family Visa/Acco (1-5)
G - Low Cost factor (1-5)
H - Alumni Network (1-5)
I - Exchange Progs (1-5)
J - Total
------------------------------------
Parm | A B C D E F G H I | J |
------------------------------------
RSM | 5 2 5 4 3 3 3 3 4 | 32 |
ISB | 4 3 2 5 4 4 4 5 4 | 35 |
------------------------------------

Scoring Key
1 - Low/Poor
2 - Average
3 - Good
4 - Very Good
5 - Exceptional

Results time

All the results of my MBA applications are out now. It has been a gratifying two out of three admission offers. Even though the ding from INSEAD was painful admission offers from ISB and RSM, Netherlands make me elated. I now have to decide between ISB and RSM. Each school has itz own selling points.

I chose to apply to RSM after a lot of thought. The summer internship at RSM(I'm from IT and I actually don't plan to change my stream but want to decide between strategy or marketing within IT), the diversity of the class(students from 40 countries) and the Personal leadership development program are the key things that made me decide on RSM. But RSM is high on the fees front and is slightly low on some aspects of b-school rankings but ISB doesn't participate in any rankings. Becoming a global MBA makes RSM really attractive.

As for ISB itz reputation is second to none in India and it is catching up in a very very big way around the world. The class composotion is the best in India(In fact I believe it will be more competitive than RSM) and the placements are also very good. I also want to settle in India in the long term which makes ISB very alluring.

Thatz the problem although I realize it is not a bad situation to be in!

Bangalore - RSM Interview

Reached Bangalore yesterday by Brindavan Express. By 2:00 PM I checked in and went around the Majestic area. It has been 3 years since I had last come to Bangalore and I felt that nothing has really changed except for a new overbridge to cross the K.G. Road. After browsing for several hours I came back to my hotel room and read my essays once again. My career goals essay could have been better(It definitely would have if my career goals were better..quip) but I really liked my essay on travel(I'm a dumbo..When I love travel my essay on travel would obviously be good !!). Woke up today fresh and after a little bit of trouble with no hot water I finally got ready. Reached the the Le Meridien hotel and met jat_pagla from www.pagalguy.com. He wearing a suit and was very smart. He already had admits from HEC Paris and GISMA, Germany(100% scholarship here). Like me he seemed to be really enthu about RSM. Mr. Rick Rudolph called him first and conducted his interview. Mine was at 10:40 AM and he called me sharp. It was quite unlike ISB. No interview rooms or interview panels. Just me and Rick sat on a sofa and started chatting.

Before we even started he wanted to know how I managed to get get my salary increases staying in one company(Boss doesn't he know about Indian IT industry). The first question was to introduce myself to the RSM Class of 2009 in 30 seconds. I compressed my intro and probably did one in 25 secs. Then he wanted to know how I got into engg. He seemed to be very much disturbed about the fact that anybody he meets in India is an Engineer. I told him how I had always wanted to be associated with technology and how I came to the IT industry. He then wanted to know about my experience and what I want to do post RSM etc. I thought I gave ok type answers but he did not seem to be convinced at all. He kept grilling me and repeated that I don't need an MBA to get into technology consulting. Finally he decided that I'm quite incorrigible and asked me a set of very interesting questions

What is the best advice you got in life?
My answer was "Itz not the size of the dog in the fight, itz the size of the fight in the dog"

What is the one thing you will carry with you to space?
Inspired by Sunita Williams I said "Bhagavad Gita". He asked why. I said that I derive a lot of personal strength from the Gita. Oh God. It has been atleast 15 years since I did the Chinmaya Mission's Gita classes.

What will you do if you are in a room for a whole day and have just 1 sheet of paper?
Very strange question and I gave an equally weird answer. I said I'll make a paper rocket and keep playing with it till I come out !!!!

Tell all different things that you can think of related to number 7?
Seven wonders of the world, Snow white and the seven dwarfs, Seven seas, Seven nations of SAARC(what a weird answer. later realized there are eight countries in SAARC)

If you relate your personality to an animal which would it be?
It will probably be a bird. I'm like the eagle.

What makes you unique?
My life experiences, my professional experiences, overseas experience with a major american railroad..blah,blah, blah !!!!

Finally it was my turn to ask questions. One, explain the PLD program at RSM and two, why only 4% of students are Dutch? Got decent answers and then I thanked Rick for the opportunity to interview with RSM.

All in all stress free like the ISB interview but as usual no stellar moments. Will have to keep my fingers crossed till first week of Feb ! This evening I met Bhagya, a friend from www.scoretop.com and a Wharton aspirant. I thought I have faced quite a few challenges in my personal life but this girl thrashed mine in all respects. I'm sure she is the next "Indra Nooyi" in the making.

ISB Interview

It was a very plain/non-stress interview. I had to write an essay on mobile phones pre-interview. There were two panelists from the ad com.

Int 1: So Deepak you have a rich exp. working overseas. What is the difference between an American vs. Indian employee.
Me: Well, the average Indian employee works to meet his ends. He needs to work for his food, clothing and shelter to happen. Else he will end up in the street. So the job comes first before his personal interests. The average american is at a slightly higher level. Even if he doesn't work his govt. will take care of him to a certain extent. So his interests come above the job per se. This is quite a generalization and may not be true for all cases.

Int 1: Ok. That was a positive. Did you see any negatives?
Me: Well yes. I'll have to generalize again. Although americans seem to get on to their field of interest a lot of them begin to wane. They do not seem to higher their bar once they reach a certain point. The average Indian though always tries to improve his status quo. Also Indians work better as a team.

Int 1: Ok Deepak. Say I have an american employee and an Indian employee. Fit them in two of the three roles namely Superior/Peer/Sub-ordinate.
Me: Ok. Once again I'll generalize. I'll place the American as a superior and the Indian as a peer.

Int 1: And why would you do so?
Me: The average American is very objective and will not let emotions sway his decisions. So it is good to work under him. At the same time the american is very individualistic and his free will rules the reign. So he will not be a good peer/sub-ordinate. The Indian mentality is more of a collective mind. So the Indian makes an excellent team mate. I have relished teamwork with my Indian colleagues and so I would fit the Indian as a peer.


Int 1: Ok Deepak. Please do a SWOT analysis of Infosys. (This went on for 20 mins or so)
I asked for a paper and pencil and my main points were around
Strengths : Existing talent pool, Derisked business model
Weakness : Low domain knowledge, new talent entering the company
Opportunity : Large accounts present opportunity to move up value chain
Threats: Being in ADM space makes Infy easily replacable

Int 1: Comment about the standard of new employees in the company.
Me: The standard is going down a little bit not 'coz of the inherent ability of the candidates. They come loaded with so much info that they take everything for granted. They expect things to happen for them without any effort from their side.

Int 2: You mean too much info is bad.
Me: Absolutely. Only people with a certain level of maturity can handle that much of info.

Int 2: can you compare offshore vs. onsite roles ?
Me: Offshore roles are good to gain technical knowledge and process knowledge. Onsite roles help you learn business better as you work closely with the end users.

Int 2: So which is better?
Me: Each provides its own challenges and opportunities. Offshore more to deal with technical and process knowledge. Onsite deals with business and challenges managing client perception.

Int 1; What is your further career progression path in Infosys?
me: I have returned offshore after 2.5 years. I'm being mentored to become a Project Manager and will see a career growth in the delivery side.

Int 1: So why did you stick with Infosys.
Me: I never got bored and always got newer challenges.

Int 1: Will you go back to Infy post-ISB?
Me: Well. I would not like to go back to delivery. may be to the consulting division

Int 1: But why is it that so many TCS guys want to go back to TCS post-MBA?
Me: I do not have any comments on that.

Int 1: List two non-professional goals you have.
Me : Further my learning of Salsa dance and Spend more time with my family.
Int 1: The second one is tough to happen. Are you married?
Me: No

Int 2: When did you last do Salsa dancing?
Me: Few months ago when I was in US.

Int 2: What is difference between Salsa and Indian dance forms?
Me: Indian dances, like kathakali for e.g. have more depth and more scope for expressing emotions and have narrative ability. Salsa is more of a rhythmic dance and does not have so much depth.


Then they asked if I had any questions. I asked about exchange programs in ISB(WGCP in particular) and they explained the bidding process at ISB. I then asked why Google is not in the list of recruiters. They said Google didn't come last year but came for both years before that. I was then asked if it was my dream company and I was asked to reason it. I had some prepared stuff to talk about here.

Then I thanked ISB for the opportunity given to interview with them. Overall I had no stellar moments in the interview and my answers were very bland . Post-interview I got a feeling that they were probably not interested in me. Anyhow I'll have to keep my fingers crossed till mid February.

MBA blues

Again I took a break from blogging. Been busy with so many things. I have been so much occupied with my MBA thoughts the last 4 months. With a lot of self doubts about my aptitude level 5 years after college I prepared for my GMAT. I did quite well and surprised myself with my ability to compete gamely. My apping process is on full swing and a week ago I posted my ISB app. In hindsight I have a feeling that I have not submitted my strongest of apps. But I have to let bygones be bygones.

My INSEAD app is coming along well now. I hit some fairly good ideas for the culture shock essay and my describe myself essay has also come along well. I'm really liking the B-school admission process. After this I plan to app to RSM and MBS. If things don't work I'll look at US B-schools next year. Irrespective of what the outcome is, I think the whole process has made me think deeply about myself and what i want to do in life.