Profile Evaluation - HSBC IB - INSEAD/LBS

[m.gaurav86]

Hi Team

I hope you are well.

I would be grateful if you could evaluate my profile for INSEAD and LBS

Personal details

Age: 26, Indian
Sex: Male

Education

GMAT: I'm yet to appear for it. Scoring 710-730 consistently
Class X: 78%
Class XII: 78%

Post my class XII, I pursued an integrated dual degree at Narsee Monjee Institute of Management and Higher Studies (NMIMS), Mumbai - 5 year degree in Chemical Engineering and a Master's in Finance, offered only to 90 students across India (I had my degree vetted by some bodies in the US which termed it in the manner above)

CGPA: 3.4/4


Academic extra-curriculars

- Captain of the University Basketball Team. Led the team to the number 2 position in the National Zone (Mumbai)
- Freelance writer at Axiom Education - I wrote educational matter (History / Geography) in the form of graphic novels for under-privileged students and junior school students
- Avid debater and a member of the University debate team

Internships

Technical Internships (L&T Valdel and Indian Oil Corporation) - Allowed to work on live projects (L&T) and carry out my own research (Indian Oil)with a group of senior scientists in Oil and Gas (developing a low cost fuel for third world countries). Strong recommendations for both. (7 months)

Management Internship: HSBC - Interned in the Global Banking and Markets division and worked in Corporate Banking, Treasury, Trade Finance and Cash Payments for 5 months. Worked with clients such as Phillips and Hermes for the Corporate Client division.

Awarded a PPO at HSBC and they asked me to choose the division of my choice. I was keen on M&A (working with the Corp. Banking guys) and asked for the role which was granted.

Work Experience (3 years by the time I apply in April 2014 for INSEAD's intake in Jan 2015)

HSBC - Investment Banking/M&A

- Started off as an Associate Analyst for Investment Banking/M&A for 9 months while working with the Chemicals desk (my engineering background helped)
- Quickest transfer to London for a period of 7 months. Promoted to Analyst, where I worked on live situations and worked with clients. The management saw my potential and invited me for meetings outside the bank (hardly happens at an analyst level) with KKR, Cinven etc.
- On return to Bangalore, India, I was made Senior Analyst after a period of 16 months and I started mentoring 2 junior bankers under me. Kept shuttling between London and Bangalore for work purposes.

- Since April 2012, I am now heading the Chemicals M&A desk in Bangalore and am mentoring 4 analysts under me. Promoted to Senior Analyst and am the only analyst heading a desk in Bangalore (80 member team). I look at cross border M&A across Europe, Asia and Middle East. I also am sitting on the interview panel for the class of 2013.

Achievements at work

- Heading the Chemicals (M&A) desk and looking at expansion opportunities
- Won performance awards and out of turn promotions (3 in 2 years and 1 more coming up in 2 months)
- Secured the second position in the HSBC Bangalore debate (cross the city) for best speaker
- Have worked on multiple deals (c. US$3.7bn. The Chemicals Bangalore desk has generated revenue since I have joined and worked on deals) and have been recognized by my seniors and mentors

Extra-curricular activities outside of work

- I sit on an internal board for WILL (Women in Learning and Leadership) - A forum where we aim to empower women and provide them tools at the workplace to move up the ladder. We also go to under privileged women's homes for guidance and support (ex: explaining how to look for a job and earn, how to save wisely and invest in small schemes which the Indian govt. has put in place). We are currently working on introducing these women to a micro finance lender and I am heading a team of 4 for these talks

- Recently started to write as a Freelance writer for ESPN (Cricinfo) - I cover cricket matches and write about players and on field happenings. Have had my articles published on their website


Reasons for my application to INSEAD


- I wish to remain in the M&A advisory domain either through an IB or through a strategic consultant, INSEAD offers a strong finance program which matches my short and long term goals
- I will be a level below a Investment Banking Associate by the time I apply. I believe that this is the right time for me to go back to business school to get a holistic view of the global markets and scenarios.
- My prior education stresses more on the Indian scenario. While this is important, I wish to be a part of a Global program which deals with education in a global surrounding. I was advised of the same by my mentors at the bank and they felt that such an exposure would broaden my horizons, especially since I deal with global clients.
- Since I handle global clients, I would like to get a keener understanding for cultural diversity (Ex: I deal with clients from the Middle East and they have a different sense of business as compared to say, Eastern Europeans). The atmosphere in the school is once to which I look forward to.
- Last and not the least, I wish to work internationally across the globe. As much as my responsibilities have increased and the bank has given me leadership opportunities, I wish to move out of the mid office role in Bangalore to a front end role across the globe and work in Europe, Asia and N. America.


I have tried to put up an exhaustive profile but please feel free to ask for any further details.

Your assistance in this matter is deeply appreciated.

Best Regards

Gaurav Mathur

[mbamissionjenK]

Hi Guarav,

Thank you for sharing your detailed profile and rationales for the MBA and why INSEAD, etc, with us. Generally you have a strong applicant profile for INSEAD or LBS, particularly in the following areas:
-strong (expected) GMAT
-solid academic background
-strong work experience in terms of quality, promotions, international exposure, quantitative skills
-interesting extracurricular activities, and public speaking skills (debate) will serve you well in b-school
-leadership (mentoring) experiences

Potential challenges based on what you provided:

-you are part of a common applicant profile to a certain degree, applicants of a similar # years of work experience from India with some engineering in their background; however you have been more focused on finance and investment banking (still a common applicant profile though less common among the Indian applicants than engineering). This is not a weakness per se, just means that you will want to be sure to stand out from that crowd by demonstrating your unique traits and experiences and what you'll bring to the class, within your essays and interview.

-more detail on your specific short and long term goals would strengthen your positioning

-more detail on why INSEAD (or xyz school) SPECIFICALLY would further strengthen your case as well-- you are correct that INSEAD and LBS both have strong finance programs and provide lots of international exposure. Now it's time to dig deeper into the character and specifics of each program, talk to current students/alum about what makes each school unique, go to info sessions if possible, etc... aim to come up with some additional reasons why THEIR program more than any other is most ideal for you.

As a side note, you have done a good job at citing specific accomplishments within your work experience; be sure to do so on your application resume as well (as many only list responsibilities).

Wishing you all the best!

Jennifer Kedrowski
MBA Admissions Consultant
www.mbamission.com
jen@mbamission.com

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