Request for MBA application advice from a 4th year college student

The message below is the kind that I find to be both encouraging and discouraging. It’s encouraging because it’s from a 4th year college student who is already thinking ahead to business school, but it’s discouraging because it seems like this student is rushing into the process before he’s ready.

I’ll let you guys read his email to get more background, but, in summary, this reader wants to get a Stanford MBA, but doesn’t want to wait 2-3 years after graduating college to do it. He wants to get the MBA as soon as possible because he wants to be a young leader and seems to think that his profile is good enough to do. He has requested my perspective on his candidacy and my advice on what he should do next.

I tried to be as even-handed as possible when giving my read on his situation, but I’m not sure if it came across in that way. Don’t get me wrong…I don’t want to tell him that he shouldn’t apply to business school, but I think he would be well-served by waiting a couple of more years. That’s the message that I hope comes across well in my response below.

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RJ wrote:

Hi,

I have read through your blog and I am another apprehensive Indian, studying in my 4th year BTech in Computer Science. Well I have searched a lot on tips to get into top Bschools and I have heard that only people who have a very high gpa or candidates with good work experience and leadership qualities have made it to the the top Bschools.

I am worried since I am from a middle class Indian family and wiritng a GMAT exam itself is a very costly affair. I am preparing for my GMAT and I am still doubting whether I have to wait another 2-3 years to apply for MBA. I have an above average gpa of 3.3. And I aspire to do an MBA from Stanford.

My strengths are:
I possess leadership qualities which i have demonstrated in my college by conducting fest in my college and other extra curriculars like being the head of a club in my college. Won a few small level competitons.

Reason why I want an MBA:
Though I know that I want to be a leader I do not know what I’ll become. I wish to be either an entrepreneur or CEO of a reputed company taking important decisions. I want to be a person possessing business knowledge and skills so that i can be a leader in making new technology and other leadership stuffs that I can be capable of. I want to possess these skills from a top Bschool without waiting much as I wish to be a young leader. i do know the importance of work experience. Yet I am willing to wait for another year. But getting into Stanford is an important criteria to me.

Will I stll be able to get into the top ones? Can you guide me on how I can reach my goal? Waiting for your reply.

Thanking you,
RJ

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My video response:

Request for MBA application advice from a 4th year college student from Marquis Parker on Vimeo.