Candidate:

Mr. Desi Product Manager

About Me:

Age: 26
Age at application: 27
Age at matriculation: 28

Applying in Fall 2024

GMAT: 730 (Might hit 750)
GPA: 2.9
Major: Electrical Engineering
Country: Pakistan
First generation college going student.
Graduation year: Aug 2019
Job: Product Manager
Post-MBA goal: Product Manager at a FAANG

I graduated in Aug 2019 but didn’t start working full until Feb 2021 as I was a primary care giver for my mother who was diagnosed with last stage brain cancer in Oct 2019. Chose to not work full time and spend the last few months of my mom’s life with her. Did an internship and a lot of free product courses online.

My first job was for 7 months as an analyst in a software development company. Left because second job offer was a 100% pay raise and much better.

My second job was at a local startup for 6 months. There was a leadership change a few months I was in the job, causing 90% of the product team to leave and find new jobs. Culture and leadership became too toxic.

My third job, where I have spent almost 2 years as of yet and this is where I would be applying from as well, is a stripe backed and y combinator backed fintech in Pakistan. I will have 2 promotions by the time I apply. Also 2.6 years here at the time of application and 3.6 years at matriculation. I have launched products that have made millions for the company. Im hoping this could minimize the short stint damage.

Schools:

Target School: Kellogg SOM

Considering: Berkeley Haas, Duke Fuqua, McCombs School of Business, MIT Sloan

See More Profiles For: Kellogg SOM

Application Status: Open

Details:

Undergrad School: Top Liberal Arts & Science College in Pakistan

Undergrad Major: Electrical Engineering

GPA: 2.90

GMAT: 740

Age: 26, Ethnicity: Asian or Indian

Extracurriculars: Volunteer at one of the largest education sector NGOs in Pakistan which runs schools for children in extreme poverty. Raised over Rs 500,000 for this NGO and still going strong.

Work History:

Title: Product Manager

Industry: Technology

Company: Start-Up

Length of Employment: 2 yrs, 6 mos

Big Life Wins:

I have launched products in my current company that have collectively made $1 Million

Post MBA Goal:

Product Manager at a FAANG.

Odds:

Join in! Click here to assess the odds of Mr. Desi Product Manager

The Experts Rate The Odds At: 30%

See what the industry experts have to say:

Patty Keegan, Fortuna Admissions | Odds Assessment: 30%

Hello, Mr. Desi Product Manager. You have a strong sense of self-awareness as it relates to your business school profile. Thank you for the detailed explanation of your experience in the first 2 positions you held after university. The adcoms will definitely be expecting some background on your choices to join and leave those firms. However, they will be most focused on your current accomplishments and how those prior experiences have influenced your success. Be sure to highlight why the pitfalls you faced helped you in your current role.

Your GMAT is strong for Kellogg which should help mitigate the 2.9 GPA from university. However, you will need to differentiate yourself from the engineers who aspire to become product managers at a FAANG – especially …

Hello, Mr. Desi Product Manager. You have a strong sense of self-awareness as it relates to your business school profile. Thank you for the detailed explanation of your experience in the first 2 positions you held after university. The adcoms will definitely be expecting some background on your choices to join and leave those firms. However, they will be most focused on your current accomplishments and how those prior experiences have influenced your success. Be sure to highlight why the pitfalls you faced helped you in your current role.

Your GMAT is strong for Kellogg which should help mitigate the 2.9 GPA from university. However, you will need to differentiate yourself from the engineers who aspire to become product managers at a FAANG – especially inthe current tech climate. Your work at the education NGO might be a good place to start. Aside from helping them raise money, what else have you contributed to the enterprise? Is childhood education a passion for you? Consider sharing the story of caregiving your mom; it demonstrates a lot about who you are and your priorities. Kellogg, along with the other schools on your list, are looking for empathetic leaders who can also contribute to the bottom line.

Please let us know if we can help put together a compelling story for Kellogg and other MBA programs. Sign up for a free 30-minute consultation.

6 months ago Read the full review

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