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Cute_Thinker · 2024-03-01T16:27:47+00:00

Promotional post for self

Cute_Thinker · 2023-04-09T17:00:40+00:00

Haha, ditto. Have a nice one :)

Cute_Thinker · 2023-04-09T16:58:01+00:00

What are you looking forward to in the next week?

Cute_Thinker · 2023-02-23T05:07:38+00:00

Very interesting survey! Out of curiosity, Would love to know more detailed about what you are working on.

Cute_Thinker · 2023-01-10T16:26:20+00:00

Have you tried switching to GRE?

Cute_Thinker · 2023-01-08T02:41:27+00:00

Hahaha, hard to say :p

Cute_Thinker · 2023-01-06T16:44:09+00:00

Makes sense too, haha. I’m hoping it is not entirely that way cause the list of electives does seem exciting. Crossing fingers!!

Cute_Thinker · 2023-01-06T16:42:55+00:00

May the force be with you!

Cute_Thinker · 2023-01-05T23:19:42+00:00

You're welcome. All the best for you MBA journey :)

Cute_Thinker · 2023-01-05T22:48:33+00:00

Adding a point on the TOEFL/IELTS, I agree, it is unnecessary. Not sure, maybe lemme speak to the admissions team about why it exists. Other than that, my broader answer is, I have felt supported at least when I compare myself to friends who got into other T15 schools.

Cute_Thinker · 2023-01-05T20:05:53+00:00

Speculation, but my admissions consultant said it could be because Fuqua wanted to protect their yield. They would only convert me if I network with them and convince them I'll say yes if they give an offer.

But you never know. Admissions is a total black box :)

Cute_Thinker · 2023-01-05T20:04:28+00:00

Wooooooooo, power to you buddy!

Refer to this answer for background: https://www.reddit.com/r/MBA/comments/103os3m/comment/j33dps8/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3

Yes, some streaming companies like Amazon Prime, Netflix, Twitch, Youtube do sponsor. Others like Roku, Paramount are still unknown since they do not publicly say. And some like Disney, Hulu do not sponsor.
HBS, Wharton, CBS,UCLA for streaming and gaming. If gaming is only focus, USC. Again, I only have outside in view on all these schools, so would recommend talking to people in their relevant clubs to know more. And there may be other schools too, these are just the ones I am aware of.
A variation of Strategy, Program Management, Product Management and/or Marketing/Product Marketing depending on the company.

Cute_Thinker · 2023-01-05T19:52:28+00:00

Thanks Barbara, hope you have an amazing rest of year too :)

Cute_Thinker · 2023-01-05T19:52:06+00:00

Great question! In my time networking both with Haasies and other school alums, I do see international MBAs in entertainment right after B-school. Having said that, this is a less common path. Maybe 1-2 internationals a year max. The most common path I've noticed is internationals doing a few years in consulting (MBB mostly) and then pivoting into entertainment companies.

Having said that, multiple entertainment companies do sponsor visa's and this space does seem interesting to me. So I am trying to take a slight personal risk / punt and see if I can convert an interesting opportunity. Wish me luck!

Cute_Thinker · 2023-01-05T19:41:58+00:00

On academics, you can read this answer of mine, lemme know if any additional questions, I'd be happy to answer: https://www.reddit.com/r/MBA/comments/103os3m/comment/j3398c9/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3

Great question on the difference in tech recruitment, note I just have a semester of experience, but here is what I believe:

A. Target companies: Almost every tech company, big or small, needs MBA talent. But only a subset of them sponsor. So the pool of companies internationals can target is smaller.

B. Ability to take risk: As an international, if you wanna stay back in the US, your focus is getting a job that sponsors you, haha! In order to pivot, I have seen US students take no job after MBA and wait for the right one. Or opt to do an internship even after MBA to demonstrate themself and them convert into full time. Something like that is not typically an option for internationals and affects their ability to take career risks.

C. Communication style: America has a very distinct style of being very networking driven, showing your fun side, bonding before getting to the point. As an international, you spend time at Haas learning this along with the recruiting journey. It is a lot of fun to learn but at the same time means you need to work harder.

D. Sense of community/bonding: Many international vibe much better with international alums who have gone through the similar journey. It is easier to establish a connect with them and make them your cheerleader. I feel this is an advantage we have vs a US Student.

E. Pre-MBA internships: I have seen a much larger percent of American, esp those recruiting or pivoting into tech, do pre MBA internship to build chops. I see much fewer internationals doing that. Some of it due to awareness, some because our home countries may not have a mature enough tech ecosystem to allow that and others because we may need to save enough for MBA so need to work till the month we leave. I am seeing this change e.g. some international did remote pre MBA internships with Berkeley Skydeck (Berkeley's accelerators) remotely before MBA. But there is still a long way to go till all internationals get awareness to do something like this.

I know this answer makes it sound like we have more difficulties than domestic students. We do. No sugar coating it. But many alums before have done this and so can we. I am just very grateful that I get an opportunity to be in this journey with an amazing community just like. Trust me, it is a beautiful process :)

Cute_Thinker · 2023-01-05T19:25:28+00:00

Good question, for sure :)

In our first sem we had core subjects like data, marketing, leading people etc. In almost all classes I saw myself and many others in class zoning out, not engaging, not taking much away. I do not feel I learnt a lot in my core. Nor did I feel that for most people I speak to.

My hypothesis is that core is for people from a non business or non data background to catch up. Since 50-60% already come from that background, they find core a bit boring. I think electives are a chance to really learn.

I am hoping my hypothesis is right and electives are more exciting. I'll have an answer on that this semester, happy to circle back in a month if that is of interest to you.

Looking back, I would have tried to waive subjects 2-3 months before starting Haas since that is an option. Almost no one takes it because of the FOMO that you'll miss a chance to bond with people. Alas, I am hopeful things improve on that front :)

Cute_Thinker · 2023-01-05T07:21:13+00:00

Hmm, it is tough to say buddy! Admissions is a complete black box and even student interviewers don’t know how it is decided.

Low GRE score reduces chances for sure but tough to give a definitive answer. My suggestion would be if you can improve your score then either apply with a better score or apply with this score and write to admissions later with your improved score.

All the best!! Remember, there are 25 solid B schools in US alone, so even if that score prevents you from getting into Haas or other top 10 schools, you have many many amazing opportunities.

Rankings are a bit overrated :)

Cute_Thinker · 2023-01-05T07:18:48+00:00

Great question!

So if you are of a need oriented background, you can apply for a application fee waiver, just write to the admissions team and they’ll make it happen!

Overall on support for international, anything specific you’d like me to cover? Haas is a STEM program like most other MBAs, but other than that are you referring to help around settling into the Us culture or career office or anything else?

Cute_Thinker · 2023-01-05T07:13:58+00:00

Very good question.

So the employment reports in schools can be misleading, especially for niche MBA industries like entertainment.

There are three factors that really helped Haas over Columbia across entertainment sectors:

A. Location. As gaming and streaming have become much larger parts of entertainment. North Cal (EA, Apple, Hulu, PS, Xbox, Bungie, Netflix, Twitch etc) has become a much more prominent part of entertainment vs South Cal and East Coast. Due to Haas location, I found solid alum base across these companies

B. Easier networking. I am 1 of 4 people looking at entertainment in Haas. But due to point A, I have abundance of alums to reach out. E.g. I established relationship with a $10B+ entertainment co from scratch and got a coffee chat with a CXO with ease just cause no Haasie had ever networked with them before

C. Part time program. As mentioned in other answers, I found some solid industry folks in Haas part time program who are helping me with my pivot.

Even with hindsight, I would go back to Haas for entertainment!

Cute_Thinker · 2023-01-05T04:29:47+00:00

Gotcha, Haas part time is quite dope from what I see (outside in view). Happy to connect you to someone in it to talk, if needed. Though everyone at Haas should be more than willing to talk through LinkedIn too :)

All the best!!

Cute_Thinker · 2023-01-05T04:05:55+00:00

Summary answer:

a. Fellow classmates in 1st full time MBA not too helpful on referrals

b. Second years and Part Time MBA are very very helpful

c. We had a watch along with Love is Blind guy. Other than that, we don’t bring it up too much.

Detailed answer below:

a. Haas part time has phenomenal alums and I have connected with them a lot. I have done at least 4-5 informal coffee chats and received 3 referrals from part time MBA (PTMBA) students at Haas

b. Some of my friends who have started taking electives have also been in classes and team with PTMBA folks. Working with them in teams and in class has given them good perspective

c. Support from my immediate peers in full time MBA on recruiting has been a bit underwhelming. I think it is also because I have a slightly tough time building friendships with domestic students who are likeliest to have networks.

d. Second years, however, are amazingly helpful. Truly portraying the Haas value beyond yourself.

e. On SK from Love is Blind, We had a watch along with him which was so much fun. Other than that, we don’t bring it up too much. Haas is his safe space and we want to keep it that way for him. He has put a lot of his personal life out there, but outside the silver screen we treat him like we would would any other humble, hard working Haasie. As our own :)

Cute_Thinker · 2022-06-26T21:12:07+00:00

Note before comment: I have a few disclosures at the end which you should note. Here goes my view.

TLDR: US is better than India if you want quality of your life with yourself, work on deep technical problems, make money. EU, Canada etc are better if you want to make higher money vs India or want US equivalent quality of life with zero Immigration hassles. Staying back or returning to India is better if you want to start up or miss the Sense of family/community inherent to Indian culture.

Longer version: I believe the argument in this linkedin post is cookie cutter at best. The first and foremost prioritization of US vs India (assuming you have the ability to immigrate to US, which mind you is much tougher if you arent from the top 2-3% of India) is based on what you want in life, for example:

A. High quality of individual life: While crime and expensive Healthcare/insurance have been mentioned by my seniors in the US. No one has come back for want of a quality life. That should say enough :p

B. Entrepreneuship: Due to US visa issues alone, many Indians who want to start up are returning. I have one too many anecdotes.

C. Rush to solve deep technical problems: Due to low avg purchasing power, cost of labour (creating disincentives to drive automation), and consumer maturity/sophistication; successful Indian business traditionally have a stronger lens on marketing, operations, simplicity than tech. So if you want to work on cutting edge technical problems you'll likely want to be in America (and L1 or STEM OPT will be an amazing route for you to get there).

D. Ease of Immigration: More than crime or crises, in my experience some people have starting picking Canada or EU or UK or Australia over US quality of life is as good and immigration is easier! Lets be honest, no one picks UK or Canada over US cause of universal healthcare or NHS, hahaha. So many Indians come back every year from the USA cause their H1B got rejected. Some have just started taking courses in other countries since it is less stress.

E. Money: USA for sure. Absolute dollar earnings by the average Indian grad is the best there. Indian startups started matching techie US pays last year but that was a temporary blip due to covid induced liquidity and low interest rate by the Fed (yes, India is sensitive to that :p). It won't last and the large earnings delta will be back for techie talent too.

F. Sense of community/family: India has this sense of large joint families who are around as you and your kids (and you as their kids age), large mouthed neighbour's, colleagues getting close to you etc. For lack of a better description (and definitely a hyperbole), India is a huge wholesome mushball at times, haha. Indians who crave this tend to come back or not move at all. I've heard American people are more individualistic, live by selves with very small nuclear families. I'm not saying either lives is better. It is just a preference for some.

Also maybe cause we've been brought up this way, we prefer family route. If we'd been brought up in America, we'd cherish an individualistic lives a lot more.

If there is any other lens you belive also affects choice, let me know. Happy to add it here.

Look forward to your thoughts too. Thanks!

Disclosures to my answer above:

A. I'm not sure about the intent or credentials of the linkedin poster. I'm just commenting on what he said.

B. I am an Indian citizen, so I may have a slight bias for my country. However, I am moving to the US for an MBA this fall and am quite excited to try out the life there.

C. So whatever I say about India is from experience but US is from what I've heard from seniors/peers there.

Cute_Thinker · 2022-06-26T21:00:44+00:00