AboutKeith Berman Expertise I can answer questions regarding any part of the college and graduate school application process, such as:
1.) What are colleges looking for in an essay? If I wrote on [a given topic], would that help or hurt me?
2.) Should I include a portfolio of music in an application? How should I do it?
3.) Does applying for financial aid affect my chances of admission?
4.) Should I get a recommendation from a sophomore year teacher as opposed to a junior year teacher? Why?
5.) How much does the SAT/ACT matter in the admissions process at [a given school]?
6.) What are my chances at [a given school]?
Experience 2005 - Present, President, Options for College, Inc. (www.optionsforcollege.com), New York, NY
- Have worked with approximately 500 families and students on the college and graduate school admissions process
- Have trained over 200 guidance counselors in NY, California, and India
- Quoted in US News and World Report's America's Best Colleges: 2009, Boston Magazine, Boston Globe, Yale Daily News, Harvard Crimson, Columbia Spectator, and others
- Have published various articles on topics related to college admissions
2004-5, Interviewer, Harvard Undergraduate Admissions Office
2001-3, New York City Teaching Fellow
2001, American Institutes for Research
- worked on issues related to developing the Voluntary National Test
2000, Interviewer, Yale Undergraduate Admissions Office
Organizations AICEP, NACAC, IECA
Publications Publication list available upon request. Most common sources are US Department of Education and Education Update.
Education/Credentials 2007 - Present, Certified Educational Planner, AICEP
2006 - Present, NACAC, Voting Member
2006 - Present, IECA, Voting Member
2006, C.A.S., Harvard Graduate School of Education
2005, Ed.M., Harvard Graduate School of Education
2003, M.S.Ed., Bank Street College of
2000, B.A., Yale University
Awards and Honors Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Grant (2006-7)
Received award/stipend for project entitled An Experimental Intervention: Assessing the Value of Personalized College Counseling for Low Income, High Merit Students. Award covers tuition. Project also received Mellon Foundation support.
Roy E. Larsen Award (2003-2004)
Received award that provides full tuition and fees plus a stipend to first-year doctoral students at Harvard Graduate School of Education in the field of research. Also received identical HGSE grant of same amount for the 2004-2005 school year.
New York City Teaching Fellowship (June 2001 - May 2003)
Selected participant in alternative certification and teacher recruitment program. Awarded $3,000 stipend and full tuition for an M.S.Ed. at Bank Street College of Education.
AmeriCorps (2002 and 2003)
Received two annual $4,725 educational awards for completing national service in education.
Past/Present Clients Yeshiva University HS for Boys, Rudolf Steiner School, Christian Unified Schools of San Diego, Merrill Lynch, NYU Family Life Center, Princeton Review ACS - India
Question Hi,
I came across this site a few days ago and going through the responses I must say that the amount of help and consultancy you people provide is very commendable.
I'm a Graduate in Materials Science from India. I was rated amongst the top 7% of Engineering aspirants in my country. My GPA is 3.5 (converted) and currently I'm working with a steel company and have a techno-commercial and research oriented job profile.
My educational goal is to do MBA Consultancy/Marketing from a high rated B-school abroad, but before that I'ld like to complete a MS degree from US, that would give me more exposure to the international market.
My question is what course should I be opting for,in your view, that would increase my chances of landing in a job profile which is managerial in its respect, and would suffice as a good profile for a high end B-school. I've come across a lot of courses, but I'm very keen to do a full time course rather than a Distance Education or part time course. So I've narrowed my options to MS in Financial Engineering, MS in Operational Research and MS in Industrial Engineering.
Basically, I'm confused as of now, and I would be really glad if you could help me sort this out.
Thanks.
Answer Dear Duff,
Thank you for your kind words about my previous postings. I certainly am glad you found what I posted interesting and useful, and hope you are not alone!
Duff, your question is a challenging one indeed. To have a profile that B-schools will find appealing, the departments you chose are all interesting and relevant, albeit not offered at most schools that are large. What is most important, at the end of the day, is putting yourself in a course (or, in the states, we use the work "program" instead of "course" -- I have consulted in India for three years, so I know that 'course' is typically used for Indian universities) in which you cna do real learning, finding internship opportunities, and learn a great deal. Economics would be a relevant major that is available virtually anywhere, and economics would be part of programs in Financial Engineer, Operation Research, and Industrial Engineering (all of which are very different).
You might also want to look at business colleges like Bentley and Babson, which have unique programs in entrepreneurship, marketing, and management. They are both smaller with a very focused undergraduate population. International students we have worked with in the past have been very happy at both -- you should take virtual tours, being sure to click on the photos for Bentley, which are much clearer than the virtual tour (which only shows the outside of buildings).
I hope this was helpful. The truth is that many universities will serve your purposes as an undergrad -- you can choose a focus as an MBA applicant, but to start with a good, and enjoyable set of foundations where you do well and can create opportunities for yourself, is the most important step right now.
