Need Information/Help !

rustyrocks · Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2007 10:58 pm Post subject: Need Information/Help !

Greetings:

I went across your wonderful suggestions to aspirants and hope that you would take some time to resolve my query.

My Profile:

1. Computer Engineer from India, GPA (3.3), Top 15% of my class, Engg school I would consider it to be a B Grade School. Consistently good at academics (if not excellent)
2. Overall experience of 4.5 years experience till date in IT (which would be 5 by the time I get into a B-School Smile

) Working with one of biggest Indian IT majors Infosys, and consulting for a Fortune 15 US insurance company Northwestern Mutual in Midwest, WI.
3. Close to 2 years of international work experience in the US. Currently located in US.
4. Pursuing FLMI Level 1 Certification (LOMA Insurance Certification, would complete this before applying). Appreciable Insurance Domain Knowledge.
5. GMAT Score - 650 (Q49, V28).
6. Good extracurricular track record at the company, college.
7. I am awaiting my AWA scores. I know I will score atleast 5.0 or more on them. I did pretty good on that.

I have been good at english, but my verbal scores were screwed up in the GMAT. I have been primarily looking at applying for One Year MBA (I know I don't have an undergraduate business degree). I can also consider good 2 year options which are not exceptionally expensive.

Now questions on which I need your assistance;

1. Should I reappear for the GMAT. I need to apply for fall this year, so I think it would be a hasty decision to just reappear.

2. Would my experience considered a positive to compensate for the average verbal score in my GMAT. Would AWA be considered if et all ?

3. What universities should I look to apply at. I was looking at Pepperdine, Thunderbird etc, but am confused. I also don't want to go for a full-fledged 2 year MBA. Something like a 15-Month MBA with a 3-Month internship is what I am looking at. But as I said, good 2 year options in colleges with good placement records is an open option.

4. How strongly should I project my depth and breadth of experience in order to get into a top B-School, so that the AdCom evaluates my experience with my score evenly.

5. Work Background - Software Development, Project Management, Budgeting, Team Lead (managing a portfolio of about half a million dollars), Experience working in a Global Delivery Model based set up, Consulting, Analysis, Involved in Client Engagements.

6. Extra Curriculars - Active in cultural initiatives within my business unit, Played cricket for Infosys Team, Involved in Community level activities frequently. I can project this well in my essays. On the other hand, my interests range from sketching, blogging, to poetry and dancing ! I am keen to understand how interests align with admissions.

My biggest strength is my observation power, not limited to work but people, events, places as well. Would projecting that in my apps help me ?

My interests are in consulting and global business/enterpreneurship. Would you help me in providing any info on which schools (you can give me all options ) I should apply to considering all this information.

Hope to hear from you soon. If you could reply inline to the above points, that would be great. Thanks !

Rusty.

Stacy Blackman · Posted: Mon Jan 08, 2007 11:27 pm Post subject:

1. Should I reappear for the GMAT. I need to apply for fall this year, so I think it would be a hasty decision to just reappear.

If you believe you can improve your score, it is worth retaking because your score is a bit below average.

2. Would my experience considered a positive to compensate for the average verbal score in my GMAT. Would AWA be considered if et all ?

The AWA will not make much of a difference (unless you had a low score). If your work experience is strong, that will be great for your application though does not exactly "cancel out" the GMAT.

3. What universities should I look to apply at. I was looking at Pepperdine, Thunderbird etc, but am confused. I also don't want to go for a full-fledged 2 year MBA. Something like a 15-Month MBA with a 3-Month internship is what I am looking at. But as I said, good 2 year options in colleges with good placement records is an open option.

Pepperdine and Thunderbird are good options. Kellogg and Columbia have accelerated options you may want to investigate.

4. How strongly should I project my depth and breadth of experience in order to get into a top B-School, so that the AdCom evaluates my experience with my score evenly.

Absolutely demonstrate the depth and breadth of your work experience - highlight leadreship, teamwork and progression - avoid the technical details.

6. Extra Curriculars - Active in cultural initiatives within my business unit, Played cricket for Infosys Team, Involved in Community level activities frequently. I can project this well in my essays. On the other hand, my interests range from sketching, blogging, to poetry and dancing ! I am keen to understand how interests align with admissions.

The hobbies will help to show that you are multi-dimensional and that you have an interest in continual learning. Again, leadership as applied to these activities will be important.

My biggest strength is my observation power, not limited to work but people, events, places as well. Would projecting that in my apps help me ?

Not sure what you mean by observation power. It is important to reveal your individuality.

My interests are in consulting and global business/enterpreneurship. Would you help me in providing any info on which schools (you can give me all options ) I should apply to considering all this information.
Mentioned a couple of schools above. Other ones: McCombs, UCLA, Darden

rustyrocks · Posted: Tue Jan 09, 2007 4:14 pm Post subject: Thanks !

Thanks Stacy for your inputs. I value your comments. I might go in for another GMAT soon before the final deadlines.

Another point:
- You mentioned Kellogg, but I believe it's for those with an UG degree in Business and I guess so I don't qualify.
- Columbia's accelerated program is for those wanting to work in same industry, so that gives a limited option. But thanks for letting me know.
- Is Pepperdine good in the league ? Any other colleges you could suggest that I could take a peek at.

One last question: Although there is no standard GMAT score that can guarantee admission, for a candidate like me, what can be a good enough score (please suggest a breakup) to make it to the top 20-25. It can help me in focussing and aiming for that score in my next shot.

Thanks again !

Stacy Blackman · Posted: Tue Jan 09, 2007 6:23 pm Post subject:

You are (more or less) right about both Kellogg and Columbia.

Ideally you would want to pass 80% percentile on both sections, particularly Quant.