profile evaluation please?

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profile evaluation please?

by daddyv » Wed Dec 12, 2012 10:52 pm
Hi,

Im a 24 year old Indian male from Australia and i just got my GMAT score - 720(q50,v38)
I grew up in India but have lived in Adelaide for the last 8 years. I studied Computer Science (class of 09) in university (Uni of South Australia) and have a gpa of 4.8/7. I realise this is below the curve in American standards but is above average-ish here. I have 3.5 years of work experience as a business analyst working in a couple of different companies both in Australia and overseas and have shown significant career progression in the last 3 years.
Outside of work, I play cricket and soccer for local grade A clubs. Im involved in charity events(Daffodil Day) run by the Cancer Council of Australia and have also done some fundraising. I have also helped design and set up a website for an organisation called 'Save the Murray', which works towards spreading awareness about the increasing salinity of river Murray and its effects in the ecosystem. They are also pushing for legislation that will see measure taken to counter this effect. (My involvement was primarily a favour for a friend but hey! if i can use it to leverage some brownie points, why not?!)
I will have 4 years of work ex by next fall so I feel like this is right time to do an MBA. Id ideally like to do something related to corporate financial modelling post MBA. I feel like i have the quant background for the job but an mba would give me the tools and the business knowledge to step into the position or a similar role in the financial services field.
I have researched a few programs and shortlisting them has been a pain. Since the deadlines are fast approaching for R2, I was hoping I could get some expert advice on which school i have a legitimate shot and which ones might be unrealistic?

Reach Schools: MIT, Yale
Target Schools (with a bit of good fortune): Emory, UNC, USC, Notre Dame, Georgetown
Target Schools (decent shot): Boston U, Texas A&M, Illinois Urbana, Rice, Ohio State
Safe Schools: Babson, Northeastern, Purdue

I have already been working on my applications and I realise there is too many on the list and i dont intend on applying to them all. I was hoping you could help me with shortlisting process and reduce it to about 5-7 schools. Also, if there are any programs i should look at that my fit my profile please feel free to advice.

Thanks a lot and i really appreciate the help.
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by Bryant@VeritasPrep » Thu Dec 13, 2012 7:13 am
I think you are aimin too low in your targets considering your high GMAT score, international work experience and Australian citizenship. Because Australia is under-represented in US business school application pools, you can differentiate yourself by applying here with your story. I would say:
reach schools: MIT, Yale, Cornell
target: Duke, Kellogg, Ross, Haas
safety: Georgetown, Emory, Notre Dame
Bryant Michaels
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by daddyv » Thu Dec 13, 2012 11:38 pm
Thanks heaps for your feedback...i really appreciate it n its definitely encouraging. Although, I must point out that Im an Australian permanent resident and an Indian citizen.
I was pretty keen on Kellogg cause i seemed like a great fit for me but the deadline for R2 -part 1 was 4th Dec and round 3 would be too late for an international applicant. Id be pretty happy to get into the target schools that u mentioned to be honest esp Haas or Duke but would you say using a professional service could help polish n elevate my application perhaps closer to my reach schools? ( MIT would be my dream school and theres only 2 weeks left for their R2 deadline)

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by Bryant@VeritasPrep » Thu Dec 20, 2012 9:34 am
Well, I am biased of course but trying to be objective, I can say that in my opinion, applications that have been vetted by a professional are always better, much the same way a lawsuit is better argued when soliciting the help of an attorney. Even if you don't end up using professional help, however make sure you are having someone look over your application even if only for a second set of eyes. You'd be surprised how many mistakes are not caught by the author and also how knowing your own story can cloud how your portrayal is interpreted when you read your own writing.
Bryant Michaels
MBA Admissions Consultant


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