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David, thanks for your helpful answer!

Hello,

Thank you for helping in assesing my application. I just wanted to know if my applicatiom was realistic for the schools I want to apply. My undergraduate degree is from Notre Dame, I graduated with a 3.52/4.00 GPA with a Doublr Major in Finance and History. Work experience includes multiple internships and full time job at Citi Investment Banking. I already took the GMAT and scored 700 on my first time (44Q 41V) and on my second time I scored a 590. Will my two attempts affect me and also do you think I should retake it to have a shot? I want to apply to HBS, Stanford, Chicago, Northwestern, Penn, and Columbia. I am international, born and raised in Panama. I speak 3 languages (spanish, english, french). When applying my work experience will be around 2-3 years. Please let me know your opinion. Thanks.

Thanks for taking the time to evaluate these profiles. It's a huge help. I have also attached an excel sheet of my undergrad transcript.

Education:
Penn State University - Main Campus
3.00 Cumulative GPA, 3.5 Major GPA
Civil Engineering - 3.5 GPA avg 3rd and 4th year (all major-intensive courses), 2nd year had some family issues (family death caused me to have to skip two finals, which I got 0's in), 1st year immature (fraternity)
GMAT: 700 (44Q/41V)

Work Experience:
- 3 years in major construction project management. Was actually laid off twice in 1.5 years due to both companies suffering major, company-wide workforce reductions. Regardless, only unemployed for a total of three months in which I was proactive in job searching. Was still able to secure a great job and receive a promotion to Project manager after only 3 months. Managed two projects simultaneously worth a total of $25M from start to finish. Was overseeing all aspects of job operations which included a workforce of 40+ workers at times.

- Current (approaching 2 years): small, niche consulting division in Big Four firm. Global group with only 30+ members. Focused on major real estate and construction projects ($100M+). Provide both qualitative management consulting and quantitative analytic services. Promotion after one year.

- Certified FE which is the engineering exam you must take prior to becoming a Profession Engineer (PE)
- Certified Fraud Examiner

Total 5 years.

MBA Goal:
I transitioned to a consulting role because my passion is actually in the "business" side of real estate and construction, as opposed to the heavy "engineering" side. After graduating from PSU, I knew that I wanted to back to b-school, so I charted a 5 year plan. 3 years in industry, transitioning to 2 years in the consulting/business side.

The reason for wanting a top-MBA is so I can further learn and develop my business knowledge in finance and management in hopes of one day being a c-level member of a major real estate or construction firm. I do not have the business education due to my engineering degree, so I am looking to learn the strategy and financial side of things. MY ultimate passion would be to become an influential person in the development of under-developed and emerging nations.

Although I have extensive experience in RE&C, I'm not necessarily looking to go back to a specific RE program.

Extracurricular:
- co-leader of a yearly, global real estate and construction market survey. We contact over 130+ major companies in the RE&C industry around the world, and leverage our firm's partners across the world to meet with c-level executives of these companies and discuss future market predictions. We then take this data and form it into a formal document for presentation.
- assistant coach/volunteer for a golf organization that brings the game of golf to inner city children as well as teaching them life skills.
- lead organizer for Junior Achievement program within company. In charge of 30+ volunteers that go to inner city schools and help teach business/commerce to young children

Undergrad Extracurricular:
- Executive VP of my Fraternity - was responsible for overall representation of fraternity as well as all alumni relations
- Philanthropy Chair - was responsible for the oversight of 50+ participants in raising more than $100,000 for the largest student-run philanthropy in the world for children's cancer. Also was one of the 500 selected from the university to participate in the actual dance marathon (48 hours straight of dancing/no sleep/no sitting)

Recommendations:
- expecting great recommendations from current supervisor as well as my previous supervisor

jhumbert00 wrote:Hello,

Thank you for helping in assesing my application. I just wanted to know if my applicatiom was realistic for the schools I want to apply. My undergraduate degree is from Notre Dame, I graduated with a 3.52/4.00 GPA with a Doublr Major in Finance and History. Work experience includes multiple internships and full time job at Citi Investment Banking. I already took the GMAT and scored 700 on my first time (44Q 41V) and on my second time I scored a 590. Will my two attempts affect me and also do you think I should retake it to have a shot? I want to apply to HBS, Stanford, Chicago, Northwestern, Penn, and Columbia. I am international, born and raised in Panama. I speak 3 languages (spanish, english, french). When applying my work experience will be around 2-3 years. Please let me know your opinion. Thanks.

Hi JHumbert-

As for your GMAT scores, in most cases (unless specifically stated otherwise by the school), the lower scores have relatively low (or zero) impact, and the higher score counts the most by far. I would recommend re-taking the GMAT only if you believe that you have a good chance of improving your score by at least 20 (if not 30) points.

700 is a good score for those schools that you mentioned if it is accompanied by a solid work background. If your 2-3 years experience are the full-time investment banking position, and you can show progress (a promotion or at least a high departmental ranking + bonus, for example) then you will have a fair chance of being accepted to the programs that you mentioned.

Best of luck,
David
Aringo.com

smp5000 wrote:Thanks for taking the time to evaluate these profiles. It's a huge help. I have also attached an excel sheet of my undergrad transcript.

Education:
Penn State University - Main Campus
3.00 Cumulative GPA, 3.5 Major GPA
Civil Engineering - 3.5 GPA avg 3rd and 4th year (all major-intensive courses), 2nd year had some family issues (family death caused me to have to skip two finals, which I got 0's in), 1st year immature (fraternity)
GMAT: 700 (44Q/41V)

Work Experience:
- 3 years in major construction project management. Was actually laid off twice in 1.5 years due to both companies suffering major, company-wide workforce reductions. Regardless, only unemployed for a total of three months in which I was proactive in job searching. Was still able to secure a great job and receive a promotion to Project manager after only 3 months. Managed two projects simultaneously worth a total of $25M from start to finish. Was overseeing all aspects of job operations which included a workforce of 40+ workers at times.

- Current (approaching 2 years): small, niche consulting division in Big Four firm. Global group with only 30+ members. Focused on major real estate and construction projects ($100M+). Provide both qualitative management consulting and quantitative analytic services. Promotion after one year.

- Certified FE which is the engineering exam you must take prior to becoming a Profession Engineer (PE)
- Certified Fraud Examiner

Total 5 years.

MBA Goal:
I transitioned to a consulting role because my passion is actually in the "business" side of real estate and construction, as opposed to the heavy "engineering" side. After graduating from PSU, I knew that I wanted to back to b-school, so I charted a 5 year plan. 3 years in industry, transitioning to 2 years in the consulting/business side.

The reason for wanting a top-MBA is so I can further learn and develop my business knowledge in finance and management in hopes of one day being a c-level member of a major real estate or construction firm. I do not have the business education due to my engineering degree, so I am looking to learn the strategy and financial side of things. MY ultimate passion would be to become an influential person in the development of under-developed and emerging nations.

Although I have extensive experience in RE&C, I'm not necessarily looking to go back to a specific RE program.

Extracurricular:
- co-leader of a yearly, global real estate and construction market survey. We contact over 130+ major companies in the RE&C industry around the world, and leverage our firm's partners across the world to meet with c-level executives of these companies and discuss future market predictions. We then take this data and form it into a formal document for presentation.
- assistant coach/volunteer for a golf organization that brings the game of golf to inner city children as well as teaching them life skills.
- lead organizer for Junior Achievement program within company. In charge of 30+ volunteers that go to inner city schools and help teach business/commerce to young children

Undergrad Extracurricular:
- Executive VP of my Fraternity - was responsible for overall representation of fraternity as well as all alumni relations
- Philanthropy Chair - was responsible for the oversight of 50+ participants in raising more than $100,000 for the largest student-run philanthropy in the world for children's cancer. Also was one of the 500 selected from the university to participate in the actual dance marathon (48 hours straight of dancing/no sleep/no sitting)

Recommendations:
- expecting great recommendations from current supervisor as well as my previous supervisor

Hi SMP,

Thanks for sending over your detailed profile. It looks like you've really thought through the requirements of top MBA programs and have been following a clear plan.

Your profile looks competitive for admission to Top 20 programs. In your application you will need to find the right approach of explaining the circumstances that brought down your GPA. Other than that, with strong essays and recommendations, you should be able to land an acceptance in a great MBA program.

Good luck!

David
Senior Consultant
Aringo.com

Hi,

Pl evaluate my profile:

Age: 27 years
Male

GMAT score 710 (Q48, V39)
B.Tech from Indian Institue of Technology Roorkee ( Most prestigious institute in India) with GPA 7.92 out of 10

Around 5 yrs 6 months of experience in International oil business ( Refinery planning & Marketing business)

Schools : Wharton, LBS, JUDGE, TUCK, YALE, STERN, JOHNSON, FUQUA, HASS

anuragiitr wrote:Hi,

Pl evaluate my profile:

Age: 27 years
Male

GMAT score 710 (Q48, V39)
B.Tech from Indian Institue of Technology Roorkee ( Most prestigious institute in India) with GPA 7.92 out of 10

Around 5 yrs 6 months of experience in International oil business ( Refinery planning & Marketing business)

Schools : Wharton, LBS, JUDGE, TUCK, YALE, STERN, JOHNSON, FUQUA, HASS

Hello anuragiitr,

I'll try to give you a prediction based on the information that you provided, and considering a strong application with excellent essays and recommendations.

I would say that your chances are as follows:

Wharton - stretch
LBS - stretch to competitive
Judge - stretch to competitive
Tuck - stretch
Yale - stretch
Stern - competitive
Johnson - competitive
Fuqua - stretch to competitive
Haas - stretch

Good luck!
David Elad
Aringo.com

BrianW@Aringo wrote:

Hi

Took Gmat today. Was hoping for a better score, but alas, turned out to be much lower than expected.
My score is 680 (quant 90 percentile and verbal 67 percentile). I was planning to apply to the following b schools and now i am wary of applying as i think my score is less than the average accepted. Needed your help by looking at the profile, should i apply with the current score or take GMAT again

Schools : INSEAD, Booth, Stanford, Wharton, Columbia, LBS, Tuck

Profile:

Undergraduation - among top 3 students
Graduation - Top 20 college in india ; 1st rank in the college
Post-grad MBA from a top 10 b school in india - Allrounder award
Work experience -
1. Big credit rating agency in india (2 yrs)
2. Associate at a domestic PE firm (1.5 yrs)
3. Software consulting at a global IT major (1 yrs)

Other activities - decent activities at school and college level
Currently teach CFA at a leading firm (part-time)
Some charity work in the past though not very active presently

Planning to remain in the same industry but want to target international PE firms which surely need better exposure and a good international b school education in india

Will appreciate any help in deciding between applying with 680 score or target a better score

Rgds
Rohit

Rohit,

Thank you for your profile submission. Based on the information as presented and under the assumption of strong essays and recommendations and a GMAT score of 680, our experience indicates you would be a stretch candidate at INSEAD, Booth, Stanford, Wharton, and Columbia, between stretch and competitive (closer to stretch) at Tuck, and between stretch and competitive at LBS.

Regarding your question on the GMAT and whether to apply now or to retake the test, I will address that below. However, the most important issue in your profile is arguably the fact that you have a prior MBA. Some leading programs, such as Darden and Haas, do not allow applicants who have a prior MBA. Even for programs that do allow it, though, based on our experience the fact that you do have an MBA will make it more difficult for you to gain admission. You will have to provide a convincing explanation for why you need (another) MBA. I interpret your profile as indicating that you believe you need the degree from a top school in order to enable you to have a good chance at working at a large private equity firm. While this may be a legitimate reason, please keep in mind that the bar is a bit higher for your profile in order for you to gain admission, relative to all other candidates.

Other points for your profile:
- It will be important for you to elaborate on the reasons why you went from the credit ratings agency to PE and finally to software consulting. It's not entirely clear to me what the linkage is between these roles for you, and it's going to be important for you to explain (especially for the PE firm, since this is your future interest) that you left on good terms with these organizations and that you had solid ratings.
- When you give specifics about your academic profile, you indicate "top 3" and "1st rank". It's important for these to be provided in context, with an "out of XXX" attached to it.

Based on the above, and on how we project your chances, it may make sense to at least take the GMAT one more time to show the ad coms that you have tried to improve the score itself. However, as described, the most important thing will be your story on why the 2nd MBA and (very specifically) how you would fully utilize the experience.

Best of luck,
Brian

Hi Brian

Have retook the GMAT and have now scored a 710 92% (Q 49 (81%), V 38 38 (85%)).
Last time around i had asked you about the chances at the top B schools. Though i understand that 710 is not a stratospheric score, however, would like to have a realistic understanding of what elements of my profile (including score if recommended) should i bolster to improve chances in these schools. Do you think my current GMAT score still needs to be improved and will it further help improve the application ?
My target list remains the same and plan to apply in the coming October session 1st round of these schools.

Please suggest/advice.
Thanks in advance for the kind of detailed feedback you provide on this forum. (PS. had applied last time around for second round at wharton, booth with 680 score and was rejected without interview)

rohitm wrote:

BrianW@Aringo wrote:

Hi

Took Gmat today. Was hoping for a better score, but alas, turned out to be much lower than expected.
My score is 680 (quant 90 percentile and verbal 67 percentile). I was planning to apply to the following b schools and now i am wary of applying as i think my score is less than the average accepted. Needed your help by looking at the profile, should i apply with the current score or take GMAT again

Schools : INSEAD, Booth, Stanford, Wharton, Columbia, LBS, Tuck

Profile:

Undergraduation - among top 3 students
Graduation - Top 20 college in india ; 1st rank in the college
Post-grad MBA from a top 10 b school in india - Allrounder award
Work experience -
1. Big credit rating agency in india (2 yrs)
2. Associate at a domestic PE firm (1.5 yrs)
3. Software consulting at a global IT major (1 yrs)

Other activities - decent activities at school and college level
Currently teach CFA at a leading firm (part-time)
Some charity work in the past though not very active presently

Planning to remain in the same industry but want to target international PE firms which surely need better exposure and a good international b school education in india

Will appreciate any help in deciding between applying with 680 score or target a better score

Rgds
Rohit

Rohit,

Thank you for your profile submission. Based on the information as presented and under the assumption of strong essays and recommendations and a GMAT score of 680, our experience indicates you would be a stretch candidate at INSEAD, Booth, Stanford, Wharton, and Columbia, between stretch and competitive (closer to stretch) at Tuck, and between stretch and competitive at LBS.

Regarding your question on the GMAT and whether to apply now or to retake the test, I will address that below. However, the most important issue in your profile is arguably the fact that you have a prior MBA. Some leading programs, such as Darden and Haas, do not allow applicants who have a prior MBA. Even for programs that do allow it, though, based on our experience the fact that you do have an MBA will make it more difficult for you to gain admission. You will have to provide a convincing explanation for why you need (another) MBA. I interpret your profile as indicating that you believe you need the degree from a top school in order to enable you to have a good chance at working at a large private equity firm. While this may be a legitimate reason, please keep in mind that the bar is a bit higher for your profile in order for you to gain admission, relative to all other candidates.

Other points for your profile:
- It will be important for you to elaborate on the reasons why you went from the credit ratings agency to PE and finally to software consulting. It's not entirely clear to me what the linkage is between these roles for you, and it's going to be important for you to explain (especially for the PE firm, since this is your future interest) that you left on good terms with these organizations and that you had solid ratings.
- When you give specifics about your academic profile, you indicate "top 3" and "1st rank". It's important for these to be provided in context, with an "out of XXX" attached to it.

Based on the above, and on how we project your chances, it may make sense to at least take the GMAT one more time to show the ad coms that you have tried to improve the score itself. However, as described, the most important thing will be your story on why the 2nd MBA and (very specifically) how you would fully utilize the experience.

Best of luck,
Brian

Hi Brian

Have retook the GMAT and have now scored a 710 92% (Q 49 (81%), V 38 38 (85%)).
Last time around i had asked you about the chances at the top B schools. Though i understand that 710 is not a stratospheric score, however, would like to have a realistic understanding of what elements of my profile (including score if recommended) should i bolster to improve chances in these schools. Do you think my current GMAT score still needs to be improved and will it further help improve the application ?
My target list remains the same and plan to apply in the coming October session 1st round of these schools.

Please suggest/advice.
Thanks in advance for the kind of detailed feedback you provide on this forum. (PS. had applied last time around for second round at wharton, booth with 680 score and was rejected without interview)

Hi Rohit,

Congrats on improving your score! This certainly helps your application.
As to your question, of course an improved GMAT score helps your chances, but the question is how much you can further improve it by re-taking yet again. Improvements on a third try are often marginal at best- but it's a risk you may choose to take, if you believe there's potential.

I would rate your chances at the programs you described as follows: INSEAD- competitive; Booth- between competitive and stretch, closer to competitive; Stanford- competitive; Wharton- between competitive and stretch; Columbia- between competitive and stretch; LBS- between competitive and strong; Tuck- competitive to strong. Again, this is provided that your application (essays, recommendations) are otherwise strong.

If you're applying this October, there's not a whole lot you can do to bolster your profile - at this point it's about how it is presented in your application. An important element in MBA applications is management experience. If you receive a promotion or at least some management responsibility at work, that can certainly help. If not - show other signs that you are valued - such as a bonus or a very good evaluation.

Regards,
David
Senior Consultant
Aringo.com

Hello,
I'm wondering should I invest efforts during my BA in finding a job that will offer me managerial experience? would it increase admission chances or do b-schools only consider full time jobs?

bingo wrote:Hello,
I'm wondering should I invest efforts during my BA in finding a job that will offer me managerial experience? would it increase admission chances or do b-schools only consider full time jobs?

Hi Bingo,

As leadership is one of the prominent admission drivers at all leading MBA programs, I would certainly advise you to seek opportunities that would enable you to accumulate leadership and management experience, either through work or through volunteer work, for example.

Good luck,

David
Senior Consultant
Aringo.com

Got it, thank you!

Hey aringo,

Please help me with my profile

Peruvian Male, 25 years old.

GMAT: 680 (I have not taken it yet)
Bachelor of Systems Engineering (IT) in a Top School (Peru)
Ranking Third over 47 students. Top 5% of the class. 15.7/20 (If I convert this to GPA, it would be 3.15 GPA. I don't know if this applies since I am top 5% of the class.) Please advise in this.

Work experience:
2.2 years at a Big 4 (Systems Auditing and IT Consulting)
1 year at a Medium Size company (consumer products)
1 year as part-time supervisor in my family business (Real State and Agriculture)
Free Lance in SAP Security and Process Consulting

Extracurricular:
Teach MS Office to people with disabilities
Organize Christmas Charity in my district.

Goal: Top 10 B-schools

Short Term: Work in a Strategy Consulting Firm
Long Term: Manage family business

Hey Arigo ,

Below is my profile . It would be very kind of you if you could evaluate it .

I am an Indian male 28years old .
* Xth from CBSE : 72%
* XIIth from Tamil Nadu State board : 75%
* Did my B.com from University of Madras :6.25 cgpa on 10

* Worked as assistant analyst in a Shared service center for a top consulting company for 7months .

* after I left , I had typhoid for 2andhalf months . (have bloodtest reports to prove that). And also had problems related to the back for a few months (have X-ray and doctors prescriptions)
Then joined Dad in his business . Its not a big business but there has been increase in turnover after I joined .
Worked in business for 1year .

* After that did my Msc.Economics from Madras school of economics . cgpa: 8.5 on 10
Was in the top 20% of the college.

* After that worked as Business analyst in a company for 3years .

Extra curricular activities :

* Part time volunteer at an NGO 2years . Our main activity was to teach poor people who couldn't afford proper schooling .
* Published a few papers on topics related to economics in a few college journals .

GMAT score: 680

MBA Goals:
* Why MBA ?
Well I was working as a Business Analyst for quite sometime and I am from economics backgroud . I was fascinated how a business reacts to the economics reforms and the overall economy of a country . And that got me interested in business as a whole and now I want to gain knowledge and refine myself in business aspects .

*Goals?
Short term : get inside business consulting
Long Term: have a company/Business of my own .


Targeting Schools

Well I have read over a 100 profiles in this section and see everyone from India is from IIT and have magnificent and outstanding profiles . I wanted to apply for
Warwick Business school
Indian Business school
Nanyang business school
IMD (lol this is a bit tooo farfetched)
University of cambridge

But after I saw the profiles I am in a dilemma of which school should I target now .
Would like your help in knowing which schools in the above I have a chance and if not these which other schools can I apply ? (fulltime one year programs)


Requesting ,

Rockstaaa...

Cugel wrote:Hey aringo,

Please help me with my profile

Peruvian Male, 25 years old.

GMAT: 680 (I have not taken it yet)
Bachelor of Systems Engineering (IT) in a Top School (Peru)
Ranking Third over 47 students. Top 5% of the class. 15.7/20 (If I convert this to GPA, it would be 3.15 GPA. I don't know if this applies since I am top 5% of the class.) Please advise in this.

Work experience:
2.2 years at a Big 4 (Systems Auditing and IT Consulting)
1 year at a Medium Size company (consumer products)
1 year as part-time supervisor in my family business (Real State and Agriculture)
Free Lance in SAP Security and Process Consulting

Extracurricular:
Teach MS Office to people with disabilities
Organize Christmas Charity in my district.

Goal: Top 10 B-schools

Short Term: Work in a Strategy Consulting Firm
Long Term: Manage family business

Hello Cugel! Let's see what we can ascertain from your profile.
Regarding your GMAT - I'm assuming you gave an estimate based on your practice tests. This score is on the low end for Top 10 programs. Not impossible to get in with - but you'll need to present a strong application.
Your being from Peru should serve as an advantage, so I recommend highlighting unique elements of life there in your essays.
Depending on the specific program, with a solid application you are probably a competitive to strong candidate at Top 10 programs.
Good luck!
David
Senior Consultant
Aringo.com