Profile Evaluation : 710, 3 years, exceptional EC.

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GMAT Score:710
Greetings,

I appeared for my GMAT today and scored a disappointing 710 (Q48, V40). During the course of my preparation I was averaging around 740-750, so I believe that my real score is a mere correction of reality.

However, the GMAT score will not be the main subject of this message.

Prior to the score, my list of dream schools was as follows(in no particular order):

- ISB, Hyderabad
- Booth, Chicago
- Johnson, Cornell
- INSEAD
- Harvard (kindly note the use of the words 'dream school' above)

Its been three hours since I finished my test, and after having cried out sitting alone in my room and consuming two bottles of aerated beverages I think its time that I start seeking expert advice.

I will have had 3 years of experience as a Product Planner with India's largest passenger-car manufacturer. I also have an illustrious graduate experience with very strong extra-curricular activities and a failed entrepreneurship venture to brag about. My academic performance has been more or less consistent over the years. (90%, 90%, 7.2/10 in Class X, Class XII and Bachelors in Engineering respectively.)

I would like your genuine feedback about my chances of getting an admission into any of the schools listed above.

I would also welcome suggestions of schools that might be comparatively more "reachable."

I shall look forward to your response.

Thank you very much for your consideration.

Regards,
Sahil
"A blind man sees what he wants to see."
Source: — Ask an MBA Admissions Consultant |

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by Cindy Tokumitsu » Sat Jun 25, 2011 5:30 am
Hello, Sahil,

A 710 may not be the "wow" score you've targeted, but it's also not a bad starting point that will still leave many excellent programs in the reasonable reach category - and to me that means a 15-30% chance with a great application. Three things you didn't mention are your goals, your post-college extracurriculars, and your work track record relative to your peers, all of which would be factors in your competitiveness. On the other hand,your current role and your industry would be positive differentiating factors, and you should emphasize them in your application.

Among the schools you've listed, I'd consider HBS beyond a reasonable reach - and I would possibly feel the same way even with the target GMAT. I'd consider the others reasonable reaches, with Booth and ISB being on the upper edge of that category.

You might also consider schools such as Ross and Duke as reasonable reaches. Excellent on-pars would include Georgetown, USC-Marshall, UNC-Kenan Flagler.

I think you would find very helpful my free subscriber mini-report that walks you through how to select a list of schools, including assessing your competitiveness, your wants/needs, and what the schools offer: Best MBA Programs: A Guide to Selecting the Best Ones.

Basic info and an easy access point to the schools mentioned above can be found at our Business School Zones.

Best regards,
Cindy Tokumitsu
Senior Editor, www.Accepted.com