Need Help, In dilemma

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Need Help, In dilemma

by Umesh Arora » Mon Jul 02, 2007 10:09 am
Hi Stacy

This is Umesh (from India). I am an MBA aspirant (for the top 5-7 us b schools) interested in applying for 2009-10 acad session.
Wanted your opinion on couple of points. But first some background information about myself, would help you in answering these questions.

I completed my engineering from a top 20 institute in India (1999, GPA - ~3.3). Post that I worked for 3 years with a leading Indian automotive company (Manufacturig & Procurement). Then went for my MBA (top ten institute in India, non IIM, 2004 passout, GPA - ~3.5). For the last 3 years I have been working in Management Consulting field (currently with a US Based MNC).

As I am quite intereted in pursuing my second MBA, i appeared for GMAT and scored 710. My questions are around my score only:

First question is whether my GMAT score is sufficient to be considered for the top b schools. Do I need to retake it? The reason I am asking this question is that by the time I apply to my preferred b schools next year, I would have ~7 years of work ex. Do you think that with this much of work ex, GMAT might play a slightly lesser role. I do understand that adcom will be looking at all the important factors (work ex, GMAT, essays, SOPs, Reccos). But having something more (my work ex) to talk about /show, is it possible to balance any disadvantage i might have (on account of my average score) vis a vis candidates having scores like 750 or so. (A reference point - A friend of mine who had only 3 years of work ex got selected to Columbia this year with a GMAT score of 760, I was wondering whether in his case of lesser duration of work ex, GMAT score might have played a bigger role?). I can surely retake it, but want to avoid unless it jeopardizes my admission chances or is considered a weekness in my overall profile.

Second Question is concerning the skewness of my GMAT score (Q50,V35). Do you think i need to retake GMAT to correct this imbalance? Or if i take TOEFL and score as per the specific school requirements (certain schools specific minimum scores like 105 out of 120). Do you think my decent score in TOEFL will alleviate their concerns about my verbal ability? My AWA score is 5.5.

As i have around a year to apply, I am currenly working towards making my extra curriculars stronger (mainly participating in social service
actitivies and developing my hobbies/interests). My extra curriculars are decent from my 1st MBA but nothing great from my engineering.

Thanks
Umesh
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by Amy » Tue Jul 03, 2007 11:21 am
Hi Umesh,

A 710 is an excellent score, and the GMAT really is only one aspect of your application.

However, the median scores for the top 10 schools continue to climb, and as a somewhat overrepresented demographic you might consider attempting for a higher score if you have a year before you apply. I think it would be a mistake to spend all of your energy on the GMAT, but given the time you have you could take a prep class and see if it improves. I would suggest looking at Manhattan GMAT.

Addressing the somewhat low verbal score is definitely important. Scoring well on TOEFL is certainly helpful. The AWA is not a big factor. The best thing for you to focus on is submitting well written essays, as that will be one of the major considerations in evaluating your English language skills.

Good luck!

Amy
Amy
Consultant
Stacy Blackman Consulting