Please evaluate my profile

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Please evaluate my profile

by mbaaspirant_nn » Sat Aug 06, 2011 12:43 pm
Hello,

Can some one please help me to evaluate my profile and let me know if I have a good chance to get into either INSEAD or Harvard business school.

GMAT (second time) : 700 (Q: 50 ; V: 34 ; AWA not yet out but scored 5.0 on my first GMAT attempt)

Education : Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Science (4 years) from India; GPA: approx 3.7

Work Experience: Full time work experience of 8 years in financial technologies. Currently, I am working for a leading financial services institute in USA as a financial services lead.

Extracurricular activities: Community service and sports

I am an asian and 29 years old. Please let me know if any additional information is needed.
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by mbaMissionBrianE » Sat Aug 13, 2011 2:03 pm
Hello mbaaspirant_nn, thanks for your question.

Your GPA is solid, and your 700 GMAT overall score is fine. I'm a bit concerned about the low verbal score (80% is usually the threshold for top programs). Your 700 would not move the needle as much as it would otherwise given that you come from an overrepresented demographic.

For HBS you are a slightly older candidate, which is another potential obstacle, though not necessarily insurmountable.
I think your competitiveness will come down to the quality of your leadership experience in and out of work, and how compelling your overall "story" is.

Regarding the former, can you speak to times where you've truly led: influenced people and organizations, driven results, taken initiative?

Regarding your overall "story," you haven't mentioned post-MBA goals. You will need to tie together your past and current experience with your future career goals. How does an MBA fit into the story? The more compelling this story, this more persuasive your case will be.

Based on the limited information I have on your background, I think HBS is a reach for you, but INSEAD slightly less so (it is less focused on younger applicants).

Best of luck,
Brian
Brian Eng
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mbaMission

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