Ask an MBA Admissions Consultant

I am an Indian software engineer. I am providing my details below:

- GPA, major, school
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Got 90% and 94% in school for Class 10 and 12
75.4% from Kalyani University,India graduated in 2002 - first class with distinction.(Electronics and Telecommunications)
6.1/7 GPA from University of Queensland, Australia in 2005(Radio Frequency and Microwave Communications) - got Dean's commendation for High achievement in 2 semesters out of 4.
Had also got semester's waiver for my study at UQ.
Had obtained International Research scholarship funded by Australian Research Council
Have been PASS tutor for an electronic course for 2 semesters

- GMAT with breakdown
-----------------------------
Haven't taken it yet but expecting a score at least around 750

- resume highlights, including company name, job titles and promotions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Working for 3 years for Interra Systems in the field of design and verification in VLSI industry
Have been promoted 2 times already in this time
Have been awarded Significant Contribution award for Business growth 2 years back to back - only person in the company to get so out of around 200 workers
Am currently Lead Engineer
WIll be able to get good reco letters from managers

- extracurricular involvements
-----------------------------------
Got awards for table tennis, soccer, carrom at school level
Part of college cricket and football team
Part of UQ alumni
Member of Mensa India, USA and Australia
Have played couple of musical instruments at school level
Have been coaching for B school students in India for the past 3 years
Have taught at multiple places for school level, college level engineering courses as well


- awards, patents, publications, etc...
-----------------------------------------
Awards obtained at office and at Masters study at UQ
Paper published at client (Texas Instruments) side.


- interesting personal facts - countries lived in, challenges faced, unusual interests
-----------------------------------------
Lived in India(Kolkata and Bangalore); Australia(Brisbane); USA(Houston)
Like solving puzzles
Am also part of consulting students to go abroad for their MS study - have an article on the internet for GRE aspirers - free consultation to them

Can you please evaluate my chances in the top 10-20 colleges in US. I am also looking at some colleges in EU. Your thoughts on that?

Thanks,
Indradeep

You have an impressive profile, especially if you can score a 750 on the GMAT. You should be competitive for Top 25 US programs. That said, you are in one of the most competitive applicant pools (Indians with IT experience) and your biggest challenge during the application process will be to differentiate yourself from your colleagues. As you write your essays, aim to make yourself stand out from the crowd. You can do this via unique experiences, skills, or post MBA plans. Also, check out the Veritas MBA selector tool https://www.veritasprep.com/selector to get an idea of schools that might work for you.

Hi VP_MBA Expert,
Thanks for your kind words. I just wanted to clarify something here.
When you talk about Indian IT experiece, are you also referring to VLSI?
Because this is more of chip design(semiconductor), shouldn't that be unique in itself apart from the unique experiences and goals that I bring to the table.
I also went to https://www.veritasprep.com/selector but I think it is only for US colleges as I could not enter my undergraduate degree there, so the list of colleges that I got there were all in the top 10.
My strategy is to go for 4-5 out of top 20 US colleges, 2 from European colleges and 2-4 relatively easier and cheaper; may also apply for one Canadian college as I have already applied for Canadian Immigration. Your thoughts on this?
You think I should mention the Canadian Immigration in my application?
Would that help?
Regards,
Indradeep

Though chip design may be different from some other typical IT careers, it still puts you in the technical realm as opposed to a more business oriented or artsy field. Even if you were not an Indian candidate, you would find that school admissions are very competitive this year so highlighting your unique characteristics will be key to gaining the attention of adcom.

You may want to mention the Canadian immigration on your applications for Canadian schools so they will realize that you are serious about going to Canada.