Request for a brief profile evaluation

Launched January 9, 2010
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I would like to get some idea about how much (if at all) my GMAT score might help me get into one of the top 10 schools. Please note that I haven't given my GMAT yet. As of now, I feel I'll land up around 700-720.

My profile:
1. Undergraduate in Computer Engineering from India - GPA: 3.8
2. Masters in Computer Science from University of Southern California - GPA: 3.5
3. 2.5 years of work experience working as a software engineer at Apple. No team leading experience. As a side note, its almost impossible to get to lead a team in R&D at Apple in such a short period of time but I can get some good recommendations.

Other:
1. Have completed many leadership/management/communication related classes for prospective leaders at Apple.
2. Have overseen business and operations related activities including creating business plans for a small non profit organization (based in Belgium but operates also here in the US) working directly alongside the founder.
3. I don't know if this counts but although I don't exactly have a management/leadership profile at work, I was a lead for a project (a team of 4) and it turned out to be very successful. My manager can give me some good recommendation based on my work.

Question: Can a GMAT score of 730-750, help me compensate for my weak profile in order to get into one of the top 10 schools. Do I stand a realistic chance at all of getting into such a school? I wanted to have a very general idea about where I stand with my current profile.

Also, there are many volunteering opportunities (mostly community service related activities) at Apple. I haven't participated in any yet, but would it make sense to participate in one after my GMAT, close to the application time frame? Did read somewhere that desperately trying to do some volunteering work before applying raises a red flag. Is that true?

Also, I would be taking help from one of the consultancy companies to prepare my application so I could have an otherwise strongly prepared application.

I guess my question is, would any of the above count?
Source: — Ask Veritas Prep Admissions Consulting |

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by Bryant@VeritasPrep » Tue Apr 05, 2011 5:27 am
Actually, I would get pretty enthusiastic about your profile for a couple of key reasons. You correctly identify and seem to understand that standing out in your applicant pool is critical and also challenging due to the sheer number of applicants from India. What may separate you from the pack is having worked for a name like Apple. There's no debate that Apple is hot and clearly you would be perceived as someone who could potentially add a little something extra in the classroom having worked there. I would highlight key components of the Apple culture and definitely tell them about your leadership classes. If you couple this experience with a 700+ GMAT, and are able to package everything in a compelling way in your essays, you will be in good shape for top schools. The number of years in the workplace is a little light, but again, if you emphasize the intensity and quality of your experience at Apple, and fully explain why now is the right time for you, you should be in a good spot. Oh--one more thing...make sure you have a clear and visionary view of what you want to do post MBA as well. Good luck! Let us know if you need help.
Bryant Michaels
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Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
Posts: 12
Joined: Thu Mar 31, 2011 12:19 pm

by john.doe.hello.world » Tue Apr 05, 2011 10:22 am
Wow. This was the most encouraging evaluation I received! This helps. Thanks a lot. I'll definitely get back here after I receive my actual score. Thanks again.