Hey Jessica
I am posting this here as you asked in your PM.
I would like to request a profile evaluation. My profile is as follows:
Indian/Male/29 years
Undergrad: B.Tech in ECE from India (68%)
Masters: MS from US in Electrical Engineering (GPA: 3.72/4.0), Specialization was Satellite Communication, Worked as a Research Analyst and did a project for NASA (Masters Thesis topic as well), wrote and presented papers in conferences.
GMAT:
Attempt 1: 640 (Q47, V31) in August 2010, applied to 3 schools for their Round 2 deadline (LBS, Said and ISB) last year and got Dinged from all.
Attempt 2: 690 (Q50-93%, V34-68%) overall percentile 88%.
WE: 5+ years in Aerospace industry in US, designing GPS receivers for airplanes out of which around 3 years are of Technical Project Management. Have lead projects for major airplane manufacturers (Airbus, Boeing etc). No direct reportees but am responsible for projects (upto 10M $). Am also involved in bids and proposal work and have worked towards new business acquisition of approx 20-25M $ in sales (as a team member).
Post MBA goal Goal:
I want to get in Business development/marketing role in aerospace industry in europe/asia pacific. There is tremendous growth in Aerospace market in these regions.
On a longer term I want to grow in the Business Development role in these markets.
Extra Curr:
I stay in a small city in Mid-west where there is not much diversity around here. I have been working with the Diversity Employee network (Asian network) in a lead role (VP) and have organized cultural and business events to promote diversity in the company and in the community.
I also volunteer on and off in the community, one specific case was helping out local community during the Iowa Floods of 2008.
During Graduation, I worked with the Indian Student Association. Also volunteered on and off with the university to help out local community, one specific case was the recovery effort after major Florida hurricane in 2004.
I have a few specific questions:
1) How are my chances at INSEAD Jan 2012 intake in round 2 ?
My Verbal percentile is 68% while INSEAD's recommended percentile is 70% for both sections. Anyone knows are they little flexible here ?
2)How are my chances at LBS (re-applicant), Kellogg, ISB(re-applicant) and IMD (round 4 for Jan 2012 session)
3)What schools would you consider competitive, Reach and Stretch.
Thanks for your time
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Profile Eval Requestion
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mbaMissionJessica
- MBA Admissions Consultant
- Posts: 148
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Hi, and thank you for posting this profile publicly; as I stated we are not allowed to answer private messages per site rules, only public forum ones.
In terms of your overall profile, you seem to have solid work experience with leadership responsibilities, and a clear vision for why you need the MBA. Your engagement with the broader world is also an area of strength for you; remember that you can demonstrate this engagement not just through formal volunteer work but through informal opportunities you have taken to make a difference. Those are both important areas to have be strengths - but there are a few challenges I think you face as well. First, you are from an over-represented demographic, and one that traditionally does quite well on the GMAT. Those two factors mean that your 690 stands out as low even though it really is very close to the desired 700. I think that verbal score may have them a bit concerned, although you also have a degree from a US school, which should appease their concerns. Maybe have one of your references comment on your written/verbal communication skills as a strength? The other "weakness" (and I put that in quotes deliberately) is your age, but a) you can't change that and b) the non-US schools trend older so it really is not an issue there.
All that being said, to question 1, INSEAD's "recommended" score is 70%; it does not list that as a "required" score, which means that yes, they do have some flexibility around it. I think the real question though is this - besides your GMAT improvement, what has changed in your profile? What do you think were weaknesses of your earlier applications, and have you addressed them? For example, did you showcase different sides of yourself, and differentiate yourself from the "male Indian technologist" demographic by highlighting your leadership/problem-solving/negotiation/people-oriented skills?
Recognizing that your GMAT is on the low side, I think INSEAD and ISB are stretches because they tend to focus fairly heavily on quantitative metrics. LBS seems like a reasonable choice, as does IMD. If you are applying to US schools for next year, I'd suggest you look at ones where your GMAT won't be a weakness, especially in your demographic, which might mean you target schools you had not originally thought of, like UNC-KF (mean age 28, middle 80% GMAT 620-750) or Emory (mean age 29, middle 80% GMAT 620-750). Those are just two suggestions of schools where neither your age nor your GMAT become obstacles, which means your excellent work experience and community engagement have more of an opportunity to stand out.
Good luck,
Jessica
In terms of your overall profile, you seem to have solid work experience with leadership responsibilities, and a clear vision for why you need the MBA. Your engagement with the broader world is also an area of strength for you; remember that you can demonstrate this engagement not just through formal volunteer work but through informal opportunities you have taken to make a difference. Those are both important areas to have be strengths - but there are a few challenges I think you face as well. First, you are from an over-represented demographic, and one that traditionally does quite well on the GMAT. Those two factors mean that your 690 stands out as low even though it really is very close to the desired 700. I think that verbal score may have them a bit concerned, although you also have a degree from a US school, which should appease their concerns. Maybe have one of your references comment on your written/verbal communication skills as a strength? The other "weakness" (and I put that in quotes deliberately) is your age, but a) you can't change that and b) the non-US schools trend older so it really is not an issue there.
All that being said, to question 1, INSEAD's "recommended" score is 70%; it does not list that as a "required" score, which means that yes, they do have some flexibility around it. I think the real question though is this - besides your GMAT improvement, what has changed in your profile? What do you think were weaknesses of your earlier applications, and have you addressed them? For example, did you showcase different sides of yourself, and differentiate yourself from the "male Indian technologist" demographic by highlighting your leadership/problem-solving/negotiation/people-oriented skills?
Recognizing that your GMAT is on the low side, I think INSEAD and ISB are stretches because they tend to focus fairly heavily on quantitative metrics. LBS seems like a reasonable choice, as does IMD. If you are applying to US schools for next year, I'd suggest you look at ones where your GMAT won't be a weakness, especially in your demographic, which might mean you target schools you had not originally thought of, like UNC-KF (mean age 28, middle 80% GMAT 620-750) or Emory (mean age 29, middle 80% GMAT 620-750). Those are just two suggestions of schools where neither your age nor your GMAT become obstacles, which means your excellent work experience and community engagement have more of an opportunity to stand out.
Good luck,
Jessica
Jessica Shklar
Senior Consultant
mbaMission (www.mbamission.com)
646-485-8844
Sign up for a free consultation with mbaMission, the only admissions consulting firm that leading GMAT prep companies, ManhattanGMAT and Kaplan, recommend.
www.mbamission.com/consult.php
Senior Consultant
mbaMission (www.mbamission.com)
646-485-8844
Sign up for a free consultation with mbaMission, the only admissions consulting firm that leading GMAT prep companies, ManhattanGMAT and Kaplan, recommend.
www.mbamission.com/consult.php
