Ask Veritas Prep Admissions Consulting

Hi,

I'm from India, I have a work ex of almost 5 years and a GMAT score of 650 which expires in 2013.

I feel the time is now right for me to go ahead with my plans for an MBA. I am looking to apply for the Fall 2012 session. However, I am a little confused about a few things:-

1) Is my GMAT score enough to qualify for one of the top 25 colleges (as per FT ranking) in the U.S. I know a GMAT score isn't the only thing, but if i'm not wrong it is used as some sort of a qualifying criteria
2) My Overall percentage during my undergrad is just about 60% (An average of all three years). My undergrad specialization was Hotel Management.
3) I started off my career in Hotel operations but realised after a year and a half that this was not the place for me, so I decided to move on from there. i was working in an NGO for a little more than a year, before I joined my current workplace. for almost 2 years now, I have been working in the BTL arm of Grey Group, i.e. G2 Worldwide. I am currently into Account Management, and my company provides BTL solutions like, Brand Activations, Retail & Exhibit Design, Events etc. I am currently working here in a key accounts profile and handle tow of our most important clients who are from the automobile & two wheeler sector

The thing that i need help with is how to shortlist colleges for My MBA and also if you can suggest some colleges to which I can apply to. So far, I am looking at 2 colleges in India to apply to i.e. ISB & Great Lakes. These colleges are a joint venture of various eminent US universities.

Would appreciate if someone could help me out on this or show me as to how to start shortlisting my schools.

I need to be very precise with my selection, as I want to apply to only 10 schools, where 3 would be aspirational schools (dream come true to get in), 4 would be Good schools where I have a realistic chance & 3 safe schools.

Really need some help on this!

Thanks

One advantage you will have is the ability to apply to 10 schools. This will certainly increase your odds. The GMAT does put you at somewhat of a disadvantage, and not just because it may be lower than some school averages, but also because it is lower than your applicant pool average. You should perhaps target schools who look most favorably on international students. For example, in the top 10 there's Duke, who is known for having sometimes more than 40% of its students from other countries, and therefore would be considered "international applicant friendly." A school like GA Tech, on the other hand (#23 or #28 depending on the ranking) has only 10% or so international students. You can do your own research to help you find some schools across a variety of tiers who may look for a large international student body. Another thing you are probably already aware of, is that your applicant pool is a very large one. Behind US students, Indian applicants make up the largest number in the MBA applicant pool each year . This presents challenges when it comes to standing out. Standing out in your pool is critical, so you should begin thinking of ways to cast your story in a memorable way and highlight the key areas that all business schools are looking for and how you are "better than the next guy" who may come from a similar background. I will go ahead and tell you that you automatically have an advantage in your pool by not having been in IT. Sounds like you had to sort out your career a bit initially, but it would be a better story to at least weave some kind of thread or goal through your path to make it seem purposeful. There can be miles of difference in simply telling your story one way vs. another. hope this helps!