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by RoadtoIVY » Thu Jan 07, 2010 8:49 pm
Hey Stacey,

I recently took GMAT and scored 640 (Q 47 and V 31). I am a Computer Engineer with 5.5 Years of experience. I am an Indian citizen and have been working in US from the last 3 years. I have worked in various domains such as Agriculture, Security Compliance, Healthcare, and Education. As per WES (https://www.wes.org/), my GPA is 3.58. I am planning to apply to the following universities:-

1. Western Ontario
2. Queen's
3. Rotman
4. Brigham Young University (Utah)
5. IE Madrid
6. ESADE
7. Indiana (Kelley)
8. University of Virginia (Darden)
9. Kenan-Flagler Business School

As you can see, I do not have any location preference. I am not sure how to start. Do you think whether I have any chance applying for third round of deadlines (2010) in colleges such as Richard Ivey, Brigham Young University, Queen's?

Thanks so much,
Manjul
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by Stacey Oyler » Fri Jan 08, 2010 2:38 pm
Hi Manjul,

Thanks for your post. In general 3rd round is quite challenging. Adcoms state that all rounds are reviewed the same and given equal weight and this is indeed true, but by the time round 3 rolls around there are often very few spots left in the class thus making the round much more competitive.

In your specific situation I would suggest that you consider retaking the GMAT with a goal of hitting the 700 mark and applying in Round 1 in the Fall. Given your GMAT is a bit low relative to others in the same applicant pool, it would certainly help boost your odds of admission if you were to increase your score.

Best,

Stacey
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by RoadtoIVY » Sat Jan 09, 2010 9:01 pm
stacey wrote:Hi Manjul,

Thanks for your post. In general 3rd round is quite challenging. Adcoms state that all rounds are reviewed the same and given equal weight and this is indeed true, but by the time round 3 rolls around there are often very few spots left in the class thus making the round much more competitive.

In your specific situation I would suggest that you consider retaking the GMAT with a goal of hitting the 700 mark and applying in Round 1 in the Fall. Given your GMAT is a bit low relative to others in the same applicant pool, it would certainly help boost your odds of admission if you were to increase your score.

Best,

Stacey
Thanks for your response, Stacey. I do understand my score is low but I feel I have a powerful story to include in my essays. Should I go ahead and submit it in the final round? I am planning to apply to MIT in the second round, which is also its last. What do you suggest?

Thanks again,
Manjul
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by Stacey Oyler » Mon Jan 11, 2010 4:58 pm
Hi,

Only you can decide if you should apply in the final round. If you think you can put together a compelling application regardless of your GMAT score then you should go for it. Be prepared to possibly have to reapply in the Fall with a new and improved GMAT score should you not gain admission in round 3.

Best,

Stacey
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by RoadtoIVY » Mon Jan 11, 2010 9:08 pm
Stacey, thanks so much for your encouraging words. I am just taking a chance. However, I do have a compelling personal statements. Anyways, I am also planning to re-take GMAT in another 2-3 months.

In case MIT mentions my low GMAT score as the reason for not selecting me , I will always have a reason to to go back to MIT with my improved GMAT score. Let's see how it goes.


Thanks so much,
Manjul
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by Stacey Oyler » Tue Jan 12, 2010 3:40 pm
That sounds like a great plan! Please feel free to reach out to [email protected] should you like some help on your applications.

Best,

Stacey
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by RoadtoIVY » Fri Feb 12, 2010 9:38 am
Hey Stacey,

This is Manjul again ( the Indian guy with low GMAT score of 640). I really want to thank you for the support you provided. I just got an email from Rotman SOM for an interview on Feb 18 for its full time 2010 MBA course.

I am excited and have absolutely no idea what to expect from this interview. The email says the interview will be of half hour. Do you help me with this?

Could you please tell me what kind of questions they will be asking? It will be telephonic interview and I feel little nervous about it as in in person interview you can see the interviewer. I would really appreciate if you could tell me anything that I should know before and during this interview. This is the only I have applied.

Thanks again,
Manjul
Stacey is the best MBA expert on beatthegmat.
Last edited by RoadtoIVY on Mon Feb 22, 2010 12:51 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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by Stacey Oyler » Fri Feb 12, 2010 11:12 am
Hi Manjul,

Congratulations on your interview invitation! This is a great step in the right direction. In terms of preparation I encourage you to review different online forums where many applicants post the questions they were asked during their interviews. We have a great wiki where we keep a running list of interview questions at many schools, but unfortunately Rotman isn't one of them. However, I still encourage you to take a peek at the page www.clearadmit.com/wiki/index.php?title=Main_Page to get some tips.

Rotman's interview is not blind, meaning that your interviewer will likely have read your application. You should be prepared to discuss your resume, essays, and even your recommendations. Reviewing your application prior to your interview will be key. I would also suggest that you practice walking through your resume. If the interview is 30 minutes, you should be able to walk them through your resume in 5 minutes or less.

Lastly, practice, practice, practice. I can't emphasize enough how much practicing out loud will help.

Best of luck!

Stacey
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by RoadtoIVY » Sun Feb 21, 2010 8:02 pm
Hey Stacey,

Your post really helped me. My interview went well (at least I feel like this). I also thanked my interviewer by sending her an email and got the reply back that she would inform me about the decision in the coming weeks.

She did double check how many years of experience I would have before the start of the program (6 years of full time experience). She knew that I have been working in US since Dec of 2006. I did manage to make her laugh during the interview a couple of times. I never felt it was an interview but more like a conversation.

Do you know Rotman's Acceptance rate based on the interview they conduct?

I am feeling very positive about it.

Thanks again,
Manjul
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by Stacey Oyler » Mon Feb 22, 2010 12:24 pm
Hi,

I'm glad to hear your interview went well. I don't have all the admissions statistics for Rotman, but I can tell you that on average about 40% of those who apply are accepted. Given they don't accept anyone without an interview, it is safe to say that your odds of admission are pretty good at this point.

Please do keep me posted when you get the results!

Best,

Stacey
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by RoadtoIVY » Sat Feb 27, 2010 11:27 am
Hey Stacey,

I got the email from Rotman yesterday that I have not been selected. I guess it is because of my low GMAT score. What do you think will be right time for me to take the GMAT again so that I could apply to all the top schools across the globe?

Also I don't get much chance to do any community service work due to my busy schedule. Is there anything I can do to make my profile more sellable?

Thanks,
Manjul
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by Stacey Oyler » Mon Mar 01, 2010 8:04 pm
Hi,

I am so sorry to hear you weren't admitted, especially after your solid interview.

In terms of timing. I suggest taking the GMAT in June since most schools tend to post their new applications and essay questions in July. This will allow you to focus solely on the GMAT from now until June, and then switch gears and focus solely on the applications come July.

If you don't have the opportunity to become involved in community service, look for ways to step up at work. Take on side projects, step up and lead when you can. Gaining teamwork and leadership skills at the office is a great way to help boost your appeal!

Best,

Stacey
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by RoadtoIVY » Fri Mar 26, 2010 8:01 pm
Hello Stacey,

Looks like my school search is still going on. After I got dinged from Rotman, I thought I would concentrate on re-taking the GMAT. I have been working in Iowa from the past three plus years. A few days back I got an email from Tippie School of Mangement (University of Iowa) to register for an information session with its associate director. I will be meeting her on April 10th. I am not sure whether I should take this opportunity seriously. I have heard it has a good finance program.
How would you rate this school?

Also with my low GMAT score (640) and being a part of over represented Indian IT male group, do you think I stand a chance? The good thing is I still have time before its deadline of April 15. In case I get an admit, I can start this fall. Just to let you know I will be completing 6 years of experience this fall as well.

Also what do you think I should ask from adcom associate director? She already has my resume and GMAT score. Should I take this meeting as my interview?

Thanks so much in advance,
Manjul
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by Stacey Oyler » Tue Mar 30, 2010 12:45 pm
Hi,

How nice to get an information meeting with Tippie. In regard to their ranking, I would suggest doing some research online. I personally don't like to rank schools, but rather research rankings from Forbes, Business Week, FT, etc. and form my own informed opinion. I suggest you do the same. I can tell you that it is known for being a solid program.

My best advice in regard to the meeting would be to bring your resume, but relax, you haven't submitted an application. This is just as much about them getting to know you as it is you getting to know them.

Best,

Stacey
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by RoadtoIVY » Tue Mar 30, 2010 1:38 pm
Thanks so much, Stacey.
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