Profile Evaluation Urgently- 650 GMAT

Expert replies

gmat.battle.studies: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 6; Joined: Mon Sep 03, 2012 9:47 amFollowed by: 1 member

by gmat.battle.studies » Tue Oct 08, 2013 12:02 pm

Hi,

I am looking to apply to colleges in the US alone for FT MBA for Fall 2014.
I am having a hard time deciding on schools that fit my profile.
I would request the experts to help me in narrowing down on 2 safe schools and 2 mod schools.

My dream schools being NYU Stern and MIT Sloan.
Some of the schools that I have been looking at are as follow:

1. Kelley School of Business
2. TAMU
3. Marshall
4. Tepper
5. Boston University
6. ISB

However I would request you to provide names of additional schools that will fit my profile.

A Snapshot of my profile is as follows:

Working as a Business Analyst with Accenture(India) for the past 28 months.
Driving the Banking Capability Development across Accenture.
Vast experience in Databases and SharePoint portals.
Proven career track record with back to back promotions.
Completed 'Diploma in Banking & Finance' from Indian Institute of Banking & Finance.
Certified in Technical Consulting from Consultancy Development Centre under Department of Science and Industrial Research (Govt. of India)
Part time teacher for Skills to Succeed at Dr. Reddy's Foundation for youth empowerment.
Trained in Western Classical Vocals.
Member of a Professional Rock Band.
Held over 15 Leadership positions during School and Undergraduate Studies.
Won numerous national and international debates/MUNs at School & Undergraduate Level.
Professional Music Journalist for a reputed Indian Music Magazine
Looking at Media/Tech Entrepreneurship after my MBA.
GMAT: 650 (Not retaking)
GPA: 3.57
Male

Please advise. Dire need of good Advice.
Need to get to an MBA in fall 2014 desperately because I know this is the right time.

Thanks in advance

Source: Beat The GMAT — Research MBA Programs | Tue Oct 08, 2013 12:02 pm

money9111: Legendary Member; Posts: 2109; Joined: Sun Apr 19, 2009 10:25 pmFollowed by: 79 members; Location: New Jersey; Thanked: 109 times; GMAT Score:640

by money9111 » Wed Oct 09, 2013 3:10 am

I'm missing an important piece of information here... what do you want to do after bschool?

My goal is to make MBA applicants take onus over their process.

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CriticalSquareMBA: Legendary Member; Posts: 1088; Joined: Thu Apr 18, 2013 3:29 pmFollowed by: 52 members; Thanked: 171 times

by CriticalSquareMBA » Wed Oct 09, 2013 11:28 am

Yup - agreed. If you could tell us why you want an MBA, that would really help.

Also, could you help us understand why you're adamant on applying this year and not retaking the GMAT? I'm sure you have a strong reason but understanding it would help!

Bhavik

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gmat.battle.studies: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 6; Joined: Mon Sep 03, 2012 9:47 amFollowed by: 1 member

by gmat.battle.studies » Thu Oct 10, 2013 8:33 am

Thank you for your replies.

To answer the first question:
I want to start my own venture revolving around analytics/human behaviour/media entertainment.
Going to B-School I want to learn the following to achieve my above goal
1. Basics of Entrepreneurship (What to do with a great business Idea and how to implement and sustain it)
2. Networking (I am hoping to find my Angel Investor via the B School Network)
3. Learn more about managing a business
4. Basics of Marketing

To answer the second question:

I have already taken the GMAT twice with 650 & 640 and with my current work schedule its nearly impossible to take it again.
Moreover I feel I need a more Business/entrepreneurship oriented environment to learn more about running the show.
Also I need to get my business idea implemented before someone else does

Thanks for your Patience and Time

GMAT/MBA Expert

CriticalSquareMBA: Legendary Member; Posts: 1088; Joined: Thu Apr 18, 2013 3:29 pmFollowed by: 52 members; Thanked: 171 times

by CriticalSquareMBA » Thu Oct 10, 2013 8:49 am

Hey there,

Thanks for the additional information! I can see why you don't want to retake your GMAT but, as I'm sure you know, it's going to impact the schools you can target.

Overall, you have a pretty good profile with all of your differentiators coming from your extracurricular activities. While this shows breadth and depth across a variety of passions, your professional experience is pretty standard. Coupled with a good GMAT and a below average GMAT, let's take a look at where you can feasibly go.

Let's start with the bad news first. MIT is out of reach. I don't think you should spend your time applying there. Generally, I am of the opinion you should stretch yourself and try for higher ranked schools but MIT is too far outside your reach. Stern is a pretty significant stretch too but I think with your entertainment focus, you can make a logical and compelling case there. It'll still be a challenge (I think you know that) but it at least aligns with your goals so apply there. Keep in mind Stern doesn't have an explicit entrepreneurship track but, given it's location in NYC, you should be ok.

Some other programs you can consider are, given you want entrepreneurship but still need a strong general management foundation, are:

UCLA - stretch but located in LA
Cornell - stretch / aligned
UT Austin - stretch / aligned fantastic entrepreneurial program
Emory - aligned and the SE is really picking up steam in the entertainment industry
Kelley
Marshall
Scheller (Georgia Tech)
Boston College

I wouldn't really go for TAMU, Tepper, or ISB.

If you have specific questions, don't hesitate to reach out!

Bhavik

Critical Square | MBA Admissions Services

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gmat.battle.studies: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 6; Joined: Mon Sep 03, 2012 9:47 amFollowed by: 1 member

by gmat.battle.studies » Thu Oct 10, 2013 10:01 am

Thanks for the detailed reply Bhavik.

I have a couple of questions following the reply:

1. Is TAMU out of reach for my profile or is it not the place aligned with my post B School plans?
2. Are there any other colleges I can look at in the New York/East Coast Area with my profile?
3. If I am to retake the GMAT and get 700+ what colleges are likely to open up for me then?
4. Any specific reason for not refereeing Tepper?
5. With this kind of a profile what is Stern expecting in terms of a competitive GMAT score?

Thanks.

GMAT/MBA Expert

CriticalSquareMBA: Legendary Member; Posts: 1088; Joined: Thu Apr 18, 2013 3:29 pmFollowed by: 52 members; Thanked: 171 times

by CriticalSquareMBA » Mon Oct 14, 2013 6:50 pm

Hey there,

You're quite welcome! So to your questions:

1) No, not out of your reach. More about what makes sense for you.
2) I think overall, you have a pretty good list of schools ahead of you.
3) Unfortunately, this is a purely hypothetical question at the moment. It makes a significant difference. If you do retake it and score above a 700, let's chat then.
4) Same as #1, more about what makes sense.
5) Stern has a really competitive average GMAT. For your profile they'll want something ~720 and above. Preferably closer to a 740.

I hope that helps!

Bhavik

Critical Square | MBA Admissions Services

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