Ask mbaMission

Hi Newgal,

Thanks for posting.

Here's what you've got going for you as I see it:

-excellent GMAT
-qualified female applicants are often sought after at b-schools
-solid work experience
-international experience is a plus
-strong academics including a masters
-some volunteer work (stronger if you can discuss why you are involved/passionate about it)

Potential challenges:

-possibly lack of leadership experience?
-not sure of any progression over your 5 years of work?
-maybe as you said not as many major accomplishments or activities

Unknowns:
-more about what skills you have gained at work (especially above/beyond technical skills)
-essays/recommendations/interviews

As far as top schools.... not sure if you are focusing on US only or global schools, and how you define "top".... I'd feel good about schools like Ross, Tepper, Kenan-Flagler, possibly even Duke. In terms of top 8-10 schools, they will still likely be challenging because there will be others with more to bring to the class in terms of breadth of work experience and leadership and management experience... BUT you do have a great GMAT, so I wouldn't say it's impossible... just tough. Maybe apply to just 1 or at most 2 top 10-ish schools if you really want, but focus more on the schools in the 10-25 or so range?

Good luck ! And of course keep in mind you can help sway the decisions within your essays-- that is where you really present who YOU are!!

Hi Shubh,

London Business School would not be easy per se, but not out of reach either. I think with your strong GMAT and fairly solid experiences, a lot would come down to: more detail on your work experience; strong examples of leadership/management potential; essays; recommendations. If those are strong compared with other applicants than you would likely have a shot at LBS. Keep us posted and good luck!