Target school list (710 - 8 years IT consulting)

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GMAT Score:710
Hi All,

Please evaluate my profile,

Country : India
Age : 30
Education :
1) Bachelor of Engineering - 71% (top 10%)
2) MS (Software Engg) - two year correspondence degree from BITS, Pilani (among top 10). 6.59 GPA
3) GMAT : 710 (49, 38)
4) Four Sun certifications
5) PMI PMP credentials

Work exeprience :
1) Close to 8 years of experience in Cognizant Technology Solutions (ranked in Fortune 100 fasted growing companies for 11 consecutive years).
2) I joined company as Software Developer Trainee and rose to Project Leader.
3) Good international exposure. Spent almost four years in US working for Fortune 500 cients. I have worked extensively in Banking and Retail business domains.
4) I have been leading team for 3 years now. Fairly good presentations skills as I have conducted multiple trainings within organization with 90% positive feedback.
5) Achievements : proactively developed an automation tool saving $25000/year for client. It was greatly appreciated by client and pulled more business for the company. Secondly, successfully turned around a critical project by leading team by example. I had a positive impact on the team during project. Got multiple appreciations.
6) I can get excellent recommendations from my supervisor and client manager.

Extra curricular :
1. Member of company's NGO initiative
2. Member of Toastmasters International
Sadly...that's it :(

Goals :
I would like to move into high tech practice of a consulting firm. Offshore IT companies are moving up in the value chain and I hope MBA will help me to be part of that transformation.

Target Schools :
I am looking for 1 year program especially because I have already touched 30. So I am heading East :). Below is list of my target schools,

HKUST (Dream)
IE (Dream)
ISB (Dream) - Will submit application on 11/29.
ESADE (Stretch)
CEIBS (Stretch)
NUS (Stretch)
Judge (Reach)
Said (Reach)
Cass (Reach)

I need your opinion on,
1) Am I day dreaming for MBA at 30 with GMAT score of 710?
2) Where do I stand vis-a-vis other aspirants targetting same school list?
3) How can I revise my target school list? Shall I add/remove any schools or change categorization of any school? I want to apply to right schools because this probably is the one and only chance for me.

Greately appreciate every help.

- Pravin
Source: — Ask an MBA Admissions Consultant |

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by Color Me One » Mon Nov 28, 2011 6:34 am
1) Am I day dreaming for MBA at 30 with GMAT score of 710?
No, while it is true that you would be above the average age, you are definitely not at the extreme end. Further, you bring with yourself excellent (& vast) leadership experiences. And 710 is a decent score.

2) Where do I stand vis-a-vis other aspirants targetting same school list?
Personally, I think that you stand a good chance at all of these schools.


3) How can I revise my target school list? Shall I add/remove any schools or change categorization of any school? I want to apply to right schools because this probably is the one and only chance for me.
If anything, you can perhaps add a couple of higher ranked schools to the list; you are being too conservative.
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by pravin2011 » Mon Nov 28, 2011 7:16 am
Thanks colormeone for encouragement. I really needed it especially because I will not reapply next year if I dont go through this time.

Can you please suggest me which other schools can I add to my list? I personally (like everyone else ;-)) would prefer higher ranked school at the same time want to keep some safty net schools in my list.

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by Color Me One » Mon Nov 28, 2011 7:46 am
While I can't/don't suggest schools (since that includes other factors), let me just comment on the overall strategy with some examples.

As you know, you are from a competitive pool, which is perhaps the reason for you aiming low. However, even in that pool, there are certain profile which add more value than others. For example, not many people would have had years of leadership experience.

Yes, everybody prefers to study in higher ranked schools, but that is for later. Currently, you have to make an estimate of how much time/money you have and how many schools you can apply to. If you are applying to IE/ESADE maybe you can also look at IESE (19 months though). Also since you have already worked in the US, Cornell 1 year program could be worth a shot.

Good Luck!
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