Profile evaluation Request (Apply this year or not)

[akashsriv]

Hi,

I will try to keep it short.
Xth : 96.8% (Zone Topper)
XII: 92.8%
B.Tech in Mining Engineering: 8.73/10 ( Gold Medalist and Institute medal for exceptional academic record ) from IIT, Varanasi
GMAT 740 (Q50, V39, AWA:6, IR:6)
3 papers (2 National conference, 1 International Conference) , 1 Book Chapter (Springer, Introduction chapter)

Have held some good position of responsibility during my college time such as Placement Representative, Departmental Undergrad committee Senior Representative and have also participated and led my team in some National level competitions such as CIMA Global Business competition etc.

I had my startup during my final year but sadly it could not take off and I ended up joining TATA STEEL.

I am currently working in TATA STEEL India as a Manager, Mining Operations and have about 1 year of work expn. During my time here, I have undertaken about 3 improvement projects (on critical issues of Mining). I will be having two when I will join a MBA Program next year and am thinking of applying in R1 this year.

I have some good amount of voluntary experience, not just normal contributing stuff but some real projects ( 2 ) and participatory rural appraisals.

My question is should I be actually thinking of applying this year in schools such as Sloan,Booth, Yale, Columbia? Do I have a chance or should I bide my time and apply next year that is in 2017.

I am willing to share more details into the work I have done if needed!

POST-MBA GOAL - Want to go into Management Consulting (exposing myself to international manufacturing and metals&minerals companies) and thereafter want to take up a General Mgmt Role in a Metals and Minerals Company

[MargaretStrother]

You've got some great stuff here! Top business schools will be attracted to your GMAT, your stellar academic performance and your brand-name work experience.

Quick answer to your question: my recommendation would be to take one more year and invest it in growth at work; apply in 2017. Why? There are so many opportunities for you to build leadership, both at Tata and in one or two major community engagements. I'd also love to see some international exposure in your professional experience, and that might be something you can gain in your next year at Tata Steel, which has operations in Europe and East Asia.

To summarize: you'd be a competitive candidate if you applied now, but you'd be even stronger a year from now if you used the time strategically.

By the way, many admissions consulting companies, including ours, offer a "plan-ahead" package, where you work with an experienced consultant to map out your game plan for a year or so before applying. It's not right for everyone, but you might be a good candidate for it.

Good luck!
Margaret Strother