Profile evaluation request and GMAT retake advice

[sky]

Dear Stacy

I am M-29-Indian looking to join less than 18-months full-time MBA in 2010.
I have bachelor of engineering from an average university in India (score 67%) and International Masters from a very reputed university in Sweden (GPA-4.5/5, 9-m fulltime internship at philips, NL) All in technology-electronics.

I have 4.5 years of work exp, 1-yr lecturer in undergraduate engineering in India; 3.5 years with Philips, Netherlands (based in NL). At present working as a senior engineer.
Oh ya, awarded once for outstanding contribution to the project.

I am involved with a small charity organization (in NL) with a lead position. Apart from this I have few more things in my activities and achievements list which I can easily add to Resume viz photography, mountaineering training, class representativeship and a couple of school-year scholarships.

My GMAT Score is 650 (q-49, v-29).

I am looking to switch career and move to management consultancy with focus on general management and strategy. My list of target schools includes INSEAD, Cambridge, IE-Madrid, IMD, LBS and RSM .

My three main weak points are:
1. Low verbal score on GMAT
2. Not too great undergrad uni or score
3. No managerial role

Last two things I cannot change and if I plan to retake GMAT I risk delaying essay writting process.

I have following questions:
Q-1. How would you rate my chances of getting into one of them? (I know this is very little information and my essays and recommendations also matters in the final outcome, if you prefer I can provide you my detiled profile by personal e-mail)

Q-2. Rewritting GMAT is advisable for me to get into my dream school or my rest of the profile would compensate? (On GMAT Prep I scored 700 and 720)

Q-3 Based on my profile would you recommend any changes in school selection?

Q-4 Common concern among Indian techies....does my profile stand out among many aspirants with similar professional background?

Kind Regards
Sky

[Lisa Anderson]

Dear Sky,

Q-1. How would you rate my chances of getting into one of them?
I think you might have a chance at some of your target schools, but because your profile makes up a large percentage of the applicant pool I think it could be tough with your current GMAT score. Other candidates with similar education and work experience, will have much higher GMAT scores and possibly GPAs. You are right that decisions will be made on more than your GMAT and GPA, so submitting a compelling application with strong essays, recommendations and interview is critical.

Q-2. Rewritting GMAT is advisable for me to get into my dream school or my rest of the profile would compensate? (On GMAT Prep I scored 700 and 720)
If you have only taken the GMAT once, I think it might be worth taking it again if you feel you can score higher.

Q-3 Based on my profile would you recommend any changes in school selection?
I think you have a good list. Just be sure you have at least one or two schools that would be safety option for you.

Q-4 Common concern among Indian techies....does my profile stand out among many aspirants with similar professional background?
From what you posted, I did not really see anything that would distinguish you from the other applicants with a similar profile. Think about accomplishments in your career or activities outside the office that would highlight your managerial skill set and be an interesting example in an essay. Perhaps with the charity organization or adjusting to the Netherlands? I do think you can leverage your experience of attending school in the Netherlands to your advantage.

Good luck,
Lisa