Profile Evaluation Needed Please

[vpanwar]

Dear Lisa,
I am applying to INSEAD, CEIBS, ROTMAN, HKUST, NTU & NUS for Sep 2010 intake. I might also apply to 1 - 2 US Schools but my main focus is on INSEAD. My profile:

->Indian non-IT Male, 27 years.
-> 4 year course-B.Des in Industrial Design from the top college (IIT) in India.
->Total 4 years work experience (till sep'10) with 2 years full time experience in Mainland China as an Industrial Designer.
->2 summer internships in europe (france & Holland) in Virtual Reality.
->Social work- I have periodically donated to organization which cure diseases through Yoga and Meditation. I am also sponsoring education for 1 underprivileged child. I have taught Yoga to my colleagues at company.
->Third language- Can speak intermediate Mandarin (learnt through selfstudy in china) apart from HINDI & ENGLISH.
->Best performer in Design team at company for straight 2 years. Have 4 successfully launched products in market (India & Europe).
->In Jan 2009 I launched an Export-Import Pvt. Ltd. company in India with my 2 colleagues. The company is in bad shape right now- one promoter already resigned due to personal reasons. Another partner is not serious about going forward. This situation primarily forced me to go for MBA now.
->In college I have won several medals. Have contested in student general body elections. I was elected as one of the Student Hostel's Secretaries.
->2nd attempt-GMAT - 690 (Verbal-33, Quant-50), overall GPA - 3.03 (last 2 year's UG GPA- 3.6)
->My focus is on entrepreneurial track. I am aiming for self employment through new ideas/ventures/entrepreneurship.
->I have decent recommendations.
Kindly advice about my chances of admission to the schools I am aiming for. Also, should I aim for high ranked schools in US, given my low GMAT score?
Any help would be much appreciated.

Best Regards!!

[Lisa Anderson]

Dear vpanwar,

Based on the limited information provided, I think you have the foundation for a competitive application to your target schools. Your essays, recommendations, and interviews are critical to the ultimate decision, so be sure to spend significant time on your applications. Be sure to convey your successful leadership and teamwork experiences in your essays as well as a solid rationale for getting your MBA in relation to your past experiences and future career goals. I think you have some interesting professional experience that should distinguish you from other applicants from India. Whether or not to apply to US schools depends on whether you have found schools that you feel are a good match for you. There are many great programs in the US that are outside of the top 10 and with GMAT averages between 660-700.

Best of luck,
Lisa

[shruti.bittu]

Hi,
I am an Indian female currently working in the IT sector in India. I am planning to apply to B schools for fall 2010 MBA session.

I will have about 3 years of experience by next year (2 in Microsoft(current employer) and 1 in TCS as a software consultant - pretty good projects), a GMAT score of 720, GPA of 3.29, with pretty decent extra-curricular activities and consistent involvement in some kind of community work.
Could you suggest me what range of B Schools I would be competitive for, say in terms of college rankings ?

Will be thankful if you could reply.

[Lisa Anderson]

Dear shruti.bittu,

I encourage you to spend some time researching schools to determine which are the best fit for you and also where you have the best chance of gaining admission. The sticky on school selection might have some helpful tips for you as well. Generally, you are a competitive applicant for a program where your GPA and GMAT are at or above the average. Since decisions are made on more than the numbers, your professional work experience, recommendations, essays and interview will also play a critical role in the decision. Thus identifying schools where you are in a competitive range in terms of GPA/GMAT is the quickest way to identify potential options, but being high on those two measures does not guarantee admission.

Good luck,
Lisa

[shruti.bittu]

Hi Lisa,
Thanks for the reply.
Will do a thorough research on the schools..
Regards,
Shruti