Low GPA, Good GMAT, Star performer, Solid Extrs Curr...

[NBA_MBA]

Hi,
I am preparing for my GMAT and hope to score around 660-680 unless I really pull through 700+.

About myself in nutshell:

-8.5 yrs (more than 60% international exp, Europe and US) of experience in CRM, Relationship Management, IT, currently Consulting Practice Manager responsible for building business from Scratch- Fastest growing practice as of date in the whole company.
-Working with a large Indian IT company. Have worked with one startup, and world’s second largest IT services company
-Always Star performer at Work (6 out of 8 years rated Outstanding)
-Exponential growth in career
-Build two businesses from scratch for an Indian IT company and World's second biggest IT services company.
-Many awards such as Companies best technocrat, Microsoft Community star award in 2003.
-High scores in Certifications (last 5 years): ITIL 100% (very few in the world) and all other certification related to IT, Governance scored an avg 95%+
- Low GPA 2.3/4 (Engineering from India) – Blame it to on that time personal financial issues.
-I am a theater artist, avid sports person, coached orphans and disabled children in India and countless other accolades.

It will be great if somebody can help me evaluate my chances into HBS, Sloan, Wharton, NYU Stern, INSEAD, IMD, and Yale. I am in no hurry to get admission this year but I am determined to get admission into only the above mentioned schools. I would also be grateful if some one can get me a direction on what I need to prepare for the right fitment in these schools.

Many thanks!!!

[Lisa Anderson]

Dear NBA_MBA,

I think you have some strong professional experience in terms of leadership and teamwork as well as some interesting extracurricular activities. However, you are targeting some of the most selective business schools as a member of an over-represented group in the MBA applicant pool (IT from India). I think you need a high GMAT score (700+; >730 best) to not only mitigate your significantly below average GPA, but also to help distinguish you from similar applicants. Your essays, recommendations and interviews will also give you another chance to shine and will be critical to you receiving a positive decision from these schools. Finally, I encourage you to research some other schools as potential safety options or more reasonable options depending on your GMAT score. While I think you might have some professional experiences that will set you apart from the competition, you need to be sure and make a compelling case for admission no matter where you apply.

Good luck,
Lisa

[NBA_MBA]

Hi Stacy,

Thank you for your feedback. I will certainly try to score over 700 in GMAT to mitigate my GPA (that I can not change). However, I might have oversimplified my GPA in the process of conversion. In my university, we did not have GPA system but it was a percentage system. My percentage were 56.5%/100% that were low but not as significantly low as it appears on the scale of 4

Lesson: I should not convert my scores into GPA for sure.

Question: Do you advise to take help of professional MBA admission consultants to boost my chances?

You are doing a wonderful job by guiding applicants in a right direction. May God Bless!!

[Lisa Anderson]

I think admissions consultants are helpful if you feel you need help with some aspect of your application. Perhaps you are not a great writer and need help with getting your thoughts organized? Perhaps you need help determining what in your background you can use to distinguish you from similar applicants? It is a personal decision that you have to make on what you need to submit the best application possible. We offer a free consultation if you are interested; please visit our website at www.stacyblackman.com for more details and to request a consultation.

Regards,
Lisa

[NBA_MBA]

Hi Stacy,

I really appreciate your help in this regard. I will focus to complete my GMAT and complete my first milestone. Hopefully, I will be ready for R2 and on that time if I require any help I would certainly be at your door steps.

Have a wonderful time ahead.

Thank You!!!