Profile evaluation#

[swagger]

Hello ,

I know you get this ques. a lot. But is it possible that you can evaluate my profile as well?

GMAT: 720
Work ex: 5.5 yrs ( as of this month) ( worked in the same firm since graduation)
Graduate in Finance from Delhi University (12+ 3 yrs). GPA 2.9

CFA Level II candidate

Heading a team of 30-50 people since last 3.5 years. Currently heading the firm's international branch. ie. I am working outside India ( for last 1 year). Achieved some outstanding results for the co. in the last few years.

Strength: Studied & worked in Finance & Investment area all my life. Thats the only thing I know but I know it well. ( Am I overrepresented?)

TOEFL: Not yet

Involved with an NGO for last six months. Also involved with Amnesty International since last one month (only!). Involved in various extra curricular activities at college level. Won few atheletic & chess competitons in the past.

Target: NYU Stern, LBS, INSEAD, Kellogs, Wharton, Chicago GSB.

With my current income, it wont make sense for me to go to a business school lower than top 10. I am fine in waiting for another year or even two.

1.Is there a need to reappear for GMAT? ( I m confident I can increase the score)
2. Kindly suggest what are my chances?

Thanking you in anticipation.

[Lisa Anderson]

Dear swagger,

With regards to your GMAT score, I think you should retake the GMAT if you are confident you can increase your score. A higher score will never hurt you. I think you have a chance at a top 10 with a 720, but if you can get it to a 740+, then you will be a stronger competitive position.

With regards to the rest of your profile, I do think you have the foundation for a competitive application. However, you are targeting the most competitive/selective business schools. As such, your essays, recommendations, and interviews are critical to the ultimate decision. 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. While being from India puts you in a large subset of the global MBA applicant pool, having a finance degree and working in investments will be an advantage as most of the other Indian applicants will be from engineering and IT.

Finally, I think you should consider applying to 1-2 schools in the 11-30 range--you might be surprised at how similar these programs are to the top 10. Going to a top 10 is not a guarantee for a particularly salary or job coming out of business school.

Best of luck,
Lisa

[swagger]

Hi Lisa,

Thanks for the advice.

[swagger]

Hello Lisa,

Just wanted to inform that I sat for GMAT again & scored a 750 (98%)
Qaunt: 50 - 93%
Verbal: 41 - 92%
AWA: 5.5

I am almost done with my essays.Though I am not applying to Wharton and Harvard. (Dont think I would get through)

After research, I realised that Columbia fits best to my profile and needs. Infact, its fits so much that if it were a girl, I would marry her, straight away!!

Other schools I am applying to are Booth, LBS, Stanford and Stern.

thanks for your advice earlier.

[Lisa Anderson]

Congratulations on your new score! That is great news. Good luck on your applications!