What should I aim at ?

[jerrykantrell]

Hi Stacy\Amy


I Hope you don't mind doing yet another evaluation, as I would like to get a feel of what I might hope to achieve before actually taking the plunge.


Profile:


Under Graduation

- Engineering in Mechanical from one of the better known RECs (India) with 72 % (with distinction)


Work profile

- I worked for an Indian IT major as a systems engineer for 2 years, and was into the programing side, no big surprise there! however I have quit my job, and I will be working full time in an NGO from now on. The NGO looks after the basic education of poor kids (girls).

GMAT

- I still have to take the GMAT, but I expect a score of about 680-700, I hope to write it in jun-jul 2008 to apply for R1\R2 in 2008 itself


Extra-curricular

-I was a member of the students council in my UG and helped organize my college's main cultural fest.
-I have been a regular blogger, I also dabble around a bit in photography
-I also play the guitar, have been a member of my college band and also hope to put out an indie album soon.
-I did a part of my schooling in Saudi Arabia and hence I can read and write Arabic.
-I have also started learning Latin (auto-didactically) as I would like to read some classical literature in the original.


Salient points

-I am confident of writing good essays.
-I am looking for a general MBA.
-I don't have any financial issues.
-I would like to return to India after my course

Questions:

1) would top 20 in the US, be a realistic target ? If not what should I limit myself to ?
2) How can I improve my profile further ? now that I cannot do anything about my GPA\Ex-work exp.
3) What bothers me is that I belong to a very generic demographic (male\Indian\Average Acads\decent college\IT Experience) How can I possibly offset this ?

Thanks in advance for taking the time out to read this.

V

[Amy]

Hi jerrykantrell,

I think the top 20 is realistic given the information you provided. However, the process is holistic, so stats are definitely not the whole story.

The way to set yourself apart from your demographic - and other applicants - is to very clearly communicate who you are, what motivates you, and what is unique about you. We all have unique qualities, leadership styles, etc, and if you are able to articulate yours and how it is different from others (put another way, how you will uniquely contribute to the school) you have done a great job.

The basic task is to communicate your goals clearly and that you have leadership qualities and management potential.

Good luck!

Amy

[jerrykantrell]

Hi jerrykantrell,

I think the top 20 is realistic given the information you provided. However, the process is holistic, so stats are definitely not the whole story.

The way to set yourself apart from your demographic - and other applicants - is to very clearly communicate who you are, what motivates you, and what is unique about you. We all have unique qualities, leadership styles, etc, and if you are able to articulate yours and how it is different from others (put another way, how you will uniquely contribute to the school) you have done a great job.

The basic task is to communicate your goals clearly and that you have leadership qualities and management potential.

Good luck!

Amy

Hi Amy,

Thank you very much for the information. It gives me hope. I will definitely remember what you have said here.

Thanks
JK