Best schools to apply with a 680

[viidyasagar]

Dear admission consultants:

Would love an expert's take on my profile

Age: 28 now
No of times taken the GMAT: thrice (600-590-680)

Profile summary: I have over 4 years of strategy consulting experience, including about 6-8 months of international assignments, have been a radio host in Mumbai for over 2.5 years, solid community service for over 4 years, and a moderator at this wonderful forum: BTG. I recently won an award for the best employee at my firm (top ten consulting firm), within 3 months of joining the firm. My GPA is poor though (havent converted it yet), have a 54% (on a scale of 100) aggregate in Engineering from Mumbai University.

My GMAT breakup (Q 49 (86 percentile), V 34(68 percentile) for a 680).

My biggest achievement, though, came last year when i quit my consulting job bang in the middle of recession to pursue freelance consulting opportunities. During these 12 months, i single-handedly initiated and implemented a technology transformation project at All India radio (local government radio station) with results to show, Similarly, i executed several freelance engagements before deciding to re-join Consulting.

Target schools: My target schools are/ were Wharton, HBS, Chicago Booth, Kellogg, Insead, Said, Judge and ISB in that order.

But now, it would be great to know the best schools i should apply to with a realistic chance of getting in.

Hoping for help

regards
Vidyasagar

[Eliot]

Vidyasagar,

Thanks for your note. You clearly have some interesting work experience. I am impressed that you performed well in your strategy consulting role. Of course, I would be interested in learning more about what you accomplished to merit the 'best employee' award at your firm. I am also curious to learn why you left your job to pursue your own consulting opportunities, and why you then rejoined your consulting firm. It does sound like you had a nice impact at your All India Radio project as an independent consultant.

Speaking of which, your radio work sounds very interesting - I think that this will be a key differentiator in your candidacy - hopefully you can build on this radio theme in your career goals. By the way, what are your career goals? Knowing your career goals would make it easier for me to determine what schools are the right fit for you.

Of course, the main issue you face is your academics. It sounds like both your college grades and your gmat score will be below the averages at top schools. Because of this, I think that it will be difficult for you to gain admission to top programs like HBS, Wharton, Kellogg, Chicago and Insead. You will be more competitive at Said and Judge. Having said that, I suspect that there are other schools that might be a good fit for you as well.

Feel free to contact me if you would like a free initial phone consultation.

Sincerely,

Eliot Ingram
Clear Admit LLC

[viidyasagar]

Hey Eliot

Tx a ton for your response, appreciated...

To answer your queries...


Best employee' award at your firm - At my firm, awards are given out every quarter. I led a 5 member team to recommend a business strategy for an Operations Research association aiming to increase membership. It was a "high stakes" project, executed to the satisfaction of the client.

Why you left your job to pursue your own consulting opportunities - I wasn't having adequate impact in my role at my last firm. Assignments were gravitating more towards research than consulting. At the same time, i saw an excellent opportunity to transform a radio station....through my contacts i had projects i could execute from home, basically opportunity cost viz-a-viz impact/ satisfaction of work tilted in favor of this decision

why you then rejoined your consulting firm - going freelance was never a permanent career decision. Post the radio project...(the radio project went on for over 6 months), i took up other work i had committed to, but once that was over...i started looking for a job again...In India, it's very tough for a non-mba to break into a top consulting firm....i think my experience as a freelancer made my entry into a "branded" consulting firm possible.

what are your career goals - CONSULTING at one of the top 3 strategy consulting firms....(Mc, BC, etc.).....my job now doesn't involve facing clients directly, it's more remote work supporting my firm's consultants around the world...

Also, am looking at schools with excellent general management programs, and good access to consulting

It would be great to have a phone consultation.... it would be lovely Eliot....may i drop in an email at [email protected]?

Sincerely
Vidyasagar