Please evaluate my profile

[sthota1]

Hello,

This is my profile. Can you please evaluate it and suggest me if i am eligible to apply for Duke, Ross, Darden and Haas. I am interested to pursue general management or Finance.
GMAT 650 Q48 V30

High school (11 and 12 standard) 950/1000 (Math 300/300)

Bachelors in Mechanical Engineering(India)- 3.92 GPA (Managerial economics and financial analysis 80/100, Operations research 96/100)

Masters in Mechanical engineering (USA) -3.96 GPA
Research and intern at Kellogg's cereal plant. (2007-08)

Work experience in Manufacturing industry in USA-3+ years
Professional domain related certifications.

Professional Guitar player. More than 4 Public concerts (300+ audience)
Played lead roles in four 45 minute dramas recently in open auditoriums. These dramas dealt with moral issues in the soceity tailored to reinforce the values in individuals. Gave voice overs and sang in two private songs in a digital studio.

Painted more than 8 Murals.(A casual Hobby)


Very active volunteer. Lead roles in two registered Non-profits. Lot of volunteer work in rural India. Started a volunteer organization named COS.
Clocked more than 200 hours of volunteering.


Served as president of undergraduate student body (240 members) (COMET) from 2005-2007.

Thank you very much.

[Stacey Oyler]

Hi,

Thanks for your post. You profile is quite interesting. Your unique experience playing guitar for an audience certainly stands out. I also think it's great that you find time to pursue your other personal interests such as painting. However, it's more likely that you'll find material for your essays in your volunteer experience as well as your experience starting an NGO.

Your GMAT is your obvious weakness. Most engineers applying to bschool tend to have GMAT scores of 700+. Have you considered retaking the exam? A higher score would be more compelling and would likely help you yield better results at your top choice programs.

Regards,

Stacey

[sthota1]

Thank you very much for your reply Stacey.

I am currently on a 2 month vacation to my home country, i doubt if i can prepare for the exam again after this break, given the change in exam pattern soon coming up. The reason i rushed to write the exam in Nov (after 4 month prep) is because of this break, i did not want a 2 month break in between my prep.

I am also planning to utilize your services once i am back in US. I want to give my best shot with the current profile. I am shooting for 2012 so i will have 3+ years work experience + Masters.

With my GPA s and other extra curricular activities will i be able to land in first 10 full time programs if not the schools i listed in my first post.

[Stacey Oyler]

Hi,

Thanks for the additional information. While I can't give you specific odds of admission at top 10 programs, I can tell you that your chance of success greatly in the quality of your essays. Given that you won't have time to retake the GMAT, this puts even greater emphasis on your essays and thus your choice of topic and overall essay strategy is critical. You need to find a way to distinguish yourself from others in the applicant pool and your essays will be your best shot at doing so.

Regards,

Stacey