Evaluation needed

[nithyasivaram]

Hello!!

I am Indian/Female 25 years old. I have 3.5 years of exp in Software and then moved to non-profit. Working in non-profit for 6 months now. Got promoted within 3 months.

Undergrad: Electrical Engineering in 2006 with 68%(Good school in India)
GMAT: 640 (V34,Q45)
GRE:1310(V560,Q750) took it in Sept 2005

I have strong extra curriculars.Violinist,playing for the past 15+ years. Won a prestigious scholarship for learning violin as a kid. Can talk 5 languages. Avid traveler. Active member of Toastmasters.

I have good essays and great recommendations as well.

Eventually I want to establish my own non-profit for artists with disabilities. My violin teacher was disabled.So want to help similar artists.

Can you tell me what my chances are getting into Yale SOM and Vanderbilt?

M/y only concern is my low GMAT score.

Thanks

[Lisa Anderson]

Dear nithyasivaram,

As an international applicant, you are competing against a large number of other international applicants for a select number of seats. As such, each piece of your application is critically important to the ultimate decision. Your GMAT score is a concern as it is not only below average for Yale and Vanderbilt, but is significantly low relative to the international applicant pool for these schools. You do have some positives in that your experience and career goals are different from other Indian applicants with engineering degrees. You also have your essays, recommendations and (hopefully) interviews to further make your case. I encourage you to consider retaking your GMAT as even a 30 point increase would put you in a more competitive range.

Good luck,
Lisa