Request for a brief profile evaluation

[john.doe.hello.world]

I would like to get some idea about how much (if at all) my GMAT score might help me get into one of the top 10 schools. Please note that I haven't given my GMAT yet. As of now, I feel I'll land up around 700-720.

My profile:
1. Undergraduate in Computer Engineering from India - GPA: 3.8
2. Masters in Computer Science from University of Southern California - GPA: 3.5
3. 2.5 years of work experience working as a software engineer at Apple. No team leading experience. As a side note, its almost impossible to get to lead a team in R&D at Apple in such a short period of time but I can get some good recommendations.

Question: Can a GMAT score of 730-750, help me compensate for my weak profile in order to get into one of the top 10 schools. Do I stand a realistic chance at all of getting into such a school? I wanted to have a very general idea about where I stand with my current profile.

[Tani]

A GMAT score of 730-750 would certainly help, but there are no guarantees when looking at the top schools. They routinely reject people with 800 scores. Your lack of team leading will be a barrier. You might be able to compensate for that by taking on leadership roles outside of work.

I tell all candidates who are determined to go to school the next year to include two or more safety schools on their lists. Applicants to the top schools are self-selected and the top schools simply don't see a lot of people who are not qualified. That means these schools are turning down 70-80% of those who would be great additions to the class. So, do you have a chance, yes, but that simply means you are qualified for this pool, not that you will be accepted.

To be accepted you have to stand out from the competition. Think about those things that you can bring to the class that others may not be able to contribute. Concentrate on distinguishing yourself from all the other strong technical applicants.

Good luck,

[john.doe.hello.world]

Thank you very much for taking the time out.

Hmm. Ok, so that is what I expected. Do these count:

1. Have completed many leadership/management/communication related classes for prospective leaders at Apple.
2. Have overseen business and operations related activities including creating business plans for a small non profit organization (based in Belgium but operates also here in the US) working directly alongside the founder.
3. Although I don't exactly have a management/leadership profile at work, I was a lead for a project (a team of 4) and it turned out to be very successful. My manager can give me some good recommendation based on my work.

Also, there are many volunteering opportunities (mostly community service related activities) at Apple. I haven't participated in any yet, but would it make sense to participate in one after my GMAT, close to the application time frame? Did read somewhere that desperately trying to do some volunteering work before applying raises a red flag. Is that true?

Also, I would be taking help from one of the consultancy companies to prepare my application so I could have an otherwise strongly prepared application.

I guess my question is, would any of the above count?

[Tani]

Your outside activities can build your profile. Yes, scrambling to add extracurriculars at the last minute generally doesn't look good, but that's because in most cases those activities are not leadership positions. Just showing up to do weatherstripping for Habitat won't buy you anything, but organizing a Habitat chapter and enlisting a group to rehab a home (and making it happen) will.

[john.doe.hello.world]

Thank you very much for all the advice! Greatly appreciate it!

[Tani]

Happy to help! Good luck