Please Help: Profile Evaluation & MBA College Shortlisti

[Iceman1294]

Hi,

I'm from India, I have a work ex of almost 5 years and a GMAT score of 650 which expires in 2013.

I feel the time is now right for me to go ahead with my plans for an MBA. I am looking to apply for the Fall 2012 session. However, I am a little confused about a few things:-

1) Is my GMAT score enough to qualify for one of the top 25 colleges (as per FT ranking) in the U.S. I know a GMAT score isn't the only thing, but if i'm not wrong it is used as some sort of a qualifying criteria
2) My Overall percentage during my undergrad is just about 60% (An average of all three years). My undergrad specialization was Hotel Management.
3) I started off my career in Hotel operations but realised after a year and a half that this was not the place for me, so I decided to move on from there. i was working in an NGO for a little more than a year, before I joined my current workplace. for almost 2 years now, I have been working in the BTL arm of Grey Group, i.e. G2 Worldwide. I am currently into Account Management, and my company provides BTL solutions like, Brand Activations, Retail & Exhibit Design, Events etc. I am currently working here in a key accounts profile and handle tow of our most important clients who are from the automobile & two wheeler sector

The thing that i need help with is how to shortlist colleges for My MBA and also if you can suggest some colleges to which I can apply to. So far, I am looking at 2 colleges in India to apply to i.e. ISB & Great Lakes. These colleges are a joint venture of various eminent US universities.

Would appreciate if someone could help me out on this or show me as to how to start shortlisting my schools.

I need to be very precise with my selection, as I want to apply to only 10 schools, where 3 would be aspirational schools (dream come true to get in), 4 would be Good schools where I have a realistic chance & 3 safe schools.

Really need some help on this!

Thanks

[Lisa Anderson]

Dear Iceman1294,

Relative to the many other applicants from India, your GMAT score is on the low side. I think it is a potential weakness for you, especially if it is outside the mid-50% range of GMAT scores for the schools you are applying to for admission. Most top 25 programs have GMAT averages over 680 (many in the 700s), so you will need the rest of your application to mitigate a below average GMAT score. Additionally, you need to verify that your 3-yr degree meets the bachelor's degree requirement as many US schools will not view it as equivalent to a US 4-yr degree. You will need to verify school requirements individually as there can be slight differences from school to school. If you find your degree does not meet the requirement of US equivalency at some schools, your potential target list will narrow quickly. For additional tips on how to identify programs that might be a match for you, I encourage you to read our sticky on school selection.

Good luck,
Lisa