Profile eval request

[Gmat_aspirant_2011]

Hi there,

I would like to hear your expert opinion about my profile. Just started preparing for GMAT 2 days back. I am aiming for only Top 10 B-schools for admission in 2012.

Here is my profile:

31 years / Male
Nationality: Indian
Exposure: Living and working in Europe from past 6 years.

GMAT
Not taken yet. Plan to take my first GMAT exam sometime in 1st/2nd week of September 2011.

Undergraduate
1. Degree: Electronics & Telecom Engineering from India
2. Percentage: 80% - I was the topper of the class of 40 odd students.

Masters
1. Degree: Master of Technology(M.Tech) from a well known university in India
2. Percentage: 85% - Gold Medalist. I was ranked no.1 in the University

Work Experience
1. 8 years of experience in various Multinational companies.
2. Living and Working as a permanent employee in Europe from past 6 years.
3. Five years of experience in Software Development/testing.
4. From past 3 years, I am working in a role which requires dealing with several partners to get the work done. Also, I am leading a project team consisting of 4 engineers and I'm doing pretty good in that(can get good reference from my boss).

Others
I am a very socially active person & erving as a board member of International community in my city & organised several social events. (Can get some recommendation for that too).

Questions
I will really appreciate if you can provide your valuable feedback on:
1. What GMAT score should I aim for ?
2. I am planning to take GMAT test somewhere in early September 2011. Do you think, I will get sufficient time to prepare. I can devote around 2 hours on weekdays and 6-8 hours on weekends. Is that enough ?
3. Prep books: I have just bought Manhattan GMAT Complete Prep Set incl. The 3 Official Guides for GMAT Review. Do you suggest to buy something else too ?
4. Do I have a chance to get into top 10 B-school with my profile?
5. Do you think I will need TOEFL or IELTS score for my MBA applications?

Thanks a lot in advance. I am really looking forward for your opinion.

Regards,
Gmat_aspirant_2011

[Linda Abraham]

Hi there,

I would like to hear your expert opinion about my profile. Just started preparing for GMAT 2 days back. I am aiming for only Top 10 B-schools for admission in 2012.

Here is my profile:

31 years / Male
Nationality: Indian
Exposure: Living and working in Europe from past 6 years.

GMAT
Not taken yet. Plan to take my first GMAT exam sometime in 1st/2nd week of September 2011.

Undergraduate
1. Degree: Electronics & Telecom Engineering from India
2. Percentage: 80% - I was the topper of the class of 40 odd students.

Masters
1. Degree: Master of Technology(M.Tech) from a well known university in India
2. Percentage: 85% - Gold Medalist. I was ranked no.1 in the University

Work Experience
1. 8 years of experience in various Multinational companies.
2. Living and Working as a permanent employee in Europe from past 6 years.
3. Five years of experience in Software Development/testing.
4. From past 3 years, I am working in a role which requires dealing with several partners to get the work done. Also, I am leading a project team consisting of 4 engineers and I'm doing pretty good in that(can get good reference from my boss).

Others
I am a very socially active person & erving as a board member of International community in my city & organised several social events. (Can get some recommendation for that too).

Questions
I will really appreciate if you can provide your valuable feedback on:
1. What GMAT score should I aim for ?
2. I am planning to take GMAT test somewhere in early September 2011. Do you think, I will get sufficient time to prepare. I can devote around 2 hours on weekdays and 6-8 hours on weekends. Is that enough ?
3. Prep books: I have just bought Manhattan GMAT Complete Prep Set incl. The 3 Official Guides for GMAT Review. Do you suggest to buy something else too ?
4. Do I have a chance to get into top 10 B-school with my profile?
5. Do you think I will need TOEFL or IELTS score for my MBA applications?

Thanks a lot in advance. I am really looking forward for your opinion.

Regards,
Gmat_aspirant_2011

Thanks for your inquiry. To address your questions:

1. I am a big believer in aiming for 800 and then dealing with what you get.
2. You should have plenty of time to prepare between now and early September. However, you will probably only be able to submit most of your applications round 2. That's not bad; it's just realistic.
3. Sorry. I can't advise on this one.
4. That depends at least somewhat on your GMAT score. But with a GMAT at or above the school's average, yes.
5. Check with your target programs, but usually if the language of instruction at your previous schools was English, you can obtain a TOEFL/IELTS waiver.

Best,
Linda