Profile Evaluation for Reapplicant

[prince49]

Indian Male Engineer

Undergrad - UT Austin - Computer Engineering - GPA 3.5

GMAT - 720 ( V > 90 % , Q < 80 %) - AWA 3.0

Work Profile

Semiconductor Industry for 7 years

- Served as primary interface to engineering team for customers
- Lead a team across countries to manage post launch issues

-- Started a electric scooter business in India this winter, creating the prototype and trying to get small businesses interested.

Non Work Activities

Organized a Tennis Tournament to raise funds for local non-profits
VP of PR at local Toastmasters Club
Big foodie - Held a food stand at a local street fair
Volunteer at local elementary school to help 2nd graders with math

Post MBA - Entrepreneurship - Want to start a business intelligence and infrastructure business in India

Last Year's Application Results

Dinged at Haas, Fuqua, Sloan and Ross

Waitlisted at Booth through the summer

Interviewed and dinged at McCombs

Target Schools
R1 - Columbia, Chicago Booth, McCombs
R2 - ??? (undecided)

Questions

- Looking to apply to 1 school for R2, need recommendations
- What are weaknesses in my profile that need to be addressed in essays?
- Does my goal need to be more specific and refined?
- Does the low AWA score affect my application?
- Does the low Quant score matter, since I am an engineer?

I applied as an international student last year, expecting to get my permanent residence approval this year. Would this make a difference to schools when they evaluate my application?

[apphelp]

Hi,

Our biggest worry regarding your candidature is the AWA score. 3 is low and we see that as a major reason for straight rejection. Is there a possibility of retaking GMAT? Everything else looks good be it undergrad college, or acads, or extra curriculars.


Here are answers to your specific questions:

- Looking to apply to 1 school for R2, need recommendations
Apphelp: If you want to target a top school Michigan Ross ( Zell Lurie inst of Entrepreneurship at Ross is great). Target Carlson or USC Marshall or Emory for a safer option.
- What are weaknesses in my profile that need to be addressed in essays?
Apphelp: Tech profile, but more importantly to offset AWA, your communication skills ( i know they might be great but you need to offset low AWA score)
- Does my goal need to be more specific and refined?
Apphelp: Yes. Write one which goes well with your profile.
- Does the low AWA score affect my application?
Apphelp: Yes, a lot.
- Does the low Quant score matter, since I am an engineer?
Apphelp: No, we don't think so. 90 percentile is fine. And you are not mentioning finance / ibanking as your goal.

I applied as an international student last year, expecting to get my permanent residence approval this year. Would this make a difference to schools when they evaluate my application?
Apphelp: Yes. PR will help.

Apphelp Team

[prince49]

Thank you for your time apphelp.

Just two follow up questions -

If I score lower on my GMAT but higher on my AWA, which scores will be considered?

Also, can the weakness on the AWA mitigated by strong essays/recommendations?

[PrepMBA.AlexLeventhal]

Hi Prince,

Nice forehand.

In terms of mitigating your AWA, I don't think so. If your essays rock and your AWA is a 3.0, then the assumption might be that you did not write the apps. A 3.0 raises doubts as to whether you will be able to follow and contribute to class.

Now if Booth put you on the waitlist, that is a great sign to build on. Retake the GMAT, practice your interviewing with a consultant or peer, and make sure your essays are not communicating general MBA speak, but specific stories about your individual and group leadership contributions and tribulations.

Good Luck!

[PrepMBA.AlexLeventhal]

By the way, I am not saying your awa is the problem. It is generally not seen as a critical component, as some test takers see it as such and underperform. But when you get a really low score, it can begin to create some doubts about your ability to track conversation and carry your weight in terms of class conversation.

Alex

[apphelp]

Thank you for your time apphelp.

Just two follow up questions -

If I score lower on my GMAT but higher on my AWA, which scores will be considered?

Also, can the weakness on the AWA mitigated by strong essays/recommendations?

Let say toy get a 700 on GMAT and 5 on AWA. B schools will consider 720 only but you can say that you improved on AWA. You always report all scores.

So, you will be benefited by retaking.

If you write very fancy essays with lots of great looking English words than B school might feel that since you are poor at writing in English( we are not saying you are but your AWA will give that feeling to B school) you have taken essay writer help and that will work against you.

Apphelp Team

[prince49]

Thanks for the feedback guys - Really appreciate the help