Profile Evaluation MBA - Finance in USA

[Rohan Mody]

Hello

I'm a prospective Fall '12 applicant to MBA - Finance programs in USA.
I've taken the Revised GRE and the scores would be out in November 2011 (P.S. - GRE scores are accepted by most B-schools now)

I've done my Bachelors in Business Management with a majors in International Finance from University of Mumbai.

JP Morgan Chase - Mumbai - 1 year of work exp in IB.
Nomura International PLC - London - 1 of the only 2 Indians selected amongst 1000's for a 6 months internship.
Morgan Stanley - Mumbai - 4 months in IB.

Had to leave Morgan Stanley to handle family business as my father fell terribly ill, and I being his only son had to take over and handle the business, and plan to do so until I fly for my MBA next fall. Handling and growing the business quite well, in spite of it being offtrack(Interior Designing)than my previous work experience in IB & education. Can this be highlighted well in my essays and work as a +ve point for me?

Will have total of 3 years of work exp by Fall 2012.

Very active with a few NGOs & other community services. excellent extra curriculars and co curriculars too.

Can you please suggest me B-schools in USA that match my profile.

Thanks for your help in advance and also for taking the time to read this. (I just realized that I might have been verbose).

[Stacey Oyler]

Hi,

Thanks for your post. A couple of things come to mind as I read your profile. The first is in regard to your GRE. While many bschools do now accept the GRE most really do prefer to see GMAT scores. It's kind of like comparing apples to oranges. Many schools started accepting GRE scores in an effort to attract applicants who perhaps took the GRE to apply for an advanced degree and only later in the process decided to look into MBA programs. Having sat on an admissions committee, I can say that it is extremely rare to be admitted to a top MBA program with only a GRE score. Many bschools will waitlist top candidates with only GRE scores and ask them to take the GMAT. Basically my advice here is to take the GMAT.

The other part of your profile that stands out to me is your work experience. It's great that you have been able to switch roles and industries so smoothly and successfully, however, you are still on the lower end of experience for US bschools. Keep in mind that bschools look at the amount of full time experience at the time of application not matriculation and therefore just one year of full time experience is a bit less than the average of 2-5 years for top programs.

My advice would be to take your time to prepare for and take the GMAT and then apply to bschool next year when you have more full time professional experience under your belt.

Best,

Stacey