Profile Evaluation (Indian / IT / 6+ years / 700 (Q50, V34)

[ahrash]

Hi,

I am an IT guy from India (doesn't sound very unique though)

Here is my profile:
Work Ex: 6+ Years at a startup Firm; I am currently working as a project lead at a start up IT firm (it was a start up when i joined). I have had a good career growth in this organization.
GMAT: 700 Q50, V34
Undergrad: 81% (equivalent to 4.0 GPA)
Undergrad School: NIT (India)

Extra Curricular:
Have held leadership positions in college.
Been a member of the music club.
Played Table Tennis at state and university level

Social:
Have been associated with an NGO from past 6 months. Helping them improve their IT systems. I am also developing their online fundraising strategy.

I have dings from some of the good schools that i earlier applied (ISB, Kellogg etc..). Clearly, didnt do my research on schools.

I have following concerns (weaknesses)
1. My GMAT score is not balanced. Is that a disadvantage considering the European schools that I am targeting? Should I consider retaking GMAT?
2. Is that a disadvantage that i am an IT guy from India (when applying to European schools)?


I would like to go for 1 year MBA programs. I am planning to apply to:

IE
Manchester
ESADE
SAID (Dream School)
CASS

Please review the list of schools that I am applying to, and also suggest other schools that I should be looking at.

Thanks,
AH.

[throughmba]

The reason for ding, after all the qualifying things covered, lies in the essays and recos.

With this year being the low year, you can even apply in

INSEAD.
Emory
Warrington College of Business Administration
Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management(cornell)

[Jon@Admissionado]

Hmmm. I will disagree with our friend above, and say that the reason for the Ding is something that must be looked for carefully. It COULD be the essays, just like it could be the applicant pool, just like it could be your resume, or your GMAT, or most likely a combination of things which need to be analyzed and improved.

To answer your question, it is a disadvantage to be an IT guy from India if you let it be a disadvantage. If you analyze with the things you know are holding you down, then you can figure out a strategy to counter it (like making you seem a whole lot more unique than the other candidates they see).

The schools you listed should be reachable (although you could add another one or two), My suggestion: Send someone your last year's essays for a Ding analysis.

[ahrash]

Hi Jon

Thanks for your inputs.

Whats your take on my unbalanced GMAT score? Do you suggest taking GMAT once again? I have already had 3 attempts (i concluded that i am not a very good test taker)?

Thanks,
AH

[drakekaul]

Hi,
I'm a Sophomore Undergrad in the department of materials science and engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur (IIT Kanpur). My cgpa uptill now is 7.2/10.0 and hold various posts of responsibilities in the fields of Marketing, Public relations, Media and Publicity of different national level events organized by the institute. What more should i do so that i can get an admission in hbs 2+2 or directly in mba after 2 years when i graduate?

[throughmba]

Hi

Prepare well to achieve a post 720 score.

Try to create a profile which is manifested in three features of profile: Leadership, Intellectual maturity and innovation. Look for thins which would brand you different and make you look focused to a long term vision.