Profile Evaluation Request

[shashanksrelativity]

Hi

Aim is to join in the fall of 2013. My under-grad finished in June 2009.
Acads
GMAT - 750. (V - 42, Q - 50) AWA - 6/6
TOEFL - 120.
CGPA - 8.7/10 (places me at the top 15-20% of the entire branch, top 10% in the class)

Work-ex
Cisco Systems - 1 year (2009-2010). Awarded a star. First up for a promotion. Topped yearly statistics. Awarded a great rating etc etc.

Abhitech Energycon - 2 years this June. (2010-2012) This is a rather small firm, and I made the switch because of my MBA aspirations. You know the drill, small firm larger exposure. And thats exactly what I have managed. I am working at a level answering to just the Board of Directors. I have been the youngest of every post held by me. Individually contributed significantly to the firm's revenue. Travelled 15 countries in Europe and both the Americas. Multi-tasked immensely. A lot of responsibility, leadership etc. By the time I join a school, I would be 3yrs old here, so a total of 4yrs work-ex. I understand its not above avg, but I have really toiled hard to compensate for that in regards to the QUALITY of work-ex.

Extra-curiculars
Lead the most successful dance group in college.
Won IQ competitions. Wrote for the year books. Have done quite some volunteering since graduating. Been editor + director of comunity service at Rotaract. Long distance runner. Astronomy buff. Taken classes. Taught under-privileged since my own late teens. Built robots etc.

There maybe some small bits I am missing but this should be 90-95% of the package.
Going with my score, I was really wishing for programs like Harvard Wharton MIT Stanford Columbia Booth Berkeley and the like. What do you think are my chances? Any suggestions apart from these schools? Am I over-dreaming? Where can I further strengthen my application?

I would be much obliged if I could have your thoughts here.
Thanks so much
Shashank

[mbaMissionSusanK]

Hi, Shashank,
Thanks for your post. Based on the information you provided, you seem to be in the academic range for the programs you listed. It sounds like you have had some strong work experience as well. It will be important for you to be able to demonstrate your skills and experiences to date, but also relate them to where you want to go in your career. It is great that you are involved in community service and other activities. Business schools value those experiences, particularly more recent ones (last 3 years or so). I encourage you to show your soft skills both professionally and in your extracurricular activities to differentiate yourself from other similar applicants. In terms of which program is the right one for you, that depends on what you need to learn to pursue your specific career goals. You also want to consider if there are other criteria you might have such as size of program, geography, teaching style, among others.

Good luck,

Susan Kaplan
Senior Consultant
mbaMission
646-485-8844

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