Profile Evaluation

[kanwar86]

Hello guys! I completed my bachelors in engineering in the year 2008. Since then, I have been working in Operations and Management team. Because of time constraints, I couldn't devote much time to GMAT. As a result, my score got affected.

PROFILE:
10th Standard - 88% Marks
12th Standard - 82% Marks
B.tech - GPA 8.65/10.0
GMAT - 640 (Q-49/V-28/AWA-5.0)
GRE - 1390 (Q-790/ V-600/ AWA-4.0)
TOEFL(iBT) - 116 (R-30/W-30/L-29/S-27)

Work Experience - Working in government sector as an Operations officer for the last 4 years.
Job Responsibilities - 1) Planning
2) Operations
3) Quality control
4) Inventory Management
5) Procurement


TARGET SCHOOLS
Though poor GMAT score is going to hurt my chances of getting accepted,I don't have much time to retake the exam and improve my scores. I have short listed some schools. Kindly evaluate and suggest whether I should apply or not.

1) Schulich School of Business
2) HEC Montreal
3) Pamplin College of Business (Virginia Tech)
4) Rotman School of Management

I am looking for schools in Canada and US. I will heartily appreciate if you could suggest some schools as well.

[Marc@AcceptU]

What's your post MBA career goal? If you let me know, I'll be able to offer some additional potential programs that might make sense to consider given your qualifications and interests.

[kanwar86]

What's your post MBA career goal? If you let me know, I'll be able to offer some additional potential programs that might make sense to consider given your qualifications and interests.

Thanks a lot Marc for replying.
If one closely looks at my profile, it is of a typical Industrial Engineer. Being an Operations guy, I got exposure in several areas of IE (mentioned above). Though, it's a good field to work in and I enjoy what I do but when it comes to real business, I am still a novice. The reason being IE is confined to improving the production/manufacturing line, cutting out downtime, improving quality, ensuring safety etc. You get to learn very little about the other side of business. I think it's right time for me to enrol in MBA so that I could learn concepts that I couldn't being an Operations guy.

My focus in MBA will be on Finance (major) and Supply Chain Management/ Project Management (minor). Being in Finance will help me get hold of new things to learn that I am interested in and my minor will help me get an insight in the fundamentals that I learnt in the field for the last 4 years. My post MBA short term goal is to get a job where I can learn something new and different (though related) about business from what I do now, preferably in Finance sector. Such exposure will add to the breadth and depth of my skills as a manager.

I wanted GMAT to be my strength. Now, it has turned into my weakest point. Because of job constraints, I don't have much time to devote to studies. That's why I am not thinking of retaking GMAT. Kindly give your suggestions. I will heartily appreciate your response.

[Jon@Admissionado]

I wanted GMAT to be my strength. Now, it has turned into my weakest point.

I think you have hit the truth on the head here sir. Not that your score is all that bad... I think that even with your 640, you should definitely have a shot at the schools you listed. The big question for me is: Might it not be worth it for you to retake and apply one year later???? You have an insanely high TOEFL (congrats!) and this indicates to me that you can definitely do well in standardized tests (although of course it will require a lot of studying time)....

If you are really itching to go this year, then I think your choice of schools is a bit challenging, but nonetheless with a strong application can bear fruit.

[Marc@AcceptU]

Thanks for the additional information - with your interest in finance, your program's location is particularly important, especially if you would like to stay in the US. Other schools with strong finance departments that you might want to consider include Fordham University and Boston College in NY and Boston, respectively.

With higher GMAT scores, more doors would open. You may want to consider retaking the test. Regardless, you will really need to convey your analytical, quantitative and leadership strengths in your application materials. My team of former MBA admissions officers helps applicants do exactly this. Reach out directly if you're interested in learning more.

[kanwar86]

@Marc, Jon
Thanks a lot for your consultation. I have finally decided to retake GMAT and give my best.