Indian male/Non IT/5 yrs/GMAT 690

[insanejuxtapose]

Introduction: I am an Indian male 28 yrs old with Gmat 690 (Q 47, V 36) and a total work experience of 5 years with a MBA (top ten bschool in India)- 3.5 cgpa and undergrad from a reputed engineering college: Agg: 70%

Workex: I work in the agri commodities sector with one of the reputed companies in the trading business. Over 2 years of international work experience in Europe(rotation program), and now based in India since an year, deeply involved in the business side of buying and selling physical commodities. Have had one promotion during my tenure at the present company.
Prior to my mba, I was a part of the IT pool, with 2 years of work experience at a reputed MNC(again one promotion). During this time I had stints in India, US

Extra curriculars:
 Head of the business club during mba, general secretary of the engineering club during undergrad
 Winner of multiple quizzes, IQ competitions at state/national level
 Convener of various symposiums
 Part of NGO - help in content development for instructors who teach the underprivileged( I am not very active now)
 Started green technology initiatives by organizing competitions that received response by over 200 universities across the country
 Passionate writer: often publish articles on websites - not blogs
 Part of the dramatics club during undergrad

Career goal: To grow in the agro commodity sector with companies like my current employer, in a corporate strategy role as a part of the team that strategizes long term goals of the company and not just one geography- functions ranging from exploring new geographies for the business, evaluate expansion projects to composing the content for reporting to shareholders. With my past hands on experience of sales, markets & the business, a corporate strategy role will give me a holistic view of the company that will help me launch to a top management role.
My first mba limits my prospects to specific markets, geographies and my specialization. Does not let me transition to a general management/strategy role.

Target schools: INSEAD (Jan'15), IMD(Jan'15), LBS (Jan'15), Kellogg( 1 yr Fall'15)

Request you for a profile evaluation.

Regards,

[mbaMissionJenK]

Hi there,

Thanks for your profile. You have some strong points, including your work experience and academic experience and the industry/sector as well as international experience and extracurriculars.

The 690 GMAT is on that borderline, where another 20+ points would be nice but if the rest of your application was outstanding a 690 is fine.

The biggest challenge in my view is your prior MBA. While there are many Indian applicants applying to US & European schools for 2nd MBAs these days, it is challenging to convince admissions committees of your rationale and need for the 2nd MBA. The admissions field is so competitive, and applying for a 2nd degree of the same type raises questions and potential skepticism, and so many other strong applicants without an MBA who have a great application and clear reasons for why they need the MBA in the first place are often accepted instead. It's not impossible, but you must view that as your biggest challenge and aim to put together a compelling case for the 'why', and ensure that given your experience and prior degree, you couldn't progress shortly to the type of role you are aiming for already, perhaps with some networking and/or international work experience invested.

Good luck on your decisions and career!