Profile Evaluation

[PursuitOfGlory]

Hello,

I come from one of the over represented community - Indian IT Male

Here's my profile:

GMAT:

Attempt 1: 610 {Math:47, Verbal: 27 AWA:5} [ I did this one in 2011 without any prep, just to get the feel of it(bad move on my part)]
Attempt 2: 680 {Math:49, Verbal: 33 AWA:5} [Taken in late 2011]
Attempt 3: 690 {Math:48, Verbal: 37 IR:7 AWA:4} [Took this a month ago]

Experience:

7.5 yrs in a IT company in India with over 6 years of experience working in US.

Program/Project Manager managing a team of 55 (a portfolio of value $15M)

Besides project management I also have experience in Business process consulting (focus on process optimizations and process outsourcing) for over 2 years.

Have worked with teams across multiple locations such as US, Mexico, London and India.

Undergraduate:

Engineering degree with 78%

Extracurricular:

Active volunteer and event organizer at a local church in US for over 3 years [enabling foster care, children ministries, homeless ministries etc].

Goal:

To leverage my consulting experiences and move into strategy consulting in short term

To identify/ start a start-up venture and become an entrepreneur in the long term

My School List:

Nanyang (singapore) - Round 1
Mays (A&M) - Round 3
Georgetown - Round 2
ISB (India) - Round 2

Stretch schools:
Duke - Round 2
Emory - Round 2

I am extremely concerned about my GMAT scores. Given I already come from a over represented group what do you think are my chances with these schools?
Is it worth giving another shot at GMAT?
Are there any possibility for scholarships with this profile?
Are there any other schools in the same cadre that i can consider?

Due to my interest in Strategy consulting i was always interested in Kellogg's. Since i took my GMAT i decided that Kellogg's is too much of a stretch. Do you think i can keep Kellogg as part of the mix?

Appreciate your thoughts!

[Jon@Admissionado]

I am extremely concerned about my GMAT scores. Given I already come from a over represented group what do you think are my chances with these schools?
Is it worth giving another shot at GMAT?
Are there any possibility for scholarships with this profile?
Are there any other schools in the same cadre that i can consider?

Due to my interest in Strategy consulting i was always interested in Kellogg's. Since i took my GMAT i decided that Kellogg's is too much of a stretch. Do you think i can keep Kellogg as part of the mix?

Appreciate your thoughts!

Hey there dude,
So first of all you have some fantastic stuff in your profile (like leading a team of 55!!!!!), so all hope is not lost! Yes, it would be better if you had a higher GMAT, but it's still possible to make it into the schools on your list with a 690. Between Mays, Georgetown and Nanyang, you should have a shot. Whereas the other schools will be tougher. You CAN consider retaking the GMAT, but only if you don't mind applying next year and if you are pretty sure you can get higher. Otherwise, go the best with what you have. But I should say that just as important as the GMAT, especially from the over-represented group you are coming from, is your APPLICATION. I see sooo many Indian applicants who have a 750, but a boring application that makes them seem like everyone else. Needless to say, they don't do well.


So you need to find your unique points and push those (like leadership at work), and take risks in your application so that you AMAZE them.

Other than that I'm not too sure what you mean by "Due to my interest in Strategy consulting i was always interested in Kellogg's."... yeah sure, Kellogg has great options for consultants.... buuut so does every Top 20 school. The reasoning here is not really specific enough.

If you want more suggestions for schools, I'd suggest looking at US schools in the 20-40 range. They should be about right (although you can and should also apply to one or two dream schools... Kellogg if it is yours)

Hope this helps!!!

And if you got any other questions, just drop a line!

[PursuitOfGlory]

Thank you Jon for your response!
I was a little let down with my gmat score and your post was kind of encouraging.

Yes I picked Kellogg due to its ability to place many students in consulting positions. I agree that all top 20 can render such results, however I found Kellogg to be a better in marketing and consulting (am sure am no expert here).

Can you please assess my chances at mccombs?

[Jon@Admissionado]

I think that at McCombs you would be competitive. It could go either way. And with a fantastic app, you will have better chances.

I wish you all the best,