GMAT 690, evaluating choices

[rats]

Hi,

I gave my GMAT yesterday and got a paltry 690 (Q50 V32 IR 7), I was consistently scoring a V38 in practice tests (Manhattan as well as GMATPREP) and I am considering giving GMAT another shot 30-40 days from now. I need some suggestions on the fact that given my profile, if I boost my score by 20-30 points, would it really open doors to some of the schools that are currently out of my reach? Any help would be much appreciated

1. I am an Indian 25 yrs old, 3 years work ex in analytics (Mu Sigma for 2.5 years and a 50 member Singapore based startup for almost 6 months now) but I've worked in Bangalore throughout my career.
I've mostly worked on long term strategy projects in home improvement retail ( aligning pricing strategies, long and short term), telecom (enhancing customer experience) and direct selling retail business (improving dwindling fortunes) directly with clients including a 6 month project with the Director and VP of a major retail firm. I have lead teams of varying sizes (3 to 8) over the past two years. I was a permanent member on the company's recruitment panel and a trainer for SAS, R, and statistics for new joiners in my previous company.
I've been awarded twice at my workplace and was nominated for the quarterly employee award (i didn't get it finally though but I have proof to show this in the applications, if required).

2. I was awarded the best student in my school in Class XII and was the house captain. My class 10 & 12 percentages were 88.6% & 89.8%

3. Post my schooling, I joined BITS Pilani (5th best engineering school in INDIA) and graduated in chemical engineering with an integrated masters in Pure Mathematics. I took a few electives that covered SCM, marketing, Finance and did pretty good in those. My overall CGPA is less though, 6.5/10 (grading was A, B, C, D, E on a 10 point scale)
I did two successful internships during my college years both with very reputable firms (one of 2 months and the other of 6 months). At my second internship, we (as a group of 4 interns) taught math and science to kids of plant workers.

4. I plan to get SAS certifications (basic and advanced) in the next 2 months to boost my analytical profile a bit more. I am pushing for an onsite role of 6-12 months.

5. My interests include trekking and hiking. I've traveled solo for weeks in the Himalayas and North East India.

6. I want to get into a consulting role in marketing/strategy with international exposure and that is my main reason for an MBA.

I am/was targeting the following schools:
1. HEC Paris
2. INSEAD
3. UCLA
4. HKUST
5. Kellog NW
6. Tepper
7. SAID
8. NUS
9. Ross Michigan

Any suggestions on whether improving my score by another 30-40 points would improve my chances a lot? If not, should I look at other schools besides these or do I have a shot in a couple of them? I am especially keen on joining HEC or Tepper.

Any suggestions would be a major help...

Regards,
Naveen

[MargaretStrother]

Hi Naveen,
Very comprehensive profile here! Yes, getting a GMAT in the 710+ range would definitely improve your chances at the top business schools on your list, particularly as your undergraduate grades are not totally stellar; and you're young enough that you can afford to take the time to take it again, even if that pushes your applications into the second round.
School choices seem a bit broad: you may want to narrow this down to no more than five schools in all, and clarify for yourself whether your goals are in Europe/Asia or in the US, and whether you prefer 1 year versus 2 year programs. Also for US schools, community leadership will be desirable, so if you are applying to, say, Ross and UCLA, you will want to show that you are active in the community as well as a leader at work or in university.

Good luck!
Margaret Strother