MBA from USA

[kalcy27]

Hi,

After reading the article "Surge in MBA admits", I once again start doubting my chances of joining the fall'09 batch at my dream school.

To start of with I have already blocked a date of 25th Nov 08 for taking the GMAT.
Brief Background abt myself : A project Analyst from a Telcom company in India, with 2 yrs of work experience (by Nov 2008 ) Bachelors of Engineering in Information Technology.

I need some guidance on how to plan for my MBA. Have a couple of questions and hope I can get some help.

1. Will my work ex suffice for getting into one of the top 20 B Schools in USA ? ( Wharton, Haas, Stern, Kellogg etc ).

2. Should I just concentrate on my GMAT preparation and not apply in the 2nd round this year (for fall'09) (As the competition is very high) and go for the 1st round (fall'10) and in the mean time get some more work experience and build on my profile ?

[VP_MBA_Guru]

Hi Kal,

It appears that you are in one of the most competitive applicant pool - Indians with technical/finance background. Therefore your biggest challenge is how to best differentiate yourself. What makes you unique from the thousands of Indian applicants that will apply to the same schools with similar stats (strong GMAT, GPA, ECs, solid work experience).

If you are shooting for a top 20 school, you will likely need to score in the upper 600s or higher to be competitive within your applicant pool.

Good luck,

NP

[kalcy27]

Thanks NP,

Just want to know your thoughts on whether I should apply this year (to the top B schools) if I get a score in the range ( 680 - 720 ), with just 2 yrs of work ex and also being an engineer ?

Also can a good GMAT score ( 720 - 750 ) can give me an edge in terms of "QUANTITY" of work ex.

kalcy

[VP_MBA_Guru]

Hi Kalcy,
Again, its really hard to say. No one knows what next years admissions standards will look like. IMHO - I think you will need to score at least a 700 to be competitive amongst your applicant pool (Indian IT/Eng.) at a top 20 MBA program.

One thing to consider - the MBA application process is quite rigorous, often taking several weeks to several months to complete. Since you are taking the GMAT in late November, if you are interested in applying this year - you should start working on your applications ahead of time. Most R2 deadlines are early Jan 2009.

Regards,

NP

[kalcy27]

Thanks NP, will get back to you if have some more questions.

[VP_MBA_Guru]

Good luck!

[Linda Abraham]

Hi,

After reading the article "Surge in MBA admits", I once again start doubting my chances of joining the fall'09 batch at my dream school.

To start of with I have already blocked a date of 25th Nov 08 for taking the GMAT.
Brief Background abt myself : A project Analyst from a Telcom company in India, with 2 yrs of work experience (by Nov 2008 ) Bachelors of Engineering in Information Technology.

I need some guidance on how to plan for my MBA. Have a couple of questions and hope I can get some help.

1. Will my work ex suffice for getting into one of the top 20 B Schools in USA ? ( Wharton, Haas, Stern, Kellogg etc ).

2. Should I just concentrate on my GMAT preparation and not apply in the 2nd round this year (for fall'09) (As the competition is very high) and go for the 1st round (fall'10) and in the mean time get some more work experience and build on my profile ?

Basically I agree with Nikhil's advice, but what schools are you targeting?

Linda