B-Schools to apply with GMAT 650 - Working with IB in SG

[ankitmittal2003]

Hi Guys, Need some advise.

I had my GMAT and unfortunately got a 650 despite performing at 710-730 in Mocks.

I desperately want to apply in HKUST, Oxford SAID do u think 650 is acceptable score for applying at these schools?
Also, Since I am working here in Singapore, should i consider Part time MBA option with NUS/NBS/SMU?
Is 650 enough to get into part time?

I am not sure whether i am too excited for part time track.


Below is my profile:

Really appreciate any feedback.

PROFILE:

Financial Services Business Analyst with 7 Years of Experience across the Electronic Trading Industry of Capital Markets, on
both Buy Side and Sell Side for Equities Trading. Interested in the continuously growing interdependence between Finance
and Information Technology, and the creation and use of electronic solutions for meeting complex business needs.

E X P E R I E N C E
CLIENT ONBOARDING SPECIALIST : Credit Suisse (Singapore) 2014 - present
Electronic Trading IT Specialist for Asian Equities for Bank's Institutional brokerage business.
Working directly with external clients (Asset Managers/Hedge Funds/HFT Firms etc) & Traders
catering to their electronic trading needs in today's capital markets.

SENIOR ANALYST : BlackRock (Gurgaon, India) 2012 - 2014
Part of Aladdin Technology Team - BlackRock's coveted Asset & Risk Management platform.
Worked on Electronic trading setup for Exchange and market connectivity with major sell side
brokers and exchanges, Straight through Processing of trades.

PROJECT ENGINEER : Wipro Technologies (Bangalore, India) 2010 - 2012
Software Specialist for 2 major Financial clients, Experience in Software development, testing and
support for client's critical trading applications.

E D U C A T I O N

BACHELOR OF TECHNOLOGY: Amity University (Noida, India) 2005 - 2009
ï‚· Majors in Computer Science & Engineering
ï‚· GPA 8.3/10
ï‚· Was awarded Admissions Scholarship

A C H I E V E M E N T S

COMMUNITY WORK:
ï‚· Head of BlackRock India's CSR Group - BlackRock Gives. (2013-2014)
Was the youngest employee to ever lead the initiative. Responsible for overall BlackRock
India's CSR Strategy and budget. Executed multiple projects with Non-profits and lead
employee engagement.
Volunteer work with Credit Suisse in Indonesia, Singapore. (2014- present)
ï‚· Founding Member of Wipro Care (Wipro's CSR Initiative) Noida (2011-2012)
ï‚· Delhi Lead Coordinator for NGO Vibha (2012-2014)
ï‚· Volunteered with CRY-Child Rights & You, India's largest NGO working for Child rights
issues, for 5 Years. Won the Long Service Volunteer Award on International Volunteer's
Day in 2011.

SCHOLARSHIPS
ï‚· Amity Scholarship - awarded for high academic score during University admissions.
ï‚· Indian Oil Merit Scholarship- awarded to Top 2000 students in India for 10+ Studies.

EXTRA CURRICULAR
ï‚· Head of 'SUN Club'at Amity University, Selected by Sun Microsystems Inc. for promoting
open source technologies in the University.
ï‚· Won 1st prizes in Web Designing, Best Project Display and PowerPoint Presentation
Competitions held by various institutions at Amity University.

[99Colleges: MBA Admission]

Hi Ankit,

A 650 is somewhat off from the median/ average GMAT score of your full-time target programs. It's always good to be around the average, beyond which its incremental value starts to wear off. (Higher the better, but incremental value starts diminishing once you're around the average.)

Now, besides GMAT, schools also look at other evidences of your academic prowess: GPA, performance in Quant subjects, rigor of the program, and nature of work (does it involve lots of analysis etc.?) to name few. If you aren't planning to retake the test, you need to make sure that these evidences, if you have, come out in your application. They'll disarm some of the concerns engendered by 650.

Second, no score is enough (to your question 'Is 650 enough...') to get into an MBA program of repute. GMAT is just one of the factors, often the hygiene factor (once you cross the hurdle, it matters less). Top schools ding more than 80% of applicants with 750+ scores. Here is an example. You got to write solid applications (highlight strengths, demonstrate fit, address concerns, write reflective essays, articulate credible goals, and so on) to make your test score count, even if it's high.

Third, the average GMAT score for part-time programs is generally lower than their full-time programs, and you'll have a better shot at them. But, this is only from the perspective of GMAT. Like I said earlier, others things matter a lot.