will 640 be enough for my profile?--Reply from Insead ADCOM

Expert replies

iikarthik: Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts; Posts: 57; Joined: Sun Jul 06, 2008 10:52 am; Thanked: 1 times; GMAT Score:640

by iikarthik » Sat Sep 25, 2010 10:18 pm

Hi Stacy,

I am a telecom engineer from India and would prefer to take up consulting or operations after my MBA.
I need assistance to your shortlist B-schools.I would also like to know if there are any MBA programs that give more weightage to Telecom sector.
GMAT score -600 (M42,V31) - I Attempt
Gmat score - 640 (M49,V28)- II Attempt

Profile-Telecom engineer from india with 7 years of Telco work ex with 3 Major Telcos in India

CGPA - 7.8/10
Year Role
Jul-03 Offrole Employee
Mar-04 Trainee
Mar-05 Engineer
Jan-06 Senior Engineer
Jul-07 Assistant manager
Oct-08 Manager

Current Role-Delivery Manager for a UK based Telco
Team Strength - 70+ (5-Teams)

Am looking at one year Programs but open to good 2 yr programs as well

ISB
Insead
Lancaster, UK
Cranfield UK
SDA Bocconi
IE Spain
Esade Spain
Rotterdam, Netherlands
Vlerick Belgium
Schulich, Canada
Rotterdam, Canada

Any useful advise would be much appreciated.
Though that would be my last option i would also like to know whether retaking GMAT would help by any chance?
Thanks
karthik

This is the feedback from Insead inresponse to my queries.
**********************************************************************************************

Dear Karthik

Thank you for your message and interest in INSEAD.

As with all applicants, I am afraid our MBA department does not conduct a pre-application evaluation of any kind. May I suggest a personal self-assessment against all the admissions criteria on your part, https://mba.insead.edu/admissions/criteria.cfm?

About your GMAT score, please keep in mind that GMAT is one variable within the category of "academic achievement," which itself is just one of four key admissions criteria. That is to say, a high score does not guarantee admission and a below average score does not eliminate candidates. Just so you know, there have been unsuccessful applicants with the full 800 score. So, retaking the test or not is optional in your case seeing that 640 (emphasis will be on the higher) is not screamingly far below from our recommended range of 650 to 750. Fundamentally, it also depends on the overall strength of your profile.

I hope this helps. Please do not hesitate to email me if you have further queries.

**********************************************************************************************

Source: Beat The GMAT — Ask Stacy Blackman | Sat Sep 25, 2010 10:18 pm

GMAT/MBA Expert

Lisa Anderson: MBA Admissions Consultant; Posts: 3845; Joined: Wed Feb 06, 2008 8:57 pmFollowed by: 148 members; Location: Houston, TX; Thanked: 442 times

by Lisa Anderson » Thu Sep 30, 2010 11:04 am

Dear Karthik,

MBA programs do not have preferred industries or professional experience. So your telecom experience is not going to give you an advantage at one program versus another. What it might do is help to set you apart from applicants with similar profiles but different industry experience as most Indian engineers tend to work in the IT/software sector. You have identified some great programs. The best way to narrow down your list is to evaluate each program against a set of personal criteria that you have ranked. You want to find schools that are the best match for you and will meet your needs. Also, you want to have a mix of programs in terms of reach, reasonable and safety to give yourself the best chance to be in business school next year. I do think a higher GMAT score would be valuable as it makes you more attractive and more competitive, but you might also find success at some programs with your 640. Generally speaking, you want to be near or above the school's average to be competitive for that program.

Good luck,
Lisa

Lisa Anderson
Consultant
Stacy Blackman Consulting

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iikarthik: Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts; Posts: 57; Joined: Sun Jul 06, 2008 10:52 am; Thanked: 1 times; GMAT Score:640

by iikarthik » Fri Oct 01, 2010 10:45 am

Hi Linda,

Thanks a Ton for your response.

I do agree that increasing GMAT score would add value my profile.But the second deadline is round the corner on 1-Dec.

Would there be a disadvantage to apply for Round3.(As i have read in forums that applying early is advantageous as we would have lot of free slots)

Awaiting your suggestion,

karthik

GMAT/MBA Expert

Lisa Anderson: MBA Admissions Consultant; Posts: 3845; Joined: Wed Feb 06, 2008 8:57 pmFollowed by: 148 members; Location: Houston, TX; Thanked: 442 times

by Lisa Anderson » Sun Oct 03, 2010 7:55 am

Applying in either round 1 or 2 is best as for many schools over half of the applications will come in during those two rounds. As such, schools will make a large percentage of admissions offers leaving very few seats available for the last round. For international applicants, you are also better off applying in round 2 to give you enough time to secure your student visa. If the round two deadline is Dec 1, then you would have up until Nov 15 to take the test and have your score arrive in time.

Good luck,
Lisa

Lisa Anderson
Consultant
Stacy Blackman Consulting

Learn more about me

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