Ask a Consultant! - GMAT/GRE Only

MBA
1758
@ashutoshpradhan said:

Hello,

Kindly evaluate my profile

Class 10: 81.6%

Class 12: 66.8%

B.E: 55%

Working as Lead Technical Writer in a MNC.

Exp: 7 + year (1 year Journalism, 6 years technical writing)

GMAT date: Nov 02,2012

Please let me know my target GMAT Score for ROTMAN, HEC-Paris, UC-Davis, Goizueta, Darden. I am planning to apply to these schools.

Thanks and regards

Ashutosh

Why are you seeking an MBA? Can you please give your career goals?
1759

@mba-help

Why am i seeking an MBA?

# To change from current work profile, currently work profile is hitting the roof

# To work in EU or USA (preferable)

# Desire for higher education in management

1760

@mba-help

Career goals:

# Be associated with Luxury/Media industry

# Marketing/General Management

1761
Hi experts :)

my profile..

10th- 80%
12th-80%
btech (ECE) - 67%

I completed my Btech degree last year and as of now iam working as Patent Engineer (IPR) with work ex of 1.7 years.currently handling team of 4 btech grads..

Basic job-

Patent analysis
Portfolio management
Infrigement analysis
Patent drafting

Working for some major clients..apple,ford etc..

Ec-sports person/athlete , handful medal tally, played several games at zonal level (cric,basketball,softball etc)
college technical group committee member.. organizing and executing various events.


My questions are-

1. looking for top b schools only..please help me sort out my options based on my profile.

2. Please suggest some areas which can improve my profile for top b schools (inc. ISB).

3. How much score should i aim at gmat..ill be giving it for first time.

4. Being in Patent Engineering field would it diversify my profile or put some negative impact.


Would be really thankful if you could answer my queries..

Thanks in Advance!!
1762

@TheSharkon said: Hi Namitha,
I am 31 and have a GMAT score of 700(36/49/4.5) (year 2008). I have 8+ years in core software product development in mobile & recently in finance domain for the best ...
Harsha

@mba-help
Hi Namitha... I believe u missed my post could you please respond to my query
I have shortlisted some 14 colleges... from all around the world ...could you help me narrow down to 6 ..

INSEAD,CORNELL,ISB,IE
SDA Bocconi, NTU, NSU,HKUST,CEIBS
Manchester, Cranfield, Said,Judge,
Queens, UBC,Goizueta,

Please also comment on present post Mba situation in UK

Regards,
Harsha
1763
@ashutoshpradhan said:

@mba-help

Career goals:

# Be associated with Luxury/Media industry

# Marketing/General Management

Hi Ashutosh, You can figure out the GMAT by looking at the current class profiles of your target b-schools. Work towards scores which are close to the average for the class.In my opinion you will really need to explain why you want the MBA and what your post MBA career is going to be. Having spent 6 years in technical writing, there should be some common skills between what you have done so far and what you intend doing after the MBA.

Namita, MBA Decoder

Check out our reject analysis thread
1764
@Akashmad said:
I completed my Btech degree last year and as of now iam working as Patent Engineer (IPR) with work ex of 1.7 years.currently handling team of 4 btech grads..
Basic job-


...Thanks in Advance!!

I'll start with point 4 - I think if you can demonstrate through the application that you would bring a different perspective to the class room, then your chance at a top b-school is as good as anyone else's. Focus on the strengths that you have built at work and explain how they will transfer to the b-school setting.

3. You should aim at getting your best GMAT score. Its like asking how many marks should I get in 12th grade- an obvious answer is the maximum you can!

2. take up bigger responsibilities at work and do well in them. Business schools also look at the skills any employer would look at (managerial ones though).


Namita, MBA Decoder

1765

Hi


It is a great initiative by PG and all the consultants. This thread is very helpful. Highly appreciate the effort!

I have done my B.Com Honours from ARSD College, Delhi University, and that makes it 15 years of formal education. A few people I met told me that for most of the colleges in the US, one needs a minimum of 16 years of formal education. So, I enrolled in a distance learning PG Diploma in International Business at IGNOU. I just want to know whether it will count as a proper 1 year formal education while applying to the US colleges? If yes, then how much weightage would be given to it at the time of admissions?

Please note that the PG Diploma will conclude in 2013, and I am interested in applying for the 2013-15 batch.

Thanks in advance :-)

1766
@akarshank said: Hi
It is a great initiative by PG and all the consultants. This thread is very helpful. Highly appreciate the effort!

...Thanks in advance
Different b-schools have different guidelines on application requirements, though a lot of b-schools accept the "equivalent to a 4 year undergrad education"- which is 3 years of undergrad in India.
About your distance learning course- talk to individual b-schools to confirm this, as requirements for this can also vary. However, just to add a point, b-schools are opeining up to online MBAs so they should not be strictly against distance learning programs.
Namita, MBA Decoder
1767
Hi Pagalguy...I must first appreciate you for continuing this thread.I badly need some assistance.

My profile:
10 th: 86.4%
12 th:79.8%
Engg: 81.1%
GMAT:640 :(

Exp: 4 yrs in one of the big 4 IT companies.
Role:For last 10 months I have been leading a team of 3 people.i had made a proposal to the clients which was accepted by them. Awarded by the company as one of the emerging leaders.Presently more into Project Management activities along with technical support.
Also I am a RISK co-ordinator for a group of 100 people from a single domain.So I take care of audits and other risk activities.

Extra Curricular: Had been part of Indian National Congress from 2003-2005.
Have been working with CRY for last 1.5 years in some critical projects in Chennai.

Additional thing: I along with another friend Had started a small software company(registered) providing softwares to small companies within Chennai according to their needs.We ran it for 1.5 years before closing it due to financial problems.

I want to know which colleges will be suitable for me?
I am eager to apply in Emory and Mays .With this score is it feasible?
Also I do have financial constraints.
Please guide me!!!
1768
Hi,I have a doubt....please clarify itI worked at Infosys earlier so i want to get a recommendation from my Team Lead at Infy. However, the problem is soon after i left, a doubt....please clarify itI worked at Infosys earlier so i want to get a recommendation from my Team Lead at Infy. However, the problem is soon after i left, my team lead too left Infy and is now in Cognizant. So, can i give him as a recommender. His official mail id is not @infosys.com so but cognizant.com, so my question is how will the Admission team ensure whether he really was my team lead?? really in a dilemma
1769
@dibyapal said: Hi Pagalguy...I must first appreciate you for continuing this thread.I badly need some assistance.

...Please guide me!!!
Hi,

Your GMAT score is very low for both these schools.
B-schools view applications holistically, therefore even if the GMAT is low but the rest of the application is strong, then applicants still have a chance. But in your case, you belong to the highly competitive Indian applicant pool and a low GMAT score in itself can be the reason for a reject.

I think you should retake the GMAT and if you plan your time well from now, you can still make it for round 2 deadlines, with an improved GMAT score.

Applicants who are academically strong and have good GMAt scores are also more likey to get merit based scholarships.

Namita, MBA Decoder

Read through our Reject Analysis thread for Essay tips.
1770
@gk_sameera said: Hello sir, I am Sameera, Chemical engineering from the top NIT....
Sameera,

Firstly don't let your decisions be guided by what people around your are doing. Every one is chasing different goals in their careers so the way they will reach those goals will also be different.

If you feel that you require an MBA to advance in YOUR career goals, then by all means, go for it.Put in your best effort in the GMAT and try to score upward of 700.

I think if you are looking at doing the MBA in the next 1 -2 years, you would be eligible for ISB and Great Lakes (PGPM) with a work experience of 2 years.

Namita, MBA Decoder
1771
@Bottomline21 said:
Hi,I have a doubt....please clarify itI worked at Infosys earlier so i want to get a recommendation from my Team Lead at Infy. However, the ..
Ask the b-schools you are applying at- they will get to know of your problem as well as suggest you the right thing, per their requirements.

Namita, MBA Decoder
1772

Test takers can visit our gmat information page for quality information about the GMAT examination.

1773
@mba-help said:
Hi,
Your GMAT score is very low for both these schools.
B-schools view applications holistically, therefore even if the GMAT is low but the rest of ...
I am hoping that some of my accomplishments may offset that.Like I have helped my company in revenue addition through my proposal to the clients.So it was a direct profit.My recommenders will surely mention this achievement.I have my own website too(theurbanetruth.com). I have given 4-5 presentations in various colleges in Chennai for promoting the cause of CRY.I have certificates of book talks.Wouldnt these negate my low Verbal scores.Emory will be more tough but Texas A & M can be a probable one for early decision round?
1774
@vj.iiita said: Dear Sir/Madame
Greetings! I am Vivek Jain and I am applying this year. My Profile :
GMAT - 730 (AWA - 4.5)...

Received a PM for this so responding here:

1. Don't worry about workexp. I assume you will have 3+ years full time workexp. That is enough for you to apply to most top schools.

2. Firstly decide the geography. Considering you want to return to India, do you really want to go to US/Europe to study - or will India suffice? Also, do you want to do a 1year course (since you have a very clear focus) or do you want to spend 2 years with an internship option?

3. What you really need is a good general management course which any top school can offer. Don't fall into this trap of specialization.

4. How much are you willing to spend on your education? Since this will be a business expense you might need to factor that as well. This will again help decide if you want to work sometime before joining the business or jump directly back.

Unless you have a good idea of the above - no one can provide a "list" tailored for you - that too with a chance of scholarship.

Arun
1775

Well I am funding my whole mba education,so fees of an mba institute is a major stumbling block on my prolonged growth in my career.Also Taking 10 lakhs loan doesnt sound feasible to me as it includes mortgage and all.Hence im quite in tension regarding my future.SO can anyone recommend good colleges of around fees of 7.5-8 lakhs max.Also please let me know if i can apply for scholarships or anything of tht sort.My profile is as follows

10th-81%

12th-75%

graduation:-BE in IT -61%...all from mumbai

Good Extracurricular activities(sports secretary,volleyball captain,included in college festivals and student commitee's core team)

work ex of more than a year.....will have almost two years under my belt by next june.

Interestd in operations,marketing or HR field.

Please tell me which exams i should focus more as i have already started preparing for cat,xat,snap and cmat.Any help is really appreciated..!

1776
@sheronpaul since you are taking CAT, XAT etc you don't need to worry since most Indian MBAs will come with non-collateral loan that you can pay up upon completion of your MBA and once you start working.

If you are looking at an international MBA then 8L is too low a budget. Even a 15-day trip organized by SOTC will cost you around 1L. So you might need to revisit the MBA goal.

Arun
1777
@Rajat_S said: AREA OF INTEREST - Management consulting, general management, strategyTARGET COLLEGES - Kelloggs, ISB, NUS so far. Looking for colleges in US or APAC region mostly.QUESTIONS - 1. Which 2 colleges should i choose as backups for my area of interest? 2. Which 2 colleges do you think I have a fair chance of getting in? 3. Which 2 colleges do you think I can get in with a bit of luck and carefully crafted application?Thanks for the help!

If you remove the profile part - you have said very little about why you want to do an MBA. Most of the schools in your "target" list looks good.

1. "Backup" should mean schools you WILL JOIN if you get an admit. Else if you are just looking at schools where you will get in for sure then I can suggest **** 😃

2. Same as above. I didn't understand what is the difference between the 2. Your areas of interest are vast - general mgmt and strategy. That is what any Bschool is supposed to teach you.

3. Now you have really confused me - does it mean the other schools you WON'T have luck and that you WON'T send in carefully crafted application? :-)

My answers might not be terribly helpful in the 1st glance but if think about it, you will understand what I am trying to convey.

Arun