Ask a Consultant! - GMAT/GRE Only

Hi MBA help,

I am an engineer with 9+ years of experience in engineering and metals industry.
My GMAT score is 680.
My academics is as bellow:
10th: 84%
12th:72%
Engg: 71%
EC: decent

So far I have handled operation and maintenance portfolios in my career.
I want to pursue MBA in General Management/ Operations/SCM which can add to my existing knowledge in these fields and make me stand me in good stead to land in a consulting job or
corporate profiles(which decides rules, guidelines for the group companies) of reputed manufacturing company.

Can you please advise me some good colleges where I will have good chances of getting into with my score and background and getting a good scholarship.
I will prefer to work abroad post MBA( US or Singapore or Australia).

Thanks

@crazyboy2 said:
Hi MBA help,I am an engineer with 9+ years of experience in engineering and metals industry.My GMAT score is 680.My academics is as bellow:10th: 84%12th:72%Engg: 71%EC: decentSo far I have handled operation and maintenance portfolios in my career.I want to pursue MBA in General Management/ Operations/SCM which can add to my existing knowledge in these fields and make me stand me in good stead to land in a consulting job or corporate profiles(which decides rules, guidelines for the group companies) of reputed manufacturing company.Can you please advise me some good colleges where I will have good chances of getting into with my score and background and getting a good scholarship.I will prefer to work abroad post MBA( US or Singapore or Australia).Thanks
Hi,

You have an avg. profile, acads and GPA. With the given information. I would suggest you to target b-schools like: SMU-Cox, Emory, Georgetown-McDonough, Georgia-Scheller, Texas-Mays, Rice-Jones, Boston University, Maryland-Smith, Lancaster, Warwick, Cambridge-Judge, IMD, IE-Spain, HEC-Paris, NUS and Nanyang with avg. GMAT 675 and range between 600-720.

Subsequently, you need to work had on your application essays and demonstrate professionalism, maturity, ability to work well with others, achievements at work place during final interviews. If you can showcase these attributes, then I believe you stand a chance in b-school(s).

Let me know in case of further queries you might have. You can also PM your number to discuss over your profile and selection of b-schools.

Best,
Maya
@reachmaya
Thanks Maya for quick response.
Would you recommend me taking GMAT again with a target of 720+.
Will the score of 720+ improve my chances of getting into tier 1 colleges
@crazyboy2 said:
@reachmayaThanks Maya for quick response.Would you recommend me taking GMAT again with a target of 720+.Will the score of 720+ improve my chances of getting into tier 1 colleges
Hi,

I would suggest you to focus on application essays and interviews rather than GMAT preparations. I am in no way discouraging you to write it again. As you have 9+ yrs. of work-ex, so I believe you would have lot to say about your achievements and team headship qualities.

let me know in case of further queries. Would be happy to answer. You can PM your number as well to discuss on selection of b-schools.

Regards,
Maya
Hi, i am planning to do MBA from Europe, would like to know which all universities i can apply to as well as last date for applying. My acads are as follows:

10th-55%
12-59%
BBA-59%
Work Ex- 14 months in retail industry.


Thanks



@crazyboy2
@crazyboy2 said:
Hi MBA help,I am an engineer with 9+ years of experience in engineering and metals industry.

So far I have handled operation and maintenance portfolios in my career.I want to pursue MBA in General Management/ Operations/SCM which can add to my existing knowledge in these fields and make me stand me in good stead to land in a consulting job or corporate profiles(which decides rules, guidelines for the group companies) of reputed manufacturing company.Can you please advise me some good colleges where I will have good chances of getting into with my score and background and getting a good scholarship.I will prefer to work abroad post MBA( US or Singapore or Australia).


All of the top 20-25 US MBA colleges are good for a general management course. I am giving you links for the other 2 functions- visit the websites of each program and see for yourself, which ones excite you. Starting your research at this time of the year will give you enough time to conduct your b-school research in a systematic way.

http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-business-schools/production-operations-rankings



http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-business-schools/logistics-rankings


Considering your
substantial work experience, I don't think the GMAT score is a big negative in your profile. I would advise you to place more focus on the quality of your work - what did you learn/ achieve in the past 9 years and how did you make a business impact on your organizations? The adcoms would truly be interested in knowing this, and this can also make you stand out from other Indian applicants.

The other area that you should work upon is getting a better grip on your career goals. Since you would be an older applicant, the admissions people would seek that you are clear about where you are headed next, career wise. Talk to people within the industry about the post MBA roles that you can expect to get, and also talk to students of your target schools to find out how their b-schools can support you in getting those roles.

What I have written is a little preachy, but believe me, these are very important steps that applicants tend to overlook in their application process. This research makes your essays more convincing and increases your chances of admit.

Namita, MBA Decoder
@sayhi2nuts said:
Hi Namita,Thanks a lot for the detailed answer. I have few more queries since I wrote last time:I am planning to target 2015 batch, so I will be about 33 years old that time. Will it be wise to apply for 1 year MBA or 2 year program? I read on some other forums that it's better to go for 1 year program at this age and exp level. Personally I'd also prefer 1 year program because of shorter time spent and less cost. But I also read that it's not easy to change geography, industry, function and role after 1 year mba. Can you please advise? I want to either pusue a career in HR or study further (maybe a phd in related field) or start something on my own. In all these cases I want to change my geography (to US), function, industry and role. So need some help here. Which US programs are good to target keeping my goals in mind?


I would agree that a one year program sounds a better fit for you.

Check out this program which is for senior managers :
http://www.london.edu/programmes/sloanmastersinleadershipandstrategy.html

I think you need more clarity on your career goals and whether you need the MBA at all.
Most MBA graduates get their first jobs in the region where the b-school is, so changing geography should not be an issue.

Namita, MBA Decoder
@sayhi2nuts said:
Hello,Can somebody help me in deciding whether I stand a chance in any of the global top 25 or even top 50 MBA programs?Indian, female, married, 30 years.Currently working as a Process Consultant in one of the top IT consulting company. No international experiance.Total exp as of today: 8 yearsCertificate Program in GM from IIM-CBE (Computer Tech): 64%HSC: 84%SSC:87%Extra curriculars: Sad I am quite assured of a decent GMAT score..say 680-710. My dilemma arises because I am planning to quit the job in the next couple of months and start a small, content-based, ecommerce company (which may not pick up by the time I apply to Unis). So, will this sabattical help or ruin the chances of my MBA dream? -Nuts
Hi,

You have an avg. profile with mediocre acads and GPA. You must target 700+ GMAT score, in order to apply in top-25 b-schools. The only advantage I can see is your high work experience. While writing your application essays you can showcase professionalism, achievements at work place and headship qualities. Owning a start-up could be an advantage. So, I would suggest you to target MBA for 2014 intake.

Let me know in case of further queries. Would be happy to answer. You can PM your number as well to discuss on selection of b-schools.

Regards,
Maya
@hangar18 said:
Hi, i am planning to do MBA from Europe, would like to know which all universities i can apply to as well as last date for applying. My acads are as follows:10th-55%12-59%BBA-59%Work Ex- 14 months in retail industry.Thanks
Hi,

It would be easy to evaluate, if you could highlight on few pointers:

- Your GMAT Score
- Short/long term goals
- Post-MBA career
- Achievements
- Handling a team

Regards,
Maya


@reachmaya said:
Hi,It would be easy to evaluate, if you could highlight on few pointers:- Your GMAT Score- Short/long term goals- Post-MBA career- Achievements- Handling a teamRegards,Maya
Hi,
i haven't appeared for GMAT yet. I want to pursue MBA in marketing/general management/finance. After completing my masters i am planning to work abroad.

i have participated in music competitions, as well as intercollegiate competitions.i am currently a member of NGO since 1 year.

Thanks

My Profile:-
Did my Engineering in Comp Science from a state univ with 70% marks.
Decent extra curriculars in college,.
Work ex - Involved in my family business(manufacturing sector) for last 3 years, will be applying next year so work-ex would be around 4 years.
Handle a workforce of 25-50 people.
Haven't given GMAT yet but I am targeting to get around 740-750(Will be difficult but hopeful that I can achieve it).

I wanted to change my career path by joining a top B-School & migrating to finance field. Just wanted to know what are my chances of getting into a top B School & whether it is possible to change my field to finance even though I don't have much exp in that sector? I have completed 1 level of CFA too.

Any kind of help on which schools I should ideally target & what should I do more to make my CV more 'worthy' of a Top 10-14 B-School, would be highly appreciated?
My profile :10th : 91.2
12 th :89.2
B.Tech : 8.8 CGPA Mechanical
Work Experience : 3 years at TCS
Extra Curricular : below avg. -avg
I have not taken my GMAT..Considering the lack of extra curricular activities will a GMAT score in the range of 700- 750 help me get into the top 25 b-schools ( keeping in view the decent acads ) ?
Hi,
My profile :10th : 89
12th : 85.3
B.Tech : 7.82 CGPA
Work Experience : 3 years at Infosys
GMAT : 710
I got an admission offer from NMIMS, Mumbai for MBA Core. I am confused whether to join NMIMS this year or wait to apply for 2014 year to some of the top 30 colleges in the world. I want to work in a top management consulting firm post MBA. Could you please give your opinion on this. I want to know if NMIMS is good enough to help me to achieve my goal. I am fine with working in India or abroad.

@dineshmettu If your score is 710 in GMAT then don't join NMIMS. You can go for Great lakes Chennai, or try for ISB Hyderabad.

Regards

Tushar

Second Year Student, JGBS

Hi,

My 10th -77.20
12th- 82.67
Grads- 7.78
Targeting a GMAT score of 720-730
Extra curricular: Average
Which B-school should I apply to?

Thanks Namita and Maya.

@Namita: I know, I need to have clarity abt post-mbs goals. Will think about it. Cyrrently 2-3 things are on the top of my mind. Need to do some self-exploration :)

@Maya: You are the 1st one telling me that I have mediocre acads.Thanks for the reality check 😉

Puys, I want to pursue masters in quantitative finance(preferably this, but general MBA will also do) from a reputed university but due to low budget, I will go for it only if I get a hefty scholarship. Also low tution fees will be preferable.

Could you please suggest some good colleges ? Also what GMAT score should I target ?
(Have been doing consistently well with Indian MBA entrance exams, so good GMAT score may not be a big problem to me)

My profile :
X- 77.33
XII-93.17
Grad : Electronics Engg
CGPA : 5.8 from VJTI
Work ex .. 3 yrs ...worked witth Capgemini and nw Citiustech as BI developer

Pls chip in with ur suggestions.
Thanks in advance,
Manoj.
@faizal_jaleel said:
My profile :10th : 91.212 th :89.2B.Tech : 8.8 CGPA MechanicalWork Experience : 3 years at TCSExtra Curricular : below avg. -avgI have not taken my GMAT..Considering the lack of extra curricular activities will a GMAT score in the range of 700- 750 help me get into the top 25 b-schools ( keeping in view the decent acads ) ?

Your profile is viewed holistically by the b-school adcoms - every component matters, including the GPA, GMAT, extra curricular activity, work related as well as personal achievements and growth.

Taking the GMAT has got nothing to do with your non-work related activities, and getting an excellent GMAT score alone will not earn you a seat at a top b-school. In any case, the score is valid for 5 years, so if you have free time now, its better to take it now and get it out of the way.

Simultaneously, you can start to involve yourself in the activities that interest you, and do them whole- heartedly, rather than doing them as a token service.

Your post has missed out details about your 3 years at TCS. This is what the admissions team will scrutinize through the essays, the resume and the interview. Therefore it is very important that you portray your work related impact and achievements impressively and also strengthen them until the time of your application (& beyond).

Namita, MBA Decoder

@starsuper said:
Hi,My 10th -77.2012th- 82.67Grads- 7.78Targeting a GMAT score of 720-730Extra curricular: AverageWhich B-school should I apply to?

That's a vague question and your query needs a lot of details (like work experience) before extracting a good answer.

In any case, look at the B-school rankings of some known publications, like: BusinessWeek, US News and Financial Times. You'll get some basic idea and then you should visit websites of the b-schools that interest you.


Namita, MBA Decoder



@hangar18 Hi,

You can apply for 16-month Full time MBA Program from Sacred Heart University Luxembourg, Europe.
It is with 9-month paid internship and after completion you are eligible to get 2 years of work permit.

Ankita.
ank_radical