Profile Evaluation - GMAT 670, WE:5+

[ir.mgmat]

Hello!

Earnest request to evaluate my profile for Full Time MBA programs. Thanks!

GMAT Score: GMAT1: 640 q48 v30 AWA5.0
GMAT2: 640 q46 v33 AWA6.0
My first 2 experiences with the GMAT weren't great. While I did not manage my time well in the verbal section of my first attempt, I missed a few quant questions in my second attempt. The difference in the sectional score is quite evident.
GMAT3: 670 q49 v32 AWA & IR: Awaited.
While I did well in Quant in my third attempt, my verbal score remains poor. However, I feel I can get a much better verbal score.

GPA: Engineering, Pune University, India. My percentages for the 4 undergrad years were between 58-64%. The top student on the other hand would have scored around 75%. So, I feel, while my GPA isn’t really that great, it isn’t that bad either. I'm not quite sure how would the schools evaluate my GPA.

Experience: 5 years currently. 6 years by the time I join.
This, according to me, is my strongest section. Although, I have been in the IT industry for 5 years, I have been working on Functional Solutioning for Core Banking transformation projects for most of the time.
Sep 2007 - Dec 2008 - Software Engineer
Dec 2008 - Dec 2009 - Software Engineer (Offshore project - for a Top 20 US Bank) - Solutioned/Designed Customer Relation Management (CRM) track
Dec 2009 - Apr 2011 - Analyst (Onsite - USA for the same Top 20 US Bank on which I was working at offshore) - Lead/Solutioned multiple tracks (Payments, Operations and Integration) for a Core Banking transformation project - I have good achievements that I can talk about in my application.
Apr 2011 - Current - Analyst (Offshore) - Leading (Payments, Integration) track for a Core Banking transformation project of European Bank

Recommendations: I can get decent recommendations from:
1) One of the VPs of the Top 20 US bank that I mentioned in my work experience.
2) My head account/delivery manager under whom I've been working for the past 4 years.

Extracurricular: Again, not one of my strongest sections. Besides representing my school and college in Cricket and being editor/contributor of magazines at school/college and at work, there isn’t really much to show.
Goals: Short Term/Long Term - Consulting IT/Consult on Core Banking related projects. My current experience would help me a lot here.

Do I have a decent shot at the following universities?
Dream:
Tepper
Ross

Desired:
McCombs
Kelley
Marshall
Kenan-Flagler

Willing to Go:
Purdue
Smeal
Mays

Writing the GMAT for the fourth time: I believe I can do much better at verbal but again the GMAT is tricky and a lot depends on how you do at that particular moment. My Quant scores during my mocks were a constant 49 and an occasional 50 while the verbal scores were 35+. So, 700+ is realistic but going over 720 would be difficult. There is also a possibility of me not breaking the 700 barrier. In such a case, how would the universities perceive my 4 attempts at GMAT?
Also, I cannot wait for another year. I have to join the Fall '13 course.

So, what’s against me: Low GMAT, Average GPA, Indian IT male, not much extracurricular activities.
For me: Recommendations, Work Experience in line with my post MBA goal.

Would appreciate an evaluation of my profile. Thanks much.

Regards,
IR

[mili]

Hi IR,

You've done a pretty good evaluation/break down of your profile yourself! You're right that your academics aren't really going to help you out (current GMAT and GPA are average, especially when considered against Indian IT candidates who generally do exceptionally well in academic dimension).

The rest of your profile is pretty similar to that of other candidates in your pool -- software engineer who leads projects and has offshore experience. This is good, but I don't see too much differentiation here. Like most candidates in your pool, you have some common college activities/leadership positions, but not much post college engagement in the community or in extracurricular activities.

I'd say that overall, you're an average candidate within this demographic. I think you've got a chance at your target range programs, but I think that Tepper and Ross are going to be reaches (it's always good to have some reach programs on your list, though!). Your safeties look good.

At this point, it seems that retaking the GMAT might not be the best use of your time. If you must apply this year, you don't have a ton of time and you wouldn't want your applications (essays, etc.) to suffer. Plus, given the last three attempts, it seems unlikely that we'd see a drastic improvement in your score. Of course, that is just my assessment - you'll have to weigh the trade offs yourself and make your own call! I do think a 4th attempt, especially if you end up in the same range, could look negative (could appear that you are stubborn/have difficulty prioritizing).

Luckily, the adcoms weight the quant section slightly more than the verbal section, so that should help you out.

I hope this helps - best of luck!
Mili


Mili Mittal
Senior Consultant
http://www.mbamission.com

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[ir.mgmat]

Thanks, Mili. Appreciate your response.

Could you please recommend schools based on my profile?

Post MBA, my goal is be a management consultant in the IT sector. I've been working on large Core Banking Transformation projects throughout my professional career and would like to progress in a similar industry or function. Also, I believe, the experience of working in the US for a Large Banking Transformation project would only help me in my applications.

[mili]

Hi IR,

Hmm... you might consider schools in North Carolina (Charlotte is a big banking industry town) and New York if you want to stay in the banking sector - UNC, Wake Forest, NYU. For tech, you UT Austin McCombs (puts you in Austin around a lot of tech startups), or USC Marshall. Any general management program will gear you up for a career in consulting, so you'll want to focus on programs that have strong ties to the IT and banking industries. Hope this helps.

Best,
Mili


Mili Mittal
Senior Consultant
http://www.mbamission.com

Read the mbaMission Insider's Guides (16 individual school titles)

Download mbaMission’s Free Personal Statement Guide

Visit the mbaMission Blog

Follow mbaMission on Twitter