Profile Evaluation IIT medalist and B-school selection

[anandbarot712]

Hi,

I took the GMAT recently and got 700 ( Q51(98%) , V 31( 60%)). The AWA sore is 5.5 and IR score is 7.

My profile summary is as follows:

Academics:

I have done my engineering from IIT Bombay which is one of the premiere technical institutes in the world. I have a B.TECH. + M.TECH. degree from IIT . I also topped my batch receiving a silver medal at graduation in 2011 with a CGPA of 9.59/10. My other academics, 10th and 12th standard are decent enough in the 85% range.

Work-experience:

I got placed in American Express India from campus in its Risk Management division as Business Analyst. Though I was not in a managerial role, I was part of a team that built financial models for company's US and International Markets. I was in American Express for 21 months. I left the job to take up a different role in a mildly large business firm where I work today as assistant to the MD.The company is primary involved in processing and trading Agro based commodities. I assist the MD in all the decision making such as in acquiring a new company or setting a new show room for the company's furniture division.

I am applying for 2014 entry into b-school. I will have some 3 years of work-ex by then.

Extra-curricular activities:

I have been and am also currently involved with various non-profit organizations and NGOs that do social work. I assist in their education and women empowerment related initiatives. In my new job, I have been able to particularly involve myself more with these activities which I have a passion for.
In school as well as college, I was involved in many social and cultural activities.

Hobbies:

I like writing about my experiences. Occasionally, read mystery novels and play cricket . I am an avid cricket fan. I pay and watch the sport.

Questions:

1) I am thinking of applying to top US b schools(Harvard, Stanford,Wharton,etc) and LBS. I have heard that these b-schools have a mild guideline of 80/80 split in verbal and quant. But, can a good AWA score of 5.5 and other factors like strong academics make up for the low verbal score? Should I apply to these top schools or there is a no chance of getting in with these scores?

2) Which school/schools might be more suitable to my profile?

3) I will be applying in Round 2. Is there a significant disadvantage compared to Round 1?

4) Does the GMAT score play a role in getting scholarships/loans for the MBA program? Does the score play a role in placements too?

I would really like to hear from your side. Thanks.

Regards,
Anand

[mbamissionjenK]

Hi Anand,

Thanks for your post. Overall I feel you have a strong profile, with strong performance at IIT, a solid GMAT, involvement and recognition, and a slightly more unique career path post-engineering degree, with the risk management at Amex and the contributions you make to overall business decisions in your current role.

Generally a 700 is 'fine' and for the most part schools will look at your other application factors to make the decision. And your quant score was excellent. If you feel you could increase significantly and bump up verbal with a re-take, I wouldn't rule it out, but probably depends on what you feel is feasible.

In terms of schools, you haven't mentioned what your post-MBA goals are so it's more difficult to suggest... often you may choose a school for their strengths in curriculum and/or hiring and employability in the area you are interested in (not as much related to your past, though can be). But in terms of good chances, schools outside the top 8-10 would be good to target, and then add 1-2 top 10 as reach programs.

Continue to emphasize how you are unique vs other engineering applicants, particularly through your interesting work experiences, and the skills you've gained there that are less common among typical engineers.

R2 vs R1-- not drastically different but of course places are taken at each round so fewer spots available. But it is what it is at this point right? And generally it's best to apply when you have put together the best application you can. R3 is definitely tough though.

Yes GMAT can have an impact on scholarships, though often many are given out in R1. Keep in mind MBA scholarships are rare, and offered to the very top applicants... most b-school candidates finance their education through low-interest rate educational loans.

GMAT doesn't often affect post-MBA job placement, except in particular paths/roles at large firms that hire lots of MBAs, certain consulting or IB firms, if interested in those you can do some research even now at what they look for when hiring.

Good luck to you!