Profile Evaluation request: GMAT score 700

[Aman_Gupta]

Hi,
I took GMAT yesterday and scored a 700. Can you please help me evaluating my profile?

Please find a brief description of my profile below:

Origin:Indian| Male| 26

GMAT: 700 | Q49 V37

Educational Background:

B.Tech (Engg) in Information Technology
GPA: 8.7 out of 10
I have showed strong academic performance throughout my education with 86% and 87% marks respectively in my 10th and 10+2 too

Work Experience:

I will have total work experience of 4.5 yrs by the time I join any business school next year.

I am currently working with Oracle corporation in the product development division. My work basically focus on to research and innovate new Business Intelligence products which can help Business user to take quick and informed decisions with the help of technology and data analysis.
My role requires me to be very close to the business and I will even like to stretch it to the point that this is the technological role which is closest to the business and I have fair understanding of business domains I work in.
I head a small team of 4 developers in India which works on creating prototypes for the new products.

Before Oracle, I was with ZS Associates which is one of the world's leading consulting firm and enjoys near monopoly in the field of pharma consulting.
I worked on several consulting projects for ZS including merger analysis, market segmentation etc. for top US pharma companies such as Pfizer and Daichii Sankyo, J&J etc.
My work involved using my Business Intelligence skills to enable these projects technologically. I lead a small team of two associates in ZS too. I have a very good understanding of pharma business and data as well as consulting requirements.

Extra curricular activities:

I am involved with a NGO called iVolunteer from past one and a half year and have participated in various joy giving events like running half marathon for sponsorship events and visiting various old age homes and child care centres to spend time with them.

Among other activities I am a good orator and creative writer and have participated at various levels at school and college

Achievements:
I did a research project on Artificial Intelligence in my last year of college for Defence Research Organization (DRDO) of India and was appreciated by then president Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam

Why MBA?
I have acquired a very niche skill set of technological knowledge as well as business domain knowledge till this point of my career with the balance slightly tilting towards technology. A MBA degree will enable me to shift this balance towards business.
It is a necessary condition for me if I want to use my strategic thinking, data analysis skills and innovative qualities for a greater good. I want to get into the driving seat of the decision making process and I believe a MBA degree along with my business intelligence and leadership skills will be a good recipe for to achieve my goal.

Questions

1. Will my average score affect my applications? Should I retake GMAT? If I put in one more month I can hope to get about 720 but I don't think I can achieve anything drastically high in just a month

2. Which colleges should I apply? I was targeting ISB for one main reason that it is very easy to get the collateral free education loan for the whole fees.
Financing my education is one of my major concern. I'm not averse to loans but I don't have much idea about the process and how difficult is it for foreign students to secure one.
If know this is not the forum to discuss finance but I will greatly appreciate if you can direct me to someone who can help me in this regard

Please let me know if any additional information is required from my side.
Thanks a lot for your help

[mbamissionjenK]

Hi Aman,

Thanks for posting your profile, and congrats on hitting 700 on the GMAT, a benchmark that many aim to reach. With ISB at an average GMAT of about 710, you have a score that puts you at a level similar to many of their students, and therefore if the rest of your application factors are strong and you can show what you bring to the program that is unique, and how the MBA will help you with your goals, your chances of acceptance would be good.

Your experience at Oracle has likely developed your project management as well as analytical skills, and your list of other activities and involvement with the NGO, hobbies you stay active with such as running, etc, are all points that show that you have many interests and would likely be involved at business school as well.

Your academic background is also strong. One area that could be strengthened is your career goals. While everything you said about shifting more to the business side makes sense, in a competitive admissions environment, those who have clear short and long-term post-MBA goals will often gain acceptance over those whose goals are more vague or general. Spend some time focusing on your goals and how the MBA will help you reach them, and that may also drive your choice of schools to apply to (and even financing decisions based on your future career plans). As for financing, once you have in mind the programs you are interested in, contact the admissions office and find out who to speak with/email about financing and ask initial questions to determine your options.

Wishing you the best!

Jen Kedrowski
mbaMission
MBA Admissions Consultant
www.mbamission.com