vappara 07-08-2006, 06:12 AM Hi!
I am an Indian national desperate to pursue MBA (full time) preferably in finance in Top-40 business schools of US. I want to apply for fall 2007 semester. I am an avid follower of financial markets and was awed by the world of business. I aspire to one among those who manage the business. It might be foolish to quote financial markets as partly responsible for my interest in MBA but that is true ;)
Please see below my profile and the score. Please help me in choosing some Business schools. I took GMAT yesterday and scored 650. Obviously, I am very disappointed with my score. Here's the split:
Quant (Scaled score - 48, Percentile - 86)
Verbal (Scaled score -31, Percentile - 61))
I know, verbal score is very bad. I took GRE 5 years ago and scored 600 in Verbal, 800 in Quantitive and 570 in Analytical. My score in Verbal is decent. Can I send my GRE score report to B-schools to offset my low score in GMAT verbal?
I hold a Bachelor's degree (BTech) in Computer Science and secured an overall percentage of 79% in Btech. I was among the Top-5 in my class.
I have been working as a Software engineer in Tata Consultancy Services from 3.5 years that includes the 1.5 years stint at Onsite (in Seattle, USA). For all these 3.5 years, I have worked in telecom domain for a US client. I am a project leader now and manage a team of 10. Since 3.5 years is too little to get into a manager position in IT sector, I couldn't become a manager.
I have sent my scores to
1. Texas A&M College Station,
2. Univ of Washington, Seattle
3. Michigan State Univ and
4. Univ of Illinois, Urbana Champagne.
Now, I am really confused! I am not an exceptional candidate. So my essays will be like that of a normal IT professional. My clients are ready to give me recommendation letters. Keeping in mind my profile, do I have any chance of making it to the Top-40 schools? Do I need a better GMAT score than 650 to get into those schools?
Also, could you please let me know the univs I should be looking at. Thanks in advance!
Venkat
ImJustMatt 07-08-2006, 01:44 PM I think you might try sending an application a little higher (top 20?) - Maybe your scores aren't great, but they're certainly good.
On the side - you might consider Georgia Tech - they recently launched their MBA program and although the MBA ranking is somewhat low (around 30?) - the school has a great brand that is well-recognized in technology fields. (Not that your other choices were invisible brands)
Also, if you're going to consider TX A&M, you may want to find some Indian alumni to talk to about their experiences as a student. I've heard some horror stories about the racism in college station.
m
Clear Admit 07-10-2006, 04:22 PM I would agree with IJM. Likely you will be competitive for the schools you list. You do not mention any extra curricular activities / community service work. Make sure you have well developed goals. Try to apply in the first rounds. cheers, alex
vappara 07-11-2006, 07:29 AM Thanks a lot IJM and Alex.
vappara 07-12-2006, 04:32 AM Hi,
One more concern! Please clarify.
I have been working as a Software Engineer from 3.5 years. My career goal after pursuing MBA is to become an Investment/Research Analyst. So, in my essays, I am planning to emphasize on my interest in financial markets and the courses I have undergone in financial markets and so on.
Although I have a genuine interest and desire to become an Investment Analyst, I am a bit skeptical as to whether specifying about stock markets would send a wrong signal to the Admissions office. What do you think? Do I need be take extra care to differentiate myself from a stock market trader.
ImJustMatt 07-12-2006, 09:59 AM In the 'why mba, why now' essay - you would do well to show that you possess & have been developing the skills you would need to be an analyst and try to demonstrate that you have already been steering your career towards investments - then you can say that now there is nothing left to do but to get your MBA and make the jump. You would likewise do well to hint at what your career progression would be.
I'm not familiar with the essay questions from your schools, but my personal belief is that a sincere and moving story will always do more for you than over-thought pandering. Make sure there is still a soul in your essay when you finish!
m
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