Ask AdmissionsConsultants

[AdmissionsConsultants]

Hi David.

I just took my GMAT today. Ended up with a mere 630, after preparing hard and getting much better scores in all the practice test. AWA however was decent enough (hopefully).

Can u just go through my profile and suggest me some decent profiles.

I am an Indian.Did engineering from a top college (National Institue of Technology) in India. Engg. GPA 4/4, good academics in X and XII also (86, 90 respectively). Decent extra curricular. Chairman of a few organizing committees in college, also worked for Community service when in College like for CRY etc. Working for around three years with a famous Software Giant(Infosys) in India and also for a US based telecom giant (Qwest), for its Indian Operation. Appreciated by the CTO for good performance at work.

With this, is there a chance of getting a decent university in US or UK or Europe?

I am quite anxious about this. Expecting a reply.

Thanks.
Conformist.

Hi and thanks for your inquiry.

I understand your frustration for the GMAT is a very important component to a candidates overall profile. Given the competitiveness within your particular demographic pool, I strongly suggest you reconsider retaking the exam if you are truly interested in applying to a top program either in the US or in Europe. It certainly sounds like you are suffering from some testing anxiety issues.

Besides the GMAT, you seem to have some solid work experience and extracurriculars. You will really need to use all of these strengths in a very articulate in strategic manner so that you may differentiate your profile from your particular applicant pool.

This forum provides me with only minimal information thus I cannot fully analyze your complete profile. Thus, if you would like to discuss your candidacy in further detail, please do not hesitate in contacting our office.

Best of luck with your applications!

Sincerely,

David Petersam
DPetersam@admissionsconsultants.com
703.242.5885

[AdmissionsConsultants]

Hi David.

I just took my GMAT today. Ended up with a mere 630, after preparing hard and getting much better scores in all the practice test. AWA however was decent enough (hopefully).

Can u just go through my profile and suggest me some decent profiles.

I am an Indian.Did engineering from a top college (National Institue of Technology) in India. Engg. GPA 4/4, good academics in X and XII also (86, 90 respectively). Decent extra curricular. Chairman of a few organizing committees in college, also worked for Community service when in College like for CRY etc. Working for around three years with a famous Software Giant(Infosys) in India and also for a US based telecom giant (Qwest), for its Indian Operation. Appreciated by the CTO for good performance at work.

With this, is there a chance of getting a decent university in US or UK or Europe?

I am quite anxious about this. Expecting a reply.

Thanks.
Conformist.

I apologize for the repeated response. There have been some technical difficulties with posting responses.


Best of luck with your applications!

Sincerely,

David Petersam
DPetersam@admissionsconsultants.com
703.242.5885

[AdmissionsConsultants]

Hi,

I have been working for the past 4 years in the Software Industry and have enjoyed a seamless progression in my role from a software programmer to an application consultant and implementation expert. My responsibilities rotate around understanding of the various lines of business prevalent in telecom and aligning the software development activities to satisfy business requirements.

I am looking forward for a management career in the field of Technology Management. I have a GMAT score of 720 (49/38). I have a Masters in Computer Applications with an aggregate score of 83%.

one of the weakest areas in my application that I have realized is the Extra-curricular activities. In this very competitive industry, I have been toiling hard for the profile shift and have stayed in Cyprus for the last 3 years. The role involves frequent travels to customer locations that does not permit any sort of regular association with any organizations.

The native language in Cyprus is Greek that is again a hindering point to getting involved with any social organizations. However, I do have friendships with locals and other colleagues who are from Romania and Russia.

I am not sure what are my chances at Harvard as I have heard about the differentiation factor coming into picture. Please advise.

Regards,

Hi Tarun and thanks for your inquiry again.

You bring up an important question for many applicants are oftentimes worried about their extracurricular involvements. Your particular situation is quite unique. You will need to highlight the fact that your job responsibilities in themselves have provided you will some great experiences due to your frequent travels. In addition, what you have experienced and learned about Cyprus can be another topic to weave into your applications. Thus, I would state that although you do not have some traditional extracurricular activities to highlight, your experiences in Cyprus can provide plenty of potential material to discuss.

As for your interests in Harvard, that is not something that I can assess quickly and lightly. The minimal amount of information that you can provide on these forums does not truly allow for a clear and substantial assessment.

Best of luck with your applications!

Sincerely,

David Petersam
DPetersam@admissionsconsultants.com
703.242.5885

[AdmissionsConsultants]

Hi david, please analyze my profile as mentioned below


GMAT - 650(Q 49, V 28)

EDUCATION & GPA - Bachelors of Information Technology (4 yrs) from University of Delhi with an aggregate of 67% equvalent to 3.4 GPA


Work exp - 3yrs 10 months on August 2008 i.e. by the time I would like to start my MBA.

Industry - Information Technology.

Job profile - I ve been working with Infosys Technologies Ltd, a renowned global MNC with its Head Quarters in India. I ve been into the banking domain of the company and was a member of various teams offering treasury banking solutions to international banks such as (Credit Swiss, Uralsib, Aspis etc) around the globe. Though being a technical kind of a profile, my work mostly has been confined to enhancements, bug fixing, coding and testing. Within a few months I would be promoted to a module leader from a software engineer.

Extra curricular & awards : Represented my school in maths olympiads for two consecutive years. Recieved certificate of merit in senior secondary school for outstanding performance in mathematics. Played sports at University level. Was an active member of certain college communities organizing events within the campus. Played sports at Corporate level and Development Center level too, representing Infosys.


Considering the information provided above and if I can get in recommendations from my past project leaders and top managers, what do you think are my chances of getting into the top 30 Business Schools. Schools like Georgia Tech(Atlanta) and Eli Broad College of business(Michigan) are within my reach or not?

Regards.

Hi and thanks for your inquiry.

As you know and as I oftentimes state on these forums, your particular demographic pool is severely competitive. Thus, it is truly important that every aspect of your application is strong and that all your story themes carry a distinguishing factor. This being said, your GMAT is low, particularly your verbal score. Thus, I would suggest you retake the exam and spend a sufficient amount of time preparing. Targeting some of the less competitive programs in the top 30 will provide you will a solid application strategy. However, if you are able to increase your GMAT score, you could be competitive at some of the more top tier programs.

The job responsibilities that you have been able to mold and make your own help to differentiate you from the typical IT/Indian applicant. This could be a very strong factor within your applications, but again to target the top tier programs, you will need to obtain a significantly higher GMAT score. In addition, obtaining a higher score may make you quite competitive at some of the schools you have already identified. While Infosys is a good company, please don’t make the mistake of overemphasizing your company’s prestige to the detriment of emphasizing your role and responsibilities there.

Best of luck with your applications!

Sincerely,

David Petersam
DPetersam@admissionsconsultants.com
703.242.5885

[AdmissionsConsultants]

Please evaluate

GMAT 730
B.A. (business) FDU
GPA 3.8
3 yrs Citigroup owned hedge fund - middle office operations.
24 year old white male.

On a scale of one to ten what are my chances for Columbia?

Hi and thanks for your inquiry.

The minimal amount of information that you have provided at a glance appears solid. However, there are so many factors that are involved in assessing a candidate’s overall profile. For example, career responsibilities and leadership progression are crucial factors that need to be articulated with ones application. You have not identified these two factors. If you are able to present a strong career path along with your future objectives, your applications could be quite competitive.

If you would like to discuss your profile in more detail, please do not hesitate to contact our office.

Best of luck with your applications!

Sincerely,

David Petersam
DPetersam@admissionsconsultants.com
703.242.5885

[AdmissionsConsultants]

Dear David,
Please evaluate.
------------------
Education
---------
I am a mechanical engineer from Top Indian College. 79%, tried for a local conversion to GPA which comes to 3.9 or 4 out of 4. Rank holder in all semesters.

High school (grade XII) and Grade X - both the scores are extremely high 85%.

Professional Life:
----------------
Unlike the rest of the lot of prospective MBAs from India I am NOT from the IT Industry. My total work- ex by Fall 2008, when I intend to enter the MBA will be 3 years.
I work for top Engineering and Construction firm in India,L&T Ltd.(only a handful such firms exist worldwide).

My career path has been one of the most fast paced and vivid. I joined as a Graduate Engineer Trainee, after six-months of excellent performance and a very competitive process I was made a Management Trainee, the best of the best in my workplace. During the trainee period of 1 year I handled various job roles, such as, estimation, execution and coordination of IT services of dept.

After the trainee period, Once again I was elevated as a part of Management Leadership Program which recognised the top talent in the company. Now I worked as a Deputy Project Manager for a comparatively smaller project in India.

Next was independent charge for estimation and Marketing of larger projects including a project in Greece. Also, worked on projects of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE, Oman and Singapore alongwith Indian Projects.

Now I am Project Manager for large project of an Oil Company..Fastest career track for anyone in my division.

Other Educations worth mentioning:
----------------------------------
Realising that I will be required to prove my business skills because of my technical degree I got the following:
1. Certificate on Intellectual Property Rights from WIPO, Geneva
2. Certification in Financial markets from the Largest stock exchange in India
3. Certified Practioner in Trade & Project Finance from Indian Institute of banking and finance

Moreover, I have atleat 25 different certificates potraying my abilities thru college, school and professional life.

GMAT:
------

This is the weakest link. I scored just 640 (Q 48, V 29) and AWA of 5.5. in July 2007.
Yet to take TOEFL.

Community:
------------
-worked with national innovation foundation & IIM-A in college.
-started and ran successfully the daymeal and care program for children in college time.
-in recent job year involved with NGO..CRY
-taught in the school and helped in adoption of the school by my firm's CSR cell.
-Volunteer and Life Member for the Indian Redcross- Bombay cell. Organised Blood donation camps and awareness camps.

Professional Memberships:
------------------------

Member of the following and also in some steering committees:

- Institution of Engineers (India)
- Bombay Management Association
- Indian Institution of Plant Engineers
- Institute of Mathematical Statistics

In college days, an active student member of a number associations.

-Awarded many prizes for papers published at leading Institutions.
-In college Cricket team
-Dept. Football team captain in office
-Filed for patent of my design



MY OWN EVALUATION & STRATEGY:
----------------------------

Cant get into top 10-15 because of low gmat and just 3 yrs of work ex. I think of applying to Michigan state, Ohio State, Penn state, purdue and others of similar ranking in the first round.

Question:
----------
what are my chances of getting in the above colleges such as michigan state with the present GMAT score of 640?

Then retake the GMAT in November and as profile making would have already been done will apply to 3-4 out of top 10 in second round.

Hi and thanks for the detailed inquiry.

You seem to have identified a very solid strategy. I too recommend that you retake the GMAT and aim for a higher score (720+ being ideal.) Targeting some of the less competitive programs will provide you with some strong potential alternatives. However, if you decide to apply to a top tier program, it will be essential that you raise your GMAT score significantly.

One aspect that I do not believe you have identified within your strategy is the importance of career progression. You mention that you have held some great leadership roles but you also mention that within your current two years of work experience, you have held two different jobs. Job consistency is an important factor however if you are able to clearly identify why you have chosen certain career paths over others, you willingness for a challenge and ambition can certainly work in your favor. In addition, utilizing your various extracurricular involvements will be important but it will also be imperative that you make out a correlation between all your involvements.

Finally, the amount of time you have invested in taking further classes will help to highlight your dedication and motivation. This feature of your application can certainly work to help differentiate your profile.

Best of luck with your applications!

Sincerely,

David Petersam
DPetersam@admissionsconsultants.com
703.242.5885

[ekamal]

General Question: Is volunteer work important to have when applying to grad school?

[gmat4up]

Hi David,
Here is my profile:

Indian, Male
4 years exp. in a Blue chip firm (like IBM) + 2 years (by the time I join BSchool) in a public company in senior roles
US Patent granted
IEEE papers and other technical publications
GMAT 720 (Q49, V39) (planning to retake)
Economics degree + BSEE from undergrad univ
MSEE from US Grad school
Undergrad GPA: 3.8
Grad GPA: 3.8
Community work:
Musuem fundraising; Youth mentor; Animal Rescue
Hobbies: Astronomy, Science, long drives

I want to apply to Tuck. Can you please evaluate my profile? Right now, I want to decide how to make my appklication stronger. I think I got everything about my profile in this email.

Thanks David!

[AdmissionsConsultants]

General Question: Is volunteer work important to have when applying to grad school?

Hi and thanks for your inquiry.

This forum is solely for those applicants interested in applying for graduate studies to b-school. Thus, if your question is in reference to extracurricular activities and b-school, then yes such involvements are quite important.

Extracurricular activities, which for the most part are volunteer efforts, provide many applicants with the extra edge that is needed in their applications. Being active outside of the work arena is vital to ones overall profile for it helps demonstrate your passion for other areas of interests. A good application strategy would highlight both work experience and extracurricular involvement.

Best of luck with your applications!

Sincerely,

David Petersam
DPetersam@admissionsconsultants.com
703.242.5885

[AdmissionsConsultants]

Hi David,
Here is my profile:

Indian, Male
4 years exp. in a Blue chip firm (like IBM) + 2 years (by the time I join BSchool) in a public company in senior roles
US Patent granted
IEEE papers and other technical publications
GMAT 720 (Q49, V39) (planning to retake)
Economics degree + BSEE from undergrad univ
MSEE from US Grad school
Undergrad GPA: 3.8
Grad GPA: 3.8
Community work:
Musuem fundraising; Youth mentor; Animal Rescue
Hobbies: Astronomy, Science, long drives

I want to apply to Tuck. Can you please evaluate my profile? Right now, I want to decide how to make my appklication stronger. I think I got everything about my profile in this email.

Thanks David!

Hi and thanks for your inquiry.

Overall, your academic and professional profile appears quite solid. You mention that you are planning on taking the GMAT, and this is a great idea. If you are able to score 30 points or so higher, your academic background would be even more so validated and thus leave less room for debate.

You mention your work background but you do not describe your leadership roles and/or promotions. Although your profile looks solid as briefly summarized, it is only once you begin to dissect your experiences that you begin to understand what strategies and themes should and should not be in used your applications. Therefore, it will be important to find some concrete and impressive aspects of your overall profile to highlight within the story themes of the applications. You have a good foundation to start with.

If you would like assistance with your Tuck application, know that we have a great consultant on staff who served as the former Associate Director of Admissions at Tuck.

Best of luck with your applications!

Sincerely,

David Petersam
DPetersam@admissionsconsultants.com
703.242.5885