NEW HERE? LEARN MORE
closeclose
Last visit was: 28 Apr 2024, 05:54 It is currently 28 Apr 2024, 05:54
Decision Tracker
My Rewards
New posts
New comers' posts

Close
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track
Your Progress

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Go to My Error Log Learn more
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel

Retake GMAT... or live with it ???

SORT BY:
Date
Kudos
avatar
kunzi
Manager
Manager
Joined: 02 Jul 2011
Posts: 208
Own Kudos [?]: 18 [0]
Given Kudos: 90
Send PM
Retake GMAT... or live with it ??? [#permalink] New post   25 Apr 2013, 02:13
Hello there !!

My Profile in brief detail :wink:

Nationality: Indian
GMAT: 700 (Q 49 V36)
GPA: 75% from a top 50 engineering school
Major: Mechanical Engineering

Work Experience: 7 years at Matriculation with a top Oil exploration and refining company (I worked only in downstream - refining)

4 Years: Mechanical Engineer - Maintenance. Lead a team of 6 technicians. Worked towards ensuring the reliability and availability of mech. equipment. Developed maintenance plans - Preventive and Predictive. Active involvement in Tendering and Contract Management.

2 Years: Senior Engineer - Maintenance and Projects. Leveraged the maintenance expertise to streamline and manage Revamp Project activities. Lead a team of over 40 technicians to complete shutdown activities well ahead of schedule. Job included planning, inter - department coordination and execution.

1 Year: Senior Engineer - Vigilance. Leveraged the technical and commercial expertise to bring systemic improvements across the organization. Focussed on areas that required system development or improvement and recommended changes to improve efficiency, transparency and effectiveness.

Leadership
• Elected Representative for Management Staff Association (Officer's association to liaison with the Management)
• Work profile full of leadership examples

Extra Curricular:
• Active Member of Toastmaster's Club
• Community Service through the CSR activities of my company - Organized blood donation camps, AIDS awareness campaigns etc.
• An active event organizer throughout my life - right from school till today. Was a member of Organizing Committee for Annual Tech. & Cultural fest at college. Active participation in organizing company events including handling venue, logistics, decor, liaison with speakers etc.

Future Plans:
Energy Consulting with a focus on sustainability.

Target Firms:
GE (internal consulting)
Bain
McKinsey

Backup Plan: Operations management in Energy industry. Target Firm: Shell, Exxon Mobil, Chevron, BP.

Wish to apply to:

1. Tuck
2. Duke Fuqua
3. Darden
4. UCLA
5) Johnson
6) Emory
7) Mc Combs
8) Kelley
9) Ivey, Canada
10) Rotman

I am skeptical in the following areas:

1. Should I retake GMAT? If I do, I expect to get 720-730. Should I devote the next month on GMAT or start preparing my apps ??

2. Do I have the USP to get into the programs mentioned above, considering I don't take another shot at GMAT ?? Request you to highlight any apparent weaknesses in my profile.

3. What schools should I focus on. A list of schools reputed for placements in the energy sector (Consulting and Operations).

Look forward to your response.
Thank You.

Best Regards,
KUNAL
avatar
mbaMissionMili
MBA Admissions Consultant
Joined: 02 Jul 2012
Posts: 382
Own Kudos [?]: 46 [1]
Given Kudos: 0
Send PM
Re: Retake GMAT... or live with it ??? [#permalink] New post   07 May 2013, 21:38
1
Kudos
Expert Reply
Hi Kunal,

I love how well thought out your business school and career plan are. Sounds like you've done a lot of planning!

I don't think you NEED to retake the GMAT, but I think you have time, and if you think you can get a 720+, it would be a good thing to do. You won't really need to start applications until later this summer, so if you can take the exam by July 1, I'd say go for it. But like I said, I don't think you have to take the test to get into business school - I just think it would only increase your chances (especially at more competitive schools).

You have potential to get into schools without retaking the GMAT. But the GMAT is not really the big weakness in your profile. I'd say your weakness is extracurricular and community leadership. The reason is because most of your activities in these areas are happening through your company or took place in college. It doesn't seem like you have consistent activity/leadership outside of work.

I'd say Tuck is a stretch most likely, but everything else is a possibility. Another school to research would be UC Berkeley (given your interest in energy/environment), though it would be in the same category as Tuck in terms of competitiveness.

Good luck,
Mili




Mili Mittal
Senior Consultant
https://www.mbamission.com
 
Read the mbaMission Insider's Guides (16 individual school titles)
 
Download [url=https:// https://info.mbamission.com/MBA-Personal-Statement-Guide/]mbaMission’s Free Personal Statement Guide[/url]
 
Visit the mbaMission Blog
 
Follow mbaMission on Twitter
avatar
kunzi
Manager
Manager
Joined: 02 Jul 2011
Posts: 208
Own Kudos [?]: 18 [0]
Given Kudos: 90
Send PM
Re: Retake GMAT... or live with it ??? [#permalink] New post   07 May 2013, 22:02
Hey Mili,

Thank you so much for the insights and such an encouraging response.

In fact, I got rejected from 2 schools earlier (with the same GMAT score) and I got a similar feedback as yours from one of the schools. Though I had a lot of presentation issues then, but my extra - curricular and community involvement were the weaknesses that were highlighted by the school too.

Can you suggest some remedies here considering the time left for applications to start, which is around 2 - 2.5 months.

Would joining a club like Toastmasters (for public speaking) and Lions (for community work) be helpful for me if I remain active in these clubs in the near future. Although I doubt that I'd be able to get some insightful experiences in such a short time to weave them around my application story, shall I still join in to add to the bullet points ??

Your honest opinion will be highly solicited.

Best Regards,
KUNAL
avatar
kunzi
Manager
Manager
Joined: 02 Jul 2011
Posts: 208
Own Kudos [?]: 18 [0]
Given Kudos: 90
Send PM
Re: Retake GMAT... or live with it ??? [#permalink] New post   07 May 2013, 22:05
kunzi wrote:
Hey Mili,

Thank you so much for the insights and such an encouraging response.

In fact, I got rejected from 2 schools earlier (with the same GMAT score) and I got a similar feedback as yours from one of the schools. Though I had a lot of presentation issues then, but my extra - curricular and community involvement were the weaknesses that were highlighted by the school too.

Can you suggest some remedies here considering the time left for applications to start, which is around 2 - 2.5 months.

Would joining a club like Toastmasters (for public speaking) and Lions (for community work) be helpful for me if I remain active in these clubs in the near future. Although I doubt that I'd be able to get some insightful experiences in such a short time to weave them around my application story, shall I still join in to add to the bullet points ??

Your honest opinion will be highly solicited.

Best Regards,
KUNAL



Sorry, I meant joining Lion's and being more active in Toastmasters than I am at present.
avatar
mbaMissionMili
MBA Admissions Consultant
Joined: 02 Jul 2012
Posts: 382
Own Kudos [?]: 46 [1]
Given Kudos: 0
Send PM
Re: Retake GMAT... or live with it ??? [#permalink] New post   12 May 2013, 21:16
1
Kudos
Expert Reply
Hi Kunal,

It probably won't hurt, but it's really going to come down to the impact you have on the organizations. Getting more active and taking a leadership role in Toastmasters' would be great. I am not sure what Lions' is, but if you are passionate about it and can take a leadership position and drive an impact in the next few months, then perhaps that makes sense to do. Ultimately, it might make more sense to focus this year on building up your extra-curriculars and community experience in a more meaningful way (while still focusing on driving your career forward), and applying a year from now. However, you've already got 7 years experience, so that might be waiting a bit too long...

Good luck,
Mili




Mili Mittal
Senior Consultant
https://www.mbamission.com
 
Read the mbaMission Insider's Guides (16 individual school titles)
 
Download [url=https:// https://info.mbamission.com/MBA-Personal-Statement-Guide/]mbaMission’s Free Personal Statement Guide[/url]
 
Visit the mbaMission Blog
 
Follow mbaMission on Twitter
avatar
kunzi
Manager
Manager
Joined: 02 Jul 2011
Posts: 208
Own Kudos [?]: 18 [0]
Given Kudos: 90
Send PM
Re: Retake GMAT... or live with it ??? [#permalink] New post   12 May 2013, 21:39
Hey Mili,

Thank you for the effort. I don't have the luxury of waiting for another year to build my community/ leadership experiences. I'll apply this year and portray the best possible image that I can.

Thanx once again.

Regards,
KUNAL
Moderator:
mbaMissionKate
mbaMission Admissions Consultant
1452 posts

Powered by phpBB © phpBB Group | Emoji artwork provided by EmojiOne
Main navigation
GMAT Resources
Partners
MBA Resources
www.gmac.com|www.mba.com | | GMAT Club Rules | Terms and Conditions