kittypryde wrote:
Hi there!
I have a few questions regarding a starting point for my application process. Please find some details about my profile below:
1) Brief description of your full-time work experience.
I have worked for 3 years and 3 months (till present date) out of the India office of a US-based consulting firm that focuses on sales and marketing solutions. Most of my experience has been in the field of marketing planning in the field of healthcare, and a lot of it is quant-heavy. My work involves a deep understanding of the managed healthcare landscape in the US. I manage a team of 4 and am currently working for a large pharmaceutical company based in the US, in the managed/insured healthcare space. Additionally, I correspond and work regularly with directors from the client organization, and have spent some (though little, due to visa restrictions) time working at the client location (1 month so far and more to follow this year).
2) Your GMAT.
730 (Q:50, V:39, AWA: ? (score not available yet), IR:8)
3) College info.
Did my engineering in Electronics & Telecommunications from a prestigious Indian college (Ranked 8th in India)
Grades: GPA of 7.4/10 (within top 20% of my class)
Year of Graduation: May 2012
4) Significant college and post-college extra-curricular activities or community service, especially leadership experience.
[*]President of student branch of the largest technical society in my college
[*]Founded a Finance club in college
[*]For the past year, have been volunteering at an organization in the capacity of a mentor, helping disadvantaged kids reach good schools and planning for their careers
[*]In school, have won several awards and scholarships for excellence in math and science (including state and national level awards and scholarships)
5) Important certifications like CFA, CPA, FSA, or CA.
None so far but plan to do Six-Sigma soon (2016)
6) Your target programs.
Still working on the final list of programs, but wish to apply to the Top 10. My dream school is Kellogg.
7) When you plan to apply?
Not sure if I should apply in R2 this year or R1 the next.
8) Your post-MBA goal.
I wish to continue growing in the field of consulting.
Q1] First of all, I would like to know if I should retake the GMAT? While 730 may seem like a good score initially, but considering that I have a GPA that would translate quite poorly to the US school norm (7.4/10 * 4) and am a Indian applicant, I think I may need an extra boost. Does this warrant a retake?
Q2] I wish to apply to the top 10 schools. Do you think I can apply in R2 of the current year, or should I work on my application and try in R1 next year? Is M7 a distant dream, or can I add to my application and try?
Do let me know your perspectives. Thank you in advance!
Hey there,
So first piece of great news: Your GMAT rocks! You don't need to and shouldn't retake!
It's a threshold you have to pass and you did! And now getting a 790 wouldn't help you that much either...
Instead it's time for you to move to to your applications! What I see that's good is that you are in a great industry (healthcare) with very solid quant knowledge and for an American company.
The biggest weakness is your applicant pool (Indian Tech) and the fact that you are a non-IIT graduate with a so-so GPA.
Now with a great application some of the Top 10 schools may be in range, but my advice would be apply in the 5-20 range to a spread of schools.. it's the best way for you to aim high, while spreading risk, and anyhow reaching your goals!
Best,
Jon