600-->650 (Below 700, but I have hit the target :D) (MBA IN CANADA)

Hi Guys,

I have posted a lot of times on this forum and people have been very kind in their replies.
This has been a great journey and I would like to share my experience with all of you. I would also need some guidance regarding the selection of universities and application process.

So here it goes:

I gave my first GMAT on 23rd March, 2017. I was working in Zomato Media Pvt Ltd that time. I had to study while i was working. I used MGMAT tests, GMAT Prep Tests and a few Princeton Review Tests. I used to study for 1-1.5 hours on weekdays and 3 hours on weekends. It was a difficult task. I took a break of 10 days before the exam, gave some mocks and appeared for the exam.
AWA and IR went well. Quant was my strong part since the beginning. So it was also good. But then came verbal. I read the first question, i was blank. During the first 15 minutes i thought i should stand and cancel the exam then and there. But I moved on. I knew i would score somewhere between the 30th and 40th percentile in Verbal. I Bombed verbal.
After completing the exam, I saw the score - I was expecting 550-600 and that's what happened.
GMAT 1 : 600 (Q48, V23, IR-5, AW-5)

I always wanted to pursue my post grad [MBA] in Canada. I started looking for B schools that would accept this score. I found a lot of schools which have a minimum requirement of 550 and an Average around 600. I though I should apply to these schools and ignore the top 5 B schools as the average of those schools was obviously more than that. I wanted to do my MBA in toronto. So i came across Ryerson University [Ted Rogers School Of Management]. The Average score in this university is around 620. I was close to the average score so I thought i should apply at this school as i have a decent profile also.
I asked a lot of people about this on this forum and got a feedback that to be on a safer side i should improve my score by atleast 20-30 points. I didn't have time and i didn't want to delay things. But then, i gave it a thought and took the DECISION.

I didn't study for 4 months after my first attempt because I was working. I completed my 2 years work ex and then left my job in July. I prepared for 1.5 months. The only thing i did extra was that i took the egmat verbal course as Verbal was my weak part. I gave some mocks after taking the course and I scored V33-35 on average. But after giving my first GMAT i realised that there is a BIG DIFFERENCE between a mock and real GMAT. The nerves, the pressure, the panicking, everything adds up. That's why it's said one should expect 40-50 points less than the average mock score. I used to get 650-660 on mocks. All I wanted was a 20-30 point jump.

Then came the D Day. 30th August, 2017. I gave my 2nd attempt. This time, I started with verbal. And guess what, the panic mode started. I wasn't sure whether the answers were right or not. But i carried on. I thought that I bombed Verbal again. And let me tell you, Quant, AWA and IR were still left. My hands were shaking and I thought that I won;t be able to score more than 600 this time. But i carried on, kept my focus and completed all the remaining 3 sections.
Clicked 'NEXT' and :
GMAT 2: 650 (Q49,V29,IR-8,AW-5?

I know this is not a very impressive score. I didn't touch the 700 mark. BUT, my main aim was to improve my score by 20-30 points after a 4 month break. I only had a month and a half. I certainly knew that Ryerson University was on the cards now. But with a 650, i think i have more options. Not the top 2 universities in Canada [Rotman and Ivey]. But I can certainly apply for some of the top 10 universities in Canada.
I won't be giving the GMAT again. Reasons: 1: I want to apply for 2018 batch. Can't delay it more (personal reasons). 2: Don't want to invest more money on GMAT. I know its a silly reason, but i have to see my budgets, which i have to put in the applications and the tuition fees.

It's not a 700 score success story. But, I think i am satisfied. I have more options now.
Now, here's my profile:

Name: Ronit Sharma
Nationality: Indian
Age: 23 Years
10th: 9 CGPA
12th: 95%
Graduation: 68% (First Division) [Economics Honors, University of Delhi]
Extra Curricular activities: I have been an active member of the Delhi University Theater circuit for the 3 years of my graduation. I have written, directed and acted in many plays. i was the Vice President of the Theater Society of my College.
Internship (2 months): Anabond Pvt Ltd (Marketing)

Work Experience : 2 Years (Zomato Media Pvt Ltd - Marketing/Operations)
I joined in when Zomato began Online ordering. I was a key member in initial process of setting up that business. So apparently, I worked in a successful startup within a startup (a new-age, fast growth, ups-and-downs kind of company).
I have also worked with a couple of NGOs.

So now, I need some suggestions and some guidance. I will definitely apply at Ryerson University, but i think i have more options now. I want to apply for 2018 (September intake). Here's a list of the top 10-12 Universities/Schools in Canada. The average GMAT score of all these university is below 650 (Except 2-3) and the work experience requires is <=2 years. So i need you guys to tell/guide me, in what all universities I have a good chance of getting in. Please share your or your friend's experience and guide me how to go forward. Your replies are very important and valuable
List:
1: Rotman
2: Queen's
3: McGill University
4: Ivey
5: Ryerson [ted rogers]
6: University of british columbia
7: HEC Montreal
8: Tefler School - University of ottawa
9: Schulich School of business
10: DeGroote School of Business
11: Alberta School of Business
12: Wilfrid Laurier University
13: Simon Fraser University

Waiting for your replies , Thankyou