Applying to non-US top 5. 33F/Indian. 680 score at first attempt.

Question

Hi!

I recently gave the GMAT after studying seriously for a month (3-4 hours a day), and scored a  680 (Q42, V41) . I am a 33 YO Indian female, have cleared all 3 levels of CFA, have entrepreneurial experience of 5 years and 8-9 years work ex (mostly my business & leading brand marketing at a startup for 2 years).

I had limited time to study, given the hectic nature of my job. I only practiced some quant but still majorly messed it up in the actual exam. I scored 640 on my Manhattan mock without studying, 670 (Princeton Review), 660 (GMAT practice exam 1), 730 (GMAT practice exam 2) and 690 (Experts Global).

I have 2 questions-

1. I believe I have a strong profile. Is a 680 good enough for the Top 5 schools? I also always dreamt of HBS, but that seems out, right?
2. In case I reappear for the GMAT, I am confident I might raise the score to a 700/710, but not 730/40. Is it worth it to try again?

Thanks,
Shreya

rn1112 · Answer

Sure, you must try again. GMAT score of 680 with only a month's preparation is indeed commendable. If time is not at a premium, reattempt GMAT. All the Best for a HBS application.

cat2010 · Answer

GMAT is one of the component of application ,overall work experiance and achievments also matter a lot .

As you have not mentioned about deadline , It is always better have score above 700 when applying to prestigious colleges.

rn1112 · Answer

680 is an excellent score. Will be able to gain admission into top colleges. Work experience achievements need to be highlighted in the application.

MBADecoder · Answer

Hi Shreya,

By non-US b-schools, I assume you mean UK and European b-schools? Given that you are on the higher side of age, b-schools in these regions would be more suitable for you as they attract older students. In that sense, HBS would not have been realistic choices even if you had a higher GMAT score as they tend to take younger applicants ( as do several other b-schools in the US).
Entrepreneurship definitely makes for a good profile but it would be important to know the details about your venture and your role in scaling it. Regarding the GMAT- it will be helpful if you can retake with an aim of 700+. Even a 20 point increase from your current score will help. Your challenge could be the timelines as some of the European programs will have their deadlines in early January. 
I'd be happy to discuss your profile in more detail and guide you accordingly.

Admissionado · Answer

shreyab1989 : 1. I believe I have a strong profile. Is a 680 good enough for the Top 5 schools? I also always dreamt of HBS, but that seems out, right? A: Unfortunately, with your profile, a 680 is going to be a bridge too far for the top 5 schools. At the bare minimum, you need a 700. To really clear the bar, a 720/730 would be right in the money. 2. In case I reappear for the GMAT, I am confident I might raise the score to a 700/710, but not 730/40. Is it worth it to try again? A: Yes, it would be fair to take it a third time. For now, focus on the next attempt but reserve the right to take it thrice. Psychologically, knowing you have an extra shot at the exam might relax you and help you perform to your highest potential. When are you applying? Are you active for R2 of this year or thinking about next year? Time starts to become an issue and you will need to consider also completing these applications while not knowing if your GMAT score is going to help (or hurt) you. Keep that in mind when you consider your calendar for the next couple of moths (or next year.) If my team or I can be of any help in this process - especially for the top 5 schools - let us know. A link to sign up for a free consultation is below: https://admissionado.com/free-consultation/

shreyab1989 · Answer

Hi everyone,

Thank you for taking out the time to reply.

Some more details -

1. I plan to apply for Fall 23, so I only have about a month for applications for most schools.

2. I started a fashion brand when I was 26 with my own capital and grew it more than 100% YoY. It now retails at our own store, on our website and through multi-designer stores all over the country.

3. Strong points on my profile-
a. Indian female who had a tough personal life (I recently got divorced after going through a lot, and restarted my career as a brand marketeer)
b. CFA 3 levels completed
c. I run a personal blog on feminism and philosophy
d. My essay writing skills are quite good
e. I was house captain in school, on the board of a youth forum (AIESEC) in college and have been in leadership positions at any place of work.

Main concerns right now are time, and my low quant score.

A little confused, but I've decided to start my applications right away.

Thanks, 
Shreya

MBADecoder · Answer

Hi Shreya, Thanks for the added info, that helps to understand your profile better. The clear positives in your profile are: 1. being a successful entrepreneur - growing and scaling your company is a big achievement that b-schools value. B-schools have increasingly added to their curriculum/ experiences related to entrepreneurship and having a successful entrepreneur who can share their journey of failures and achievements with the rest of the class is a valuable proposition. Its not clear though whether you are still running the venture, but that doesn't matter from the application's perspective. 2. Your CFA will help to prove your quantitative aptitude. I find the combination of CFA + marketing + entrepreneurship interesting. You should aptly highlight your skill set through every component of the application- the essays, recos and the resume. 3. Resilience in personal +professional life 4. ECAs are good - the blog sounds interesting. The b-schools where you apply can hope you will become a student blogger for them

. The GMAT obviously can be better. That said, I will say you have an otherwise strong profile and so, go ahead with what you have. European/UK b-schools don't tend to focus so much on the GMAT scores, and you can prove your business acumen, quant aptitude and academic capability through other elements in the application. Regarding the short timeline- we can help with your applications. You can write to me at contact@mbadecoder.com and we can schedule a discussion.

TheIvyLeagueEdge · Answer

Hi,
You are right. Time is not on your side.
CFA level 3 however can help you a lot more in some top schools. 
Feel free to connect and Ping on my LinkedIn for a free personalized discussion.

MBAGuide · Answer

Hi  shreyab1989  hope this finds you well

Having read the detailed conversation, I am going to suggest a few pragmatic steps.

1. Rather than applying in late rounds with a low GMAT, you may consider applying to HEC Paris for the 2024 Jan intake in R1 or R2. The R1 applications will open soon (December end). I am yet to assess your candidacy, but if you are interested, you may also apply to INSEAD in R1 (March-April 2023 R1). 
With your age and prior background in entrepreneurship, it will not be very easy to pitch your case for the 2-year MBA in US B-schools. You can consider the 1-year MBA program such as Kellogg, Columbia J Term, IBEAR Marshal, Cornell Tech MBA or MIT Fellows (exceptionally competitive). Do your research by speaking with the schools and alumni.

2. You want to avoid coming across as someone who is merely looking for an exit from your current path where you feel you are unable to hack any growth possibilities. This naturally translates into your requirement to demonstrate a year-on-year growth progression through various professional experiences accumulated over time. Create a stellar career progression narrative. As an older applicant, entrepreneurship goals can suit you well, especially given your prior experience with it. But you must identify your goals before you delve into the school selection.

3. Be pragmatic with school selection; evaluate whether you only need an impetus in your career through an MBA and/or international exposure with a global MBA is a must-have. I believe you would be an excellent fit for the IIMs. As applicants reach a certain age, international B schools become highly selective due to the age factor and difficulty in providing professional opportunities in new geography. The same is not the case with Indian B Schools. I have applicants above 35 years of age attending ISB and IIM A. You will be able to reap exceptional ROI even from these schools.

Tip for quant:  GMATclub mocks (set of 26 mocks, I think) are the most challenging quant mocks available and prepare you solid for the actual exam, especially if you are self-studying. You will do great if you practice with these diligently. I have used those for my GMAT prep and have recommended the same to my mentees, who also improved significantly.

Best wishes

MBAandBeyond · Answer

Hi shreyab1989 , To answer your questions 1. I believe I have a strong profile. Is a 680 good enough for the Top 5 schools? I also always dreamt of HBS, but that seems out, right? The average GMAT score for Harvard MBA incoming class of 2023 is 730. With 680, it will not be impossible but extremely difficult for HBS. A score above 700 will land you in a decent position to exhibit your academic potential. A target of 730-740 would provide an additional boost to your application and strengthen your chances. However, US schools are not friendly with older applicants. Thus, you should give a shot at Top EU schools. 2. In case I reappear for the GMAT, I am confident I might raise the score to a 700/710, but not 730/40. Is it worth it to try again? I remember a famous quote by Earl Nightingale “People with goals succeed because they know where they're going.” If you really work hard, set your goals straight and make up your mind to achieve your desired score, I don’t think of any obstacles hurdling your way. Yes, it is definitely worth trying again! Apart from this, Major highlights of your profile. 1. Clearing all three levels of CFA. 2. Successful functioning of your fashion brand with visible growth (YOY). 3. Your essay writing skills. Essays are a very important part of an application. If you are confident you can ace them, things will definitely go your way. 4. You have decided to start with your application without just worrying about your scores considering time constraints. I agree with the above post, you should apply for R1 in Jan 24 intake. You may also want to read an article on MBA over 30 , you will get some insights! This article, we will discuss whether doing an MBA after 30 is worth it? Or Is it too late for an MBA? And how can you get into a top-notch B school after 30, and which MBA schools accept candidates over 30? We at MBA and Beyond will help you to gather all the inputs in your profile and build a robust application. If properly worked upon, your profile stands a chance of acceptance. Hence, If you'd like, we are happy to connect you with our Profile Experts (who are alums and students of top B-Schools) who will discuss your profile at length in a 30-45 minutes call and provide you with feedback based on your aspirations and goals. Feel free to schedule a call with us here for in-depth profile evaluation (and some networking on the side!) Cheers! Neha Hadke Strategy Manager Testimonials Meet our Panel of Consultants. Email: neha@mbaandbeyond.com Visit our website www.mbaandbeyond.com for more MBA resources.

Applying to non-US top 5. 33F/Indian. 680 score at first attempt.

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