Ask ARINGO - if your GMAT is (or might be) below 720

Hi Joy...thanks for your response

I'm going to take the GMAT again and hope to score mid-700s.

Assuming I reach that score, do you think I will be competitive at INSEAD and MIT?

Thanks in adv for your help

Hi, good for you! I think that's the right attitude. I do think you'd have a chance with that score, based on what you've told me. Remember that both schools are interested in strong self awareness and self reflection, and the maturity that shows. In addition, INSEAD puts high value on international experience, and it's important to know a second language.

Wishing you the best of success,

Joy
Senior Application Consultant
Aringo.com

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The Good Folks @Aringo

I would really appreciate it if you guys could also review my profile. Thanks a ton in advance, (and apologies for the long rants):

1. Demographics:
Female (Indian), 27 years old
From Bangalore, India

2. Undergrad:
3.00 GPA (57%) from a State University in India
Major: Mathematics
Minor: Economics, Statistics

My below-average grade in undergrad is not representative of my academic skills. Due to personal reasons and having to take on additional family responsibilities, I was unable to achieve a first-class grade.

3.Masters:
3.5 GPA (67%) in M.A (Mass Communication – Journalism)

My love for business and storytelling led me to a post-graduate degree in journalism. I graduated from the country’s second-strongest program, moved on to work in the financial journalism space, and now utilize these very skills in my current role as a B2B Marketing Communication Specialist.

4. GMAT: 710 (92 percentile)
Q48 – 76 percentile; V40 – 90 percentile; 5 AWA; 4 IR (Below average )
My quant and IR scores worry me. I can take the mbamath course to strengthen my application.

5. Work Experience:

- One year as a news/features reporter and producer for India’s 2 leading business channels
- I was working in Mumbai (hub of news media), and had to move back home to take care of family. So got a job with a financial website as a Content Analyst. Promoted to Content Manager within a year (but was managing the website and team within 6 months). Key achievement - Planned & executed the re-launch of the website (on-time and within budget)
- Once the project was complete, I took a long and hard look at the career prospects of continuing in the online space as a content professional. That is when I realized that I would very soon hit a ceiling and not be able to do a lot more on a larger scale.
- I then got a break in an IT-service organization’s marketing division (MNC) as a communication specialist. And as clichéd as it sounds, I found my calling. This is how I summarize my role:

“My business is the business of communication. Well, marketing communications to be exact – the art and science of communicating a company’s image, message, and opinion.

It is my belief that every time an organization signs off on a communication (internal or external), it must ensure that the piece explains the core message, the value it brings and why the reader should be interested in learning more.

As an aspiring marketing professional operating in today’s digital era, my professional interests include:

o Content Marketing - Corporate Blogging, Data Visualization, Marketing Messages, and Sales Collaterals
o Client Engagement
o Sales Enablement
o Community Management”

- Key Achievements –
o Executed a premium content campaign to promote the company’s enterprise security solutions - content ideation (interview subject matter experts to build storylines for their point of view), content creation (write the opinion piece) and content marketing (blogs, client, e-mails, and social network updates to promote the content)
o Developed the Global Outlook report, country specific reports and client presentations analyzing the results of the annual flagship survey conducted across 12 counties
o In-charge of conducting the press conference for a India-focused event

6. Extracurricular:
I don't have a much here. I blog on marketing communication-related topics, and also contribute to numerous websites. I have a passion for music, and play the guitar and keyboard. I also stay sane by participating in bicycle riding competitions and playing tennis.

7. Why MBA:
I am specifically looking to do an MBA in Marketing to move up the value chain. My current role lets me execute marketing activities. I now want to make the transition to marketing/brand management so as to take on roles that allow me conceptualize promotional and positioning activities that include internet marketing, inbound marketing, advertising and marketing communication. I currently operate in the B2B space and am open to such roles in B2C companies as well.

8. Target Schools:
INSEAD – A great school offering opportunities with world-class companies
NUS – Strong marketing program
Duke Fuqua – A strong community with a decent marketing program
Cornell – A great school that opens a lot of doors
Rotman (Only if I get a healthy scholarship)

9. Weaknesses:
Low undergrad GPA
So-so extracurricular
(Please do point others based on the information provided)

Hi guys,

Firstly, thanks for taking your time to help out. Secondly, here is all about myself that I can think of:

1) Full-time work experience.
Current and only employment: 1-year (since May 2012) at family-owned steel trading business (20 employees) and working to open up a steel wire rod manufacturing plant. By the time I begin MBA in Fall 2014, I will have completed 2 yrs.
Employment details:
Role: Business Technologist
Functions:
- Assisting in and supervising maintenance of accounting records of the company by the accountant.
- Assisting in and supervising implementation of Quality Management Systems (ISO 9001:2008)
- Preparing financial reports as required by the management.
- Supervision of stock counts and generating subsequent reports for the management.
- Creation of an accounting system with new records, ledgers for the new manufacturing plant
- Creation of company websites and computing resources (managing all email accounts, IT equipment in the company)

2) Unofficial GMAT score: 700 (Q49-V35), essays and IR yet to be announced (Took on September 19, 2013)
Note: Should I be concerned about the unevent quant and verbal scores?

3) College info:
The University of Iowa

GPA: 3.51 (Negative trend at first and a positive trend in last year. GPA movement: 3.92(1st sem) to 2.87(6th sem) to 3.61 (last sem)) - Negative trend at first due to taking up of many extracurricular activities - Positive trend later, despite the advanced coursework, because I had learnt to manage my time properly.
Major: Electrical Engineering (Bachelors of Science) - Minors: Computer Science, Business
Year of Graduation, 2012

4) Significant college and post-college extra-curricular activities or community service.
Current activities:
- Board member of a Toastmasters International club
Roles: Sergeant-At-Arms (2012-2013), Vice President Membership (2013-2014)
- Frequent volunteer for social events at the Indian Social and Cultural Center
- Recently became active in swimming as a sport

College extra-curricular activities:
- 2 years of secretarial and event management board member at OASIS (International student support and cultural awareness group), and
- Secretary at Hawkeye Racquetball Culb

5) Target programs
All are 2-yr programs: Berkeley - Haas, Stanford, UV Darden, Babson, IIMA

6) Prefer to apply R1-R2 in mid-to-late 2013

7) Post-MBA goal.
Start a business in the technology and/or environmental sectors (hopefully while in college). Also plan to keep on working the family business as well.

8) Cultural factors: Athough an Indian national, I have been born and living my entire life in the United Arab Emirates. I don't know if this helps, I just wanted to point out that I have been in the Middle East for a long time and have had the opportunity to see two different cultures interatc here (Indian and Middle-East cultures).

Note: Even after college, I keep studying to improve myself. Right now, I am undergoing preparation for the CMA exams

Hi, I wouldn't worry too much about the low GPA in undergrad. You can address it in an optional essay, and you proved in your master's degree that you can do better. Your GMAT is fine - it's above average at least at Duke, INSEAD and Cornell; however, if you have qualms, consider retaking. You don't need to belong to an organization to do extracurricular stuff. Highlight the blogging - especially if you are part of a community and are donating your time to help others - and go for the music as well.

Try to find ways to highlight leadership and initiative in your application - as well as any time you had to present to senior mgmt or clients or large groups of people, as well as any time you were able to persuade others to follow your lead.

Good luck!!

Joy

Senior Application Consultant
Aringo.com

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Hi, you have a very interesting profile and a lot to work with, from what I see. Use the family business as much as you can - see what you can initiate there, and if it can lead to a leadership position in some way. Leadership experience would be very helpful, as well as initiating achievements, as you wish to be an entrepreneur.

You seem very young to me, without a lot of professional experience. You might consider either taking another year or two to work, or having your short term goal be to come back to the family business and expand it in some significant way, before opening your own business. That's just an option. Again, you are shooting for entrepreneurial programs, and we need to show them some basis for thinking you will succeed with that.

One more thing - for Stanford especially, you might consider retaking the GMAT if you think you can score any higher...

Good luck!

Joy
Senior Application Consultant
Aringo.com

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Hi Joy,
Could you please let me know the followings -
1. Are Ross Essay 1 and McCombs Essay 1 EXACTLY similar,EXCEPT the word-count difference?
2.To what extent these two essays are similar to CBS Essay 3?

Much appreciate your feedback...
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Experts,

I am hoping to apply for round 1. Please share any advice as I am struggling if I should include a comment in my additional information section. I am applying to the top ranked schools (Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, etc.) and I come from a top tier tech school (Caltech, MIT, etc.) have 5-years work experience with a sales background for an advertising analytics startup and I have a 26 year old asian female.

Please see my credentials below and my question is if I should mention in my additional optional essay a short blurb about that I was immature, overloaded my coursework (was involved with an insane number of extracurriculars and part-time work to pay for college) and have learned from that experience? Or will the admissions committee assume as much and I will be stressing an issue that they would typically overlook/actually do me a disservice?

GMAT: 690 (87%), (78%M, 74%V)

Grades: 3.9/5.0
2nd year I received two Cs (Bio, Finance) and one F, which I later retook the econ class with the F and got an A, but it was at Study Abroad, but I will be including that in my application

Remainder academic history:
Senior Year: Mostly B's, only 2 A's
Study Abroad in London: All A's, one B+, 7 courses

WHARTON SAYS:
If you feel there are extenuating circumstances of which the Admissions Committee should be aware (e.g., unexplained gaps in work experience, choice of recommenders, or questionable academic performance, significant weaknesses in your application), please explain them here. (250 words)

STANFORD SAYS:
If there is any information that is critical for us to know and is not captured elsewhere, include it in the "Additional Information" section of the application. Pertinent examples include: Extenuating circumstances affecting academic or work performance, etc. etc.

Thank you again,

MBA applicant

Hi, Bagdbmba
Regarding question 1, there are two obvious differences: the word count and also the fact that McCombs allows for the answer to be given in other formats (video, etc.). The other issue that comes into consideration is to look at all of the other essay questions in each school, and to see what you might want to tell about yourself that is missing. In other words, this question is also an opportunity to give details that don't appear elsewhere, so the answer might change accordingly.

Regarding Question 2, I see Essay 3 as an opportunity to discuss one or two special aspects of you and your life that don't come out anywhere else. So, rather than a general summation about who you are and your life, professional and personal, which the other 2 questions are, Columbia's question seems more an opportunity to talk about one or two interesting/fascinating aspects of your life.

Hope that helps!

Joy
Senior Application Consultant
Aringo.com

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Hi, I don't think there is any fast rule about this, but in your case, and in particular because the schools bring it up, I would mention it in the additional information. I wouldn't call yourself immature, but discuss the factors that led to you being overloaded, and how you managed to win back balance later on. You might also want to find a way in your application itself, to include 'smart' points, from things like: 1) high IQ 2) graduated high school with distinction 3) the fact that you worked throughout university to pay for tuition 4) if you were diagnosed as gifted as a child, etc. Best would be to put them in essays or recommendations, when possible, rather than listing them outright.

Good luck!

Joy
Senior Application Consultant
Aringo.com

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Hello,

I would really appreciate any advice you guys can give me regarding letters of rec, essays and just overall chances at the following schools:

Oxford
Cambridge
NYU
Columbia
Kellogg

I'm planning on retaking the GMAT but until then here are my stats:

1) GMAT 680 (53% Quant, 93% Verbal)
2) GPA 3.2 - Political Science. (did really poorly the first two years because I was running my own business which I sold for over 100k. Almost 4.0 the last two years so cumulative was 3.2)
3) Male, 26 Years Old, Immigrated to the US from a 3rd world country at the age of 11
4) JD Degree - In my 3rd year, will graduate and take the bar in summer 2014 right before starting business school
5) Work Experience - Currently a small business banker at Bank of America. Did the same at Chase and Wells Fargo Bank. 8 years of total work experience. Worked my way up from being a teller.
6) Letters of Rec - Senior VP of Small Business Banking of Los Angeles, Contracts professor at my Law School.

My apologies if any of the details were unnecessary. I included them just to get an idea of what you think will help and what is unnecessary. Thanks for your time!

Hi Joy,
Thanks for your detail reply.

Re Qs 1 - If I go on elaborating the 3-4 traits or a max of 5-6 (considering the varying word-count limit for Ross and McCombs), will that be fine? And I think these two essays demand more of personal characteristics than professional ones.Right?

For McCombs - Which one is more preferred(if any at all!) by the Adcom - Video format or simply an essay-draft? Can you please shed some light on this?

Re Qs 2 - Gotcha!
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Hi Joy,

I am actually in the middle of the road and not sure if I can pursue and MBA or should do an MS instead. Is it alright for you to look at my profile and see if what schools I might get into?

My stats:

GPA: 3.26 (Accounting major) at a regional Midwest school

Gmat 1: Feb 2012 --->540 (Q: 40, V 22, W: 4.5)
Gmat 2: Ja 2013----->640 (Q: 45, V 34, IR:6, W 5)
Gmat 3: Oct 2013---->610 (Q: 47, V: 28)

Yrs of exp: 4 years (1 year in the US and 3 in Vietnam) by 2014, found my own charity, help to develop and expand other charity, have my own start up, work in a financial service start up as well, no brand name company, and international exposure

Interested in MBA Marketing

Interested Geographic: NC, CA, TX

School: UNC (reach since it has always been my target school) Loyola CA (strong regional network), Peperdine CA (strong regional network). U of Houston (strong regional network).

Other facts: international student. I applied R3 2013 and was offered scholarship to a 80th rank school (ranking according to usnews)

I am thinking of go ahead and apply round 1 for those above schools. After that, I can retake the Gmat (if necessary) around late December. Are there any schools I should consider? This year is a last year and I can't wait any longer. Please advise!

Thank you so much!!!

Hi, thanks for your query.
You sound very accomplished for someone so young and with a less advantaged background - congratulations! You are obviously very ambitious, hardworking and bright. Chances of acceptance are based on many parameters - I suggest you use our free chances calculator, which you can get to by clicking on the appropriate link below.

About letters of rec - the senior VP sounds great. Does he actually know you? Did he directly supervise you? If not, it's important to have him write the recommendation on behalf of your direct boss as well, he could say that he consulted with him/her so as to get the full picture, and is personally writing the rec because of the division's general high regard for you. Regarding the second recommender, was he only your professor or did you work under him in some capacity? If the former, I suggest against it - at least for the American schools. One or all of the UK schools might welcome academic rec's, but not the US schools - you want someone who knows you in a professional capacity, or if not available, perhaps someone who supervised you in some volunteer work you did - serious volunteer work with responsibility. Another option would be a business partner, if you had one, OR a major client or associate, who saw you in action.

You need to do some mining for your resume and ensure you are giving the committee the broadest possible picture of your life, and all of its diversity and initiative and achievement.

Good luck!

Joy
Senior Application Consultant
Aringo.com

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Hi, regarding question 1 - it's not just traits; it's traits plus hobbies, family, interesting anecdotes and factoids; and importantly, showing them who you are by the sense of humor you convey through your word and story choice, etc. More personal than professional, definitely. They can be personal qualities that would be useful in business, but you don't make that connection yourself.

Regarding McCombs - I don't have that information, I'm sorry. I think the safe answer is whatever you will best shine by doing. If you are going to write a kick-ass essay that blows them out of the water, then do that. If you are able to take the video format and be extraordinary, then do that.

Good luck!

Joy
Senior Application Consultant
Aringo.com

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Thank you so much Joy for further clarification.+1
Got you this time completely and if any further concern arises, I'd definitely revert to you...

On some other font- could you please let me know the followings:
1.Like LBS, is there any US school in top 20(US news ranking) that provides initial profile feedback on the basis of Resume review and academics prior to submitting the application?

2.What is the US GPA equivalent of an aggregate of 83/100 (top 10% of the class/department) in Engineering undergrad from an Indian university (tier 2, non-IIT) ? Any thoughts?

I'd much appreciate your feedback on these.
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Hi GIL,
Can u please evaluate my profile and let me know what else do need to have to get into a good college.

Nationality : Indian, Female

Educational Qualification : B.Tech(IT with 70%),
GMAT Score - 640 Q-48 ,V-31
WORK Experience : 2.5 currently . Working as ERP Technical consultant(Oracle Apps) in Polaris Financial Technologies LTD. Have worked on various modules
like(Order Management, Inventory management, Customer Relationship Management, Receivables etc).

Extra curricular: Numerous - Singing, reading, Martial Arts for Self- Defense, coordinated and managed events(Cultural and Technical) during
graduation,Coordinated Dreamspark Yatra by Microsoft in India , Literacy Programs ,gymnastics ,Painting etc..).

Community Service : associated with an NGOs
1.which helps children in education by providing resources ,funds and scholarships
2. help save the girl child in India.

I want to apply for coming sessions.It would be grateful of you if you suggest me some good colleges .Based on my profile.


Thanks

Hi, while your GMAT is on the low side, it's not a worst case scenario. UNC's median GMAT is 690, so there you are a bit low, but for other schools you are simply on the low side of the middle range. Indiana - 590-730 mid range. McCombs 620-730 . Emory - 610-750.
You might want to look for a school that values entrepreneurship. Babson is known as a top entrepreneurship school. Not the weather you were looking for, but very forgiving of a low GMAT if you have the other stuff.

As for whether to go for an MBA or an MA, that would really depend on your post study career goals, and the experience you are looking for.

Good luck!

Joy
Senior Application Consultant
Aringo.com

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Hi, regarding your two additional questions:

1. I don't know of any top US school that offers initial profile feedback. I think there are some schools in Europe that offer it.
2. According to this: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grading_%2 ... n%29#India it seems your grade is equivalent to 4.0, but keep in mind that many if not most schools will ask you to report your grades in the application according to the original scale in your country, rather than converting to 0-4 scale. If we simply transpose an 83 out of a hundred, we get 3.3 out of 4, which is drastically different than 4.0.

Regards,
Joy
Senior Application Consultant
Aringo.com


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Thanks Joy for your reply.

1. Got you. Yeah some European schools do like LBS probably..! Unfortunate that US schools don't offer this opportunity
2.Yeah that I did also by simple unitary method and getting 3.3/4 from 83/100 was a shock as 3.3 in US doesn't really come up as a good GPA, whereas I was in top 10% of the class/department...In Indian universities in most cases it's simply 83% or a 8.3 on a scale of 10. Moreover, wiki source shows that it's 4.0 - so I'm bit confused!

And that's why I wanted to know that qualitatively what does it (re 83/100 from a non-IIT) stand for to US schools?

P.S: /*Feel free to reply in your spare time*/
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