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

I have not taken the GMAT yet, and my GPA is ~2.7. The reason for the low GPA (which I can explain in an essay) is the fact that I was working 40+ hours a week, since my Sophomore year of high school and I helped start a small business, and I currently work in small business consulting as well as working in a management role in a high volume Las Vegas hotel.

I have experience in hotels, being promoted in my company from one hotel to another, as well as internally when I joined another company. I was also given an internship with the company. During my time in management, I was responsible for over 100+ employees, and multiple departments (Front Desk/Hotel Operations, Bell and Valet) as well as managing under a collective bargaining agreement. Between the two hotels that I worked at, I can show that the projects I worked on helped raise guest survey scores and raise overall revenue for the properties.

The schools I am looking at: NYU (part time), ASU, Boston College/University, UCLA, U of Texas, INSEAD. I am also open to other suggestions.

The main jobs I am looking for with an MBA -- 1) VC/Private Equity 2) Consulting 3) Global expansion of hotel/chains

If you score well enough on the GMAT, then that, along with your essay and any other evidence you can provide of academic prowess (maybe high school GPA, SAT scores, etc.) can balance out the low GPA. Again, hard to say without the GMAT, but if it's high enough, your schools all sound within range. Regarding career goals, I would stick with consulting or hotels, which have relevance to your history. You then need to make the case for why MBA - what do you want to do that you can't, without one.

Hope that helps,

Regards,

Joy
Senior Application Consultant
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Hi,
Can you be so kind to evaluate my profile and give some advice?

Female from Azerbaijan. age 32. gmat score is 690 (Q 47 V 38 AWA 5.5 IR 3).
Thinking about both the US and European top bschools. Specialization -Banking. Post MBA specialization- Consultancy(in Banking field)

My career started with the local Unit of Insurers , and later I could find a job as an accountant in the leading local insurance company. A year later found the job in the top 10 local bank. Very soon I was promoted to the position of a Chief accountant in the branch of the same bank.
3 years later was offered to participate in a business project (we were the 1st bank that could successfully implement Swiss software in accordance with local legislation. After our success almost all local banks bought the same program)
It was a team-work that required to work hard and long (sometimes more than 12 hours) and cooperate with our colleagues from different departments and branches and then train them all how to use this software.
After this project I was offered the position of Deputy Director in the same Department.

Have no international work experience, but constantly contact with foreign banks and financial institutions, travel abroad on almost all my vacations, in 2004 studied in a summer school in the UK and lived with the English family ,with whom I am still in a contact.
Besides my native language, i know 2 more languages. Long time before studied German, but I think right now it is on a level of basics (so, count it down)

Thanks in advance
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Hey,

I recently gave the GMAT for the second time and scored 660. (Q48, V32) (210 point increase from the last attempt).

Here's a quick background of my work experience so far:

1. Worked at an Audi dealership in Bombay for 4 months before deciding that wasn't what I wanted to do
2. Joined Standard Chartered Bank in Mumbai in its operations department. Worked there for around 8 months before joining a small marketing start-up.
3. At the start-up, joined as a copywriter and handled social media accounts of clients such as Outlook Magazine India, People Magazine India, Outlook Money etc. Worked here for 1.5 years and performed a host of roles such as project management and content creation. Left due to growth purposes.
4. Been working since the past 3 months at a Big data analytics company. I'm a copywriter in the digital experience groups, with some pretty big clients to work for. (Star sports, Mahindra and Mahindra, Suzuki, Celio India and the likes.


I plan to apply to places such as Northwestern, Darden, Rotman, HEC Paris, NYU Stern, and I'm still shortlisting more unis.

What do you guys say? Do I have a shot at any of these places?

Hi Lala,
Your professional experience sounds very good. If any of your work involves or has involved leadership, supervision of others, etc. do mention it in your application. You haven't mentioned any extracurricular activities - those are also important to show concern for the community and well roundedness. It can also be a good place to show leadership.
I suggest you focus on European schools - INSEAD, HEC, LBS, IMD, etc. Because of your age, you may find gaining acceptance to US schools more difficult. If you choose to go for a few, I suggest the ones that specialize in Finance and have a reputation for being friendlier to older applicants.

Beyond that, if you can get your GMAT up to 700, that would be a big boon. If not, then work on producing a really sizzling hot application that helps you stand out above the crowd.

Good luck!!

Joy
Senior Application Consultant
Aringo.com

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deleted
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Hi, there's a lot of information missing from your profile, so going on what you've sent, I'd say most of these schools are going to be too competitive for you. Now, that was an amazing jump up in GMAT score - perhaps you can raise it further? Except for Rotman and HEC, the average GMAT for the schools is above 700. Now with an outstanding profile and application, you can get in regardless. Perhaps you have outstanding extracurricular activities not mentioned above. Any leadership experience anywhere? What was your undergrad education like? were you socially involved? High GPA? You've been bouncing around a bit at jobs, which could seem unstable, you will need a strong story as to why the move from place to place. Also you haven't mentioned goals - you will need to carefully plan your strategy there. 'm not sure of your age, but if you are on the young side, you might want to take the next couple of years and strengthen your profile. Get a job in the industry you want to go into; work your way up a bit, get some strong achievements under your belt; do some good social activities; raise your GMAT, and then apply.

Good luck!

Joy
Senior Application Consultant
Aringo.com

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Hi,

I appeared for GMAT in MAr, 2013 and got 710 (I had appeared for GMAT in Jun, 2009 and got 570, after which I shelved my MBA plan).

I am an IT professional, working as a program manager for a telecom solution provider. I have 12+ years of exp.
My CV is available in linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/pub/anand-rajak ... /a/1a4/88a
I have applied for many colleges which I updated in my profile as well. But I could not even manage an interview. I am not certain as for what went wrong.

Can you please suggest on how I can improve my chances of getting a call from a college? Also, please help me with the list of colleges I should apply to.

Thanks.

Hi Gill,

I needed a small help from you regarding MBA admissions. As I have read lot of your posts on many sites I thought I would ask for your suggestion.

I have applied for MBA program in following universities in USA,

Kelley Business school,
Rochester - Simon business school,
Goizueta,
USC Marshall,
NYU stern,
UCI Irvine,
Thunderbird.

My Profile:

GMAT Score: 650
Toefl: 103
GPA: 68.8% (VTU - India)
Indian applicant
Work experience: exactly 2years in Infosys (by the time the term starts)

I have recieved rejection from Kelley, UCI Irvine, Goizueta

but,

I got an admit from Thunderbird School of Global Management

** I am not expecting an admit from the rest.

Can you please help me decide if I have to go with thunderbird or would you suggest me to wait for another year retake my GMAT and apply for FALL 2015.

Your input will be very helpful for me.

Regards,
Medha

Hi Anandra,
Congratulations on the big leap in your GMAT! Perhaps share your goals, the ones you applied with. Also, which programs did you apply to, that did not invite you for an interview? There is also always the chance that your essays/recommendations were not at the level they needed to be - not just in terms of writing, but in terms of chosen content. Also, how are your extracurricular activities? And did you apply Round 1? How old are you? What was your GPA in university? Let me know some further details, and perhaps I can offer some advice.

All the best,

Joy

Senior Application Consultant
Aringo.com

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_________________

Hi Medha,
Congratulations on the acceptance to Thunderbird! Based on your profile above, our suggestion would be to go to Thunderbird. If you decide to take the chance and wait a year, you might increase your GMAT, but that won't necessarily get you into much higher-tier schools. I think you need first to decide whether you want an MBA no matter what, and if Thunderbird will help you achieve your goals. If not, then perhaps you should wait a year and reapply with a higher score. You will also have more work experience, and you have time to do more extracurricular activities. With only 2 years of work experience, you sound perhaps on the young side, so maybe you have a few years to try your luck. But nothing is sure, so if you want that MBA now, and want it no matter what, go with the bird in hand.

Good luck!!

Joy
Senior Application Consultant
Aringo.com

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_________________

Can you please provide evaluation of my profile.

Career Profile

GPA : 78 %
Year of passing : 2004
Work Exp : 10 years
Industry : Semiconductors(Particularly mobile semiconductors)
Current Employer : Broadcom Communication Bangalore
Past Employers : LSI and Freescale (Motorola)
GMAT : 720 (Q49/V40/IR8)
Extra Curricular: Working on Startup ideas. Cycling enthusiast (Participated in Vodafone cycling marathon),Participated in DISC training in my company for managerial aspirants, Recipient of various awards during my professional career. Participated in company technical seminar and won best project award.

After 10 years of working in semiconductor industry I though of adding managerial skill to my existing set of technical skills. I plan to use my managerial skills in the field of technology consulting, product management,large scale project management,venture capital industry, and entrepreneurship.

I was wondering whether you can share your insights of some of the MBA schools that would be suitable for my profile and where I stand a fair chance of getting in.

Hi,
First thing first, Thanks for this wonderful thread!

As far as thread heading goes it seems that I am on edge!

I need help in understanding my chances at Top 10 B-Schools (Sept 2015 entry). Below are details of my profile:

Academics
B.Tech 2005 (Electrical Eng) : 71 % (Gold Medalist)
M.tech 2008 (IIT Delhi, India) : 8.44 (GATE exam All India Rank 46 out of ~30,000 candidates)
GMAT : Planned, July 2014; based on GMAT PREP +ve about 720

Work Ex
• Years: 7 years (As on Sept 2014), Research and Development, Tata Motors Ltd., India
• Designation: Manager (Development)
• Profile: Working on product development area, mainly on the new generation of Hybrid and Electric Vehicle development
• Achievement: Few publications in the conference/magazine which are very well acknowledged in the respective field (E.g. SAE, IEEE, ATZ etc). I am a Talent Pool employee in the present company (~15 out of 40,000 employee every year get into talent pool) and got to attend Executive Management Training program at one of the premium Indian B School (That’s where started realizing importance of doing MBA to complete my skill + knowledge set for future endeavor and in the career progress)

Extra Curricular
• I worked as a full time "SBI Youth For India” fellow (2011-2012) in the rural development space. It’s a 1 year fellowship, with a focus on rural development. I took a sabbatical from my present employer and worked on livelihood project. 28 fellows were selected from all across India. I could publish one paper on the work done under this fellowship in STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT FORUM of IIM Kozhikode (Under Top 8 B school from India); titled “Rural Local Retail: An innovative, self sustainable Social Business Model in Vegetable Business”
• Completed Paragliding pre-pilot level
• Completed French Level 1 certification

Certification
No international level certification; however Level 2 patent specialist Under TATA GROUP IP Management Program.

Target Program
Harvard……………………………… Stanford, MIT, LBS, INSEAD; As my school research is not extensive I would also like to know which are other schools where my profile and career goal would match

When you plan to apply
R1 Oct 2014

Your post-MBA goal
My long term goal is to start up a company in the area of Product Development ( To give a perspective, product development company like 3M)
With my work experience and Technical Education background I have developed the knowledge set required for such a venture however I am looking at following aspect to be covered by attending B-School:
1. Present and past student Network and prospective business partner
2. School name and the creditability with that to start new venture
3. Skill set to manage the business and required exposure
4. Peer Learning and divers thinking

If this doesn’t happen in immediate future (Post MBA) then I would like to join a Management Consultancy firm or a corporate position in Strategy and Planning vertical; which in long term would help me in setting up my firm.

I would like to understand how fair are my chances in Ivy-8 or above mentioned schools?
And which other schools you find would suitable for my profile?

I guess that’s all !!!

I sincerely thanks for all your time and efforts and waiting for your reply. (Moderator + Consultant)

HarryIITD

Background
• Rich experience in Design, Innovation and Competitive Product Development.
• Due to keen interest in Design in general and Transportation Design in particular, pursued Engineering education to earn Masters in Design (Product Design &Engg.) from I.I.Sc. Bangalore (Indian Institute of Science) and also pursued professional career in Vehicle Design with two Top Automotive Companies in the World and India respectively.
• Experience evolved working through corporate design gates/processes & interaction with various stakeholders and vendors; close participation through cross functional teams in business processes like product definition, product planning, market positioning & innovation activities.
• In-depth understanding of design tools & methodologies; System/Process Design & IPR landscaping.
• Undertook initiatives in multidisciplinary/multicultural environments & in navigating uncertainty/handling ambiguity, championing customer focus & multidimensional problem solving with full confidence.
• Worked as a design lead and design jury member on various professional assignments.
• Wish to integrate formal knowledge in design with a penchant for enterprise creation to start an organization devoted to creating next generation mobility solutions. An MBA education in this regard would go a long way in helping me realize this objective.

Academics
• BE (Mechanical Engineering) 2003: 70%
• Masters in Design (IISc, Bangalore) 2008: 6.9/8.0 (10 students accepted into the prestigious design program every year from a pool of 10,000+ applicants)
• GMAT: 730

Professional Experience
• Years: 6 years (as on August 2014) in the Design Studio and R&D Centre and prior 2 years (2004-2006) at General Motors.
• Designation: Manager (ADVANCED DESIGN)
• Profile: Responsible for Exterior Design of Next-Generation Passenger Vehicles. Several projects are in production and have been displayed in International Auto Shows.

Achievements
• Responsible for exterior design of next gen vehicles (3); responsible for design of concept vehicles (2) showcasing the future vision of the company.
• Lead the future vision activities of the department through the design function.
• Exposed to vision/pre-concept research/positioning/branding/conceptual development/production design/systems development/integration and marketing aspects of full scale product (vehicle) development.
• I have completed one full ‘level 6’ (new platform) production vehicle program with exterior and interior design.
• Lead team in simulated enterprise creation & management workshops with spectacular results.
• I also mentor junior members of the team.

Extra-Curricular
• One of the top 50 innovators selected in India Innovation Growth Program in 2014 (Partners: Department of Science and Technology Govt of India; Lockheed Martin Corporation USA; Stanford Business School; University of Austin Texas)
• I am also an active member of the design team working on CSR activities of my organization in rural school development and modernization.
• Design Jury for one of the most prestigious design competitions in India for the year 2013.

Certification:
Several relevant to Product Development and Business Development through Design, several in core competencies and allied fields.
For example:
Interpretation by Design (BMW Germany); Customer Centric Workshop by RoadsAhead Consulting India; Trend & Design by Style-Vision Asia (France); Design Thinking Action Lab (Stanfordx); Innovation & Commercialization (MITx); several core design domain courses from MITx including the X-Series Certification in Air Vehicle Design; Courses from Harvardx; etc..

Target Program:
Harvard or any one of the top 5 B Schools in the world

Planned Entry
R1 October 2014

Post MBA Goal
Vision is to start a mobility solutions company.


I wish to understand my chances to be accepted in an HBS type of program (Ivy League) and look forward to your most realistic assessment of my profile.
Sincere thanks in advance for your time and effort! And many thanks for offering such a platform for aspirants like us!
Warm Regards
JSW

Hi! firstly, please forgive the lengthy time it took to respond - I've been on holiday. About your profile, it looks very good in terms of achievements, expertise, industry experience. It's not clear to me if you've ever had any leadership experience or entrepreneurial experience - I couldn't spot any. So if your goal is to start your own company after 8 years of working for corporations, we need to understand that leap. I also need to understand more about the target industry, and how it relates to all of your previous experience. There needs to be a connection between past experience and future goals.

Beyond that, you seem to have found numerous ways to stand out in the crowd, and I think you'll manage to do that as well with your application. One other thing - you wrote 'October 2014 entry' but I think you meant 2015, yes?

Good luck, and let me know if you have further questions - I'll be happy to continue the dialogue.

All the best,

Joy
Senior Application Consultant
Aringo.com

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_________________

Hi, just a quick note to let you know that I'm doing a bit of research and will hopefully be back to you soon with some suggestions for you.

All the best,

Joy

Senior Application Consultant
Aringo.com

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_________________

Hi Harry,
I've been on holiday, so forgive the time it's taken to respond. I'm doing a bit of research so I can be more intelligent in answering your question - hope to get back to you soon!

All the best,

Joy

Senior Application Consultant
Aringo.com

Free, detailed MBA chances calculator
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Plan your application content (free online tool)
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_________________

Hi Harry,

Thanks for your patience! Regarding the schools you've mentioned - firstly, Stanford and Harvard are a stretch for anyone, even the most outstanding candidates. They are usually applied to as 'dream schools' and should get all of your energy and focus in working on the application, but not to bank on them.

MIT, LBS and INSEAD might be a bit of a stretch for you, based on your profile as written above - although there might be other things that I don't know about, that would strengthen your candidacy.

Regarding other schools that might be a match, you might want to check out this page here https://www.aringo.com/MBA_specializations.htm, which breaks down different schools according to their specialization.

If you are truly going with the entrepreneurship angle, you should look at schools that specialize in entrepreneurship; also make sure to capitalize on any initiatives you've taken in your career, any 'intrapreneurship' activities you've done, and definitely highlight any time you might have tried to start your own business - even if it failed. That can make for great essay fodder.

By the way, you didn’t mention your academic institute - if it was IIT, that would enhance your candidacy to some degree.

Good luck and let me know if you have any other questions.

All the best,

Joy
Senior Application Consultant
Aringo.com

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_________________

Hi, I've done some research and have some answers for you - thanks for your patience!

Two of the harder schools for you to get into (your stretch schools) would be Tepper and McCombs.
Schools that would be easier would be: IE, Boston U, Carlson, Smith (Maryland), Eller and Robinson.

Good luck and let us know if you have additional questions.

Regards,

Joy
Senior Application Consultant
Aringo.com

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Plan your application content (free online tool)
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_________________

Hi ARINGO,

Can you kindly provide a evaluation of my profile ?

I have 10+ years of experience (33 years old) in a self enterprise (small factory - clean energy source), which has their bankruptcy declared recently. Following are some milestones and achievements in my personal and professional life that should help you to answer my question:

Male, latin american citzen, caucasian,

• Did my degree (law) in Year 2004 (average grades between 3.5/3.7 after convertion)
• National and world Jiu Jitsu Champion - I got certifications
• National Wrestling Champion - I got certification
• Did a PG (law area) TOP 1 in the class
• Work in a non profit organization teaching jiu jitsu for young infractors.

Now at this juncture of my career, I am interested in pursuing a full-time, on-campus MBA from a top 10 tier B-School in US. My main motive for an MBA is that I want to get back into an clean energy entrepreneurship (after some work experience in USA or abroad) or switch to health care carreer.

Doing an MBA from a B-School I guees would help me to building sustainable business, leadership and acquire tools for just don’t repeat my past mistakes.

I am hopeful of securing 700+ in GMAT.

Tnks in advanced.