Welcome to Ask Personal MBA Coach! We are here to help you navigate the MBA application process, so feel free to ask any questions about your candidacy and the business school application journey via this forum. Founded 14 years ago by Scott Edinburgh, a Wharton and MIT graduate, Personal MBA Coach has helped hundreds of applicants around the world get into top MBA, EMBA, part-time MBA and specialized master’s programs (including Master of Finance, Master of Analytics, Master of Public Policy, law school) with a 96% success rate. Personal MBA Coach is consistently ranked #1 or #2 by leading sources. Last year, our clients earned more than $6.5M in scholarships! Scott serves on the Board of Directors for AIGAC, the Association of International Graduate Admissions Consultants and is invited to speak at MBA Admissions events globally, including the annual Graduate Management Admissions Council (GMAC) conference. Our boutique team also includes MJ Shores, a former Wharton MBA Admissions Director, Nicole Shay, a former Associate Director of Admissions at Columbia Business School, GMAT/GRE/EA tutors who scored above the 99th percentile (most with 780+) and former M7 admissions interviewers. Visit our services to learn more! We look forward to helping you get into your dream schools. Free Resources MBA Admissions Roadmap https://www.personalmbacoach.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Homepage-Image-MBA-Admissions-Roadmap-eBook.jpg M7 Essay Analysis https://www.personalmbacoach.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Homepage-Image-M7-Essay-Analysis-1.jpg MBA Planning Guide https://www.personalmbacoach.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Homepage-Image-MBA-Planning-Ebook.jpg

It’s one part of your application profile which is why we work with clients individually to present their profile and story in the most compelling way. Remember you can also show all of this on your resume! In our last 5 minutes, I want to share a bit more about how we work with clients.

Please reach out if you are interested in partnering together. My email is scott@personalmbacoach.com Build out EC/Volunteer experience/work more

Last visit was: 23 Apr 2026, 17:01

It is currently 23 Apr 2026, 17:01

Toolkit

Business School and MBA

Ask Admissions Consultants

GMAT Club Daily Prep

Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track
Your Progress

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.

Go to My Error Log Learn more

Request Expert Reply

Confirm Cancel

Apr 23
When to Stop Studying for the GMAT and Start Working on Your MBA Application
10:00 AM EDT
-
10:30 AM EDT
Admissions committees evaluate the GMAT/GRE in context — your background, your representation in the applicant pool, the strength of everything else in your file. The same score works for one candidate and falls short for another with identical numbers.
Apr 23
ISB Interview Call Guarantee Module
12:00 PM PDT
-
01:00 PM PDT
Inquire for a free profile evaluation and guarantee statement for possible admits and scholarships!
Apr 24
Live Coffee Chat- MBA profile enhancement: How to fix your gaps in 4 months
08:30 PM IST
-
09:30 PM IST
Join us for a Live Coffee chat with Jenifer Turtschanow where we talk about enhancing your MBA profile and fixing gaps in just 4 months.
Apr 29
MBA Class of 2028: AMA with Juno's Founder
08:00 PM EDT
-
09:00 PM EDT
Join us for a live Ask Me Anything (AMA) session with Juno’s Co-Founder, where we’ll break down everything you need to know about financing your MBA in today’s rapidly changing landscape.
Apr 30
Applying from a finance background
10:00 AM EDT
-
11:00 AM EDT
Applying to business school from a finance background? Personal MBA Coach is here to help with this quick tips video on how to set yourself apart during the MBA application process!
Apr 30
Amplify Hourly Packages
12:00 PM EDT
-
01:00 PM EDT
Starting at $975 and offering up to $545 of savings, our new Amplify Hourly Packages offer structure and support in certain high-value areas (story development, resume, essays, interviewing) to help get your applications across the finish line.

Back to Forum

Create Topic

Ask Personal MBA Coach

1 ... 33 34 35 36 37 ... 41

PersonalMBACoach

Personal MBA Coach Founder

Joined: 11 Sep 2010

Last visit: 22 Apr 2026

Posts: 3,807

Own Kudos:

372

Given Kudos: 11

Status:Boutique MBA Admissions Consulting from a Wharton graduate - Helping applicants get into top global business schools since 2008

Affiliations: Wharton, MIT

Location: United States (NY)

Overall Client Admit Rate: 96%

Expert

Expert reply

Posts: 3,807

Kudos: 372

13 Jun 2023, 07:51

Kudos

Bookmarks

universechild

Hi all. Age: 25 Work experience: 3.6 years Company: Ernst & Young (Business Consulting) Country of origin: India GPA: 8.81 / 10 Undergrad: I’ve done CA GMAT score: 700 (Planning to give it again since I scored more in mocks) Extra curricular: 4 levels of Indian classical singing, volunteer work (mentoring CA students, teaching English to underprivileged students) Plans post MBA: Want to work either in start ups or in Consulting in the social impact space 1. What schools should I target? 2. What can I do to make my profile more attractive?

I think T20 schools would be compelling for you. Recommend trying to score higher on GMAT and building out more EC/Volunteer work.

bratnick

Joined: 30 Aug 2018

Last visit: 13 Jun 2023

Posts: 3

Kudos: 0

13 Jun 2023, 07:52

Kudos

Bookmarks

Hi
This is my profile
Indian national (Permanant Resident)
Male
Age : 24
Graduation Year : 2020
Degree : Bachelors in Technology
Branch : Information Technology
Work experience : 2.5 years (3.5 by fall 2024) in Software Development at PWC working with US clients.
Co Curriculars : Part of Toastmasters club in college for 2 years and held a Ex Com position (Treasurer), 1 year of volunteering at NGO, 5-6 courses done related to management on Coursera and grade 2 Piano certification from Trinity College, London.
GRE : 328
Target Schools : IESE, HEC, IE, Rotman

Vijaychaitanya007

Joined: 12 Jun 2023

Last visit: 01 Apr 2024

Posts: 4

Own Kudos:

Given Kudos: 2

Posts: 4

Kudos: 5

13 Jun 2023, 07:53

Kudos

Bookmarks

PersonalMBACoach

700+, the higher the better

Can you be more specific about the score for top 5 bschools

vishy001

Joined: 09 Jul 2021

Last visit: 17 Apr 2025

Posts: 22

Own Kudos:

Given Kudos: 26

Location: India

Schools: Sloan (MIT)

Posts: 22

Kudos: 4

13 Jun 2023, 07:53

Kudos

Bookmarks

given the small word limit, how can we present a full overview of career, ECs, interets and goals in the essays? Any tips?

PersonalMBACoach

Personal MBA Coach Founder

Joined: 11 Sep 2010

Last visit: 22 Apr 2026

Posts: 3,807

Own Kudos:

372

Given Kudos: 11

Status:Boutique MBA Admissions Consulting from a Wharton graduate - Helping applicants get into top global business schools since 2008

Affiliations: Wharton, MIT

Location: United States (NY)

Overall Client Admit Rate: 96%

Expert

Expert reply

Posts: 3,807

Kudos: 372

Updated on: 13 Jun 2023, 07:55

Originally posted by PersonalMBACoach on 13 Jun 2023, 07:54.
Last edited by PersonalMBACoach on 13 Jun 2023, 07:55, edited 1 time in total.

Kudos

Bookmarks

Vijaychaitanya007

Can you be more specific about the score for top 5 bschools

It’s one part of your application profile which is why we work with clients individually to present their profile and story in the most compelling way.

vishy001

given the small word limit, how can we present a full overview of career, ECs, interets and goals in the essays? Any tips?

Remember you can also show all of this on your resume!

In our last 5 minutes, I want to share a bit more about how we work with clients.

GoMITLGO

Joined: 29 May 2023

Last visit: 23 Mar 2024

Posts: 6

Own Kudos:

Location: United States (OR)

Schools: MIT LGO'26 (A$) Haas '26 (I)

GMAT 1: 780 Q51 V47 Verified score

GPA: 3.9

Schools: MIT LGO'26 (A$) Haas '26 (I)

GMAT 1: 780 Q51 V47 Verified score

Posts: 6

Kudos: 1

13 Jun 2023, 07:55

Kudos

Bookmarks

Hi. I am interested in applying to the MIT LGO program.
I am targeting a 750+ GMAT (760 on first official practice test)

Age 29

Bachelors in Physics and Chemistry, double major
GPA 3.9 (at a small California state school)

6.5 years of work experience:
2.5 years - Worked as an Engineer at a quantum dot manufacturing startup
[Weak spot] 9 month employment gap, taking classes and interning at a non-profit
4 months - internship at an electronics recycling non-profit between jobs
1 year - Worked as a Research associate at a medium-scale tech startup
6 months - Worked as a color scientist at a large well-known tech company
2 years - Worked as a Research Supervisor with two reports. Worked on a global recycling project

Coursework since college:
Took a Computer engineering course and a computer science course
* Completed the MIT Principles of Manufacturing Micromasters online (8 graduate-level MIT courses)

Goals:
Advance in my role at tech companies to higher leadership (Director, VP) roles

Thank you.

PersonalMBACoach

Personal MBA Coach Founder

Joined: 11 Sep 2010

Last visit: 22 Apr 2026

Posts: 3,807

Own Kudos:

372

Given Kudos: 11

Status:Boutique MBA Admissions Consulting from a Wharton graduate - Helping applicants get into top global business schools since 2008

Affiliations: Wharton, MIT

Location: United States (NY)

Overall Client Admit Rate: 96%

Expert

Expert reply

Posts: 3,807

Kudos: 372

13 Jun 2023, 07:56

Kudos

Bookmarks

In our coaching work with clients, we develop individualized plans that span essays, resumes, letters of recommendation, test scores and more. We factor in every element of your story to present your candidacy in the strongest light. More on our work here: https://www.personalmbacoach.com/

Additionally, we have some great free resources on our website at: https://www.personalmbacoach.com/guides/

Star97

Joined: 07 Nov 2021

Last visit: 15 May 2025

Posts: 4

Own Kudos:

Given Kudos: 6

Posts: 4

Kudos: 2

13 Jun 2023, 07:57

Kudos

Bookmarks

sorry the above message was sent by mistake. My profile is as below:
Age : 25
Graduation Year : 20219
Degree : Bachelors in Engineering
Branch : Electronics and instrumentation
CGPA : 8.6/10
Work experience : 3.6 years as a Business Analyst working in US healthcare industry. Improved business processes and generated $5M savings.
GMAT : 740
1. What schools should I target?
2. What can I do to make my profile more attractive?

PersonalMBACoach

Personal MBA Coach Founder

Joined: 11 Sep 2010

Last visit: 22 Apr 2026

Posts: 3,807

Own Kudos:

372

Given Kudos: 11

Status:Boutique MBA Admissions Consulting from a Wharton graduate - Helping applicants get into top global business schools since 2008

Affiliations: Wharton, MIT

Location: United States (NY)

Overall Client Admit Rate: 96%

Expert

Expert reply

Posts: 3,807

Kudos: 372

Updated on: 13 Jun 2023, 07:58

Originally posted by PersonalMBACoach on 13 Jun 2023, 07:57.
Last edited by PersonalMBACoach on 13 Jun 2023, 07:58, edited 1 time in total.

Kudos

Bookmarks

Please reach out if you are interested in partnering together. My email is [email protected]

universechild

sorry the above message was sent by mistake. My profile is as below: Age : 25 Graduation Year : 20219 Degree : Bachelors in Engineering Branch : Electronics and instrumentation CGPA : 8.6/10 Work experience : 3.6 years as a Business Analyst working in US healthcare industry. Improved business processes and generated $5M savings. GMAT : 740 1. What schools should I target? 2. What can I do to make my profile more attractive?

Build out EC/Volunteer experience/work more

Sajjad1994

GRE Forum Moderator

Joined: 02 Nov 2016

Last visit: 23 Apr 2026

Posts: 16,814

Own Kudos:

51,905

Given Kudos: 6,334

GPA: 3.62

Products:

Posts: 16,814

Kudos: 51,905

13 Jun 2023, 08:00

Kudos

Bookmarks

We are closing this chat session. Thank you Personal MBA Coach for your time and inputs. We greatly appreciate it.

PersonalMBACoach

Personal MBA Coach Founder

Joined: 11 Sep 2010

Last visit: 22 Apr 2026

Posts: 3,807

Own Kudos:

372

Given Kudos: 11

Status:Boutique MBA Admissions Consulting from a Wharton graduate - Helping applicants get into top global business schools since 2008

Affiliations: Wharton, MIT

Location: United States (NY)

Overall Client Admit Rate: 96%

Expert

Expert reply

Posts: 3,807

Kudos: 372

13 Jun 2023, 08:00

Kudos

Bookmarks

thanks all!

sifatullah009

Joined: 18 Oct 2021

Last visit: 20 Jun 2024

Posts: 31

Own Kudos:

Given Kudos: 63

Location: Bangladesh

Schools: Kelley '26 (D) Fuqua '26 (D) Owen '26 (A$) Scheller '26 (D) Kenan-Flagler '26 (A) Questrom '26 (A) Mendoza '26 (WL) Simon '26 (S) Tepper '26 (D) Terry'26 (S)

GMAT 1: 650 Q43 V36 Verified score

GRE 1: Q156 V157 Verified score

GPA: 3.24

Schools: Kelley '26 (D) Fuqua '26 (D) Owen '26 (A$) Scheller '26 (D) Kenan-Flagler '26 (A) Questrom '26 (A) Mendoza '26 (WL) Simon '26 (S) Tepper '26 (D) Terry'26 (S)

GMAT 1: 650 Q43 V36 Verified score

GRE 1: Q156 V157 Verified score

Posts: 31

Kudos: 9

15 Jun 2023, 19:48

Kudos

Bookmarks

Hello Scott! Hope you are well. Love the invaluable content you put out for us hopeful admits.

If you would kinldy evaluate my profile:

I'm looking to get into product management at top US tech companies

A brief bit about my profile:

Background
Bangladeshi, Male, 27, First-gen college grad

Why MBA
Want to transition from Brand Management into Product Management. In my current role I got to work with several product managers and found the discipline fascinating.

MBA Targets: Top 35. Dream Schools are Duke Fuqua, Tuck, UCLA. Aiming for Tepper, Johnson, USC, McCombs.
For Fall 2023 session, I got into Schulich, waitlisted at Simon and rejected from Emory and Ohio.

Work Experience
4 years (upon matriculation) in Brand Management in 2nd largest Telcom operator in Bangladesh. Have led multiple cross-functional projects with clear, large scale impact and contribution to the company. Promotion coming up next month

Interesting work project: Created mental health group with professional NGO partner support. Members get free of cost counseling. Currently 11k+ members with 50+ suicide prevention cases

Academics
-GMAT: 650 (V37, Q43, IR4, AWA4)
-Undergrad: Bachelor of Business Administration (CGPA of 3.24 out of 4-> top 20%)
-Micro-Masters in Marketing Analytics, University of California, BerkeleyX (passed with 90% score)

Leadership
Co-founded a footwear startup during undergrad ( sustainable shoes from truck tires and upcycled quilt) - although did not survive 2nd year

Certifications and Awards
-Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO)
-Google UX Design Professional Certificate
-Global Carrier Award for Best Social Marketing Campaign
-Star Performer award and Exceptional contribution awards

Extra-curriculars
-Winners and runners-up across multiple business case competitions
-Muay Thai training for last ~2 years
-Civilian Black belt in Krav Maga- Led training sessions across country

Languages - English, Bengali (Native Fluency); Turkish (B1 Level)

Thank you for your help

Ashgeo88

Joined: 24 Jun 2023

Last visit: 24 Jun 2023

Posts: 2

Kudos: 0

24 Jun 2023, 11:32

Kudos

Bookmarks

Hi Scott, I would be greatful if you could help me evaluate my profile

Age 34
BE Computer Science (2009 pass out)
MBA Finance from a top tier bschool in India (2013 passout)

Experience
10 years of post MBA experience in corporate banking credit analysis and relationship management. Countries worked include India (4 years), UAE (1.5 years), Kuwait (4 years), Oman (0.5 years). Current position Relationship Manager Large Corporates in an Omani bank.

Looking to move to US, UK with an MBA from an Ivy League College. Looking to specialise in Finance/Banking. Preferably 1 year full time mba.

Yet to take GMAT. Is it necessary given my experience. Request your inputs on target b schools/courses and GMAT score (if necessary). Would my age be an entry barrier:?

Thanks
Ashwin

SiddharthBuddhist

Joined: 06 Jan 2017

Last visit: 05 Feb 2025

Posts: 3

Own Kudos:

Given Kudos: 20

Posts: 3

Kudos: 2

29 Jun 2023, 09:30

Kudos

Bookmarks

Hi, I have started my GMAT preparation for the GMAT Exam in 2024. It’s been a longtime (almost 20 years) I am away from studies, due to which finding myself difficult with the foundation of Quants and Verbal. Can anyone please suggest me a good tutor or interested in helping me with my preparation from the scratch, it will be a great help. I would prefer online classes to avoid distance barier. Please let me know, if there are any possiblity for a good tutor. You can DM me the details in my chatbox. Thank you in advance!!

Founder

Joined: 04 Dec 2002

Last visit: 23 Apr 2026

Posts: 43,154

Own Kudos:

83,716

Given Kudos: 24,677

Location: United States

GMAT 1: 750 Q49 V42 Verified score

GPA: 3

Products:

Expert

Expert reply

GMAT 1: 750 Q49 V42 Verified score

Posts: 43,154

Kudos: 83,716

Updated on: 29 Jun 2023, 09:35

Originally posted by bb on 29 Jun 2023, 09:33.
Last edited by bb on 29 Jun 2023, 09:35, edited 2 times in total.

Kudos

Bookmarks

SiddharthBuddhist

Hi. Welcome back. There are a number of courses. Most/all are reviewed on gmat club. I would suggest signing up for a few of them and using the free trial. People have used all of them to score very high, but you may want to pick the course that appeals to you the most and most importantly, motivates you to work and continue using it

https://gmatclub.com/reviews

Taking an online course can be fairly inexpensive. Though you probably will end up spending at least a couple hundred dollars so keep that in mind. Getting a private tutor can be much more expensive and like the runs in thousands but it has its own advantages. You can also get the Manhattan books. I see you’ve registered a few years ago so perhaps you already tried that route.

GMATScorer21

Joined: 07 Mar 2023

Last visit: 22 Feb 2026

Posts: 231

Own Kudos:

Given Kudos: 172

Location: United States (CA)

Schools: Stern '26

GMAT 1: 770 Q50 V46 Verified score

GPA: 3.9

Schools: Stern '26

GMAT 1: 770 Q50 V46 Verified score

Posts: 231

Kudos: 49

25 Jan 2024, 23:45

Kudos

Bookmarks

Guys, Does having a prior Masters Degree from home country work to your advantage during MBA applications for Top US programs? (Note: Masters is in Business/related subjects and academics are solid with top rank/honors)

PersonalMBACoach

Personal MBA Coach Founder

Joined: 11 Sep 2010

Last visit: 22 Apr 2026

Posts: 3,807

Own Kudos:

372

Given Kudos: 11

Status:Boutique MBA Admissions Consulting from a Wharton graduate - Helping applicants get into top global business schools since 2008

Affiliations: Wharton, MIT

Location: United States (NY)

Overall Client Admit Rate: 96%

Expert

Expert reply

Posts: 3,807

Kudos: 372

16 Feb 2024, 08:25

Kudos

Bookmarks

Invited to interview at Wharton? Congratulations! Sign up now for Personal MBA Coach's TBD mock interview sessions with former TBD interviewers. Personal MBA Coach conducts 5-7 sessions per round, make sure to grab a spot before they fill up!

Last year alone, 84% of Personal MBA Coach’s interviewees were accepted. Sign up here!

PersonalMBACoach

Personal MBA Coach Founder

Joined: 11 Sep 2010

Last visit: 22 Apr 2026

Posts: 3,807

Own Kudos:

372

Given Kudos: 11

Status:Boutique MBA Admissions Consulting from a Wharton graduate - Helping applicants get into top global business schools since 2008

Affiliations: Wharton, MIT

Location: United States (NY)

Overall Client Admit Rate: 96%

Expert

Expert reply

Posts: 3,807

Kudos: 372

02 Apr 2024, 09:06

Kudos

Bookmarks

Selecting and adequately preparing your recommenders is a crucial part of the MBA application process. For advice on how to maximize the benefit of your LORs, check out Personal MBA Coach's guide to MBA letters of recommendation: https://www.personalmbacoach.com/mba-le ... mendation/

Radhika46

Joined: 01 Nov 2023

Last visit: 22 Feb 2025

Posts: 5

Given Kudos: 1

Location: India

Schools: Darden '27 McCombs '27 Haas '27 Tepper '27 HEC '26 INSEAD '26

GRE 1: Q165 V160 Verified score

GPA: 2.5

Schools: Darden '27 McCombs '27 Haas '27 Tepper '27 HEC '26 INSEAD '26

GRE 1: Q165 V160 Verified score

Posts: 5

Kudos: 0

04 Apr 2024, 05:42

Kudos

Bookmarks

Requesting Profile Evaluation

GRE = 325
GPA = 2.5
UG = BBA
Work ex = 4.5 years
10th = 92.5% (ICSE India)
12th = 70% (ICSE India)
Course of choice: MBA

Kindly advice on schools that I can realistically target. I am not sure if I would/would not make it to T-20. Thanks!

PersonalMBACoach

Personal MBA Coach Founder

Joined: 11 Sep 2010

Last visit: 22 Apr 2026

Posts: 3,807

Own Kudos:

372

Given Kudos: 11

Status:Boutique MBA Admissions Consulting from a Wharton graduate - Helping applicants get into top global business schools since 2008

Affiliations: Wharton, MIT

Location: United States (NY)

Overall Client Admit Rate: 96%

Expert

Expert reply

Posts: 3,807

Kudos: 372

04 Apr 2024, 08:59

Kudos

Bookmarks

Applying to business school this fall? Now is the perfect time to start studying for the GMAT or GRE.

Check out Personal MBA Coach's blog to get answers to all your pressing test related questions including what score to target, how important these tests are and more.

About Personal MBA Coach:

Founded by a Wharton MBA and MIT Sloan graduate who sits on the Association of International Graduate Admissions Consultants Board of Directors, Personal MBA Coach has been guiding clients for 17 years. Scott Edinburgh, Personal MBA Coach’s founder, is the most positively reviewed consultant on Poets&Quants and Personal MBA Coach was named the top boutique MBA Admissions Consulting firm in 2023.

We help clients with all aspects of the MBA application process including early planning, GMAT/GRE/EA tutoring, application strategy, school selection, essay editing, and mock interviews. Our team includes former M7 admissions directors and former M7 admissions interviewers.

Last cycle, our clients earned more than $10M in scholarships!