Hi,
First post and will keep things short. Just gave GMAT last week - scored 600. Score split up - quants- 42 (54 percentile) verbals - 31 (60 percentile). IR- 4. AWA- 5.5. (No judgments about the score please :D) I am retaking GMAT anyway soon because I realize there are certain areas i needed to focus and I went wrong. So fully confident to retake the exam and expecting anything in the 650-680 range. My profile in short -
->engineering undergraduate with computer science major with first class (first division) grades ( 62 percentage)
->2 years of general management work ex in a marketing/ advertising firm of my friend. The profile was basically client management and sales.
Achievements and extra curriculars in short -
-> founder and partner in a banner that used to organize house parties. But the banner is no longer active. And it was not a long term business as such. Just a leisure thing we friends found to make some pocket money and have fun. Still the experiences we had are priceless.
-> final year project paper made it to an international conference and made it to an international journal. ( a technical one though ) -- quite irrelevant I believe.
-> the best thing about my work was dealing with government officers at senior level in India.
-> another achievement is, has worked with a team that formulated a concept that made the first art car in India. (Sold a used Tata nano which costed around 2000 USD for 23000 USD). The idea / concept belonged to our parent team. The concept was then sold to another firm which they implemented with our leads and contacts.
-> has worked with an NGO in between for an organ donation campaign.
-> in addition also has organized many events at undergrad school.
Now to the big question 'why did I chose a different path after graduation?' -
I never had an idea or focus about my career during my undergrad days. But I knew technicals was never my thing. During my final year I discovered somethings about myself.I was good at managing events, leading people , and communicating ideas. I wanted to go managerial. The only thing I could think of then was to resist the idea of working in an IT firm. I found this company run by my friend and I immediately joined. I found the job thrilling - dealing with people and clients and preparing strategies. Now to the need for an mba - working since two years and my career choices seem really limited now and the pay is really low. To make a big shift i need the formal business education I lack. I need growth and an increased earning. Need some good business knowledge and international exposure. And the best thing about international mba- the alumni and networking.
Planning to go for mba in general management / marketing / strategies. Targeting US b schools mainly. And I would need a 2 year full time MBA. Because I believe better than a one year program would be a two year program which would facilitate maximum networking and experiences and open up more choices and provide sufficient time enough to extract all that the mba provides.
I know am low on GMAT and GPA. But I am really high on confidence with my life.
The past has given me priceless experiences ,I believe ,which will take me even further. So sans considering my low GPA and GMAT, I need some suggestions from experts regarding some good b schools that fit into my requirements. Not considering top 50. But around the top 100 would be good enough. Post mba job AND ROI are major considerations.
Oh and one very important thing to add up to my profile :- I am smart and full of energy and confidence.
Ready to live up the upcoming future of possibilities and hardships.
So that's all about me and my scenario. Any helpful enlightenment would be great. Thank you in advance.