Dinged from all 7 B-Schools without interview

Hi Anshuman,

I'm sorry to hear about the dings during the past cycle.

If I may ask, how did the consultant you worked with have you address the need for an American/international MBA after earning one in India? Perhaps the adcoms weren't sure about your goals post-MBA or you didn't spell out exactly how you planned to leverage what you had learned into your experience at a new school. I'm only postulating, however.

Yes, the GMAT is a bit low as you know, but I think with the right approach you could earn a spot at a t25 school. We do offer ding reports where I'd take a deeper dive into your essays/resume and help you framework your profile going forward. If that's something you'd be interested in learning about more shoot me an email at scott@personalmbacoach.com, would love to chat!

Regards,

Personal MBA Coach

www.personalmbacoach.com

That sucks. I am so sorry. Traumatizing. Working right now with a dear Indian male IT ish startup client who had the same experience with all top 12 schools minus Duke interview. IIT, 740. But low WE awful essays/goals (even w US consultant!) and no ECs. He got into Ross yesterday, Darden and CMU w scholarship.

I would say you are punching a bit above your weight...I am hesitant to apply Indian male clients (yes even marketing) to schools where they have scores less than 20 pts over the average GMAT. There is just going to be someone (Indian guy) as special and exceptional standing behind you with a better score.

I agree goals need to be strong and well articulated but PGDG should not be dealbreaker. Would love to check out your stuff and might encourage you to apply Feb 1 (R1) to IMD which would reduce age and GMAT barriers.

Maybe IE if it makes sense.

https://mbaprepcoach.com

Thank you coaches!

I will connect with you separately on this. Shall share my profile and see if we can work out something from there. I am disappointed, true, but I am still hopeful.

Regards

Hi ,

I retook GMAT today and scored 720 (Q-51. VA-35). I don't know how good or bad this score is considering the wide gap in VA and Q scores and the fact that I am from India where the average GMAT score is a few notches higher. Would request for expert and peer review of my profile and score and suggest the list of B-schools I can apply to.

Thanks!

Here are my reflections. I'm a little concerned about the fact that you've worked in so many Industries in only six years. Same line of work I hope?

And it's curious - your overall career Arc.

Are there are good dotted lines between what you have done and the goals that you established in your applications? Do you look marketable and hireable?

You get dinged if you choose goals that are not suitable for someone your age.

Also wouldn't always assume that the Consultants you worked with are on track with the essays. So I would have you have others check those out.

Really don't encourage Indians to apply to any program where their GMAT is not at least 20 points over the class average. It's simply not realistic... I think the Consultants you were working with should have realized that.

yes I do agree the GMAT is a big obstacle and I would really encourage you to find a verbal tutor and get 20 more points on top of that score so that you can be competitive.

I would encourage you to look at 1 year programs so if you reapply to Kellogg and Cornell I would encourage you to do that through the one-year programs which is designed for people like yourself who already have a masters. And throw in Emery as well. They also have a one year.

Would recommend that you try for London Business School, they like more seasoned applicants...IESE.. and take a look at Sloan Fellows.

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Thanks Farrell! I would definitely like to give it another try as 720 is not a competitive score for most of the Tier-1 Schools, considering my demographics.

But can I apply to the one-year MBA program at Kellogg and Cornell with this score? Just asking.

anshuman203

The class average GMAT score for 1 year for Kellogg is 700 so yes I think 720 would put you in contention as long as your application is Kick-Ass.
To be clear you definitely need to be able to achieve your career goal without an internship. J Term at CBS would be another possibility. Still encourage you to do Emory as a safety.