Evaluate Please

Question

Hi,

I had posted in the other forum but I was advised to post here as well as I can get expert advise. Please see my profile below:

* Total experience in IT: 10 years 
* Nationality: Indian 
* Non-native English speaker

Academic: 
* - Scored 62% - First Class in my BS Computer Science from a top 100 engineering college in India 
* - 9/10 in my finishing school. 
* - GMAT practice tests are indicating 700.

Career: 
Started at a low end company immediately after graduation.I missed a few chances at the tier-1 companies as i did not have a challenging score.However I performed well and within months I was confirmed as an employee from a trainee.I moved to a tier-1 company in India and then to US for consulting work. I did well in consulting and was in the US for 4 years and moved back to India in order to grow in a booming economy. I joined Oracle in their ERP development center and worked for 2 years.I then moved to my current company, where I joined as a project lead and within a year I became a project manager. 
I currently manage ERP support for 2 UK based companies and frequently travel to UK on business.

References: 
*- My current manager, a General Manager with a top tier IT company, a fortune 500 company. 
*- Oracle Practice head,a top tier IT company, a fortune 500 company.

Groups: 
*- Currently a volunteer for Art of living, a yoga group based world wide 
*- Member of Rotary club in college 
*- Prizes for dramatics and spoofs in college

Extracurricular: 
*- take part in charity drives within the company I work 
*- Avid practitioner of Yoga

Goals: 
My goal in doing a MBA program is to first develop into a senior technology executive and then move into overall company operations. In the past 10 years I believe a MBA program will help me develop business skills which are crucial to be a strong leader in any organization.I have lots of "on-the-job business training," but am looking for some rigorous business classes, particularly in finance/accounting. I also see an MBA as a factor in helping me get future promotions.

Current Plans for future: 
I plan to take a sabbatical from work, join get a MBA degree and get back to helping my current organization in growing furthur and sharing my experience.

Questions: 
1.I am aware that I dont bring much to the table apart from experience. So is a score of 700 on GMAT good to get me to top 50? 
2. What else can i do as i want to take the test in September 08. 
3.Should i do E-MBA instead? what are the advantages or lack of it vis-a-vis a regular MBA.
(Doing a part time MBA is not suited for me as I reside in India and generally a part time MBA is frowned upon and has no real value.)
4.Are there good schools in Europe ie in top 50? Worth the money and time? And how stringent are they in terms of GMAT and other fitments compared to US schools.I am hoping that my job experience will get the due weighage.
5. If we do a full time MBA in any country most placements happen there. US is not a problem for me, but do they do the same for European/Aus schools and how good are they?

Comments:
I am doing this MBA simply to add value to what I am currently doing. I am a projects manager and manage two - three team. I am in charge of delivery of high end software products and handle routine things like people,invoices and clients. I plan to do the MBA simply to enhance my skills and gain tools and techniques to do my job better. Of course, it will help me grow up the ladder faster, ithat s besides the point.

My profile might be similar to many others, but I simply believe that I have an edge in terms of actual experience and the current position that I am in, "management". That plus a good score, I hope to get into a "good" school. Now, how good the school is, I have nt come to that part yet. I am just going over my basics, getting ready for the GMAT.

Meanwhile, I am also told that my profile would suit Exec MBA. Please can you advise on the same and if it is worth spending money on it. As I am in India, any EMBA from a good school is going to cost money. And EMBA from India is worthless. I might as well not do it. Pls advise.

As far as my career is concerned, I am planning to pursue in technology simply because this is where I have been for 10 years now and moving away to finance etc doesnt make sense (or does it?)

I would like to come back to this industry, whether in india or US or Europe does not make a difference. But yes, I would prefer international simply for the exposure it brings.(and the money).That is the reason I want to get to US. But again a EMBA or part time in US does not make sense due to the costs involved. And if i cant get into a full time, I might as well try Europe full time.

perfectexamscore · Answer

700 is definitely enough to get into a top 50.

mlchang616 · Answer

I think you might have a good chance with a top 30 program.

A 700 is a good score. However, with the number of years of WE that you have, why not consider an EMBA or accelerated program especially if you intend to return to your current organization post-mba. A full-time program for you may not make as much sense especially if you have no need to utilize an internship to pursue a new function in a new vertical. M2C.

-M

jallenmorris · Answer

Try to improve your GMAT score. 700 is lower than others in your demographic. And, unfortunately, many programs appear to be "tending younger" so 10 years of experience is something that you might need to twist and make a positive. There isn't anything you can do about it now, so figure out a way to keep the adcoms from thinking it's a bad thing ( I have no idea why the think it's a bad thing.)

The advice about the EMBA seems to be good advice.

The advice about the EMBA seems to be good advice.

sunniegoldie · Answer

Hi,
Your profile presents a strong foundation, especially with over 10 years of experience in IT, including significant ERP consulting work for multinational clients. Let’s break down your questions:
 
  Is a score of 700 on GMAT good enough for top 50 schools? 
 
 A GMAT score of 700 is competitive for many top 50 programs, but keep in mind that admissions also consider your work experience, leadership, and fit with the program. Since you have robust experience in managing ERP systems and consulting, these aspects can help balance your profile. Additionally, your international exposure (in the US and UK) strengthens your candidacy, which is a great asset for schools in the top 50.  
 
  What else can you do before taking the GMAT in September? 
 
 Continue honing your leadership and project management experiences, particularly with ERP systems, as this can set you apart. Working with tools like  Odoo  and contributing to digital transformation through ERP solutions can be a valuable talking point in your essays and interviews. 
 Consider strengthening your application by taking on additional leadership roles in your volunteer work (Art of Living, charity drives). This will show your well-rounded personality beyond technical expertise.  
 
  Should you pursue an Executive MBA (EMBA)? 
 
 An EMBA is typically designed for professionals with more work experience (usually around 12-15 years), especially those seeking to stay employed while studying. Based on your career stage, an EMBA could be a good fit if you’re looking to accelerate within your current organization. However, since you're willing to take a sabbatical and focus fully on your MBA, a full-time MBA might be more immersive and provide a wider range of opportunities. 
 The regular full-time MBA is ideal for making a career switch or gaining broader business management skills, which seems to align with your goals of transitioning into senior technology or operational roles.  
 
  Are there good schools in Europe that are worth it? 
 
 Europe has many strong business schools, such as INSEAD, LBS, IE, and HEC Paris, which are all well-regarded. They may not be as stringent about GMAT scores compared to top US schools, and your work experience will likely be weighted more heavily. European programs tend to have a shorter duration (1 year), which could be advantageous if you’re looking to get back into the workforce quickly.  
 
  Do full-time MBA programs outside the US offer strong placements? 
 
 Most schools, whether in the US, Europe, or Australia, focus on placing students in the local job market, but top European schools often have global recruitment. INSEAD, LBS, and IE, for example, have strong networks across Europe, Asia, and North America. If you're aiming for international exposure and growth, schools in these regions can offer strong opportunities.  
  
Regarding your concerns about EMBA programs in India not being valuable, I agree that if you're targeting international exposure and growth, an international MBA (full-time or EMBA) will likely be more beneficial. However, a full-time program would provide you with more opportunities to immerse yourself in the experience, network, and potentially switch careers if desired.
 Final thoughts : Given your experience in ERP, managing global teams, and your aspirations in technology and senior management, a full-time MBA in the US or Europe seems like a logical next step. Whether to stay in technology or transition to other areas like finance will depend on your long-term career goals, but your tech expertise will always be valuable, even if you transition to broader business roles.
Good luck with your GMAT and application process!

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