INT Applicant, Goals: Prod mgmt, IT strategy Consulting

Question

I am from a highly competitive application pool - Indian IT Applicant with 5 years of experience. I have an very decent career progression   (2 promotions in 4 years, currently with a top consulting firm as an ERP functional consultant. Never been the traditional Indian "coder" actually)   and demonstrable contribution in my local community (2 NGOs - continous involvement, 250+ hrs a year. One on educating street children and their parents, equally important. Another, building awareness about carbon emissions in rapidly developing countries like India, which desperately need an alternative).  Which schools would be ideal for earning a respectable (around $20,000+) scholarship? What should be my strategy to earn a scholarship? I'm looking at US News 20-50

I have a  gap year  - was studying for my engg entrances.  What should be my strategy(eg., additional essay, bump up GMAT score or take extra courses etc) be for the impact this could have, if any?

I have a  low GPA , like most other "average students" in my univ (known for notoriously low engg grades in IND, nothwithstanding my own "contributions" towards my grades) and my  GMAT score is 710 .  Will this help in offseting the GPA? P.S. Wont be taking the GMAT again until absolutely required, due to some personal reasons

Post-MBA Industry : Tech (Primary), Consulting (Backup)
Post-MBA Function : Prod Mgmt (Primary), Strategy Consulting (Backup)

I kinda have a list of around 12-16 for my preliminary research, not necessarily ones with scholarship chances, but with a higher probablity of an interview call: 
 Emory, UT Austin, Foster, Georgia Tech, Notre Dame, Carey, Merage, Questrom, Ivey, NYU Tech MBA, Mays, Vanderbilt, Kelley, ISB .   Please add ones you think maybe missing or some of the "hidden gems" I dont know about, Thoughts?

Would highly appreciate your opinion, Souvik and others SMEs on the forum.

Gmat800Champ · Answer

Experts can you please reply? I have more or less same profile.
 ABatExpertsGlobal

MBAkarma · Answer

Hello alphainc Your seem to have a couple of spikes (strengths) in terms of Quality of Work Ex, Diversity (due to extracurricular) and Career goals (look realistic, organic and reachable except Strategy Consulting- no body has strategy consulting as a backup!) You have dips (weaknesses) in Acads (not bad but relatively lower as Indians are expected to score high), Diversity (due to IIM- Indian IT Male

- yeah this contradicts the above point. Diversity will depend on what you highlight more) All in all if you put together a strong application you may stand a fighting chance in most (not all) of the schools mentioned. What you have mentioned takes care of a laundry list for a profile evaluation, but schools will also look at your profile holistically through these 6 admission factors mentioned here. Beyond this to identify the right fit of schools for you, one would need to understand your profile in much more detail (on a qualitative basis not just a laundry list) Needless to say final success will depend on what you present in your essays. Best Varun Sharma +919137133507 Free Profile Review MBAkarma.com GMAT Score Predictor info@mbakarma.com

alphainc · Answer

Hey Varun,
Thanks for taking time out to go through the post. 
My bad actually, I didn't mean back-up in the sense of the word. What I wanted to convey was that I'm looking at Strategy consulting as an option too after Prod mgmt, in that order of preference.

MBAkarma · Answer

Hello alphainc Well understood. My feedback, of course, remains same. If you are applying to R1 you better focus all your energy on putting together a strong written application. Do well. Best Varun Sharma +919137133507 Free Profile Review MBAkarma.com GMAT Score Predictor info@mbakarma.com

sunniegoldie · Answer

To increase your chances of securing a respectable scholarship and gaining admission to your target schools, here are a few strategies:
1.  Strengthen Your Profile Beyond GMAT :
 
  Community Involvement : Your extensive work with NGOs (250+ hours a year) will stand out. Make sure to highlight your leadership roles, the impact you’ve created, and tie them to your future goals, especially in terms of how they align with your post-MBA aspirations in the tech or consulting space. 
  Career Progression : You have a solid progression (2 promotions in 4 years), and your non-traditional ERP functional consultant role will differentiate you from many Indian applicants who tend to have technical/coding backgrounds.  
2.  Address the Low GPA :
 
 Your GMAT score of 710 is strong enough to partially offset your low GPA. However, you should consider addressing the GPA directly in your optional essay. Mention your university’s grading system (if it's notoriously tough) and focus on how your work experience and GMAT score demonstrate your ability to handle academic rigor. 
 You could also take relevant  online courses  or certifications (e.g., in product management, strategy, or ERP systems) to show your commitment to continuous learning and further strengthen your case.  
3.  Gap Year Explanation :
 
 A gap year spent preparing for entrance exams is common and shouldn't hurt your application significantly, especially if you explain it clearly. Focus on how the skills or lessons learned during this time prepared you for your career progression and future goals.  
4.  Focus on Schools Offering Scholarships :
 
 Look for schools that prioritize diversity and have strong ties to the tech and consulting industries. You already have a well-researched list, but some  hidden gems  that you might want to consider for better scholarship opportunities could include:
 
  SMU Cox  (known for tech and consulting with generous scholarships) 
  Olin Business School  (Washington University in St. Louis offers scholarships for strong candidates) 
  Tepper (Carnegie Mellon)  (strong in tech and has a good reputation for generous merit-based scholarships) 
  Simon Business School (University of Rochester)  (offers a lot of merit scholarships) 
  Purdue Krannert  (smaller but focused on leadership in tech with good scholarship opportunities)  
  
5.  Maximize Scholarship Chances :
 
  Scholarship Essay : Many schools require an additional essay for scholarships. Focus on your community impact, career progression, and how their program can help you achieve your post-MBA goals in tech or consulting. 
  GMAT Score : Since you mentioned not retaking the GMAT, focus on other aspects, such as leadership, community impact, and career progression, to stand out for scholarships.  
Your current list (Emory, UT Austin, Foster, etc.) is solid, and schools like Foster, Mays, and Kelley are known for strong tech programs with scholarship opportunities.
Good luck with your applications! If you need help with your essays or further school recommendations, feel free to ask!

INT Applicant, Goals: Prod mgmt, IT strategy Consulting

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