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KingArjun95
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Thanks a lot for the detailed response! Really appreciate it.
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KingArjun95
Hi everyone,

I’m an Indian engineer with 6.5+ years of experience in analytics, starting with Mu Sigma and later moving to startups. I’ve worked on advanced analytics projects and hold a Business Analytics certification from ISB Hyderabad. I’ve also received multiple awards in my professional journey.

My GRE score is 314 (Q162, V152), and I’ve struggled with competitive exams for years. I attempted the GMAT multiple times, with a max score of 630, (older GMAT) mainly due to verbal. My undergrad CGPA is 7.57/10 (Amrita University), with strong final semester grades (8.33, 9.25, and an "A" for my engineering project).

My dream schools for top 1-year MBA programs in India are ISB, IIM A, IIM B, and XLRI. I had an admit from SPJIMR last year but deferred to try for these schools. For international options, I’m looking at Melbourne Business School, UNSW, and schools like Warwick and Manchester in the UK.

For recommendations, I have:
- A senior leader with 30+ years of experience (alumnus of Colombia University), closely associated with Narayana Murthy, who can provide an LOR for 1-2 schools.
- My previous line manager (IIM K alumnus).
- My current firm's practice head for healthcare operations (no elite MBA but knows my work well).
- My current lead, a senior architect (worked with Microsoft for 20 years)

Can you please help me on the below questions:
1. What are my realistic chances for the top 1-year MBA programs in India (ISB, IIM A/B, XLRI)?
2. Are there other Indian colleges I should consider that offer strong ROI and placements?
3. For the US and UK, which schools should I target in the following categories:
- Sure-shot chances
- Worth trying
- Dream schools

Would love to hear your suggestions and guidance! I also have drafted my Essay, but need someone who can read through that and validate it. Can you please suggest anyone. I am also open to analytics programs.
Hi KingArjun95 , I hope you're doing well.

With 6.5+ years of experience in analytics, including stints at Mu Sigma and startups, your background looks good, particularly in advanced analytics projects. Your GRE score of 314 and GMAT score of 630 are decent but may be a barrier to top schools like ISB and IIM A/B, where the average score tends to be higher. Your undergraduate CGPA of 7.57/10, though good, could also be a point of concern. However, your professional achievements, including multiple awards and a Business Analytics certification from ISB Hyderabad, will enhance your profile. For top 1-year MBA programs in India, ISB, IIM A/B, and XLRI may be challenging with your current test scores, but you might have a look at other IIM’s that offer good ROI and placements. Internationally, schools like Kelley and McCombs in the US, and Warwick in the UK, may be more attainable. Consider retaking the GRE or GMAT to strengthen your application and improve your chances at your target schools. Additionally, refining your essays and getting recommendations from senior leaders will be key to presenting a well-rounded profile. Hope this helps!
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KingArjun95
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Thank you for your detailed feedback! Considering my profile and the test scores, I’d appreciate your advice on which score—GRE (314) or GMAT (630: Q45, V31)—would present my application in a stronger light for the schools you mentioned.
I’m open to highlighting either score based on its alignment with the preferences of my target programs. If you have specific insights into whether certain schools weigh GRE more favorably than GMAT or vice versa, that would be very helpful.
MBAandBeyond
KingArjun95
Hi everyone,

I’m an Indian engineer with 6.5+ years of experience in analytics, starting with Mu Sigma and later moving to startups. I’ve worked on advanced analytics projects and hold a Business Analytics certification from ISB Hyderabad. I’ve also received multiple awards in my professional journey.

My GRE score is 314 (Q162, V152), and I’ve struggled with competitive exams for years. I attempted the GMAT multiple times, with a max score of 630, (older GMAT) mainly due to verbal. My undergrad CGPA is 7.57/10 (Amrita University), with strong final semester grades (8.33, 9.25, and an "A" for my engineering project).

My dream schools for top 1-year MBA programs in India are ISB, IIM A, IIM B, and XLRI. I had an admit from SPJIMR last year but deferred to try for these schools. For international options, I’m looking at Melbourne Business School, UNSW, and schools like Warwick and Manchester in the UK.

For recommendations, I have:
- A senior leader with 30+ years of experience (alumnus of Colombia University), closely associated with Narayana Murthy, who can provide an LOR for 1-2 schools.
- My previous line manager (IIM K alumnus).
- My current firm's practice head for healthcare operations (no elite MBA but knows my work well).
- My current lead, a senior architect (worked with Microsoft for 20 years)

Can you please help me on the below questions:
1. What are my realistic chances for the top 1-year MBA programs in India (ISB, IIM A/B, XLRI)?
2. Are there other Indian colleges I should consider that offer strong ROI and placements?
3. For the US and UK, which schools should I target in the following categories:
- Sure-shot chances
- Worth trying
- Dream schools

Would love to hear your suggestions and guidance! I also have drafted my Essay, but need someone who can read through that and validate it. Can you please suggest anyone. I am also open to analytics programs.
Hi KingArjun95 , I hope you're doing well.

With 6.5+ years of experience in analytics, including stints at Mu Sigma and startups, your background looks good, particularly in advanced analytics projects. Your GRE score of 314 and GMAT score of 630 are decent but may be a barrier to top schools like ISB and IIM A/B, where the average score tends to be higher. Your undergraduate CGPA of 7.57/10, though good, could also be a point of concern. However, your professional achievements, including multiple awards and a Business Analytics certification from ISB Hyderabad, will enhance your profile. For top 1-year MBA programs in India, ISB, IIM A/B, and XLRI may be challenging with your current test scores, but you might have a look at other IIM’s that offer good ROI and placements. Internationally, schools like Kelley and McCombs in the US, and Warwick in the UK, may be more attainable. Consider retaking the GRE or GMAT to strengthen your application and improve your chances at your target schools. Additionally, refining your essays and getting recommendations from senior leaders will be key to presenting a well-rounded profile. Hope this helps!
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Hi there.
  • Correlating your GMAT scores to CAT (as if that is even possible) I recommend working hard on your preparations for the latter. Maybe, even a reality check. :)
  • I feel it is important to narrow down the geography. ANZ and EU are dramatically different outcomes, inputs and experience and having a spread that wide is sometimes an indication of deficient and poorly thought out mapping of your vision to school vision. Your GMAT scores are good enough for the UK.
  • I would recommend looking at a few more schools in the UK if you are already considering Warwick and Manchester. What about Lancaster, Edinburgh, Exeter and Strathclyde.
  • Strathclyde will be a sure shot (as if saying that is even possible!) and everything you attempt when not dreaming :).

Do well, and god bless you.

Sanjukt
P.S. Connect with me if you need a mentor.
linktr.ee/sanjuktsaha
KingArjun95
Hi everyone,

I’m an Indian engineer with 6.5+ years of experience in analytics, starting with Mu Sigma and later moving to startups. I’ve worked on advanced analytics projects and hold a Business Analytics certification from ISB Hyderabad. I’ve also received multiple awards in my professional journey.

My GRE score is 314 (Q162, V152), and I’ve struggled with competitive exams for years. I attempted the GMAT multiple times, with a max score of 630, (older GMAT) mainly due to verbal. My undergrad CGPA is 7.57/10 (Amrita University), with strong final semester grades (8.33, 9.25, and an "A" for my engineering project).

My dream schools for top 1-year MBA programs in India are ISB, IIM A, IIM B, and XLRI. I had an admit from SPJIMR last year but deferred to try for these schools. For international options, I’m looking at Melbourne Business School, UNSW, and schools like Warwick and Manchester in the UK.

For recommendations, I have:
- A senior leader with 30+ years of experience (alumnus of Colombia University), closely associated with Narayana Murthy, who can provide an LOR for 1-2 schools.
- My previous line manager (IIM K alumnus).
- My current firm's practice head for healthcare operations (no elite MBA but knows my work well).
- My current lead, a senior architect (worked with Microsoft for 20 years)

Can you please help me on the below questions:
1. What are my realistic chances for the top 1-year MBA programs in India (ISB, IIM A/B, XLRI)?
2. Are there other Indian colleges I should consider that offer strong ROI and placements?
3. For the US and UK, which schools should I target in the following categories:
- Sure-shot chances
- Worth trying
- Dream schools

Would love to hear your suggestions and guidance! I also have drafted my Essay, but need someone who can read through that and validate it. Can you please suggest anyone. I am also open to analytics programs.