Not sure if I can apply

Question

Hi All,

On the 13th of August 2023 after a good preparation for 3 months I decided to give my GMAT and I did. ( I am an Indian if it matters )

I made a decent 750/800.
QR : 50
VR : 41
IR : 03
AWA : 04

My choice of B schools are as below too :

1. Stanford
2. Harvard
3. Wharton ( Penn )
4. MIT ( Sloan )
5. London Business School
6. INSEAD
7. UC Berkley Haas
8. Chicago Booth

My credentials are as below :

a. Bachelors in Technology ( Civil Engineering ) – 2.72 / 4.00 ( 2008 – 2012 )
b. Postgrad program ( Construction Management ) – 8.1 / 10 ( 2012 – 2014 )
c. Work Experience – 9+ years
d. Background is specifically into Project Management for Commercial Interior Fit outs

I also cannot really apply for all the universities too since the application fees are high and I am not really in a financially viable situation.
So where exactly amongst the above can I apply to have a good chance to get through.

admitStreet · Answer

confusedsoul29 - some q's before providing feedback: What are your goals post MBA i.e. target sector/ function? And in terms of geo, do you have a preference for US/ Europe? Regards, Arvind HEC Paris MBA alum, Admissions interviewer W: https://admitstreet.com | E: consultingteam@admitstreet.com

confusedsoul29 · Answer

Hi Arvind,

I am looking for Strategy and Management consulting. I also have a certain level of comfort in General Management also and familiar with it too.
That said as an industry of choice. Management Consulting would be good.
From a geography standpoint I would be prioritising US over Europe.

Regards,
Confusedsoul29

MBAGuide · Answer

Hi confusedsoul29 First of all congratulations on the very impressive score!

I am an INSEAD alumna and Ex MBA admissions interviewer for the MBA program. Hope I can give some meaningful advice. Your background is a niche. The sooner you acknowledge this fact, the more advantageous your position will be when you research next steps and formulate an application strategy tailored to your profile. The adcom may think, "This person must indeed have a strong affinity for construction, as evidenced by the fact that he or she has completed both a bachelor's and master's degree in the field, followed by nearly 9 years of work in the related field." This is the basis on which the evaluator will base their assessment once they have read your resume. The bigger puzzle to solve is which career paths in consulting or general management would most value your experience and transferable skills, and where your potential for growth and success is greatest, especially as you transition from a specialized to a generalist role. Consulting is a vast domain, so you should be very clear w.r.t how will you fit there and how will you thrive. Without thorough research and compelling insights, you will not be able to make a convincing case for any of the schools on your list. Also note that it can be more difficult to get a spot in a 2-year MBA program if you are over a certain age and have extensive work experience. You should seriously consider adding some schools in the top 15-20 range to your list, as they are likely to produce comparable post-MBA results to the extremely competitive schools you are currently considering. A better strategy would be to pick 6-7 schools, a good mix of reach and safe and then split between various rounds. Network extensively with alumni or adcoms from target schools and create a solid plan for presenting your case. Do not hesitate to reach out to us if you need help navigating your unique circumstances in the B School admissions process. Aanchal Sahni (INSEAD alum, ex INSEAD MBA admissions interviewer) MBAGuideConsulting LinkedIn |WEBSITE: https://mbaguideconsulting.com/ | Message(WA): +91 9971200927| email- mbaguideconsulting@gmail.com

admitStreet · Answer

confusedsoul29 - thanks for the update. Having worked in management consulting in the ME post my HEC Paris MBA, happy to share my thoughts: 1. Looking at consulting as a post-MBA goal, highlighting the transferable skills and "why consulting" would be key. Consulting firms typically hire MBA grads for generalist and specialist roles. For generalist roles, (relatively) younger candidates with some prior work-ex are preferred as they can be rotated across sectors and cases. For specialist roles however, expertise in a specific sector is highly valued. Such roles are for practice areas that serve clients in specific domain(s). This applies to MBB's, big-4s, tier-2, boutique firms. In your case, looking at a specialist role, one most aligned to your past experience (e.g. construction/ interior-design and related areas) can be interesting. Internal consulting roles can be interesting too. 2. Would like to better understand your work-ex (roles, companies, etc.) to assess the professional arc - please share more details here (or reach out for a chat). Based on your achievements in these roles, your strengths and learnings, narrowing down on the post-MBA goal (point 1) could be a bit easier. 3. While I can't recommend specific programs yet given the context of this initial review, broadly speaking, given your preference for US and consulting, targeting T10-25 programs with a focus on consulting (i.e. alumni base in MBB's/ Tier-2, industry associations, etc.) would be ideal. With your score, and a good application, programs in T15-30 could present chances for scholarships too. Let me know if this helps. Feel free to reach out for a deeper chat. Regards, Arvind HEC Paris MBA alum, Admissions interviewer W: https://admitstreet.com | E: consultingteam@admitstreet.com

ARINGO · Answer

You can find a list of top MBA programs for Strategy and Management consulting here: https://aringo.com/mba-corporate-strate ... alization/ It's hard to evaluate your admission chances without more information about you, so feel free to reach out for consultation and help with your application!

ExpertsGlobal · Answer

Hello  confusedsoul29 ,

Congratulations on a fine GMAT score.

While we cannot put forth an exact list, we feel you need to spread the risk (especially considering your work experience is on the high side). You should be targeting schools ranked between US top 10 to US top 25 (that are in line with your career goals); the M7 programs have a low acceptance rate and if you absolutely wish to join a business school next year, you need to have some Practical schools on your list. The Practical schools will also offer you a high chance of a scholarship.

Should you wish to discuss your prospects in greater detail, feel free to get in touch with us.

All the best!

MBAandBeyond · Answer

Hello confusedsoul29 , Congratulations on achieving a strong GMAT score of 750! That's an impressive accomplishment. Strengths of your profile - 1. Strong GMAT score (750). 2. Decent Quantitative Reasoning (QR) and Verbal Reasoning (VR) scores. 3. Postgraduate program in Construction Management with a good GPA (8.1/10). 4. 9+ years of work experience in Project Management for Commercial Interior Fit-outs. Given your profile, here's an assessment of your B-school choices: Reach Schools (Challenging, but not impossible): 1. Stanford 2. Harvard 3. Wharton 4. MIT Sloan These schools are highly competitive, and while your GMAT score is strong, your undergraduate GPA might be a concern. However, your postgraduate program GPA and your extensive work experience could offset this to some extent. Target Schools (Balanced chances): 1. London Business School 2. INSEAD 3. UC Berkeley Haas 4. Chicago Booth These schools might view your diverse experience and postgraduate GPA more favorably, and your GMAT score is a definite asset. Focus on Target Schools: Given your financial constraints, it's wise to target schools where you have a balanced chance of acceptance. London Business School, INSEAD, UC Berkeley Haas, and Chicago Booth seem like reasonable choices. These schools value diverse experiences and could appreciate your unique background. Highlight Unique Experience: Emphasize your 9+ years of work experience in Project Management for Commercial Interior Fit outs. This specialization could set you apart and demonstrate your industry expertise. Address Low Undergraduate GPA: In your application essays, you can briefly address your lower undergraduate GPA and explain any circumstances that might have contributed to it. Focus on the upward trajectory of your academic performance. Tailor Your Application: Customize your application for each school to highlight how their programs align with your career goals and how you can contribute to their community. Use Optional Essays: Some schools offer optional essays where you can explain any additional information you feel the admissions committee should know about your profile. You can use this space to provide context for any weak areas. Ultimately, while the top schools on your list are highly competitive, your strong GMAT score and extensive work experience are definite strengths. However, it's crucial to approach your application with a well-crafted narrative that explains your background, achievements, and goals. Good luck with your applications! We offer a limited number of complimentary profile evaluations each week . We match you with the students and alums of top B-Schools according to your background and target schools. In this call, the experts will try to dig out your USP for top B-schools and provide you with honest feedback on your profile and chances to your target schools. Book a free profile evaluation call now! Neha Hadke Strategy Manager Testimonials Meet our Panel of Consultants. Email: neha@mbaandbeyond.com MBA and Beyond

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