Nov 28 Chat: Should I apply to MBA during R2 or wait for R1?

Question

Chat with ARINGO: Should I apply to MBA during Round 2 or wait for Round 1?

Sunday, November 28, 2021 8 AM PST | 9:30 PM IST | 11 AM EST

In this session, ARINGO MBA Admissions Consulting experts will answer questions regarding the Round 2 deadlines, chances estimations, profile reviews, what to emphasize in your applications, what do the top MBA programs look for, and much more.

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Sajjad1994 · Answer

All those submitted their questions via google subscription form, stay tuned your questions will be answered by ARINGO

ARINGO · Answer

Hi everyone, I am really excited to be here.
My name is Shimri Winters
I hold a BA in computer science and an MBA from the London Business School

I head the strategey at ARINGO MBA Admissions Consulting (https://www.ARINGO.com) we help candidates get accepted into top business schools, even with lower-than-average GMAT scores (I have a 660 😊 )

For a detailed profile review, please send me your CV, GMAT score, school wish list and any other info to Shimriw@ARINGO.com

Now let’s get the questions started!

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Thank you ARINGO for joining, Let’s start the session

Welcome Everyone! To the live chat

Please start asking your questions

Question ................ Does the probability of selection depends on round of application?

Adeodatus · Answer

What category (URM, ORM) is my country (Philippines) in? And what GMAT score is good for non HSW M7 (assuming the rest of my profile is average/comparable to my peers)

Asking this because some say since I am from Southeast Asia, I am an ORM but our country itself is an URM

Sajjad1994 · Answer

All those submitted their questions via google subscription form, stay tuned your questions will be answered by ARINGO

ARINGO · Answer

Hi Adeodatus I was just talking on the phone to a client of mine from two years ago from Darden. he said there was ONE student in his stream from the Philipines => you come from an underrepresented country... What GMAT? this is obviously only one factor. but I would say that your minimum score should be no less than ~40 points below the school average you are applying to.... (so, lets say 660++ for a school like Darden / Duke / Cornell /Ross) BUT, this is the minimum, and only if the rest of your profile is amazing... For a detailed profile review, please send me your CV, GMAT score, school wish list any other info to Shimriw@ARINGO.com and I can try and assess your chances further (I worked with 4-5 candidates from the Philipines every year, so far with 100% success, so don’t ruin my stats

)

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Question ............ I am planning on giving GMAT in january and I want to apply to MBA abroad and ISB India. Should I apply in 2022 for the last rounds or wait for an year. I am planning to switch my job next February, would that have an impact on my application?
I am in software engineering now and inclined towards Product management post MBA, Is it better to switch to APM in a startup next year or continue in software development.
Thanks in advance.

ARINGO · Answer

YES it does. naturally, it depends on which school we are talking about.
For example, in the US, MOST schools have 3 rounds. R1 is the "best", round 2 has kind of similar chances, and R3 has very low chances (Especially for international applicants) in Europe, where most schools have more rounds, the situation is different, but stay away from last rounds...

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Question ......... Are top 10-15 US B schools(Ross, Fuqua, Darden, SC Johnson, Mc Combs and Yale) difficult to aim for with around 720-730 GMAT score, considering that I am applying for them in R2

ARINGO · Answer

SO, I don’t have enough info on you (for example, age, gender, where do you work today, how many promotions did you have to date, how many job changes and of course what will your GMAT be and which schools are you thinking of applying to .) ALL of these factors will help me help you... generally speaking, if you are below the age of 30, and the new job is a promotion and takes you out of software engineering, then R1 next year, makes more sense than R2. BUT, let’s do this, once you complete the GMAT, send me your CV and GMAT score, and school wish list to shimriw@ARINGO.com and I will try to help further...

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Question ......... If I delay my application for Round 2 or Round 3 of any university, so that I have can apply with a better, above average and competitive score in GMAT, would my chances of selection increase?

We have fewer questions in the queue. Now is the best time to get your questions answered.

We have fewer questions in the queue. Now is the best time to get your questions answered.

ARINGO · Answer

Natrually, it is harder to get into a top 5 school than to a Top 10-15 business schools . BUT still, these are the top in thee world, and ALL are hard to get into for any candidate. 
720 is bang on or below most schools’ averages (Tuck 722, Yale 730, Ross 720) so 720-720 is not a big deal...
and actually if you score 710 or 740 that might not make a huge difference on your chances. What would make the change? You need is to have the "full package" if you hit ALL the other factors as well, then your chances will be higher.

Just to explain further. I used to interview for LBS.
I remember one 780 candidate which I decided was not suitable for LBS, and one 680 that I loved...

GMAT is just one (important, but one) factor

Brambhnatva92 · Answer

I am an Indian lawyer, 29 years old (will turn 30 in sept. 22) with ~6 years of pqe. I have 650 GMAT. Want to apply for decent MBA programs in US and Europe. Should I apply for Round 2 in Jan (for US) or better my GMAT score (let’s say ~ 720) and apply in Round 1 in 2022 with more pqe, age and GMAT score. What’s a better strategy for getting into MBA program?

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Profile evaluation .......... Profile review :
Hello,

Request you to kindly review and evaluate my profile.

Male 25 years

Academics -

10th - 10 CGPA
12th - 89%
UG (B.Tech, ECE) - 8.9

GRE Score - 323

Work ex -

1. Novartis - working as a Senior Analyst in Commercial Excellence team. Recently promoted. Work ex includes pharma brand analysis, Omnichannel marketing strategy engagements, field force incentives operations and other commercial excellence imperatives. Several workplace accolades and co-curricular achievements awarded

2. ZS - Worked as Associate in pharma commercial excellence practice area. Involved in business analysis for a US based multinational pharma company, involving but not limited to building BI dashboards, operationalising reporting, system setups and build, etc

Extra Curricular -

1. Runner up at Maharani Gayatri Devi National Quiz (Class X1)
2. School topper in class Xth
3. Participated, Won and presided as judge for over 20 Model united Nations conferences in college
4. Runner Up at National Paper Presentation competition organised by Miranda House’s Geographic society
5. Star Impact Award (highest individual contributor award at Novartis) awarded x 4 times
6. Sony Corporate Photography Contest special mention in 2020
7. Active Member of Novartis’ readers club, etc
8. Volunteer teacher at eVidyaloka initiative which is working towards UN SDGs

Post MBA Goals :

In longer run, aim is to transition as a business strategy leader in a healthcare firm and leader patient access programs in emerging economies. I want to see if I have a shot at any good b school programs and chance at scholarship in R2. Or should I wait for next early decision round.

Any feedback will be much appreciated!

ARINGO · Answer

As I answered before, this depends on which university, and what your background is
R3 in the US is a very small round for international applicants and I suggest "staying away" from it
R 3 out of 8 in HEC Paris is fine

Vaisakhunni · Answer

Hi, This is Vaisakh from India. I am a B.Tech graduate with 4 year work experience in Petroleum PSU. I have currently a score of 640 in GMAT, and I am aiming for European B schools Sep 22 admissions.

I am planing to apply in R2/ R3, what are my chances?

NikitaSuman · Answer

Hello Sir,

ARINGO · Answer

it all depends on where you want to study Your profile sounds good, but, 650 will limit your options... Age is fine, if you wait till next year and improve GMAT, it will add more options Or, you compromise and apply to lower ranked schools this year Hi, not sure what feedback you are looking for nice professional experience, nice volunteering, good GPA, reasonable GRE, and interesting extracurricular activities you definitely have a shot in R2 but I dont know which schools you are aiming for. Send me your CV GRE and shcool wish list to shimriw@ARINGO.com and we can take it from there?

Brambhnatva92 · Answer

Thanks, that helps. So if I understood you correctly, keeping everything else constant, adding 1 more year to my age (29 years) and work experience (6 years) won’t jeopardize my chances for Round 1 in 2022 but it would better my chances if I better my GMAT score...right?

Nov 28 Chat: Should I apply to MBA during R2 or wait for R1?

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