Please evaulate my profile

Question

GMAT score 700 (Q48V38 both 83%ile, 4.5 in AWA)

Nationality: Indian
Age 27
Qualifications: Master of Science in Mobile Computing from University of Bradford with distinction (Award Avg. 74.2 %)
 Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Engg. from University of Pune with first class (60%)
 (I do not know how to convert these to GPA)
Achievements while at university - 2nd prize in enterprise business ideas competition in UK (among 400 participants)
 - Final Year B.Eng project selected for a major national level project exhibition.

Experience (recent first Total 47 months) 
Research Engineer - Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (govt. funded), South Korea (14 months contract) 
Project Consultant - Startup firm, Mumbai India - (7 Months contract upto project implementation)
Network Engineer - SiTEL UK Ltd - (13 months, last 4 months as team leader, Visa expired)
Network Engineer - A Mumbai ISP (13 months, left for higher studies)
Achievements while working - 4 patent applications, 5 contributions to IEEE standards, Team started fulfilling 97.5%SLAs within 2 months.

Extracurriculars - While at University - Member of Hindu Cultural society (Bradford), Member of Anti Ragging society, Events organizing committee. Otherwise - Member of local committe for organizing cultural activities, Started Applied Gandhi project with international members.
Questions: Which Schools should I target for MBA? What are the possible questions from my profile that I need to prepare for? Will taking GMAT again for improving score increases my chances for ivy league?

Accepted.com · Answer

Before I respond, could you tell me what you want to do after you earn the MBA? Why are you pursuing the degree?

Yes a higher  GMAT would probably enhance your chances at  top-10 business schools.

Best,
Linda

raunakmaheshwari · Answer

I have worked on a couple of highly challenging and fascinating telecom projects of international levels in my career so far. That has distinguished the fire within me for working on such projects. I have gained technical knolwedge and acumen and would like to use that for consulting in telecoms. I have an experience of one such project on a small scale and I know for sure that I am interested in it. Apart from that, I am also interested in working for investment firms which invest in technical ventures which needs analysis of technology and its use from business and investment point of view.

What would be a safe score for getting admitted in top 10 business schools.

What would be a safe score for getting admitted in top 10 business schools.

Accepted.com · Answer

To address the last question first, there is no  GMAT score that will guarantee you acceptance to a  top MBA program . However if you are aiming for a top 10 school, I think your chances would improve with a 720+ GMAT.

In terms of good programs for you considering your experience and assuming a higher GMAT, look into Haas, Ross, Stanford, MIT, Darden, MIT, Columbia, and NYU. If you do not retake the GMAT or if it doesn't go up, consider Cornell, Yale, NYU Stern, CMU Tepper, Purdue, Ross, Duke, Anderson, and UNC.

In terms of possible weaknesses, your community service looks a little light on leadership, but it's possible that the leadership is there and I don't see it in the brief description provided. If so, that's good. Another possible weakness, is that you really don't seem to know much about the programs. That can be remedied easily before you apply. WE have a series of blog posts that will help you with school choice. We will shortly turn the series into an ecourse, but in the meantime, please visit this  collection of posts . Start with #1 and read the posts backwards.

Best,
Linda

raunakmaheshwari · Answer

Thank you so much and I admit towards my lack of knowledge about the schools. Thanks for your inputs. Can you tell me the key to comparing GPAs with percentages. At Bradford, in MSc Mobile Computing, the school doesn't have ranking system otherwise I woud have got Rank 1. While in undergrad, my grades were low because of some external reasons which I plan to detail in the essays.

In the list of the schools you have mentioned, you didn't mention London Business School. I ask because I am familiar with London and it will be very easy for me to settle their as I had lived their earlier for more than a year. I read about it yesterday and in their positives I found that they do score better than other schools on internationalism of their course. From their profile, it seems that work experience in 3 different countries would work positively for me.

Kindly list other positive aspects of my application (not only for LBS)

Also, if it is not too much of me to seek readymade, can you please tell me about scholarships in business schools and do I have a realistic chance of getting one?

Thanks and regards,

Raunak Maheshwari.

Accepted.com · Answer

There are a couple of reputable services that will "translate" percentages into a US GPA. The ones I know about are WES and ECE. However, unless your target programs ask you to convert the percentage into a GPA, you are better off NOT doing so. The schools are experienced in interpreting international transcripts.

Strengths: Your international exposure will be a strength at all top business schools. Your strong grades in graduate school are a plus. Your patents show innovation and problem solving. You seem to have had diverse experience (government-related, large enterprise, and start-up) with at least some leadership, albeit highly technical.

Best,
Linda

raunakmaheshwari · Answer

Thanks a lot for the inputs Linda. I hope I haven't troubled you too much.

Accepted.com · Answer

Not at all.

Best,
Linda

raunakmaheshwari · Answer

Hello Linda,

Will it possible for you to comment on London Business School vis a vis my profile. I have researched schools and found that LBS has much more international classroom and both the areas, consulting and finance are its strengths.

Thanks and regards,

Raunak Maheshwari

Accepted.com · Answer

Raunak,

I believe  LBS  is a bit of a stretch, but you certainly have a chance and should apply.

Best,
Linda

raunakmaheshwari · Answer

Can you tell me why is LBS a stretch for my profile and is there a way to improve it?

BTW, currently I am having two full time jobs, working as a Network consultant for a recent startup company and working as a relationship manager with a NGO working for Orphans.

Accepted.com · Answer

Two reasons:

1. Your work is highly technical. While the start-up and NGO probably are giving you far more leadership and management exposure than is reflected in your earlier positions, your main jobs do not appear to have given you much general business and management experience. I could be wrong (which would be good for you), but that is how it appeared from the brief descriptions you provided.
2. Your 700 GMAT is average and LBS and probably low for Indian IT guys. I don't have a good source for that gut feeling, but that is my gut feeling.

At the same time, "a little bit of a stretch" implies you need to be realistic and should also apply to other programs. I don't intend to imply that you should apply to  LBS .

Best,
Linda

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