Pls help in researching schools

Question

Hi

How many schools should be ideally applied in one round ? I am giving a brief description of my profile. Could you help me in categorising schools that would fall into the following criteria and also any other tips for the admission process:

- Stretch or dream schools
- Reach schools
- Safe bet schools

Nationality: Indian

Gender: Male

GMAT Score: 760 (v 44/q 49)

Work Ex: 
1. 5 years in IBM as an IT consultant, providing technology solutions to my client at&t.
2. Currently a team lead of 7 members.
3. Have almost 2 years of international experience i.e in US.
4. Have won 4 awards in 5 years.

Career Goals: Want to a career in Consulting.

Undergraduate Degree: Mechanical Engineering in NIT Silchar, class of 2006

CPA : 8.5/10 i.e 8.5 in a scale of 10.

Leadership and Extra Curricular Activities:

1. Co founder of organization HOPES to educate underprivileged children during my college days. Unfortunately could not keep the organization alive after college days.

2. Currently a member of a similar organization .viz HELP.

3. Was the prefect in college hostel. Have organised events and provided internet facility in my hostel.

bakfed · Answer

Stretch: Tuck and Haas
Reach: Ross, Darden, and Fuqua
Safety: look at ranking that's between 16-25

There's really nothing wrong with your profile, but it's just that you're competing against so many people in your applicant pool that it becomes so much harder to standout. The 5 schools between stretch and reach are greatly known for their consulting careers post-MBA.

cipher17 · Answer

thanks a lot for your reply. I understand that I am an Indian IT Male which is over represented. I am trying hard to introspect to find out how I can differentiate myself from rest of the applicant pool. Any pointers to this will be appreciated.

bakfed · Answer

I think of differentiating factors as things that others may not have (obviously), and it usually comes from your job responsibilities or extracurricular activities. You have a couple of items that you listed that can be used to your advantage - your extracurricular activity and your international experience. By spinning on these, you can talk about some great attributes that you can offer to the schools of your desire. Good luck!! :-D

cipher17 · Answer

thanks again...appreciate ur advice and the specific pointers...i will work on my essays and see how can extract values from my experiences.

Pls help in researching schools

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