MBA Admissions Consultant
Joined: 25 Jan 2010
Status:Admissions Expert
Affiliations: Founder, Amerasia Consulting Group
Posts: 1081
Given Kudos: 264
Re: Profile eval
[#permalink]
25 Aug 2010, 20:57
Hi artabhi,
Thank you for requesting my take on your candidacy. If you are interested, please feel free to PM to set up a detailed discussion of your chances at the programs you mentioned.
In the short term, let me say that you have some strong elements working for you and a few things working against you at the programs you mentioned. Obviously, your strong quant performance on the GMAT, linked with your rigorous course of study, will suggest to the b-schools in question that you have the ability to perform at a high level in the classroom and, ultimately, handle complex financial work. Furthermore, your experience at an investment bank and your migration from more of a tech role into a business role helps ease any concerns over your ability to fulfill your short-term career goals (important at many top schools, but especially at Columbia where they really drill down on feasibility of short-term goals).
The only thing that works against you at first blush is that your GMAT - while solid at 690 - still falls below the average at most of the programs you mentioned. Being below the GMAT average (or even just below the magic 700 number) puts a bit of added pressure on the rest of the application, most notably the essays, where you will need to convey readiness (why an MBA right now), leadership, teamwork, and maturity. Not that any of those items are in question at the moment, but they will have to be powered home in the application. The GMAT issue is further complicated by the fact that you belong to a demographic subgroup that traditionally performs extremely well in this area. Often, too much is made of particular ethnic groups and how they are evaluated - as if blocks of applications are considered rather than an applicant going through an individual, holistic consideration. That said, it might cast just a bit of an extra shadow.
The GMAT "issue" (which makes it sound worse than it is) is not enough to keep you from being a strong candidate at any or all of the schools you mentioned. You will just need to forward strong applications that portray who you are as a distinct individual and that show a lot of thought and care about the process. Proper due diligence on your career goals and school fit will be key, as will articulation of the things that make you tick.
Again, if we can be of help, please shoot me a private message and we'll get you set up with a free initial consultation.
Respectfully,
Paul Lanzillotti