Profile Evaluation: Apply for Jan intake or wait?

imcoder hope this finds you well. I am an INSEAD alum and have served tenure as an admissions interviewer.

A 660 is a low GMAT score given the competitive demographic. Hope you can improve on verbal but since Q49 is borderline impressive for Indian applicants, definitely try to maintain that in the next attempt.

You are late for the Jan intake for INSEAD and HEC, but you can apply for the other schools and Columbia J term. However, I wouldn't suggest applying with a 660. So, improving GMAT should be your focus at this point.

On the surface, yours is quite an unusual but a promising profile. Entrepreneurs must showcase the impact they have created through their work. Focus on demonstrating

A) the Scale (think growth) of your business and impact in the last 5 years
B) Depth in your business acumen, learning curves and ability to contextualize business problems in your field through launching products to solve those. Leadership skills through instances of team management and building business partnerships are crucial.
C) a Solid plan for your career in the future and how a particular school would help you build the network and your personal brand, bringing your long-term interests closer.

Also consider what kind of role you are aiming for in Europe. This should help you target your networking efforts more to specific schools. It is important to show interest and read into school's response to your profile through active networking.

If you are seeking primarily technical or product-related positions in the U.S., you can look for more targeted one-year programs, such as MSPM at Carnegie Melon (Master of Sciences in Prod Mgt), which has an application deadline coming up (R1- 1st week of June). This program is growing in popularity but is selective due to the exceptional industry exposure during the program and strong feeder pipelines into product positions. Given the state of recruiting in the U.S., opting for a one-year MBA program may carry some risks. However, if you are looking for a more intensive MBA experience, perhaps also to reflect back on your performance and actions as a founder, INSEAD and HEC Paris can be good choices. For a consulting focus, INSEAD would be an ideal choice. For all the rest of general industry recruitment, irrespective of where you study you would still gun for the bulk of roles in in the UK (depending on new regulations), Amsterdam and Berlin/Munich area.

Feel free to reach out should you need further guidance
Aanchal Sahni
MBAGuideConsulting
WEBSITE: https://mbaguideconsulting.com/ |LinkedIn | Message: +91 9971200927| email- mbaguideconsulting@gmail.com

Thank you, Suraj0184 and pintukr. It seems I'll have to take to GMAT at least one more time, since it seems I do have the potential to score higher and it's the only thing that I have most control over in the application process. I guess I just needed to hear it from someone else as well.

Thank you Aanchal Sahni MBAGuide for that fairly comprehensive evaluation of my profile. I had one question tho, you said it's late to apply to INSEAD and HEC for Jan, do you think applying for round 3 is futile for my profile? I was planning on taking test again around end of this month and applying to both of these places before their deadlines next month. Do you think it's a wasted exercise?

imcoder How confident are you about improving your GMAT score and preparing admit-worthy applications all in such a short span of time? Both these schools have some of the longest applications of all top-tier B schools.

I suggest you take it one step at a time and don't get ahead of yourself. Even though HEC has a rolling evaluation, you would be applying at or after the Round 6 deadline. And for INSEAD, applying in Round 3 would require nothing short of a stellar GMAT score (think 750), so that INSEAD is convinced you were serious about improving your GMAT and actually made significant improvement.

I typically suggest late-round applicants speak about their reason for applying late in the optional essays.
Business schools like to see which applicants make an effort to contact the admissions office or campus ambassadors, and former students to get a sense of the school's culture and offerings and thus show a strong interest in participating in the program. Most successful converts actively network in the early stages of their applications. However, if you haven't already done that and are late to the party, it is even more crucial to show that extra interest and address it in the optional essay so that the schools will look favorably upon you.

Best wishes

Hello imcoder,

Based on the information provided, here are some suggestions to enhance your profile and improve your chances of admission to European MBA programs:

Retaking the GMAT:
While a GMAT score of 660 is decent, aiming for a higher score would strengthen your application, particularly considering the competitiveness of the schools you are targeting. If you believe you can improve your verbal score, retaking the test could potentially boost your overall score and increase your chances of admission. Check the average GMAT scores for your target schools to see how your current score compares.

Strengthening Your Work Experience:
Highlight your achievements and impact in your current and previous roles. Focus on leadership, teamwork, and the results you achieved. Showcase any instances of driving innovation, leading successful projects, and demonstrating entrepreneurial skills. Emphasize your startup experience and the lessons you learned from building and running it. Be sure to highlight the skills and knowledge you gained during your time as a software engineer as well.

Extracurricular Involvement:
While your involvement in the Ultimate Frisbee community and mentoring students is commendable, consider diversifying your extracurricular activities. Explore opportunities to contribute to community initiatives, join professional organizations, or engage in volunteering activities aligned with your interests. This will demonstrate a well-rounded profile and a commitment to making a positive impact beyond your professional pursuits.

Research and Targeting Schools:
You have already identified several strong schools to target, including INSEAD, IMD, IE, HEC, Rotterdam, and Columbia J-Term. Research these schools thoroughly to understand their specific requirements, values, and strengths. Additionally, consider looking into other European MBA programs that align with your career goals and preferences. Each program has its own unique focus and culture, so it's important to find the right fit for you.

Essays and Recommendations:
Craft compelling essays that tell your story, showcase your motivations for pursuing an MBA, and demonstrate how you can contribute to the program and the business community. Clearly articulate your goals and how the MBA will help you achieve them. Select recommenders who can provide specific examples of your leadership, problem-solving abilities, and potential for success in an MBA program.

Networking and Interviews:
If possible, connect with alumni or current students from your target schools to gain insights into the program and get a sense of the culture. Networking can also help you establish connections that might support your application. Prepare for interviews by practicing common MBA interview questions and being able to articulate your experiences, goals, and reasons for choosing each specific school.

Remember that a strong application is a combination of various factors, including academic achievements, work experience, extracurricular involvement, essays, recommendations, and interview performance. Tailor your application to each school, emphasizing how their program aligns with your goals and values.

Lastly, be proactive and manage your application timeline effectively to meet the deadlines of the winter intake programs. If you have any additional questions about your profile or the program and would like to have a more thorough and personalized discussion with our top profile experts, please feel free to schedule a call with us. We would be more than happy to assist you.
Book a free profile evaluation now!

Good luck!

Testimonials
Meet our Panel of Consultants.
MBA and Beyond

Hello imcoder! It's always exciting to see a tech entrepreneur aspiring for an MBA. Here's our evaluation of your profile:

- Academically, your GPA is robust and shows your ability to handle complex subjects. The GMAT score could use a bit of a push. We recommend aiming for 720+ to make your application more competitive for your target schools. Your involvement with the local Ultimate Frisbee community and mentoring students adds a human element to your profile, balancing your technical achievements.

- As a software engineer turned entrepreneur, you have a unique trajectory. The entrepreneurship experience, despite not being successful, is valuable. We recommend expanding on what you learned from this experience in your application. Yet, the post-MBA goals are missing from your profile. Detailing these will help to connect the dots between your past experiences and future aspirations and will help us evaluate better. You have a mix of corporate experience and startup leadership, which should serve you well in your application. Be prepared to articulate the skills and experiences you've gained from both settings. Often, tech candidates struggle to translate their highly specific, technical experiences into broader business learnings – something you should be mindful of.

- Moving forward, consider retaking the GMAT if you are confident in improving your verbal score. Additionally, reflect on your career goals and how an MBA from each of your target schools will help you achieve them. Each school has a distinct culture and focus, so aligning your goals with these will strengthen your application. Addressing your concerns, there are numerous other schools with strong entrepreneurship and tech focus, such as IESE and ESADE in Spain, and Said and Judge in the UK. Research these programs to see if they might be a good fit.

- We'd ideally like to have a chat with you in terms of how you are choosing schools. Rotterdam and IE, for example, are vastly different from Columbia and INSEAD. Feel free to connect with us for a free profile evaluation.

We hope this information aids you in your MBA journey. We're here if you need further assistance or have additional queries. Best of luck!

Thank you, GyanOne for that detailed feedback. I plan on returning to entrepreneurship in the long run, but I would spend 3-4 years after MBA as a Tech Consultant or a PM at a Tech company, to gain experience in the high paced environment and flush out the skills that I learned from MBA. Therefore, when I return as a Entrepreneur I have not only theoretical knowledge, but also valuable experience of high stake situations.

Sure. Lets have a chat. These goals seem quite common - eager to understand more.