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MBAGuy1397
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Joined: 24 Jun 2014
Last visit: 02 May 2016
Posts: 59
Own Kudos:
13
Given Kudos: 3
Location: United States
Concentration: Finance, Social Entrepreneurship
Schools: Tuck '17 (WL) Yale '17 (D) Johnson '17 (WL) Goizueta '17 (D) Rotman '17 (A) Kenan-Flagler '17 (A) Mendoza '17 (WL) Owen '17 (D) Madison '17 (A)
GRE 1: Q164 V162
GPA: 3.13
Schools: Tuck '17 (WL) Yale '17 (D) Johnson '17 (WL) Goizueta '17 (D) Rotman '17 (A) Kenan-Flagler '17 (A) Mendoza '17 (WL) Owen '17 (D) Madison '17 (A)
GRE 1: Q164 V162
Posts: 59
Kudos: 13
Profile Evaluation - GRE (161/158/5.5) + Re-applicant 02 Jan 2015, 00:41
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Hello!

I am applying to the following schools in R2: Dartmouth Tuck, Cornell Johnson, Emory Goizueta, Toronto Rotman, and UNC Kenan Flagler. Tuck is my top choice, with Cornell coming in second. I'd also like to add that I am a re-applicant at Tuck. I would be highly appreciative if you give an overview of my chances at my target schools. Also, if there are any other schools you could suggest based on my profile that are not on the list, that we be welcome.

I'd like to give you a brief overview of my background, as I believe that is what sets me apart. I am an Indian citizen, but I have lived in over 7 countries, including Sudan, Venezuela, Brazil, Spain, Singapore, and a few more. My father was a diplomat, so we traveled a lot. I finished my high school at the American school in Venezuela and then went to a top liberal arts school in the New England area (think Bates, Colby, Grinnell).

1) I have roughly 5 years of work experience, starting at a boutique management consulting firm in Boston, moving onto a sustainability-focused equity research role in India, then a hedge fund internship with the 3rd largest fund in Asia, and most recently I have started my own investment advisory business focused on family offices and high net worth individuals.

2) The GMAT is an interesting part of my application because even though I was a double major in Physics and Economics at a top liberal arts school (and have written papers on Einstein's field equations) I am not too hot at timed math. So I took the GRE instead and scored the following: 161 V (87%), 158 Q (71%), and 5.5 AWA (98%).

3) I double-majored in Economics and Physics, with a GPA of 3.13. I had a bad first year because of having to come up with money for tuition. Being from India, education tends to be expensive in the US.

4) Most of the leadership work I have done has taken place outside a formal setting. I have started my own initiatives in India, such as providing free tutoring to underprivileged children, teaching western cooking to local house maids to increase their employability, working with local slums to reduce open defecation, and also fighting for animal rights in Mumbai. In college, I was part of the debate team and also coached novice debaters and was the treasurer of the cinematography club.

5) I do not have any additional certifications.

6) The post-MBA goal, in the short-term, is to grow my business to incorporate more institutional investors as clients. The long-term goal is more imaginative, if we can use that word. In the long-term, I would like to either sell my business and directly serve as a Chief Investment Officer (CIO) at or have my business consult for organizations that are involved in areas that I deeply care about, specifically scientific education and wildlife preservation. In this regard, opportunities are ubiquitous in scientific education via working at or consulting for university endowments. However, I believe a significant need exists for social-minded investment professionals in wildlife preservation. For example, the efforts of individuals such as Kevin Richardson, a South African lion conservationist (aka “the lion whisperer”), and Big Cat Rescue, a Florida based wildlife sanctuary, are constantly hampered by an inability to secure long-term funding. I think if they were supported by social-oriented investment advisors or officers, these organizations would have an opportunity to become self-reliant – allow their current cash to generate future funding.

Thank you very much and a happy new year to you!
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MBADecoder
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Profile Evaluation - GRE (161/158/5.5) + Re-applicant 03 Jan 2015, 03:55
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MBAGuy1397
Hello!

I am applying to the following schools in R2: Dartmouth Tuck, Cornell Johnson, Emory Goizueta, Toronto Rotman, and UNC Kenan Flagler. Tuck is my top choice, with Cornell coming in second. I'd also like to add that I am a re-applicant at Tuck. I would be highly appreciative if you give an overview of my chances at my target schools. Also, if there are any other schools you could suggest based on my profile that are not on the list, that we be welcome.

I'd like to give you a brief overview of my background, as I believe that is what sets me apart. I am an Indian citizen, but I have lived in over 7 countries, including Sudan, Venezuela, Brazil, Spain, Singapore, and a few more. My father was a diplomat, so we traveled a lot. I finished my high school at the American school in Venezuela and then went to a top liberal arts school in the New England area (think Bates, Colby, Grinnell).

1) I have roughly 5 years of work experience, starting at a boutique management consulting firm in Boston, moving onto a sustainability-focused equity research role in India, then a hedge fund internship with the 3rd largest fund in Asia, and most recently I have started my own investment advisory business focused on family offices and high net worth individuals.

2) The GMAT is an interesting part of my application because even though I was a double major in Physics and Economics at a top liberal arts school (and have written papers on Einstein's field equations) I am not too hot at timed math. So I took the GRE instead and scored the following: 161 V (87%), 158 Q (71%), and 5.5 AWA (98%).

3) I double-majored in Economics and Physics, with a GPA of 3.13. I had a bad first year because of having to come up with money for tuition. Being from India, education tends to be expensive in the US.

4) Most of the leadership work I have done has taken place outside a formal setting. I have started my own initiatives in India, such as providing free tutoring to underprivileged children, teaching western cooking to local house maids to increase their employability, working with local slums to reduce open defecation, and also fighting for animal rights in Mumbai. In college, I was part of the debate team and also coached novice debaters and was the treasurer of the cinematography club.

5) I do not have any additional certifications.

6) The post-MBA goal, in the short-term, is to grow my business to incorporate more institutional investors as clients. The long-term goal is more imaginative, if we can use that word. In the long-term, I would like to either sell my business and directly serve as a Chief Investment Officer (CIO) at or have my business consult for organizations that are involved in areas that I deeply care about, specifically scientific education and wildlife preservation. In this regard, opportunities are ubiquitous in scientific education via working at or consulting for university endowments. However, I believe a significant need exists for social-minded investment professionals in wildlife preservation. For example, the efforts of individuals such as Kevin Richardson, a South African lion conservationist (aka “the lion whisperer”), and Big Cat Rescue, a Florida based wildlife sanctuary, are constantly hampered by an inability to secure long-term funding. I think if they were supported by social-oriented investment advisors or officers, these organizations would have an opportunity to become self-reliant – allow their current cash to generate future funding.

Thank you very much and a happy new year to you!
Show more


MBA Guy,

Wish you a a very happy new year!
You have some solid elements in your profile, but the GRE - that is the spoiler here.

Its probably too late for me to say this because you are probably already putting the last minute touches to your applications, but the GRE score can harm you.

As you are a re-applicant to Tuck, I hope there are some strong points that you can build a case on to say that your profile has improved since last year.

I would urge you to think of applying next year with a better GRE/ GMAT - your acads are so strong, maybe with the right strategy you can crack the quant component.
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MBAGuy1397
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Joined: 24 Jun 2014
Last visit: 02 May 2016
Posts: 59
Own Kudos:
13
Given Kudos: 3
Location: United States
Concentration: Finance, Social Entrepreneurship
Schools: Tuck '17 (WL) Yale '17 (D) Johnson '17 (WL) Goizueta '17 (D) Rotman '17 (A) Kenan-Flagler '17 (A) Mendoza '17 (WL) Owen '17 (D) Madison '17 (A)
GRE 1: Q164 V162
GPA: 3.13
Schools: Tuck '17 (WL) Yale '17 (D) Johnson '17 (WL) Goizueta '17 (D) Rotman '17 (A) Kenan-Flagler '17 (A) Mendoza '17 (WL) Owen '17 (D) Madison '17 (A)
GRE 1: Q164 V162
Posts: 59
Kudos: 13
Profile Evaluation - GRE (161/158/5.5) + Re-applicant 03 Jan 2015, 05:10
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MBAGuy1397
Hello!

I am applying to the following schools in R2: Dartmouth Tuck, Cornell Johnson, Emory Goizueta, Toronto Rotman, and UNC Kenan Flagler. Tuck is my top choice, with Cornell coming in second. I'd also like to add that I am a re-applicant at Tuck. I would be highly appreciative if you give an overview of my chances at my target schools. Also, if there are any other schools you could suggest based on my profile that are not on the list, that we be welcome.

I'd like to give you a brief overview of my background, as I believe that is what sets me apart. I am an Indian citizen, but I have lived in over 7 countries, including Sudan, Venezuela, Brazil, Spain, Singapore, and a few more. My father was a diplomat, so we traveled a lot. I finished my high school at the American school in Venezuela and then went to a top liberal arts school in the New England area (think Bates, Colby, Grinnell).

1) I have roughly 5 years of work experience, starting at a boutique management consulting firm in Boston, moving onto a sustainability-focused equity research role in India, then a hedge fund internship with the 3rd largest fund in Asia, and most recently I have started my own investment advisory business focused on family offices and high net worth individuals.

2) The GMAT is an interesting part of my application because even though I was a double major in Physics and Economics at a top liberal arts school (and have written papers on Einstein's field equations) I am not too hot at timed math. So I took the GRE instead and scored the following: 161 V (87%), 158 Q (71%), and 5.5 AWA (98%).

3) I double-majored in Economics and Physics, with a GPA of 3.13. I had a bad first year because of having to come up with money for tuition. Being from India, education tends to be expensive in the US.

4) Most of the leadership work I have done has taken place outside a formal setting. I have started my own initiatives in India, such as providing free tutoring to underprivileged children, teaching western cooking to local house maids to increase their employability, working with local slums to reduce open defecation, and also fighting for animal rights in Mumbai. In college, I was part of the debate team and also coached novice debaters and was the treasurer of the cinematography club.

5) I do not have any additional certifications.

6) The post-MBA goal, in the short-term, is to grow my business to incorporate more institutional investors as clients. The long-term goal is more imaginative, if we can use that word. In the long-term, I would like to either sell my business and directly serve as a Chief Investment Officer (CIO) at or have my business consult for organizations that are involved in areas that I deeply care about, specifically scientific education and wildlife preservation. In this regard, opportunities are ubiquitous in scientific education via working at or consulting for university endowments. However, I believe a significant need exists for social-minded investment professionals in wildlife preservation. For example, the efforts of individuals such as Kevin Richardson, a South African lion conservationist (aka “the lion whisperer”), and Big Cat Rescue, a Florida based wildlife sanctuary, are constantly hampered by an inability to secure long-term funding. I think if they were supported by social-oriented investment advisors or officers, these organizations would have an opportunity to become self-reliant – allow their current cash to generate future funding.

Thank you very much and a happy new year to you!


MBA Guy,

Wish you a a very happy new year!
You have some solid elements in your profile, but the GRE - that is the spoiler here.

Its probably too late for me to say this because you are probably already putting the last minute touches to your applications, but the GRE score can harm you.

As you are a re-applicant to Tuck, I hope there are some strong points that you can build a case on to say that your profile has improved since last year.

I would urge you to think of applying next year with a better GRE/ GMAT - your acads are so strong, maybe with the right strategy you can crack the quant component.
Show more


Hi Namita,

Thank you for your response -- it was very informative! I do agree that my GRE quant may be considered on the lower end, but I wanted to bring to your attention the following link. It shows the average GRE scores at some of the top business schools, and my quant appears to be either above or right at their averages. Based on this, could you re-assess your evaluation of my profile? https://poetsandquants.com/2014/04/29/gr ... he-gmat/2/

By the way, I also took the GMAT and got a 650 (40V, 39Q, and 6 Writing). The percentiles on my GRE quant were better and according to the link above, the GRE might be a better strategy given my lower GMAT score. What do you think?

Thanks!
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MBADecoder
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Posts: 2,932
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Profile Evaluation - GRE (161/158/5.5) + Re-applicant 04 Jan 2015, 02:52
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MBAGuy1397


Hi Namita,

Thank you for your response -- it was very informative! I do agree that my GRE quant may be considered on the lower end, but I wanted to bring to your attention the following link. It shows the average GRE scores at some of the top business schools, and my quant appears to be either above or right at their averages. Based on this, could you re-assess your evaluation of my profile? https://poetsandquants.com/2014/04/29/gr ... he-gmat/2/

By the way, I also took the GMAT and got a 650 (40V, 39Q, and 6 Writing). The percentiles on my GRE quant were better and according to the link above, the GRE might be a better strategy given my lower GMAT score. What do you think?

Thanks!
Show more


Hi MBA Guy,

Thanks for pointing me to that link.
I would not go so much by that report, because it does become a challenging ride for an Indian applicant who is competing against 730+ scoreres (by the dozen). Your quant is still a little low at 71%ile.

Nevertheless, go ahead and submit your best applications. Its too last minute for you to hear discouraging advice.

Ensure that your career goals are clear (lack clarity over here) and you explain to the adcom that you are challenged with the GMAT, although you are great at Quants -demonstrate examples both at work and during your studies.

All the best.
avatar
MBAGuy1397
avatar
Joined: 24 Jun 2014
Last visit: 02 May 2016
Posts: 59
Own Kudos:
13
Given Kudos: 3
Location: United States
Concentration: Finance, Social Entrepreneurship
Schools: Tuck '17 (WL) Yale '17 (D) Johnson '17 (WL) Goizueta '17 (D) Rotman '17 (A) Kenan-Flagler '17 (A) Mendoza '17 (WL) Owen '17 (D) Madison '17 (A)
GRE 1: Q164 V162
GPA: 3.13
Schools: Tuck '17 (WL) Yale '17 (D) Johnson '17 (WL) Goizueta '17 (D) Rotman '17 (A) Kenan-Flagler '17 (A) Mendoza '17 (WL) Owen '17 (D) Madison '17 (A)
GRE 1: Q164 V162
Posts: 59
Kudos: 13
Profile Evaluation - GRE (161/158/5.5) + Re-applicant 28 Jan 2015, 02:26
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MBADecoder
MBAGuy1397


Hi Namita,

Thank you for your response -- it was very informative! I do agree that my GRE quant may be considered on the lower end, but I wanted to bring to your attention the following link. It shows the average GRE scores at some of the top business schools, and my quant appears to be either above or right at their averages. Based on this, could you re-assess your evaluation of my profile? https://poetsandquants.com/2014/04/29/gr ... he-gmat/2/

By the way, I also took the GMAT and got a 650 (40V, 39Q, and 6 Writing). The percentiles on my GRE quant were better and according to the link above, the GRE might be a better strategy given my lower GMAT score. What do you think?

Thanks!


Hi MBA Guy,

Thanks for pointing me to that link.
I would not go so much by that report, because it does become a challenging ride for an Indian applicant who is competing against 730+ scoreres (by the dozen). Your quant is still a little low at 71%ile.

Nevertheless, go ahead and submit your best applications. Its too last minute for you to hear discouraging advice.

Ensure that your career goals are clear (lack clarity over here) and you explain to the adcom that you are challenged with the GMAT, although you are great at Quants -demonstrate examples both at work and during your studies.

All the best.
Show more

Hi Namita,

I retook the GRE today and bumped up my score to 164Q (88%) and 162V (89%). How do you think these particular schools will perceive my application now? Would it make a big difference or not so much?

Thanks.