someone167 wrote:
Hi,
Would seriously appreciate some quick profile evaluation as I am running late in this year's admission process. I would really like to go for my FT MBA this year itself and I am planning to apply in R2. Expert advice from someone would be quite helpful. Following are my details:-
Basic:-
Age: 25 (at matriculation)
Nationality: Indian
Gender Male
Scores:-
GMAT: 750 (Q49, V44, IR 7) - dated November 2014
Previous GMAT: 660 (Q49, V31, IR8, AWA 5.5) - dated September 2012
TOEFL: Not Appeared yet; hoping to write it after submitting my application (I read at some places that this can be done without much concern)
Work Experience:-
Will Complete 4 years and 4 months' experience at matriculation in the field of financial and non-financial research, company valuation, and financial analysis
Company 1:
3 Years 4 Months (July 2010 - Oct 2013) at a globally known firm in the finance world
Received two promotions during this period
10 Months break from work due to personal reasons.
Company 2:
1 year at matriculation (Sep 2014 - ) at an Indian firm.
At an assistant manager position
Education:-
Undergrad:-
Business Degree with specialization in Finance
University: Delhi University
Score: 71% (Not sure about the 4 point CGPA)
Other Courses:-
Completed CFA All 3 Levels and will apply for Charter in April 2015
Wrote 3 NCFM exams (Stock Market Courses offered by National Stock Exchange of India)
Extra Curricular:-
Average or Above average during college
Minimal or close to nothing since college
References
Past and current office seniors.
Other Details (if it matters at all)
Scored 99.24%ile in IIM CAT and received admission calls from number of IIMs
Couple of internships during college
Expectations
FT MBA in US with focus on Finance
Dream: Wharton, Kellogg, Columbia, and Booth
Next to Dream: Stern, Cornell, Ross, Haas, and Darden
Queries:-
Does applying Round 2 (Jan 4/5/6) makes sense? I think I can wrap up the essays and SOPs in that time.
Which of the colleges I have mentioned (both Dream, and Next to dream category) seem within reach?
If not, which ones should I focus on? Also, I don't want to add safe bet colleges this year and would rather try that strategy next year, if I don't get through something this year. Does this make sense?
Looking forward to your valuable feedback.
Hey dude,
So first of all: WOW! Big congrats on that grand grand uptick in your GMAT score! You just upped your chances, and your expected postMBA salary! Well done...!
Second: You weren't kidding when you wrote you got off to a late start. You better get started, like uh... NOW!
Now, it's hard for me to tell a few things from your profile (like I have NO info about extra currics, awards, volunteer work, leadership, sports, etc.! And it's all important!). As a Non-IIT grad with okay grades, my gut is saying those "Next to dream" schools are more realistic than the dream schools. BUUUT with a 750 it may be worth it to try the dream schools too. The problem is TIME.
We are in a crunch!!!
You can maybe maybe 3, maybe 4 schools, so you may want to not aim for dream schools, (because its a riskier strategy meaning there's a greater risk of you not getting in where you apply when you have these super tough schools on your list).
I'd also like to hear about your current job - what industry, what you do, why you too the job, and where you plan to go from here.
Final note: You should really really check with all the schools you attend to apply at, whether it's okay for you to send in the TOEFL LATER. It may be in some cases, but as far as I know this is not the norm.
Final final note (
)... Given the time crunch, the lack of TOEFL, etc. etc. are you sure you don't want to wait till next year (although on the other hand, you COULD just do a few top schools this year, and worst comes to worst, reapply)
Anyhow, if you'd like to chat with someone about all this drop us a line here:
https://bit.ly/mbafcGCBest,
JF