Hi
SKATIYAR2204, I'll do my best to answer your questions.
1. Hmmm, I do worry that your time preparing for the exam could potentially reduce your chances if you were not working very full time, because most top MBA programs are looking for actual FT work experience where you build leadership and business skills, and it sounded like you might have been doing something that may not fit that description (?). What you did and your impact on the organization matter, though, so tough to say without more info. Normally schools are counting months/years of full time work experience post-undergrad.
2. I honestly don't get very involved in the financing part, as schools all have very different approaches that kick in when and after students are admitted. Some schools are 100% need based, so if you need funding, and get in, you will usually find very generous financing of some configuration. Others have scholarship programs that either you need to apply to or they select you for in the process (there may be additional steps that come up like interviews). It is hard to know your chances. I would say that the folks who seem to get the most scholarships from my client base are those who present desirable and under-represented categories and/or those who boost the school's profile in some major way, perhaps with a monster GMAT score or impressive work experience or profile. So, since you may not be bringing in an under-represented category, I would look for schools where you are a huge asset and boost to their program.
3. With a 730 and maybe 2 years of FT work experience, I would probably actually wait to apply till after you build more leadership and experience, especially if you are looking for a scholarship. You might also look at taking some coursework relevant to MBA prep while you are working, and getting A's, to show you are ready for a business-oriented program...and retake that GMAT and clarify your goals if you can because banking and consulting are pretty different. Check out our career guides on
mbaMission.com and do some googling to understand the differences.
Good luck!
Warmly,
Julie-Anne