Profile Evaluation request - GMAT 720

Question

Hi,

I would like my profile to be evaluated and the list of schools that I could probably look at for a Fall 2014 admit. I am not sure as to what my positives and negatives are and would like to know if I have a chance at the top 10/20 B-schools in the US and probably a couple of safe-schools.

GMAT 1 - 05.10.13 - 670 (Q 48, V 33, AWA 5, IR 3)
GMAT 2 - 28.11.13 - 720 (Q 50, V 38, AWA 5.5, IR 7)

Background: Indian, Male, 25 years old

UG 
Education - BE Mechanical Engineering, Kongu Engineering College (Ranked between 50 and 60 in the surveys, Affiliated to Anna University), May 2009 Pass out 
GPA - 7.1/10 (Above Average) 
Final Year Project/Paper at Wabco India Limited (A subsidiary of TVS motors, one of the leading Auto manufacturers in India) on "Multi-Criteria ABC Inventory Analysis", where the primary objective was to device a systematic method to reduce inventory and thereby reduce inventory costs 
Additional Secretary (Vice president) of the Mechanical Engineering department 
Part of the Placement coordination team

Work Experience 
Indian Hotels Company Limited 
1. 3 years full time work experience at Indian Hotels Company Limited (Taj group of hotels - Part of the Tata Group). Initiated as a Graduate Engineering Trainee and then was promoted to Assistant Engineer (Second in command in the Engineering division at the unit level), leading a team of 25-30 employees 
2. Lead the department during transitory stages when the unit did not have a Chief Engineer for 4-6 months. 
3. The job profile included, but was not limited to, installation and maintenance of engineering equipment (Light/Heavy Machinery) at the unit, including DGs, boilers, chiller plants, transformers etc. The profile also included budget allocation and resource distribution between the various teams in the department. 
4. Certified Internal Auditor for OHSAS 18001 and ISO 14001 
5. Lead the team to achieve Earthcheck Silver Certification in 2012 (Environmental bench marking initiative) 
6. Certified Gold level in Process Improvement

After 3 years, quit the company in Feb 2013

Bhumi 
1. After, quitting IHCL, I started to volunteer at an NGO called Bhumi. It's India's leading youth non-profit youth volunteer organization which aims at providing supplementary education during the weekends at orphanages and community centers in English, Maths, Science, Computers, Arts and Sports and Career Counselling. 
2. Part time teaching volunteer at Bhumi 
3. Zonal Coordinator for Maths and Science - In charge of operations at 4 orphanages, that consists of 50-60 volunteers and 110 kids 
4. Overall Science Coordinator for Bhumi - Involves development of syllabus and classes in tandem with the kids' education; Training of new volunteers, Budget allocation and distribution between various centers, Resource Management, HR coordination, expansion of program to other cities and core team development. 
5. Involved in a program called Joy to the World at Bhumi, which involves fund raising activities.
6. Received the Emerging Einstein award in April 2013 (4 months after joining Bhumi 
7. Joined as a teaching volunteer in Jan 2013 and was promoted to Zonal Coordinator and then Science coordinator within 6 months 
Bhumi is volunteer driven organization, wherein 99% of the team consists of non-paid volunteers and everyone works part-time.

Extra-curricular activities 
1. Currently learning Italian at Indo-Italian Chamber of Commerce (Beginner's level) 
2. Learned French for 7 years at school
3. Part of Chennai Trekking Club (Non-profit) - wherein 2-5 day treks are organized on a weekly basis and I participate at least in one 2-3 days trek every month. I have not organized any treks but have been involved in the Photography and post-trek write up teams of all the treks that I have participated in.

As of now, I am currently volunteering for Bhumi and an active member of Chennai Trekking Club. I have taken a year's break from full-time employment as I wanted to gain experience working for a non-profit as one of my long term objectives is to start my own non-profit in the education sector. I would like to know as to how the admissions committee at the colleges would perceive it. 
I am looking at a General management MBA with a few courses in Entrepreneurship, Leadership, not for profit and government MBA.

Short term goals - To gain experience across different functionalities of an organization in the fortune 500 list so that I will be well equipped when I plan to start my own venture in another 10 years time.
Long term goals - To start a not for profit organization in the education and a for profit organization in the travel and tourism sector.

Thanks

mbaMissionJenK · Answer

Hi there, I believe we've connected once or twice before

, for example: https://www.manhattangmat.com/forums/pro ... 23383.html. Looks like your GMAT has improved since then, congrats. Schools in the top 10 may still be challenging, simply because there are SO many well qualified applicants, but I wouldn't rule the OUT per se either. So I would suggest choosing 1-2 schools in the top 10 if you are very interested in them, then 2-3 schools outside the top 10 or so. Beyond that, a lot more depends on what your preferences are for a school... consider class size, geographic region, curriculum, employment statistics and what types of careers grads have/what companies often hire there, etc. We offer a free download on choosing schools at https://info.mbamission.com/Selecting-Yo ... ram-E-Book. One other thing I would point out is it will help if you can further specify your career goals, making them more realistic with more detail, and ensuring that the short term goals you mention definitely lead you to the path you mention in long term goals. Let us know how else we can help, good luck!

agnikirupha · Answer

Hi, Thanks again for your reply. You have provided valuable feedback which will help me with my essays :-D

. I am working on my essays now in a way that my short term and long term goals are in tandem with one another. I am also researching schools and determining which would be the best fit for me. Regarding goals, I would like to know if the desire to gain experience across different functionalities during and post MBA casts doubts about the goals of the applicant. I ask this because through the experience, I plan to start my own venture in the future. Thanks

mbaMissionJenK · Answer

Hi there,

You are most welcome. In terms of your q about gaining experience across various areas/functionalities etc, certainly that is valid and valuable....but you just have to be careful that it doesn't sound like you are just saying, 'sure I'll get a bunch of experience at some places' or something that sounds vague or uncertain. If you can be even a little more specific and mention a few key areas you hope to gain experience in and specifically why those are necessary for your subsequent career steps or venture, that would help. Keep us posted!

agnikirupha · Answer

Hi, Thanks again for your feedback :-D

. It has helped me restructure my long term and short term goals. Regarding my short term and long term goals, it matters a lot to me that I give back to society what I take from it. My long terms goals include setting up my ventures in the travel and education sector, a mix of profit and non-profit. To achieve those, my short term goals include working for a consultancy that specializes in these areas. I believe gaining exposure as a consultant, especially as a strategy/operations consultant will give me valuable insight into the nuances of the education and travel sector which will prepare me for my long term goals. Given my background in the hospitality industry and non-profit in education and travel, I believe an MBA will add value to my existing skills and in turn help me achieve my long term goals. I am aware that any of the top 10 programs are a bit ambitious on my part, but would Kellogg/Tuck/Darden fit my profile considering my background/LT and ST goals? Thanks

mbaMissionJenK · Answer

Hi there,

Thanks for the additional clarification of your goals; that will help on your applications and in your interview. And yes, Kellogg/Tuck/Darden could be decent fits for you... could also look at Yale, Haas, Ross, Kenan-Flagler. Good luck and keep us posted!

Profile Evaluation request - GMAT 720

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