Hello everyone,
Lately, I've been thinking about something and I thought let me ask this on the sacred gmatclub.
So, I've been preparing for GMAT for last couple of months. I had planned to appear for the test by September mid and apply in Round 2. Alas, that's not happening. I am not scoring near my target score in mock tests. Now, considering that there are other aspects of the application apart from the GMAT, I am not sure if my application will be ready by Round 2. Even if it is, I just feel that I'd have to rush things a bit. Not sure if that's a good idea.
My concerns:
1) I'd like to apply in Round 3. I am concerned if it will be too late. It seems that by Round 3 most of the seats will be occupied and it gets a little bit competitive. Also, wondering how will be my profile considered in Round 3.
2) If I forget about applying this year and consider applying next year, I'll be 29 by the time I enter the program and I fear my professional experience will not improve much. I'll be just adding 1 more year to my work experience. I am not gaining new skills and there is no leadership opportunity at my current job. If there was something like that, I wouldn't mind waiting 1 more year. That's why I would rather prefer to get enrolled in 2017 than in 2018.
Below mentioned is some background information about myself.
Indian Citizen, 27 years old male, Green Card holder
X - 84%
XII - 76%
Bachelors in Computer Engineering - Gujarat University - 66% (My undergrad transcript says 3.8 CGPA, but I am not sure if that's the right conversion).
GMAT - yet to give.
Work experience
Total work experience more than 5 years
Currently, working as a Web Developer / Web Master for a small high tech company. The company is one of the leaders in the surveillance industry, though.
Previously, worked in India as a Web Developer. No big name companies here. I did manage a few projects in which I had some junior team members assigned to me, but not a significant professional leadership role so far to showcase.
Extra curricular activities
1) Volunteered for an NGO for 6 months. Spent time with underprivileged kids and taught them English and Math. This was 3-4 years ago. I used to do it on the weekends.
2) I organized many MBA focused meetups - Pagalguy meetups - in my hometown. Something like a local gmatclub. This was also a few years ago.
3) One of the companies I worked for had a communication and public speaking club. I was a proactive member of that club. I won a debate, hosted a debate, and have certificates to showcase. I was a leader/mentor for one of the club chapters. This was during 2014-15. The company in reference is an Indian subsidiary of an American company. The American company is known as "Google" for property management software.
4) I have a blog on which I have published travelogues, poetry, and fiction. I've written a few sponsored blog posts as well for marketing campaigns for a few FMCG companies.
5) I've performed stand up at some open mics in the US.
Short Term Goal
Role: I am interested in making a move to Product Management / Management Consulting.
Location: Currently, I am on the east coast. However, I would like to move to the west coast.
Target schools - UCLA, Carnegie Mellon, Cornell, UNC Kenan-Flagler, UT Austin, Foster
I would appreciate some advice / opinion. If you are in the same boat (whether you are in India or in the US), give me a holler.
Thanks,
Jay