Law and MBA - Profile evaluation - GMAT 750

Question

Hi,

Would be really grateful for any thoughts on my profile. Appeared for my GMAT recently (first attempt) and got a decent(ish) score:

Total: 750 (98th percentile)
Quantitative: 49 (81st percentile)
Verbal: 42 (96th percentile)
AWA: 6/6
IR: 5/8

I am a 26 year old Indian male based in London (for close to 4 years now). I work in a top-tier international law firm and specialize in the corporate / energy sector.

I passed out of one of the top law-schools in India and started work in London directly after. I have also worked in the Middle East for about six months on a secondment.

I have decently strong extra-curriculars (sports; languages; literary / debating; law review editorship; social causes).

As a lawyer, I currently advise / act opposite some of the biggest energy companies in the world. My primary intention behind doing an MBA would be to gain an additional dimension to my existing skill-sets - I really enjoy working in the energy sector and would look to stay in it post-MBA (e.g. at a commercial position at an energy company / role at an energy consultancy firm / any other interesting opportunity).

Just wanted to gauge your thoughts on the relative strengths / weaknesses of my profile. I am looking to apply to Harvard / Wharton / Columbia in Round 2.

I know my IR score is on the lower side - how much of a difference do you think that would make.

Any thoughts / suggestions / pointers would be very gratefully received

Thanks a ton.

Admissionado · Answer

You profile looks pretty fantastic. In my experience, lawyers do pretty well at Bschool when their goals make sense. And if you come from a strong firm, even moreso.

Oh yeah, and did I congratulate you on your GMAT? Wow! Nice pull, dude!

If you can add one or two more applications to your list it would be good, but I definitely think that whatever the case you are top 10 material. Just make sure that there is some sort of logic in your career progression and you don't jettison your law experience entirely, because it can be turned into a strong selling point for your application.

Hope this helps!

quenyan · Answer

Thanks for your message Jon - extremely helpful.

Definitely, I have learnt a lot working at a law firm, and aim on leveraging the experience / skill-sets I have gained over the last couple of years.

I am targeting around 3 B-Schools for Round 2. Given my work hours, just don't think I would have the time to apply to more places!

Given what you have seen of my profile, which schools would you recommend?

Also, just wanted to ask how much of an issue do you think a 5/8 IR would be for a top-tier B-school?

Thanks a ton again.

Admissionado · Answer

Tough call on the schools. I'd say go with the ones you chose. It's a bit tough as an application strategy goes, but they are your favs and you have a shot so go for it. I mean the worst possible thing that can happen is that you don't get in, and that next year you reapply there while applying to a few more schools cause you'll have more time. And since your profile is strong at its base, I feel you can fairly do this.

Don't worry about the IR. Basically it doesn't matter that much, and won't really until the rankings start using it.

quenyan · Answer

Thanks again Jon - extremely helpful

MBAPrepAdvantage · Answer

Your GMAT score is excellent (no worries about the IR score). You might want to choose another school in the top 7 like Kellogg, Chicago Booth, MIT Sloan or Tuck. Then, consider choosing one or more safety schools that is strong in energy like Haas or Ross.

Best of luck,

Best of luck,

Admissionado · Answer

Wahoo! Good luck dude. Party on.

Law and MBA - Profile evaluation - GMAT 750

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