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GMAT 2: 690 Q48 V35
Posts: 21
5 minute read
This is going to be a long post and I really need help from people who know B-Schools inside out. I honestly have no one who can give me proper advice at the moment and, like always, I've turned to GMATClub for help. Let's start with information about myself.
Indian
Male
24yrs old
Undergraduate: Electrical Electronics Engineering from a not so well known Indian University- 2018. (not well known within India either)
GPA/Aggregate: 53%
Current Studies: Pursuing a Post Graduate Diploma in International Business Operations from an Open University (distance course) which is to complete by July 2020 if things go smooth.
GMAT: 690 q48 v35 IR6 AWA5.5- Last attempt 10th Dec 2019, haven't studied for GMAT since then.
Work ex: around 2 years by September 2020
Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Current Job: Admin/Sales job at a trading company start-up in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Problems: Indian Male Engineer, Low GPA, avg GMAT, insignificant work ex
Looking for: Advice on Work Ex, B-school choices and application.
Brief:
So my engineering was amazing in terms of the fun I had but the academics were neglected and I ended up with a bad percentage also because I was never into it. I started work as an electrical engineer and quickly realized that I had a knack for managing people and working with limited resources, which led me to believe that an MBA would help me get into management quicker by equipping me with the skills required for the job. Got a 690 GMAT and realized that my work ex was too less and too insignificant for a proper MBA. I started looking for Co-op MBAs and stumbled across the Lazaridis MBA at Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Canada. Most admission consultants ask applicants to look for the program that suit them rather than blindly follow rankings, I did just that and the Lazaridis Co-op MBA at WLU seemed perfect, with 8 months of co-op and 3 terms of study at 48k CAD.
I applied to the program, got invited for interview and have been given a conditional admit to the program. The condition is that I have to be done with the Post Graduate Diploma that I'm pursuing by August end, failing to do so would lead to cancellation of admission. With the whole pandemic going on, I don't think I'll be able to travel and appear for my exams. This whole predicament has left me wondering if I should defer my admission. And if I was to defer, can I give a shot at better schools with a higher GMAT and more work ex?
GMAT: Being an indian engineer with a 690 isn't an impressive score for top B-schools. I'm pretty sure if I put in efforts and narrow down my weaknesses, I can get a 700+ score. What do you think is the score range I should be aiming at for better B schools?
Work ex: After working for nearly a year as an engineer I made a shift into sales and marketing. The trading company start up I'm involved in at the moment is B2B focused food ingredients and additives setup that has 2 employees and a little funding from a slightly better off mother company in Dubai. We're majorly on our own in the Saudi market and have to generate business to pay our expenses and salaries.Employed as a Business Analyst, I honestly don't really know my role right now but I'm involved in almost everything, from renting out a warehouse and getting it cleaned to sales, dealing with clients, suppliers and the Saudi Food and drug authority. The money making aspect of this start up is pretty good given the kinds of suppliers we'll be dealing with and the learning curve is huge since I've been involved with it since day 1. The real question is, How well does start up experience appeal top B-Schools? And how do I polish this experience to make it stand out?
The reason I want an MBA is to specialize in Business strategy, make money, GET BIG.
My stretch goal is to get into top 10 B schools world wide for their fall 2022 intake. The reservation goal would be to get into the top B-schools in Canada i.e Rotman, Ivey, Schulic. My questions apart from the above mentioned ones are:
1.Should I go ahead and forget about the school I'm admitted to? I want to get into one of the best Bschools out there, is this risk worth taking?
2.What range of top B-Schools can I be aiming for 2 years from now with , lets say, a 730 GMAT, 4 years work ex ( 2 of which in a fairly well established startup, grossing SR 4 million in profit in 2022 if all goes well), a below average undergrad but with additional diploma courses ?
3. Is it really possible to make it top B-Schools without having a stellar GPA or a big employers for work history?
4. What kind of road map should I have for the next two years in order to ensure my application stands out or is competitive enough for the top schools?
5. I don't have much social work under my belt, however, I've been good at writing and public speaking. How do I illustrate and add both these things on my profile?
I know that was a long read but I'm really looking for guidance here. GMATClub members have always been so benevolent with their advise, hoping to get some for myself
abhimahna your story really inspired me and I've reread it a couple times, I'd like to hear if you have something to say. souvik101990 reading your posts give me hope, so relatable really. Guide me, sensei.
ApplicantLab mbaMission Admissionado
This is going to be a long post and I really need help from people who know B-Schools inside out. I honestly have no one who can give me proper advice at the moment and, like always, I've turned to GMATClub for help. Let's start with information about myself.
Indian
Male
24yrs old
Undergraduate: Electrical Electronics Engineering from a not so well known Indian University- 2018. (not well known within India either)
GPA/Aggregate: 53%
Current Studies: Pursuing a Post Graduate Diploma in International Business Operations from an Open University (distance course) which is to complete by July 2020 if things go smooth.
GMAT: 690 q48 v35 IR6 AWA5.5- Last attempt 10th Dec 2019, haven't studied for GMAT since then.
Work ex: around 2 years by September 2020
Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Current Job: Admin/Sales job at a trading company start-up in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Problems: Indian Male Engineer, Low GPA, avg GMAT, insignificant work ex
Looking for: Advice on Work Ex, B-school choices and application.
Brief:
So my engineering was amazing in terms of the fun I had but the academics were neglected and I ended up with a bad percentage also because I was never into it. I started work as an electrical engineer and quickly realized that I had a knack for managing people and working with limited resources, which led me to believe that an MBA would help me get into management quicker by equipping me with the skills required for the job. Got a 690 GMAT and realized that my work ex was too less and too insignificant for a proper MBA. I started looking for Co-op MBAs and stumbled across the Lazaridis MBA at Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Canada. Most admission consultants ask applicants to look for the program that suit them rather than blindly follow rankings, I did just that and the Lazaridis Co-op MBA at WLU seemed perfect, with 8 months of co-op and 3 terms of study at 48k CAD.
I applied to the program, got invited for interview and have been given a conditional admit to the program. The condition is that I have to be done with the Post Graduate Diploma that I'm pursuing by August end, failing to do so would lead to cancellation of admission. With the whole pandemic going on, I don't think I'll be able to travel and appear for my exams. This whole predicament has left me wondering if I should defer my admission. And if I was to defer, can I give a shot at better schools with a higher GMAT and more work ex?
GMAT: Being an indian engineer with a 690 isn't an impressive score for top B-schools. I'm pretty sure if I put in efforts and narrow down my weaknesses, I can get a 700+ score. What do you think is the score range I should be aiming at for better B schools?
Work ex: After working for nearly a year as an engineer I made a shift into sales and marketing. The trading company start up I'm involved in at the moment is B2B focused food ingredients and additives setup that has 2 employees and a little funding from a slightly better off mother company in Dubai. We're majorly on our own in the Saudi market and have to generate business to pay our expenses and salaries.Employed as a Business Analyst, I honestly don't really know my role right now but I'm involved in almost everything, from renting out a warehouse and getting it cleaned to sales, dealing with clients, suppliers and the Saudi Food and drug authority. The money making aspect of this start up is pretty good given the kinds of suppliers we'll be dealing with and the learning curve is huge since I've been involved with it since day 1. The real question is, How well does start up experience appeal top B-Schools? And how do I polish this experience to make it stand out?
The reason I want an MBA is to specialize in Business strategy, make money, GET BIG.
My stretch goal is to get into top 10 B schools world wide for their fall 2022 intake. The reservation goal would be to get into the top B-schools in Canada i.e Rotman, Ivey, Schulic. My questions apart from the above mentioned ones are:
1.Should I go ahead and forget about the school I'm admitted to? I want to get into one of the best Bschools out there, is this risk worth taking?
2.What range of top B-Schools can I be aiming for 2 years from now with , lets say, a 730 GMAT, 4 years work ex ( 2 of which in a fairly well established startup, grossing SR 4 million in profit in 2022 if all goes well), a below average undergrad but with additional diploma courses ?
3. Is it really possible to make it top B-Schools without having a stellar GPA or a big employers for work history?
4. What kind of road map should I have for the next two years in order to ensure my application stands out or is competitive enough for the top schools?
5. I don't have much social work under my belt, however, I've been good at writing and public speaking. How do I illustrate and add both these things on my profile?
I know that was a long read but I'm really looking for guidance here. GMATClub members have always been so benevolent with their advise, hoping to get some for myself
abhimahna your story really inspired me and I've reread it a couple times, I'd like to hear if you have something to say. souvik101990 reading your posts give me hope, so relatable really. Guide me, sensei.
ApplicantLab mbaMission Admissionado
ApplicantLab
Expert
Applicant Lab Admissions Consultant
Joined: 17 Dec 2013
Last visit: 23 Dec 2025
Posts: 178
Location: United States
Schools: HBS - Class of 2005
Expert reply
Schools: HBS - Class of 2005
Posts: 178
Hi syedmohammad211
Right now, if you only have 2-ish years of work experience and a 690 GMAT, I do not believe that you will be competitive for a top-10 US MBA program if you should apply later this year.
The conventional wisdom is that -- on average -- Indian applicants need to aim to have 30+ points above a school's average, since Indian test-takers score on average 30 points higher than those from the US, largely because the Indian education system is more focused on testing from a young age (and also since some people in India make the terrible decision to quit their jobs just to study for the GMAT).
In your case, if your undergraduate grades were poor, AND if you are only a couple of years post-college, then a high GMAT is more important than ever, to balance out the other weaknesses in your profile (prior academic performance, few years of work experience, presumably not yet in a leadership role at work).
It sounds like this program you found may be a great option for you; the good news is, should you decide that you want to try to shoot for a higher school in a few years, you could always re-apply to the program you got in to this time. Assuming that you are gracious and polite about it, if they accepted you once, they will probably accept you again should you re-apply later.
Thanks!,
Maria
_________________
Right now, if you only have 2-ish years of work experience and a 690 GMAT, I do not believe that you will be competitive for a top-10 US MBA program if you should apply later this year.
The conventional wisdom is that -- on average -- Indian applicants need to aim to have 30+ points above a school's average, since Indian test-takers score on average 30 points higher than those from the US, largely because the Indian education system is more focused on testing from a young age (and also since some people in India make the terrible decision to quit their jobs just to study for the GMAT).
In your case, if your undergraduate grades were poor, AND if you are only a couple of years post-college, then a high GMAT is more important than ever, to balance out the other weaknesses in your profile (prior academic performance, few years of work experience, presumably not yet in a leadership role at work).
It sounds like this program you found may be a great option for you; the good news is, should you decide that you want to try to shoot for a higher school in a few years, you could always re-apply to the program you got in to this time. Assuming that you are gracious and polite about it, if they accepted you once, they will probably accept you again should you re-apply later.
Thanks!,
Maria
syedmohammad211
_________________
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Learn more now:
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The only MBA admissions service endorsed by Harvard Business School's student newspaper, ApplicantLab takes admissions consultants' tools and puts them in your hands, teaching you how admissions officers think. It guides you through your strategy, essays for all of your schools, resume, recommendations, and even interviews.
Learn more now:
Free Trial / GMATClub Reviews / Founder's interview with the HBS student newspaper
GMAT 2: 690 Q48 V35
Posts: 21
ApplicantLab Thank you for taking time out to reply. I guess it's better to prep for GMAT and acquire more work ex before even thinking of applying.
Any pointers on which areas to focus on for over the next couple of years, apart from GMAT and learship experience, in order to make my application standout.
Btw I love Maria's posts and videos, I really think I'll be using ApplicantLab's services in the future.
Posted from my mobile device
Any pointers on which areas to focus on for over the next couple of years, apart from GMAT and learship experience, in order to make my application standout.
Btw I love Maria's posts and videos, I really think I'll be using ApplicantLab's services in the future.
Posted from my mobile device
PersonalMBACoach
Expert
Personal MBA Coach Founder
Joined: 11 Sep 2010
Last visit: 25 Aug 2026
Posts: 3,890
Status:Boutique MBA Admissions Consulting from a Wharton graduate - Helping applicants get into top global business schools since 2008
Affiliations: Wharton, MIT
Location: United States (NY)
Overall Client Admit Rate: 96%
Expert reply
Posts: 3,890
syedmohammad211
Hey Syed,
I'll try and tackle these one by one:
1. I would forgo the admission, I don't see a good reason for attending the program given your brief work experience. You are better served bolstering your professional credentials for the next 2-3 years rather than burn a year at a school that likely won't help you reach your goals.
2. If you're at 730-740 in 2 years and your work experience has improved considerably (stellar reviews, promotions, impact), I would put you in the 10-20 range for US schools. Your competition will be coming from IIT and other top Indian schools with brand names on the resume and GMATs of 750+, which places you a notch below.
3. Extremely difficult without an incredible story or URM status. As an Indian male, the competition is fierce and you need to find a way to stand out from the crowd. GPA and work experience are crucial, and with both of those lacking, there exists a slim path forward in the M7.
4. Work experience/impact and GMAT!
5. Start now with volunteering and find opportunities to speak publicly or lead some sort of class. While community involvement isn't one of the top things schools look for, it creates a well-rounded application.
Feel free to reach out at [email protected] to discuss your situation in more depth to see if I can't help you.
Regards,
Scott
_________________
Personal MBA Coach
Boutique MBA Admissions Consulting
[email protected] | +1 617 645 2424
https://www.personalmbacoach.com | https://www.personalmbacoach.com/blog
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GMAT 2: 690 Q48 V35
Posts: 21
PersonalMBACoach thank you so much for taking time out to reply to each of the questions in such detail.
I really needed this reality check and really appreciate you not sugar coating anything.
It really has given me clarity as to where I stand in my MBA journey.
I hope I can bother you with one more question:
What do you think my chances would be like at the top Canadian Bschools 2 years down the line with a 730 GMAT and impactful work ex in a startup?
Posted from my mobile device
I really needed this reality check and really appreciate you not sugar coating anything.
It really has given me clarity as to where I stand in my MBA journey.
I hope I can bother you with one more question:
What do you think my chances would be like at the top Canadian Bschools 2 years down the line with a 730 GMAT and impactful work ex in a startup?
Posted from my mobile device
PersonalMBACoach
Expert
Personal MBA Coach Founder
Joined: 11 Sep 2010
Last visit: 25 Aug 2026
Posts: 3,890
Status:Boutique MBA Admissions Consulting from a Wharton graduate - Helping applicants get into top global business schools since 2008
Affiliations: Wharton, MIT
Location: United States (NY)
Overall Client Admit Rate: 96%
Expert reply
Posts: 3,890
syedmohammad211
No problem at all!
Top Canadian schools are generally less selective than their US counterparts...that being said the opportunities coming out of them will largely be in Canada where salaries aren't quite as good. It's not impossible for someone to go from a top Canadian school to the US job market, just uncommon.
_________________
Personal MBA Coach
Boutique MBA Admissions Consulting
[email protected] | +1 617 645 2424
https://www.personalmbacoach.com | https://www.personalmbacoach.com/blog
Sign up for a free consultation! | Read PMC reviews
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