Profile Evaluation Request

Question

Hi Experts..

This is Kuldeep Kumar, 33 years old.

I appeared for GMAT on 14 Nov 2022 and scored 650 (Q 47, V34, IR 1 and AWA 4.0) I know GMAT is on lower side hence I will retake GMAT in Jan 2023 end to target 3rd round of applications. (Target Score for 3rd round 730-750+)

But, I thought let me ask experts to evaluate my profile at this stage so that I may plan to improve my GMAT score in the time available.

I have not prepared any resume for MBA purpose but my profile is as follows:

I am a Mechanical Engineering undergraduate 2008-2012 from Cochin University of Science and Technology, India currently working as Assistant Director/Assistant Works Manager at one of the Defence Public Sector Undertaking under Ministry of Defence. I am a Class I Gazetted Officer of the Government of India selected twice through UPSC ESE to cater Technical Services for Government of India. I have worked as a Senior Section Engineer for Indian Railways (Ministry of Railways) for 1 year, Assistant Naval Store Officer for Indian Navy (Ministry of Defence) for 1 year and now have been working as Assistant Director/ Assistant Works Manager for Ordnance Factories (Ministry of Defence) since last 5 years. I know it sounds confusing hence in short, I would say that I have been mostly a Government Officer.
Currently, I am looking after Research and Development (R&D), Marketing and Export (M&E) and Standardization at Ordnance Factories and I have been mandated with the task for development and marketing of Troop Comfort Equipment to equip Armed Forces with the latest Equipment. I have, with the help of my Team, developed some 10-12 Troop Comfort Equipment for Armed Forces and there are some 5-7 Design Patents under my name. These developments and marketing efforts can be translated into potential figures. (Future Business) Some order for newly developed equipment has already been secured as well. Some are under Military Trial.

B.TECH Aggregate Percentage: 74.42% (4th Topper of my Class) I think my GPA would be 3.5+ as per WES.
Cochin University of Science and Technology, Kochi, INDIA

I was District Topper in 10th Class (92.8%) CBSE

Second Topper of 12th Class (83.4%) CBSE

GRE SCORE 30th July 2012 during 3rd Year of Undergraduate: 1350/1600 OR 322/340
QUANTATIVE – 800 / 800 VERBAL – 550 / 800 ANALYTICAL WRITING - 3.0 / 6.0

Didn't pursue for MS because of financial issues

SAT Score 23rd Jan 2010: 1750/2400
Quantitative – 650 / 800 CRITICAL READING – 500 / 800 WRITING – 600 / 800

Didn't pursue for undergraduate again because of financial issues

I am a First Generation College Student as my father and mother didn't attend college.

I've Qualified written exam for various jobs such as ISRO SCIENTIST/ENGINEER SC BE-0002, BARC OCES/DGFS-2013, SAIL MANAGEMENT TRAINEE 2013, HAL MANAGEMENT TRAINEE-2013, RRB 2014, UPSC ESE 2014, UPSC ESE 2016, AFCAT 2012, SSB for INDIAN NAVY etc.

Extra-curriculars: mostly robotic events, paper presentations, lectures on some classes, guiding students who cannot afford coaching as I never took coaching classes earlier.

My career Goal is mostly to pursue entrepreneurship in future.

Now,

Q. No 1 Minimum Target Score (GMAT) to secure an admit with scholarship considering my profile, age factor etc. I've been financially stressed hence scholarship/loan is only option for me to pursue MBA

Q. No 2 List of Safe schools to apply in second round (if possible) as of now with GMAT 650 only. Otherwise I will totally focus on GMAT and then 3rd round.

I can get LORs from Senior Officers of my Organization who have directly supervised me during my working.

Expecting honest opinion.

Thanks & Regards

Kuldeep Kumar

Posted from my mobile device

MG4MBACrystalBall · Answer

kuldeepkrlhd , a few thoughts on your profile evaluation and queries.

The academic arc is decent driven by the relative position in undergrad though the absolute GPA might appear modest. There is no magic   minimum GMAT   number. That being said, one can add 20-30 points to a given school's average to get a sense of the Indian GMAT average. Oh and if you feel more confident with GRE, go with that - pretty universally accepted now.  
  The professional profile is interesting albeit something that'll need a very careful articulation so international adcoms can understand+appreciate the nature/scale of your work. In our experience, PSU to private transition is best managed within India - not targeting any Indian programs? Also, what is your immediate post-MBA goal? 
  Top   schools value extracurriculars   - the student coaching stuff might be of relevance here. Make sure to present it correctly though.  
  With the current score, consider schools that   accept a low GMAT score  .

Hope this helps some.

Cheers,

kuldeepkrlhd · Answer

MG4MBACrystalBall

Thank you for prompt reply. 
Deadlines for top Indian Business School are almost over now. I don't think I will be able to prepare a solid essay work and resume for top business school with such low GMAT Score and such short time.

Post MBA Goal is to work in Consulting/Tech for some years considering my experience in R&D and then go for entrepreneurs in the long term. I want international exposure and if I am targeting for 3rd round, I can improve upon my GMAT.

How about targeting top 20-30 business school of USA like Emory Goizueta, Kelly, Vanderbilt Owen, Rotman, Mannheim etc.

Regards

Posted from my mobile device

MG4MBACrystalBall · Answer

kuldeepkrlhd , not quite. Applying in R3 for international schools is extremely challenging as there are barely seats left. But for Indian schools, it is still not a total deal breaker so would recommend you to check that out.

Beyond that, it would be more prudent to target some schools with Jan'24 intake instead of chasing R3.

kuldeepkrlhd · Answer

Admissionado ,  stacy  Blackman consulting,  ApplicantLab ,  ARINGO ,  mbaMission   myEssayReview  and other experts

Admissionado · Answer

kuldeepkrlhd :

Responding to your two questions:

Q. No 1 Minimum Target Score (GMAT) to secure an admit with scholarship considering my profile, age factor etc. I've been financially stressed hence scholarship/loan is only option for me to pursue MBA

A: There really is no minimum. Scholarship money depends on the strength of the candidate and the relative ranking of the schools to which you are applying. A 650 could get your scholarship money at lower-ranked schools whereas a 700 could get you nothing at higher-ranked schools. Since you are retaking the exam, I would see how you do before you start putting together a list. There are just too many moving parts.

Q. No 2 List of Safe schools to apply in second round (if possible) as of now with GMAT 650 only. Otherwise I will totally focus on GMAT and then 3rd round.

A: I would not apply in R3. That is going to be really difficult for someone with your background. Since you are already 33, you might as well wait for R1 in the next application season. I believe you will improve your chances more dramatically and it will give you time to take the GMAT without too much immediate pressure.

As for safe schools, can you share more about what kind of programs interest you? Where geographically are you interested? How much scholarship money do you actually need (versus want)? Knowing this information is critical to providing actually useful advice.

-Admissionado

kuldeepkrlhd · Answer

Thanks Admissionado for reply.

1. I wanted to understand which lower ranked schools I can target as per my GMAT Score and profile? Business schools of Rank 20-30 or 30-40 as per US news ranking? I wanted to know this if I plan to appply for Second round as you are saying that applying with a higher score in 3rd rould also won't do good.
I've heard that job prospects of older student is low. If this is not true, I can think for R1 of next admission cycle with improved score and some extracurriculars.

2. I'm interested in Tech/Consulting in the short term and wanted to start my own business in long term. I'm mostly looking to work in USA, Canada or European Countries like Germany, UK etc. hence want to target Business schools in these countries only.

If I can decide which schools will be safe as per my profile then only I will target admissions this admission cycle otherwise will solely focus for next year admission cycles.

Regards

Admissionado · Answer

kuldeepkrlhd :

1. I would say high 20s to 40s in the US News rankings feel pretty good to me. Again, I can't really determine scholarship opportunities from that as it's way more subjective and less straightforward. As noted above, your prospects do improve with a higher GMAT.

Yes, you are right the job search for older post-MBA candidates are more difficult but at your age range, a year will not make a difference. The comparison is between people in their mid-30s and their mid-20s.

2. That's great. You have plenty of good options in those geographies within the US News high 20s to 40s.

Good luck,
Admissionado

kuldeepkrlhd · Answer

Thank you  Admissionado .. your reply has helpede to take clear decision.

Posted from my mobile device

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