Shortlisting Schools

Question

Hi,
 I am in the process of shortlisting schools for my MBA Pgm. I am get good GMAT scores in practise tests and I am hoping to get atleast 720.
And what would be the best way to select the schools.
I attempted using rankings from USNEWS.com.

Here is my brief Background:

4.5 years IT experience in firms like Amex, HSBC etc in various roles.
(Banking Sector - Credit Cards Division)
78 % in Engineering (Top 1% of students in a reputed Engg. college)

 And these are my first few choices:
 
 Kellog ( for its 1 year MBA Pgm)
 Wharton
 HBS
 ISB (Indian School Of Business)
 ??

 I am basically a tech person, so which schools give preference to tech persons ?

 Also, do I need to give TOEFL to get into the top schools? Is it mandatory?


Thanks,
Satish.

scottshrum · Answer

I'm not sure that any school really gives preference to applicants coming from tech backgrounds. Schools like Sloan, Smith (Maryland), and Krannert (Purdue) tend to be more tech-oriented, but keep in mind that techies tend to apply to those schools more than they to other schools, so you won't necessarily have an advantage. Having a tech background won't be a liability, but it won't necessarily be an asset for you, either. 

If English isn't your first language, then plan on taking the TOEFL, although check each school's specific requirements.

BTW, if you want to get into a one-year program, you'll really need to demonstrate business experience (and often an undergrad business degree, too). Do you have that?

Finally, I won't go into it much now because I've already said it a dozen times in this forum, but you will be competing against A LOT of Indians with tech backgrounds and good test scores. Ask yourself, "What makes me different?" Hopefully it's more than just your GPA and GMAT, because all Indians with tech experience will probably have the same.

Good luck,
Scott

svudayag · Answer

Thanks Scott !!

I will remember that.
And what do you mean when u ask if english is my first language ?

English is definetly not my mother tongue, but it is my medium of instruction in school, college and university.

Thanks
Satish

scottshrum · Answer

Hmm, it depends. For instance, HBS says that if you studied at an English-speaking school anywhere, then you don't have to take the TOEFL:

https://www.hbs.edu/mba/apply/applicatio ... fltwe.html

But Kellogg says that you will have to take it unless you went to school in one of a handful of specific English-speaking countries:

https://www.kellogg.northwestern.edu/adm ... ernational

So, check with each school to be sure, but you should probably plan on taking it.

Scott

Shortlisting Schools

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