Profile Evaluation - 740/Indian Male/27/5+ years

Question

Hi,

Thanks in advance for your time. Any feedback is highly appreciated

Overview : Indian/Male/27/IT

GMAT : 740 ( Q50 V40 ) AWA 4.5

Undergrad :  B.Tech in Electronics from NIT.
 Ranked 1500 in All India Entrance Exam.
 GPA: 7.3/10

Work Ex:   5+ years as a Software developer in Top US Investment Bank ( in Bangalore )
 Developed Trading Applications for various Equity trading desks. 
 Frequent interactions with Traders/Structuring and Middle Office. Decent understanding of business and products.

Extra Curricular: 
  Participated in and raised funds for Oxfam Trailwalker. 
 Worked with Habitat for Humanity, led a 15 member team of volunteers from office
 Mentored many new joiners and Interns
  College :
 Event Manager of Virtual Stock Market Game for Annual College Tech Festival
 Secretary of Computer Society Club

Travel & Photography : Visited many places across India, 5 day Himalayan Trek, Lakshadweep Cruise, backpacked through Europe. 
 Photography awards in College and Office

b]Carrer Goals:  
  Short Term - As a Program Manager in Bloomberg/Thomson Reuters, I want to work on the next generation of derivatives trading platforms
 Long Term - As a senior executive in a Securities company, drive the adoption of common technologies across firms, to improve efficiency and transparency in the financial sector

Schools:  
 R1: Anderson, Ross, Tepper, UW Foster, USC Marshall
R2: McCombs, Boston Univ, Maryland Smith

How do you fancy my chances? Do you see my undergrad GPA being an issue? Will the AWA score of 4.5 be a flag?
Any suggestions to add/remove schools welcome.

Thanks again!!

Admissionado · Answer

Hey there,
Well congrats on that fantastic GMAT!!!! Well done dude.

So I think things look pretty good for you. You are an NIT grad, in a good industry, with a great GMAT. I don't see any MAJOR weaknesses although yes, your grades could be a wee bit higher, you could be an IIT grad (sorry! :! ). I find your volunteer work to be very good - with both Habitat and Oxfam on your resume, you should be able to build a strong case there.

Your WE is a bit of a question mark for me. You are in a very good industry, although coding is not always the favorite function of AdCom (but it can also be awesome, so don't get me wrong). But you will have to see how you can show them your leadership and business potential, or potential to move functions within your industry.

Your school list is a wonderful mix of tougher and easier schools, and I think it should do you justice. If you had one more "Fave" in the Top 10, I think you could add one more long-shot to your strategy for I feel your current list is preeeetty reasonable.

I hope this helps,
All the best,
Jon

Kamikrazy · Answer

Thanks Jon for the valuable feedback, wasn't expecting a response on the weekend

Regarding chances, does the below order make sense in my case? Anderson < Ross < Tepper < McCombs < USC < Foster < Smith I am thinking of Cornell as well. Thanks again Posted from my mobile device

Admissionado · Answer

Well, I don't always post on weekends, but sometimes I have some catching up to do. As for the order of your list, I think it's pretty good except that I'd probably put Ross up out front. Good luck! And let me know if there's anything else, Best, JF

Profile Evaluation - 740/Indian Male/27/5+ years

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