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AjChakravarthy
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Profile Evaluation & School selection Updated on: 13 Aug 2015, 07:05
Originally posted by AjChakravarthy on 06 Aug 2015, 10:37.
Last edited by AjChakravarthy on 13 Aug 2015, 07:05, edited 1 time in total.
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Hi, Would really appreciate your inputs on my profile and school selection.



GMAT Scores:
• First Attempt: 500 (Q27, V18) - Just not my day
• Second Attempt: 610 (Q37, V37) - I didn't use the right material, didn't focus on OG
• Third Attempt: 670 (Q46,V36) - Self prep

GPA:
So I did my graduation from a no name college and with a low GPA (Bachelor of Science). Basically it will not help me showcase my academic ability. Am relying only on GMAT scores for that.

Work experience:
I have consistently performed well at work and have received very good performance reviews. I am confident of getting very good recommendations from my boss, clients and peers.


Career Goal:
Looking for career progression in a marketing role or an advisory role in a consultancy.
Though I have been working in the area of marketing and strategy for quite some time, I have no professional qualification in this area and this the gap I want to bridge. I know my career as a strategic marketer will not go far without an MBA.

Target Schools and Average GMAT Scores:(I may not apply to all schools; Have mentioned the GMAT Average and the 80% Average)

1. Kellogg (Northwestern): 714, 660-760
2. Fuqua (Duke): 697, 620-760
3. Ross (Michigan): 704, 650-750
4. Darden (UVA): 699, 640-750
5. McCombs (University of Texas - Austin): 684, 620-730
6. Johnson (Cornell): 687, 620-740
7. Kelley (Indiana): 664, 620-740
8. NUS (National University of Singapore): 667
9. NTU (Nanyang Technological University): 665, 610-720
10. Indian School of Business: 712, 670-750
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Profile Evaluation & School selection 10 Aug 2015, 03:23
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AjChakravarthy
Hi, Would really appreciate your inputs on my profile and school selection.

Profile:
Indian Male, Age 29, 8 Years of experience in Advertising Agency/Media/Publishing industry. Working in the area of strategic and tactical marketing. Have worked with several fortune 500 companies and can showcase this in my application.

GMAT Scores:
• First Attempt: 500 (Q27, V18) - Just not my day
• Second Attempt: 610 (Q37, V37) - I didn't use the right material, didn't focus on OG
• Third Attempt: 670 (Q46,V36) - Self prep

GPA:
So I did my graduation from a no name college and with a low GPA (Bachelor of Science). Basically it will not help me showcase my academic ability. Am relying only on GMAT scores for that.

Work experience:
I have consistently performed well at work and have received very good performance reviews. I am confident of getting very good recommendations from my boss, clients and peers.

Key Achievements:
• Wrote the positioning strategy and headed the launch of a fortune 500 brand into a new market and segment and generated a business pipeline of approx 100 Mil USD
• Currently in a leadership position and manage about 30% of the company's revenue and client base
• Received CEO's Award for Outstanding Performance, twice
• Established processes and execution strategies to improve efficiency and achieve operational excellence that have become the company norm
• Track record of consistent performance in driving sales revenues and excellence in client and relationship management

Career Goal:
Looking for career progression in a marketing role or an advisory role in a consultancy.
Though I have been working in the area of marketing and strategy for quite some time, I have no professional qualification in this area and this the gap I want to bridge. I know my career as a strategic marketer will not go far without an MBA.

Target Schools and Average GMAT Scores:(I may not apply to all schools; Have mentioned the GMAT Average and the 80% Average)

1. Kellogg (Northwestern): 714, 660-760
2. Fuqua (Duke): 697, 620-760
3. Ross (Michigan): 704, 650-750
4. Darden (UVA): 699, 640-750
5. McCombs (University of Texas - Austin): 684, 620-730
6. Johnson (Cornell): 687, 620-740
7. Kelley (Indiana): 664, 620-740
8. NUS (National University of Singapore): 667
9. NTU (Nanyang Technological University): 665, 610-720
10. Indian School of Business: 712, 670-750
Show more

Hey ddue,
Very good to hear from you, although I don't necessarily have great news for you (sorry!, but better to be straightforward at this point).

With a low GPA + lower than average GMAT + coming from such a huge pool and a non-target industry, your school list is just far too ambitious. So, I don't know what your GMAT situation is but you MAY want to consider a retake (here are some thoughts on that: https://bit.ly/B613Mgc.

And if you don't want to, for whatever reason, then you should readjust your school list where the average of the school is around your score or lower.

Best,
Jon
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AjChakravarthy
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Profile Evaluation & School selection 10 Aug 2015, 11:15
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JonAdmissionado
AjChakravarthy
Hi, Would really appreciate your inputs on my profile and school selection.

Profile:
Indian Male, Age 29, 8 Years of experience in Advertising Agency/Media/Publishing industry. Working in the area of strategic and tactical marketing. Have worked with several fortune 500 companies and can showcase this in my application.

GMAT Scores:
• First Attempt: 500 (Q27, V18) - Just not my day
• Second Attempt: 610 (Q37, V37) - I didn't use the right material, didn't focus on OG
• Third Attempt: 670 (Q46,V36) - Self prep

GPA:
So I did my graduation from a no name college and with a low GPA (Bachelor of Science). Basically it will not help me showcase my academic ability. Am relying only on GMAT scores for that.

Work experience:
I have consistently performed well at work and have received very good performance reviews. I am confident of getting very good recommendations from my boss, clients and peers.

Key Achievements:
• Wrote the positioning strategy and headed the launch of a fortune 500 brand into a new market and segment and generated a business pipeline of approx 100 Mil USD
• Currently in a leadership position and manage about 30% of the company's revenue and client base
• Received CEO's Award for Outstanding Performance, twice
• Established processes and execution strategies to improve efficiency and achieve operational excellence that have become the company norm
• Track record of consistent performance in driving sales revenues and excellence in client and relationship management

Career Goal:
Looking for career progression in a marketing role or an advisory role in a consultancy.
Though I have been working in the area of marketing and strategy for quite some time, I have no professional qualification in this area and this the gap I want to bridge. I know my career as a strategic marketer will not go far without an MBA.

Target Schools and Average GMAT Scores:(I may not apply to all schools; Have mentioned the GMAT Average and the 80% Average)

1. Kellogg (Northwestern): 714, 660-760
2. Fuqua (Duke): 697, 620-760
3. Ross (Michigan): 704, 650-750
4. Darden (UVA): 699, 640-750
5. McCombs (University of Texas - Austin): 684, 620-730
6. Johnson (Cornell): 687, 620-740
7. Kelley (Indiana): 664, 620-740
8. NUS (National University of Singapore): 667
9. NTU (Nanyang Technological University): 665, 610-720
10. Indian School of Business: 712, 670-750

Hey ddue,
Very good to hear from you, although I don't necessarily have great news for you (sorry!, but better to be straightforward at this point).

With a low GPA + lower than average GMAT + coming from such a huge pool and a non-target industry, your school list is just far too ambitious. So, I don't know what your GMAT situation is but you MAY want to consider a retake (here are some thoughts on that: https://bit.ly/B613Mgc.

And if you don't want to, for whatever reason, then you should readjust your school list where the average of the school is around your score or lower.

Best,
Jon
Show more

Hi Jon,

Thanks for the reply. I have changed my target list to this:
McCombs (University of Texas - Austin): 684, 620-730
Johnson (Cornell): 687, 620-740
Kelley (Indiana): 664, 620-740
NUS (National University of Singapore): 667
NTU (Nanyang Technological University): 665, 610-720
Indian School of Business: 712, 670-750
IIM Bangalore (Executive MBA) 700,
IIM A (Executive MBA)
Tepper 687, 624 - 740
Kenan-Flagler 710 (Median), 640 - 750

If i retake the GMAT then i may not be able to apply in Round 1 in most colleges so i am considering applying with what i have.
Any views on the other aspects of my profile?

Regards,
Aj
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Joined: 30 Nov 2009
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Own Kudos:
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Given Kudos: 69
Location: Chicago, IL
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Schools: HBS - Class of 2005
Posts: 9,229
Kudos: 2,075
Profile Evaluation & School selection 11 Aug 2015, 04:41
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AjChakravarthy
JonAdmissionado
AjChakravarthy
Hi, Would really appreciate your inputs on my profile and school selection.

Profile:
Indian Male, Age 29, 8 Years of experience in Advertising Agency/Media/Publishing industry. Working in the area of strategic and tactical marketing. Have worked with several fortune 500 companies and can showcase this in my application.

GMAT Scores:
• First Attempt: 500 (Q27, V18) - Just not my day
• Second Attempt: 610 (Q37, V37) - I didn't use the right material, didn't focus on OG
• Third Attempt: 670 (Q46,V36) - Self prep

GPA:
So I did my graduation from a no name college and with a low GPA (Bachelor of Science). Basically it will not help me showcase my academic ability. Am relying only on GMAT scores for that.

Work experience:
I have consistently performed well at work and have received very good performance reviews. I am confident of getting very good recommendations from my boss, clients and peers.

Key Achievements:
• Wrote the positioning strategy and headed the launch of a fortune 500 brand into a new market and segment and generated a business pipeline of approx 100 Mil USD
• Currently in a leadership position and manage about 30% of the company's revenue and client base
• Received CEO's Award for Outstanding Performance, twice
• Established processes and execution strategies to improve efficiency and achieve operational excellence that have become the company norm
• Track record of consistent performance in driving sales revenues and excellence in client and relationship management

Career Goal:
Looking for career progression in a marketing role or an advisory role in a consultancy.
Though I have been working in the area of marketing and strategy for quite some time, I have no professional qualification in this area and this the gap I want to bridge. I know my career as a strategic marketer will not go far without an MBA.

Target Schools and Average GMAT Scores:(I may not apply to all schools; Have mentioned the GMAT Average and the 80% Average)

1. Kellogg (Northwestern): 714, 660-760
2. Fuqua (Duke): 697, 620-760
3. Ross (Michigan): 704, 650-750
4. Darden (UVA): 699, 640-750
5. McCombs (University of Texas - Austin): 684, 620-730
6. Johnson (Cornell): 687, 620-740
7. Kelley (Indiana): 664, 620-740
8. NUS (National University of Singapore): 667
9. NTU (Nanyang Technological University): 665, 610-720
10. Indian School of Business: 712, 670-750

Hey ddue,
Very good to hear from you, although I don't necessarily have great news for you (sorry!, but better to be straightforward at this point).

With a low GPA + lower than average GMAT + coming from such a huge pool and a non-target industry, your school list is just far too ambitious. So, I don't know what your GMAT situation is but you MAY want to consider a retake (here are some thoughts on that: https://bit.ly/B613Mgc.

And if you don't want to, for whatever reason, then you should readjust your school list where the average of the school is around your score or lower.

Best,
Jon

Hi Jon,

Thanks for the reply. I have changed my target list to this:
McCombs (University of Texas - Austin): 684, 620-730
Johnson (Cornell): 687, 620-740
Kelley (Indiana): 664, 620-740
NUS (National University of Singapore): 667
NTU (Nanyang Technological University): 665, 610-720
Indian School of Business: 712, 670-750
IIM Bangalore (Executive MBA) 700,
IIM A (Executive MBA)
Tepper 687, 624 - 740
Kenan-Flagler 710 (Median), 640 - 750

If i retake the GMAT then i may not be able to apply in Round 1 in most colleges so i am considering applying with what i have.
Any views on the other aspects of my profile?

Regards,
Aj
Show more

Dear AJ,

Your work experience seems good and solid, although you don't necessarily come from a top firm.

And I think your school list is still too ambitious (sorry again). But if you want to build a school list based on the GMAT, you should have say 1-3 schools where the average GMAT is between 670-700, and then 1-3 schools where the average GMAT is 630-660. I mean, I feel like this is the best strategy cause then say for example you have three tougher schools, if you get in you are very happy, and from the lower ranked schools (say you have 2-3 of them), at least you will have a good shot of going to an good MBA this year (and since you are 29 its a good year for you).

It's up to you whether you want to take the GMAT again or not. From what I see here, you started off pretty low, but made some very impressive progress. But even if you retake will you be able to get higher? And if so, how much higher? I'm not sure in your case it makes sense also given your age..

Instead, I'd aim to apply to 6-7 schools. Forget about ISB and IIM and Kenan-Flagler, from the rest of the schools choose 3-4 schools. And then 2-3 schools where your GMAT is 10-30 points ABOVE the average.

And then, of course you will have to wow them with your personality and essays ;)
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AjChakravarthy
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Joined: 08 Oct 2013
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Profile Evaluation & School selection 11 Aug 2015, 10:20
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Thanks for the reply again.

I think I will go by your approach of a mix of tough schools and easy schools.

I guess you asked me to forget about the Indian schools because they have very high GMAT scores right?

I am still considering a GMAT retake though... to probably improve my chances.

Regards,
Aj
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Schools: HBS - Class of 2005
Posts: 9,229
Kudos: 2,075
Profile Evaluation & School selection 11 Aug 2015, 12:38
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AjChakravarthy
Thanks for the reply again.

I think I will go by your approach of a mix of tough schools and easy schools.

I guess you asked me to forget about the Indian schools because they have very high GMAT scores right?

I am still considering a GMAT retake though... to probably improve my chances.

Regards,
Aj
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AJ, it's that the GMAT is much higher, but also their acceptance rate is much much lower, which means that with a low GMAT your chances go down real quick.

Again, the GMAT retake is still a possibility, but I'd suggest it, only if you are relatively sure you can get 20-30points more. If you think you can, it may very well be worth it. Between a 670 and a 700 is world of difference.

Good luck!

And let me know if you have any other questions.