Need a little help - School Selection

Question

Hi Hjort, Wanted a little help from you in verifying my school selecetion and the chances I stand... this is my first post in this forum....i guess am a lil late in the day to be asking this but then again wanted to take your advice on this

Will delineate my profile before that: * Wannabe entreprenuer * Indian IT professional with 4 years experience, however as a differentiator have had lead role exp of almost 2+ years.... * ERP Consultant and on an assignment as Technical Manager for an American $25 Billion firm, based in Pittsburgh fr the last 16 months. Previously, was with a Japanese client - HONDA * Undergrad was not from a well known college, but was a state college though. * Have had significant non work related endeavors, established a sporting body in Pittsburgh * Sports: Cricket and Chess captain in school, college and now league. Was selected for Western US Cricket Team GMAT: 710 Q48 V39 AWA 5 (lil low i guess!!) Undergrad: 68% (didnt have GPA in my school, was ranked 5/65) With this profile am applying to: 1. INSEAD 2. LBS 3. Michigan 4. Cornell 5. UNC 6. Dartmouth 7. CMU 8. Darden Would my profile be good enough for selection to the above schools...if yes, what chances do i stand.. Will appreciate if you could help me with this. Thanks Hjort!! Warm Regards, Aman

Hjort · Answer

Hi, 

What are your short term and long term goals?

amankohli60 · Answer

Thanks for replying Hjort

My short term goal post my MBA is to start my own venture in the IT Enabled Services domain providing â€˜Business Process Improvementâ€™ and â€˜Technology Consultingâ€™ services. Have had prior experience at start-ups, diversified my family business of automobile component trading and established an IT training centre by partnering with India's #1 IT Education company. Long term goal is to consolidate my business and setup operations in Europe. Hope this helps to summarize my short term and long term goals.. Thanks Hjort. Warm Regards, Aman

Hjort · Answer

Have you considered any US ultra elites?

amankohli60 · Answer

Well, was thinking of applying to ultraelite schools but was not very optimistic of my chances. Looking objectively at my profile, apart from the obvious "27 year old, Indian IT professional" pofile, the other factor that holds me back from applying to Ultraelite schools is my undergrad school and performance. Though, I was in a state engineering college and graduated 5/65 in my class with one out the ten students in a batch of 300 to get a campus placement with Asia's largest IT Consulting company.

So wanted yor advice on my choice of schools and comments on my chances of making it to an ultraelite school.

Thanks a lot Hjort.

Warm Regards,
Aman

Hjort · Answer

I suggest adding ultraelites to portfolios not because they are necessarily high probability events but because they are high return events. In this sense they are roughly analogous to early stage investments. I concede I overuse this phrase, but if you fail to apply you guarantee that you will not be admitted. 

I like the diversity of your portfolio- a range of elites and transelites in the US as well as some top cluster European schools. I would normally suggest some US NearElites but I realize that they might not be consistent with your goals outside the US. Considering your regional interests, you might want to look at some additional European schools. 

A final word- It is useful to consider the importance of demographics in admissions. However, some people take this idea too far. If you are a top candidate with valuable and carefully highlighed achievements you remain a top candidate.

amankohli60 · Answer

Thanks Hjort!!
Will sure take a shot at Ultraelite schools in round 2.
Warm Regards,
Aman

Need a little help - School Selection

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards