Welcome to Ask mbaMission

First of all, thank you very much for this section. I have a question. I'm a citizen of Central Asian country, and I have graduated from one of the top universities in my city. However, I don't have high GPA. Not because of I didn't understand the material (I do, actually, pretty well), but because of I didn't want to make my home-tasks (they were just time-consuming routine copy-paste presentations). I preferred to work part-time, earn money and get work experience. Despite that fact that I don't have high GPA, I was considered by my university and by our top recruitment company as one of the best students. I even won a scholarship. I have work experience both in my country and in the United States. Now I'm thinking about my careers. My dream-job is a job, related to small business development in my country. I think that development of small business will help our people and enhance our GDP, so, I'm working on my own project and at the same time I have my small business with good team. My GMAT expectation is about 620-650 (because of verbal section. I'm not native speaker).
So, my question is: who would you prefer for MBA - big-4-consultant/banker/employee-of-big company or risk-taker with GPA 3.17, GMAT 650, intended to improve small business in Central Asia through big investment project (and who used to work in the US)?

P.S. I got my Bachelor degree in 2015. I'm also considering to take Masters in Finance (plus CFA) in leading university of Central Asia and focus on GPA (I'm pretty sure that I can achieve at least 3.7 if I want to). And apply then. What do you think about that?

Thank you

Hi Terabyte

Interesting question. Without knowing more about you and the mysterious other Big4/Consultant/Banker/Employee of Big Company person, it's a really hard (maybe even impossible?) decision to make! But if you're asking for b-school advice, here are my thoughts:

Think of the GMAT as the sprint and GPA as the marathon. B-schools want to know that you have the potential to succeed in their rigorous programs, and GPA is a great signal for that. Now to be clear, a 3.17 isn't a non-starter...it just depends on what schools you are targeting. The 3.17 and the 620 to 650 GMAT suggest to me that your chances are going to be best outside the Top 15 to 20 MBA programs. To mitigate the 3.17, I'd recommend that you aim higher on the GMAT and also take a rigorous stats class and get an A in it.

Masters of Finance programs are great options if you are targeting finance jobs. Typically, people go into banking or investment management after a Masters of Finance. With your current goal of small business development, I'm curious why a MFin?

I hope that helps!
Krista

Hi! Thank you for the answer. To "defend" my low GPA I can say that even with low GPA I was considered by my university and by top recruitment firm as one of the best graduates-2015. My GPA score doesn't reflect my knowledge at all. For example, I have about 2.75 GPA from English lessons and Statistics (I'm non-native speaker). But right after I finished my university I made huge statistical project in the US (being just graduate from Central Asian university), which worked really well. Of course, using English and Statistics. During my final year in my university I was just studying and achieved GPA close to 3.8. I think, in my case, GPA is more like survivorship bias.

I mentioned MSc in Finance, because now I'm about to win an educational grant with stipend to the best full-time MSc in Finance program in Central Asia. But then, will it make sense to apply immediately to the top finance MBA programs (Wharton, Columbia, Booth, Stern)? Is it considered as advantage or disadvantage? Won't they ask questions like why do you need second Masters? Even though they have different curriculum. Also I was planning to cover my BA degree GPA by MSc in Finance GPA. Should I apply to MSc in Finance (full-time good program with scholarship), or should I skip it in order to apply to the top MBA program?

Hey again Terabyte

So for all your applications, based on how you explained your GPA to me, I'd recommend that you write an optional essay that explains your GPA. The challenge here is how you word it. You want to show humbleness and awareness and also growth both through school as you mentioned with your 3.8 by the end and also after school. If your stats grade was low in undergrad, I'd recommend taking a stats class now to help mitigate it.

To your question, I do think schools will look even more closely at someone who goes directly from a MFin program to an MBA. You can get a lot of a MFin from an MBA so they may ask why the MFin.

Now the big thing here is personal choice...if you've got a great scholarship to a MFin program, that's something to think long and hard about! With your current stats and limited work experience, I think your chances are unfortunately not very high at a Top 15 MBA program and to mitigate the GPA, you'll want an even higher GMAT score.

If you have further questions, I recommend that you set up a free consultation with one of our consultants. Link in my signature.

Krista

OK, I got it. Thank you very much!

Hi,

Thanks in advance for taking out your valuable time to evaluate each profile. I really appreciate your efforts.

I am a 33 years old Indian male, having 10 years of experience. I am looking for Full-Time MBA program at top b-schools in USA/Canada.


Program Interest:
* Full-Time MBA, area of concentration in Product Development / Technology Consultation / Innovation / Information Systems


GMAT Score:
* Not taken yet, but targeting for 730-740 (scheduled on Aug, 2017)


Work Experience:
* Approx. 10 yrs in Software Development.
* Currently holding a position of Technical Team Lead in one of the top Fortune 20 Company.
* No International work experience.


Current Responsibilities:
* Working as a technical lead and managing a team of 5 to 10 members.
* Working on a global project having multicultural teams from India + USA + Europe
* Awarded multiple times with letter of appreciation from top management at all the organization worked till date.


Education Background:
* BE (Computer Science & Engineering) from Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University, Aurangabad. Completed in 2006 with 3.0 GPA.
* Class 12 from Jammu & Kashmir Board of School Education. Completed in 2001 with 66%.
* Class 12 from Jammu & Kashmir Board of School Education. Completed in 1999 with 67%.


Extracurricular Activity:
* Regularly participating in social service events conducted within organizations.
* Worked as a part of management communicate for various large scale events organized at the company
* Regular contributors to organization like WWF & Cry NGO for various social causes.
* Participated as volunteer for Raahgiri Day.


Why MBA & Where I look myself in future:
After working for so long in core software development, I want to move to the business side. Want to leverage my long experience and use it as a opportunity to fulfill my dream of going into technology consultation / product development. At the same time, I want to get international exposure and work at global level.


I would like to know:
1. At the age of 33, am I eligible for full time MBA in any of the top 25 MBA schools in USA/Canada? Can schools reject me on bases being quite old than average class profile.
2. Is Admission officer going to see my 10 years of experience in IT as a positive point or negative point?
3. Are my academic & professional achievement something that fall withing the criteria of what MBA schools will accept?
4. What, in your opinion, is my strengths and weakness reflected in my profile?
5. Can you please suggest me list of best colleges I should consider for area of my interest (Product Development / Technology Consultation / Innovation)?
6. Is July/August 2017 right time to give my GMAT, or should I target further than that (considering my daily work schedule of 12 to 14 Hrs)?
7. Will I be eligible for any scholarship or financial support from MBA schools?

Hi Abhishek - thanks for writing! Given the level of detail you've provided, I'd recommend you sign up for a 30-min free consultation with mbaMission so that you can discuss your profile in more depth. Here's the link: https://www.mbamission.com/consult/?dis ... admissions

Thanks - I think you'll find it really helpful!

Hello all,

I have admits from UCLA and NYU - dinged after interview at Booth and Kellogg. No interviews from Tuck and Ross. All this was ROUND 2 - so I believe I may have a better chance in round 1.

but I have a potential offer as MD/Country Manager for a Oil and Gas company - I would be setting up operations in India.

Obviously its a really big opportunity but I will be 30 this year (2017). if i re-apply, i will 31 at Matriculation. The new job would be huge interms of the impact i can create and potentially strengthen my candidacy - but would be age work significantly against me?

Any and all opinions welcome!!

Hi bb10
Please see my response on your other posting.
Thanks.
Krista

Hello!

I am not sure if this is the right place to direct this question, but I was wondering if someone might be able to provide me with advice.

I took the GMAT for the second time today and score a 700 (Q42 V42 IR 8), and while this does represent solid improvement from my first test back in December of last year (660; Q37 V47 IR 7), I am still left feeling disappointed.

I followed the magoosh 3 month math focused study program, but spaced it out to a timeframe closer to 5 months. I would estimate I put in somewhere between 250-300 hours of studying time.

I am aiming to apply to top 15 programs, and so I know that my quantitative score needs to be higher. My biggest frustration is that I had scored significantly better on gmat prep tests taken within the last month (Q45, Q49, Q47).

Also odd is that up until the moment the score predictor appeared, I had thought I knocked it out of the park. I had managed to finish the quant section without rushing through the last few questions (which usually was an issue in practice tests), and had felt really great about it.

I think some of it may have been due to trying out a new timing strategy on test day that I had read about in the Manhattan gmat roadmap book, in which you block out the questions to solve 5 every 10 minutes. While this did help keep me from rushing at the end, I am wondering if I gave up on questions I could have solved too early and thus set my remaining questions at a lower difficulty level.

I am debating retaking the test for a third time. Since I felt like I did so well, I am unsure what to focus on or how long of a study period would be realistic to expect to legitimately score ~47 on quant (or at the minimum a 45).

As just a bit of background on me, I graduated from Temple University in 2011 with a 3.76 GPA and a humanities degree. Since graduation, I've working the advertising/marketing industry, with the past 4 years spent focused in digital media planning.

Thank you!

MW

Hi mbaMission,

I recently gave my GMAT and scored a 770, with 49 on quant and 47 on verbal. My IR score is 7, and AWA score is 4. I'm afraid my low AWA score will act as a hindrance in me getting into a good university. Could you through some light on this, and possibly suggest of I should give the GMAT again, just for the sake of a low AWA score.

Thanks!

PROFILE EVALUATION

Hi,

I have completed my masters from We School of Management, Mumbai India in the year 2008 and have been working in the corporate and family business since then. I have worked with Bharti AXA Life Insurance, an interior designer, a reputed real estate company in company as a Marketing Manager. Since 5 years I have been associted with my family business of Imports and Exports (Logistics) and also have been working on a mobile application for in the Employee Engagement space.
As I already have a General MBA degree from one of the leading colleges in India, I am looking forwarding to a One Year Program in US or Europe.
My GMAT is scheduled for the 2nd of September 2017 and I am looking to touch a 700-720 on my GMAT score.
Please help me with the next steps and which colleges I should be looking for the same.

Hi,

I am Jatin, 27 years old from India. I completed my Bachelors in Commerce (Honours) six years ago and have worked with two of the Big4s ( EY & PwC) in their Transfer Pricing Practice.
I simultaneously took my CFA exams and had completed Level 2 in 2014. I have also been actively involved with societal services and been actively involved with the firm's corporate responsibility teams too. During my college days, I was leading a team of 20 as the Vice President of the college society. I have received accelerated promotion in my stint at my latest job. I now plan to go for my MBA from a renowned college in USA. I am yet to take my GMAT exam. I am interested in Harvard, Stanford, Yale, UCLA, Hass Business School, Stern, Ross to name a few. Request you to please advice me how my profile stands for application in these college. Please advice what should further strengthen my application and how should I go about preparing CV, LOR and SOPs for the application.

Many thanks in advance.
Jatin

Hi Jatin
Thanks for getting in touch and for all the detail. Sounds like you have some great extracurriculars, which will help you with this process. You haven't mentioned your academic results in your post. The schools you are targeting are quite competitive so strong academic results will be very helpful. Also, I'd recommend a 750+ GMAT score for the best chances. Lastly, given your Big4 experience, make sure any of your international experience really shines on your CV...it can be an advantage for international candidates. While you are planning for the GMAT, check out our Complete Start to Finish Guide on our website. It will definitely help answer more of your questions!
Krista

Hello Thank you so much for helping us with this.
I have a 690 in GMAT and 3.75 yrs of work experience in an Oil Company in India.
I have some social work under my belt and am working on a NGO of my own.
I have a 7.87 CGPA from a top university in India.
I have worked with international vendors and have worked in projects that value nearly 100M USD.
Target schools include INSEAD, HEC and IE.
Any suggestions to improve my profile or mold it to the requirements of the above schools?
Thank you.

Hi! Can i please get your valuable insights here?
I scored a 670 gmat! I am looking at Mim one year programs.

Do i stand a chance at LBS, LSE or NUS?
Also what other schools would you recommend?

Here is a little background on my profile:

Age: 21 (Indian Female)
Class 10: cgpa 10
Class 12: 94.5%
Graduation: 70% ( First division from GNDU. Accredited with A status from Naac)

Internships:
*Accountancy Intern, Sports Specialist Pvt. Limited, Jalandhar (June 2015- August 2015)
*Management Intern, Universal Sports Industry (December 2015- February 2016)

Work Experience and background:
I come from a business family and eventually want to set up my own business.
Currently working with father since first year of college.
Expanded work and set up two independent units of my own.
Working on 2 more projects with him.

Have a decent range of curricular activities and social work.

Thanks a lot
aggarwal.srishti@yahoo.com

Hello all

My name is Gautam. I am from India.
I am planning to pursue my MBA from Canada Or Australia.

Profile:
Age :37
Work Ex. : 12 Years. Govt Finance Institution [In Commercial/Project/Development Finance]

Graduation : Agriculture (8.33/10 Undergraduate, 8.49 Post Graduate)/ Masters In Finance (6.67/10, Distance)
GMAT : 650 [Q47, v34, AWA 5.0, IR 4.0]
Extra : Winner of Inter-Collegiate Oratory Competitions, Played Chess for college and was in University Senate as student member

Few universities in my mind such as York, Mcgill, Rotman [Toronto], Sauder. I spoke to Telfer- Canada and Mcquarrie- Aus and they want me to apply!

I need Finance (No Co-signer), and hope for some scholarship (got a few in UK once, including a good full waiver from Henley and GBP 10 from Lancaster/Cass, but coudnt go due to fin. problems).

Am I too late? Some Schools in Canada said so (McMaster, Ivy and Queens)

Hoping for feedback and fearing some bashing....