680 Gmat Score + IIT Guwahati B.Tech + 2 years Work Ex.

[nishanth.kadi]

Hi all,

I just gave my gmat exam today! But my score was really bad. I managed a 680 (50Q + 32V).

Originally I had the top 15 schools in my mind. With such a normal score, a few extra curricular activities and an IIT degree I am not sure which colleges do I really have a chance to get into.

I'll be grateful if someone can suggest the kind of colleges I still have a chance to get into.

Right now I have three things in my mind:

1. Retake the test in another month, score better and improve my chances of getting into a descent college.
2. Try and see what all I can get into in the first place. And then decide on what to do next.
3. Wait for an year, increase my work ex. and then give the gmat again (or probably not, Not sure as of now)

What do you guys suggest. Any amount of information shall be very helpful!.

Thank You!
Nishanth.K

[mili]

Hi Nishant,

This is a difficult question to answer without knowing much else about your profile. I'll make some assumptions and answer on the basis of those assumptions, and you can clarify anything afterwards:

Academics: IIT- computer science, decent scores, 680 GMAT.

Professional: software engineer track?

Extracurricular: some but not too much (based on your statement)

Community: none/or ad-hoc?

With this profile, I might suggest schools like Indiana, Tepper, Fisher or somewhere within that range.

I think you might have a chance at a slightly higher tier if you drastically improve your GMAT score (more like 730 range), but it's difficult to say. Unfortunately, you are part of a highly overrepresented demographic for business school (Indian male engineers), so the competition is fierce and it's important to stand out on multiple dimensions. If you don't have much in the way of community, extracurricular and you've been in a tech role since college, even with a great GMAT score, it would be tough.

As for options two and three, it really depends on your own constraints and goals! There is no harm in applying now and reapplying next year though, if you are willing to put in that time/effort.

Good luck making your decision,
Mili


Mili Mittal
Senior Consultant
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[nishanth.kadi]

Hi Mili,

Thanks for your response.


Academics: IIT- ECE, 8.0/10 gpa , 680 GMAT.

Professional: software engineer track?(yes)

Extracurricular: some but not too much (based on your statement)-- Have been involved in my college festivals' media and marketing team.
-Represented my company and my hostel in a variety of sports
- I took a Game theory online course from stanford and now plan to take a few more of them

Community: I go to orphanages. But starting from tomorrow or the next week, I'll start teaching.


I am thinking more in the top 10 to 25 range! So what else would you suggest that I do, to make my profile stronger? Is there any way other than improving my score? Please bear with my naivety, I hardly know anything about the admission process. So just trying to gather as much info. as possible.

Thanks Once again! :)

Regards,
Nishanth.K

[mili]

Hi Nishant,

The teaching should help. You could also enroll in some business courses (finance, accounting, etc.) to demonstrate proficiency in those subjects. But mostly it's going to come down to the strength of your leadership profile -- are there leadership responsibilities or shifts in position that you could take at work? Are there extra curricular activities you could take initiative to lead outside of work? My sense is that if you're applying this year, you don't have a lot of time to improve your leadership profile, but if you decide to wait a year or two, you could do so. Still I think you have a shot with your current profile, just make sure to build the strongest application you can and see what happens!

Good luck,
Mili