Please evaluate my Profile

[Salim]

Hi all,

I'm interested in the top10 US programs. How would you assess my chances?

Here is my profile:
The dark side of the moon: GMAT 640 (Q49 V29 //AW 4,4 // IR 6) and my age (33)

I’m African: African students are a minority in almost all MBA programs (US and EU).
I also hold the German Citizenship.

Education:
Engineering Diploma in Energy from a German Engineering School (Duration= 5 years) GPA 3,8
Master Degree in Renewable Energy from a German University (Duration= 2 years) - GPA 4,0

Practical Industry experience during my study time:
3 Months at Teleplan in Germany = Internship
1 year Full Time at Siemens in Germany = Internship and Thesis
6 Months Full Time at Coherent in Germany = Internship (post undergraduate)
5 Months Part Time as a technical assistant within the University. (post undergraduate)


Work Experience:
6 years at Siemens in Germany

1,5 years as a Senior Project Manager within the Energy Sector: 7 Mio Euro project, project staff under my supervision = 30

3 years as a Project Manager within the Energy sector.

1,5 year as Project Engineer within the Solar Power Unit

Languages :
I speak 4 languages

Many Thanks in advance.

[mili]

Hi Salim,

Thanks for the info. Let's assess:

Academic profile: your GPA in undergrad and grad school is quite high, and while your GMAT overall score is fairly low, it seems your quant score is quite high. Luckily, ad coms tend to weight the quant score more than the verbal score. Still, an overall score of 640 may be difficult to overcome. Any chance of retaking and improving your verbal score?

Professional: Great professional experience. You'll obviously have lots of leadership stories to share with the adcom. Siemens is an excellent company.

Extracurricular/Community: Not seeing a lot in these areas, which are generally pretty important in full-time programs.

Given your level of experience, GMAT, and age, you may want to consider part time or executive programs. Have you thought about going either of those routes? You could try to transfer to Siemens US and then enroll in a program while working. Would seem like a stronger fit. If you're not interested in that route, I might suggest retaking the GMAT and digging through your personal experiences to round out your candidacy for full time programs.

Cheers,
Mili Mittal
Senior Consultant
http://www.mbamission.com

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[Salim]

Hi Mili

Many thanks for your prompt response. I was glad to read your encouraging evaluation.

I will retake the GMAT for sure. I hope I'll improve my verbal score by at least 5 points (from 29 to 34-35)

Let us assume the worst case: 640 in the second shot.

What are my chances for Duke in case I score 640 again and in light of the following data (source BW):

Students from following regions: Africa: 0 % , Europe: 3 %
80 % range: 630 - 740
Average GMAT Score < 50th Percentile (median)

Many thanks.
Regards,
Salim

[mili]

Salim,

Duke has shot up in the rankings in recent years, so I have a feeling it might be tougher to get in with a 640 with the flood of applicants they are likely getting. Of course it's never impossible, but I wouldn't recommend Duke as a safety school with that score. More like a reach/potential target.

Good luck,
Mili