Profile eval: 720 GMAT: PhD dropout

by **jbd** Mon Sep 15, 2008 12:41 am

Hi,
I recently scored 720 (q50, 95%ile; v38, 83%ile) but I think I can score more than 760 if I reappear.
I am Indian IT Male, 32 yrs old.
I quit PhD program after 2 years as I did not like it.
My GPA are 7.35/10.00 from IIT,India (toughest school to get in India) and 3.4/4.00 from low tier US Grad school.
Job experience: 3yrs in India, 2 yrs here. In India, I managed a team while here I am a part of a team.
I am thinking of applying to Stanford,Wharton, MIT, Darden, NYU, Ross and Anderson (UCLA).

My questions are:
1) Is retaking GMAT worth it? Howdoes it help If I get over 760? Whats the implication if I get less this time?
2) Are these schools in reach? If not, What are the safer ones?
3) How will my PhD drop out sound to AdComm?
4) Is applying in Round2 more disadvantageous than applying in Round1?

Thanks in advance.
jbd

by **MBAApply** Mon Sep 15, 2008 2:46 am

(1) No. Your chances of getting in have nothing to do with a high GMAT.

(2) Yes. Stanford and Wharton are basically a no go (too old, nothing particularly unique about your profile). Sloan is a long shot, but maybe one worth shooting for as a lottery ticket. Darden, NYU, Ross and UCLA are more within reach, perhaps a slight stretch, depending on how well-rounded you reveal yourself to be in the essays and interview.

(3) It's not going to be a big issue if you can make clear what you learned about yourself and how you grew as a result of dropping out.

(4) No. Apply when you're ready to put in your best application (just avoid Round 3 if you can).

Alex Chu
alex@mbaapply.com
www.mbaapply.com
http://mbaapply.blogspot.com

by **Guest** Tue Sep 16, 2008 2:27 pm

Thanks Alex.

how does my GPA sound? its 7.35/10 so I wonder they would convert it to a scale of 4, in that case it goes below 3 :(

by **MBAApply** Wed Sep 17, 2008 12:38 pm

Don't worry about converting your grades into a GPA scale.

Alex Chu
alex@mbaapply.com
www.mbaapply.com
http://mbaapply.blogspot.com