Profile evaluation GMAT 690/ AWA 4.5 / 3 yrs Work ex

[gagandeepm]

Hi ,
I score took GMAT and got my AWA score today
verbal 34/ 68%
Quant 49/ 86%
AWA 4.5/ 37%

I have a Masters in Computer Eng ( GPA 3.8) from Texas A&M, College Station and 3 yrs work ex with Intel Corp as a Design Engineer ( still working for Intel). I have a undergrad degree from a reputed Indian University(IIT's , GPA 8 on scale of 10). I haven't been in any leadership roles to speak off(none to be more precise).

I am planning to apply to
Stanford, UCB, MIT, Kellogs, UCLA, Ross, Columbia .
Can you provide me some feedback on how good my profile is to get an admit from my target schools.

I am concerned about my low AWA & verbal percentiles and lack of leadership experience.
Do you think i should retake my GMAT ?
Should i wait for another year and try to seek out for some leadership opportunities both in the workplace and in the community?

Thanks and look forward to hearing your response.

Comments from fellow students are also welcome.

[mbamission]

Hi gagandeepm,

Thanks for writing in. From the list you shared it seems that you are targeting only top-tier schools.

While I would not fret too much over the AWA score (AWA is usually not heavily weighted in admissions decisions), I do think your GMAT could be a weakness at these schools. I think this in reference to both your Verbal, and your overall score.

While a GMAT weakness can often be overcome with other strengths, your dearth of leadership experience will be another weakness to overcome as well.

If it is important for you to go to business school next fall, I would suggest introducing some other schools into the mix that are more top-25 than top-15. You will also want to explain in your essay why it is important you attend now, and what an MBA will mean in conjunction with your other advanced degree.

If you prefer to wait another year and still target the same schools, I would seek out leadership opportunities (workplace and community), as well as consider another attempt at the GMAT.

Best of luck,
Daniel Richards
http://www.mbamission.com

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