MBA Crystal Ball

HI MG,

I got my GMAT score(710: Q49(81), V36(80))today. I got 4.5 in AWA but my IR score is quite less. I got only 3. Should I take GMAT again to improve my IR or focus on my application? I want to apply to schools this year.

My profile, as already posted earlier:

My name is Abhinav. I have an experience of 4.5 years, by the time I will join schools experience will be 5.5. First 2 years I worked in Wipro as SAP ABAP Technical consultant. Later I moved to SAP Labs India. Since then I'm working in SAP as an Application developer for one of SAP Cloud Product and I work on creating Financial reports in that product. CGPA in college was 8.26. For ECs I have taken sometimes part in my company's CSR activities. And since now I'm free I can do more.
I have done many weekend trips to different states. I have done a 7 day trip covering almost 2000kms including 3 states and a UT, on a bike. I'm planning to do one more 5 days trip. I covered 1450kms in a day and wanted to complete a target of covering 1610kms but I wasn't able to achieve it. I also have started preparing for a trip to Ladhakh. Touring is my passion so I do all these stuffs but I'm not sure whether it will have any advantage on my profile.
I'm looking to apply to schools either this year or next year. I want to move from Application developer to Consulting roles. The schools that I'm targeting are ISB, NUS, NTU, SMU, HKUST, Texas A&M and Melbourne business school. I want to study in Asia and inclined more towards Singapore business schools.

Lokesh wrote:Thank you for your response.

I understand I have not been clear in my communication. Here is a response to the points specifically mentioned by you -

Would again mention here that am not an expert on this subject. You are. You can guide me and I would be most happy to take your good advise.

Thanks again for your time and looking forward to more.

Lokesh

Lokesh bhai,

By the time you finish your MBA journey (if you do start), trust me u'll be an expert too

For now, I am not sure if you've posed the right question. For international MBA, I don't understand what you mean by credibility? If you do an Indian MBA, you can target consulting names in India; with an international MBA, you'll probably target the same names albeit in a different geography.

Yes, what you say does make sense in terms of targeting the top schools - but do note that top consulting companies hire from a wide variety of places. Moreover, you should also ponder on the question that if not the top schools, then what.

A good place to start your school selection could be here

Feel free to reach out on mg at mbacrystalball dot com if you have deeper queries than this

Cheers,
MG

Abhii46 wrote:HI MG,

I got my GMAT score(710: Q49(81), V36(80))today. I got 4.5 in AWA but my IR score is quite less. I got only 3. Should I take GMAT again to improve my IR or focus on my application? I want to apply to schools this year.

My profile, as already posted earlier:

Abhi,

Thanks for reaching out again. Well IR is a fairly new animal and it is still being debated if bschools will give any weightage to this for this cycle or not. In all probability, it is likely to have low (or little) weightage as there is no yardstick to compare the old GMAT scores (without IR scores) with the new ones and schools cant favor one vs the other.

So as I had counseled before, stop worrying and start acting - start creating your application strategy such as which schools, when, how etc etc. Tons of things to do.

Cheers,
MG

Thanks MG.
Your reply is a big relief. I will go ahead with the applications.
Would definitely need help with MBA MAP. Till then I will keep researching and focussing on various aspects of the application.
Regards,
Abhinav

Thanks again mg.

Its these expert advise that I am keen on. What I meant by credibility was that when you do have a good college name in your profile, people listen to you more seriously. With local become global all over this shrinking world, felt an international mba which also means international exposure will be helpful. But you arre right in saying that if its not. Please advise the right path for me.

Went through the post from Sameer on consulting careers and appreciate you sharing it. I did understand what it implies.

Please help me select the best colleges and then get through one. I won't have answers to all your thought provoking queries and its time you answer some of them for me and guide me forward.

Look forward to understand how you can solve the puzzle for me now.

Thanks again.

Lokesh wrote:Thanks again mg.

Its these expert advise that I am keen on. What I meant by credibility was that when you do have a good college name in your profile, people listen to you more seriously. With local become global all over this shrinking world, felt an international mba which also means international exposure will be helpful. But you arre right in saying that if its not. Please advise the right path for me.

Thanks again.

Lokesh,

I am aware the you are already in touch with Sameer. Suggest you continue with that rather than having a parallel discussion here that can potentially be confusing.

Cheers,
MG

Abhii46 wrote:Thanks MG.
Your reply is a big relief. I will go ahead with the applications.
Would definitely need help with MBA MAP. Till then I will keep researching and focussing on various aspects of the application.
Regards,
Abhinav

Happy to help buddy. Feel free to reach out at mcb at mbacrystalball dot com as and when you feel ready to take things ahead

Hello MG,

I've just got around to this site and having gone through some useful posts, was wondering if you can give a fair overview of of my acceptance chances. Will be applying in the coming months to top 15 schools excluding Har,Col,Wha and Booth as I know my chances are next to none.

Will be giving GMAT at the end of August but confident of a score of 720+

Undergrad - IIT Kharagpur 2010 - Int. M.Sc (through JEE)- Low GPA of 6.8

6 months in PSU, shifted to consulting/business analytics as a Business Analyst.

Got promoted to Asst. Manager in 14 months through a special business case made by leadership.

Got a fair few accomplishments at workplace and good international outlook though there has been no travel.

Short term goal is to remain in consulting but of course in a much larger organization where I can aim for more exposure. Would like to work in Europe as first choice.

Good extra curriculars in college all through 5 yrs, some leadership roles, sports, tutoring/mentoring etc.

Do let me know what you make of the above. Thanks a lot in advance!

Geekeek wrote:Hello MG,

I've just got around to this site and having gone through some useful posts, was wondering if you can give a fair overview of of my acceptance chances. Will be applying in the coming months to top 15 schools excluding Har,Col,Wha and Booth as I know my chances are next to none.
.

Do let me know what you make of the above. Thanks a lot in advance!

Dear Geekeek,

Thanks for writing in. Well if its not for the quintessential verdict we all look for, probably this forum would be dead . But instead of passing a verdict, like always, I'll share a few perspectives:

1. With your pedigree (IIT/Consulting) it would be good to aim for a slightly higher GMAT simply because of the competition pool out there.
2. Would have helped to understand what kind of consulting you do if I had the name of your firm. It is also not clear why you want to go to Europe. And if you, it will be important to showcase your efforts to learn about the country, its culture, language etc - the point is to pass the test that this is not a figment of your fickle imagination but rather a well thought out aspiration
3. Most consulting companies have the option of moving the illustrious analysts to associates and then to higher things. Have you explored that option? I am asking this because you mention coming back to consulting - so you should be sure that MBA is the right next step forward.
4. Apart from these, the details are obviously sketchy for a forum like this to pass a clear verdict. But I am sure you have interesting stories to tell well and some of the top colleges should be worth trying.

Hope this helps

Cheers,
MG

Hello MG,

Thanks for the articulate response.

Just a few thoughts I would like to put out there.

a. I will be aiming for a higher gmat as you mentioned. Most of my batchmates are in the 740 range.

b. I am into business travel consulting. I do understand Europe seems like a not-so productive destination anymore. I agree it has more shades of a personal propaganda rather than a professional one to stay in Europe. Though, I have been changing my outlook regarding that as I am now researching about IE & IESE which will open my door to Latin America region.

c. I am planning to study ahead because, for lack of a proper term, I have 'maxxed' out in this company (ergo refraining from mentioning the company name, can talk to you in private, perhaps?). I am already gearing up for a promotion next year but the learning has stopped. Why consulting even after MBA? Because I am good with people and I have no issues with any amount of travel. And I will not be going to B school with dreams of a career change because, well, it depends upon a lot of things and how well you are oriented and what amount of groundwork you have done. From what I understand, things can change very quickly in B school and you might just be in no man's land.

Ideally, I would like to sketch out a plan for the coming months and I would be glad to discuss with you in further detail if you are intereseted to help.

Thanks!