Thursday, June 7, 2007

GMAT and Beyond

I wrote my GMAT on tuesday 5th June. And what I got was a 710 (51,34). I was very disappointed by my VA score. I knew that I could have done much better. But it was time to think about the next phase.

I shot out mails to the AdComs of the schools I am applying to asking will the low english percentile(71) affect my application. I have recieved 2 replies till now.

ISB sent a long generic mail:

Dear Neeraj,
Thank you for your Interest in ISB.

GMAT is one of the criterions we look for while evaluating applications. There are no cut-off scores - a good score strengthens your application but does not guarantee admission while a low score does not necessarily mean exclusion.You may note that the average GMAT score this year has been 710 in the range of 600 - 780.

Admissions to the ISB are based on:

· leadership potential.

· diversity among students.

· strong academic background.

The ISB aims to develop future leaders and we will give preference to students who have demonstrated leadership abilities in their past working or academic life. Initiatives at the work place and in your personal life will help us assess your leadership potential.

The assessment is done primarily through the essays and recommendations in the application form. We insist that the recommendations are from people from your work place, specifically, your direct supervisor. The second element we look for when we consider your application is diversity. We are looking for why you are different and what you would bring to the ISB community. Diversity may be in the form of educational background, ethnic origin, nature of work ex

perience, kind of organisation worked for, nationality or personal experiences and goals.

The PGP programme at the ISB is rigorous and is accentuated by the short duration of the programme. Students who join the ISB must possess an academic record that can convince the ISB Admissions Committee of their ability to cope with the rigorous curriculum.

We appreciate your interest in the school. You may write to us at: admissions@isb.edu for any further enquiries.

Regards,

***********************

and Tuck sent a short generic mail:

Dear Neeraj,

Thank you for your interest in the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth. Please note that if you feel you're able to improve on your GMAT scores then we would encourage you to do so. The average GMAT score for the Clas of 2008 is 710 and the admitted-student range is 560-790. With the test score you received along with the other information you provided we would encourage you to apply to Tuck.

Thank You
Tuck Admissions

**********************

My friend vineet (who is going to Emory this fall) suggested to go ahead and concentrate on my essays instead of worrying about all this.

I only had concerns that I have an avg GPA, less than avg work ex and no international exposure. And very next day I was told of an onsite opportunity in US. It came at the time when I needed it the most. But now I am a bit concerned about the community service part. Which I won't be able to do from there. I need to do something about it after I come back to bangalore in 3 weeks or 3 months because I haven't yet started on it.

I know that I am going to have loads and loads of work. But I'll have to make out time for my essays. The day I got to know of this I looked into the map of US. I am going to california which is on west coast, and all my schools are on east coast. So I won't be able to plan any visit to any school. I wanted to apply to UC Berkeley but because of unfavorable loan program I can't. Otherwise I would sure have visited UCB.

In next post I would write on the criteria of selection of schools I am going to apply to.
Oh yes, the schools are... MIT, Tuck, Darden, Emory and ofcourse ISB.

I have to do lotsa shopping before I fly to US on sunday.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

All the best for your MBA admission program

Deepthroat said...

Hey Dreamer,
Its strange so many applcants this year have the " Dream" word in their blogs. Welcome to the world of MBA Applicants. Its nice to have you with us.

I think you are stressing too much over ur GMAT. With 710 I feel you are pretty comfortable. I know lotsa people who have advised me that GMAT shouldn't be the focus of the applications. Essays and Recos are bigger parts.

Anyways....all the best....And yeah keep in touch. Its nice to have you with us in this ride.....

shweta said...

happen to accidently hit ur blog ...wishing u luck fr ur endevours!!!
shwets

globetrotter said...

Your GMAT score is competitive. Unless the school specifically looks for the 80th percentile in the verbal section, I wouldnt worry about it.

Janet Nakano said...

Great score! I agree with preet, don't worry about the breakdown. Focus on the other parts now - making an overall solid app - extra curriculars, leadership, teamwork, essays, recs....... Good luck!

Dreamer said...

@anu: Thanks anu

@preet: It indeed is a dream, isn't it. besides, dreamer has been my alter ego ever since I started blogging 3 yrs back (can be seen in my main blog) :)

@shwets: thanks shweta

@mba-applicant: Thanks a lot for your inputs
mba podcaster: thanks for your support

MBAandBeyond said...

Hey Dreamer,

Just happened to visit ur blog. I am apping this year too and in the same boat as you wrt to GMAT score. Got 700 with 34 in Verbal. Do you think it would be a biig disadv? Wat have u found from ur research. Pls do share with me..

Btw, I am from Bangalore too.

Stay posted

Unknown said...

which are the schools that look for GMAT score .
what is the standard of SIBM,pune and SCIT under SNAP test structure?

GMAT Grammar said...

710 is a pretty good score. There are a list of good b-schools you are apply for MBA.

Gmat Coaching in Chennai:Gmat Training in Chennai:Gmat Classes in chennai said...

nice gmat details post.. we are GMAT in chennai and gmat coaching training classes in chennai .