HI All, I am an Indian MBA aspirant. I want to do MBA from a good college(tier 1).

My Profile:
GMAT : 700/4.5
Degree(BE) : 73 % from one of the top 10 colleges in India - NIT
WEx : 7 yrs - all from better known companies, includes 3 yr international(European investment bank)

But here is problem:
GAP of 4 year between degree and XII (joined two other colleges for a year each before settling to NIT)

X (UP Board) : 62%
XII (UP Board): 58%
I was 1st ranked in my college on both occasions (rural area college - I had no clue what engineering was then)

I have been among the best since NIT, during and after.

Does my gap and percentage make a pathetic case? Please advise.

Well an options would be to lie about setting up a non-profit education that helped a village get water during that period of time. I've heard that plenty of people do that... (not the non-profit, but the lying bit).

I think it really depends on what you did in that gap and how you choose to explain it. As your resume would show only your Masters and Degree program, most applications would only ask about the Degree onwards.

But I think it might still be possible to squeeze in.

Hi fishball,
Thank you very much. I was teaching in a school as I had to support my family. Financial circumstances had me pretty much out of any possibility of further studies. It was through stroke of luck and support from unexpected quarter which led me to Engineering degree.

Now I am not sure if I should be honest and mention it as is, or I should fabricate something. Does sticking with my own story has risk of being seen as an attempt to garner sympathy, and subsequently goes against me?

I would say that your reason was a very fair and decent reason. If anything, it would show character. Don't worry so much about it. In this case, honesty would be the best policy!

thanks fishball!

I will get on with intrrospection for essays, and will keep in touch as I go along.