Hi,
I am an engineering graduate from a Top-tier University in Pakistan.
CGPA: 3.03/4
5 Years Work Experience as a Drilling Engineer (Started as a Graduate Trainee. Currently supervising Drilling Rig operations managing a team of over 30+ technical hands and drilling assets worth 20 Million USD).
GMAT: 650 (Q47 V32) (This was my 2nd attempt. No plan to retake GMAT).
Some NGO volunteer experience
Current location: Pakistan
Target industries: Technology/Operations Management (Like roles in Amazon, Ebay etc) or Finance.

Considered schools:
Rotman
Ivey
Duke
Emory
UT Austin
CMU Tepper
Washington Olin
Smeal
Georgia Tech Scheller
Boston College Carroll
North Dame
Michigan State Eli Board
Uni of Washington Foster

Now I know these schools seem to be very different in terms of their curriculum. However, I did a little research on Linkedin and got in touch with few of their Alumni's. Most of these schools have a decent placement in industries that I am targeting post graduation. I would like to short-list 6-7 good schools with possibly 2-3 reach schools, 2 competitive and 2 safe. Which schools should I short-list from the ones mentioned above.

Hoping to hear back from the experts soon !

At which of these schools is your gmat and work experience above the average?

Work experience above average: Rotman, Tepper, Smeal, Boston, Michigan State

GMAT is not above the average at any of the schools. It is close to Rotman (665), PSU (660), Boston Caroll (660), Michigan State (670), Ivey (670). Rest of the mentioned schools have average GMAT's in range from 680-700.

But my credentials do fall within the 80% Range for all these schools. Not sure if that is the right way to look at schools.

[Edited by mtalalazam on Sep 03, 2017]

You are from a very competitive applicant group. Unless you are above average on most criteria you won't be selected.

What would you suggest than Duncan?

check out these two great posts
GMAT Tiers: https://find-mba.com/board/gmat/gmat-tiers-strong-schools-for-your-gmat-23247
Finding best MBA: https://find-mba.com/board/usa/shortcut-to-find-the-best-us-mba-30765
I think they will really help you

There are more useful links and info on Duncan's profile page. Click his name and check out

[Edited by George Patsoulis on Sep 03, 2017]

Yes, the fact that you're in a very competitive applicant group means that to comfortably get an admit at a lot of these schools, you'll need a higher GMAT score. If you retake, try to get your verbal score up to be closer to the quant - many adcomms will look for a more balanced score overall.

Hi,
I took my first GMAT 7 months back and scored a dismal 500. I studied religiously after that, studying 3-4 Hours daily even at work. Of these 7 months of preparation I studied for verbal for over 5 months and managed to improve from V20 to V32. During the near of my GMAT exam I saw my progress gradually declining on practice tests which was an indication that I was probably burned out. I decided that this would be my final attempt at the GMAT. Apart from that I feel, even if I could improve any further it won't be by more than 20 points. Not sure If a retake's worth that. The R1 deadline would pass for most school as well and I am quite content on applying for next year intake.

[Edited by mtalalazam on Sep 04, 2017]