Hi, I am from India. I gave my first GMAT exam yesterday and got 690 (Q50, V 32) and IR 7. I have a work experience of 6 years in Mineral and Mining sector. First 4 and half years I worked as process design engineer with some business development role as well. Currently working in sales and marketing as deputy Manager. My Academics were average as X 72%, XII 74% and Graduation 74%.

What colleges I can apply to given my work experience, I am looking forward to General MBA to end up in General consultancies or business strategy roles in some group in Mining and metal industry. Should I retake the exam to get at least 720 score for increasing my chances in top 15 colleges? Before exam I was making up my mind for some Indian colleges (ISB, IIM A), but I think 690 will not get me anywhere with these colleges given their average GMAT scores in the range of 720.

Are you targeting specific regions? US, Europe, UK, Asia?

Hi, Thanks for the reply.

I am looking for colleges in US to apply.

Yes, I'd say you would want to boost your GMAT score a bit to get into the top 15. Read Duncan's GMAT tiers post to start:

http://www.find-mba.com/board/27082

I think since you come from such a competitive applicant group, you'd be a hard sell at both the top 15, schools like Chicago, Kellogg, Haas, etc.; as well as the top 30 broadly, including UCLA, Tepper, and schools in this category.

I could see you as a competitive applicant at schools further down the list, like Rice, maybe Georgetown, Emory, etc., but still you'd have to sell yourself.

Your safety school, with your 680 GMAT score could be something like George Washington or Babson.