Hi,

I'm a bachelor in accounting and finance from the top school of my country (Mexico). I graduated with an average of 92 out of 100.

I also studied two years of philosophy in the second top school of the country, which I had to pause because I moved due to a work opportunity. But I had a 9/10 average at the time.

My GMAT was 650 (Q44/V35). I struggled with the timing on the Quant part, and while I could improve with more study, it would require an enormous effort to improve significantly, so I would really prefer to start applying at the moment.

I'm currently a Finance Manager, overseeing +10 people. I'm work on a packaging manufacturing company the main one in Europe and part of the FTSE100 (main 100 companies) in London stock exchange, but it is not very well known in the US. I have been the youngest in the position within the division and the country, out of 55 facilities. People at my position are usually are +35 years old.

I've been doing some online volunteering as an online listener, giving support to over 300 people over the last 5 years. I have also some more typical volunteering experience while in school and with some smaller activities at work. But nothing super fancy or heroic at the moment.

I want to apply to the following.

1. INSEAD
2. HEC Paris
3. Cambridge
4. Oxford
5. IMD
6. Kellogg

Based on the average GMAT, INSEAD and Kellogg seem like a far stretch, Cambridge, HEC and Oxford a stretch and IMD a bit closer, but sill below the average.

I know that I could really benefit the odds of my application with a stronger GMAT, but my question is how crucial is that part and how much of a difference would +30 points would make. Specially since I want to start applying to Cambridge and they have already passed the first three rounds.

I've considered as safe options Erasmus, Warwick and Edinburgh but I would really rather not settle to any safe option.

Any feedback or recommendations will be greatly appreciated.

Best of lucks to the rest!

What are your goals? This seems like range of rather different schools.

Hi, Duncan, thanks for replying

My goal would be to get into an important company in a different country in a high level (senior management) position, and work there for 3-4 years. Then I would come back to my home country and start my own business and go into teaching eventually.

Thanks,

I think you would benefit significantly from an increase in the verbal part of the GMAT. The large difference between the section scores would be a flag for many schools. I'd say that with your current score, most of your shortlist are reach schools for you.

Hi, Duncan, everyone

I got admitted to both, HEC and IMD. Now I'm struggling with the decission. Initially I was inclined towards IMD based on the value and 5 year gain. But the rise in the FT ranking from HEC is really impressive. 

My goals are a to stay in Europe, preferably a high paying country, and work in consumer goods or pharma. Seems IMD is best for this. But technology also has an appeal, for which HEC seems to have the edge. 

I am also considering relevance of alumni network. HEC seems to have a broader alumni, but IMD alumni seem to be better positioned and I had an overall good impression of their participants. 


Anyway, any further info you can provide would be really helpful. 



Thanks in advance, 

[Edited by Ric SNM on Jun 25, 2020]

You seem to understand the schools. It's your goals that need to be clarified.  

Study where you want to work and which language(s) you can speak. If you want to work in France (and can speak French fluently), HEC Paris. If Switzerland, and can speak wither French and / or German, to maybe a lesser degree, also fluently, then IMD. 

If you can speak neither French nor German this would be a tough decision. Oxbridge, most likely.