I have already completed a telephonic interview with Rice. am waiting for the result. getting frustrated about this wait. Can you just brief on whether all interviewed candidates have a chance of getting admitted? What is the average % of candidates interviewed ,and getting in to Rice? My Gmat score is 690 and my work ex. is around 5yrs as a project lead in an IT major in India, specialized in design

Well, I'd give you about 50/50 chances. Your GMAT score and work experience are squarely in the median of admitted applicants at the program. However, your profile group (an Indian with an IT background) is extremely competitive, so you'll probably be up against some competition. Please keep us updated and let us know what happens.

sorry, I didn,t make it . I sent a mail to them to inform me my drawback, but they did not respond. very disappointed indeed! I think I will try to improve my score. Is that a good step? What else I should do to be there at least next year. Please give your suggestions about this. Any other b-school that matches my profile and is in the first 50 in global ranking? I wait for suggestions

Sorry to hear about that.

Yes, I would retake if you think you can get a better score. Take some time, though, to review study materials or even get some kind of tutoring.

The other part of your application that you can work on is your letter of intent. I would focus on using this letter to set yourself apart from others with a similar profile as you. What makes you different? Why should they pick you? And if English is a second language, you should have a native speaker spell- and grammar-check this letter.

You can also hedge your bets by applying to other schools. I'd call Rice a stretch school for you with your current GMAT score - which means that it's not a sure bet you'll get in next year. So, you can apply to one or two other schools where you have a better shot. Do some research to figure out where you'd like to apply to - here's a few to get you started:

Texas A&M
ASU Carey
Purdue
Washington - St. Louis/Olin

sorry, I didn,t make it . I sent a mail to them to inform me my drawback, but they did not respond. very disappointed indeed! I think I will try to improve my score. Is that a good step? What else I should do to be there at least next year. Please give your suggestions about this. Any other b-school that matches my profile and is in the first 50 in global ranking? I wait for suggestions

Thanks, Ralph. I too think in the same line. I am also trying to build up a better profile for next season. Apart from Texas A&M can you name some other universities I can try? I hope to try again with a better gmat score!! This time I don't want to lose.

I listed a few in my last post, but it ultimately depends on what part of the country you want to study in - it's a big place so you should narrow your choices by geography at the very least.

I am trying to get into a good university in US. I want to improve my Gmat score and apply to Rice or Kennan-flagler or TexasA&M or Boston.I have work ex of almost 5 yrs. but in the same company and in the same project. I have not yet obtained an on-site experience. Is that a drawback? What is your advice regarding this part of my profile? My passion is to work with the power sector !!

Not sure what you mean by "on-site" experience. Usually work experience is work experience - and your five years would make you competitive at the programs you mentioned. In your letters of intent (and interviews,) just make sure you note your accomplishments - your role, how you progressed, and what you added to your projects.

I am trying to get into a good university in US. I want to improve my Gmat score and apply to Rice or Kennan-flagler or TexasA&M or Boston.I have work ex of almost 5 yrs. but in the same company and in the same project. I have not yet obtained an on-site experience. Is that a drawback? What is your advice regarding this part of my profile? My passion is to work with the power sector !!

Dear Ralph, Thanks a lot for all comments. I am planning to attempt Gmat once again in mid May. I have decided to apply to some middle tier universities this time, fall 2013.. After a web research, I think I will apply to TAMU,University of Illinois, University of Wisconsin and Tepper school of business. Do you think I am pursuing a realistic dream? I am preparing for my Gmat along with my job, which is quite stressful and I feel I am not able to put in maximum effort, but I have to compromise with that stress.
What is your opinion about university of california Riverside? Should I try there also? I am eagerly waiting for your comments.

I'd say that Tepper and TAMU are strong schools; you'll struggle at Tepper because their average GMAT is 690 and at TAMU only 9% of candidates are selected (and just 14% at Illinois). With your profile, which is similar to that of many candidates, you have to either apply before Christmas or look at schools with lower GMATs. Since it's April, you should be very happy with TAMU, Purdue, Indiana, Michigan State, Rice or Iowa. More realistic is Ohio State, UC Irvine, Vanderbilt, Arkansas, Arizona State, schools like that. I would focus urgently on a safer school like Maryland, Wake Forest, UT Dallas... and then try to upgrade from that.

Hi Duncan, Thanks for all comments.I am looking for universities with a medium Gmat,and comparatively less tution and other expenses. I am planning to take Gmat once again in mid may. At present I am rigorously working with the verbal section which let me down last time. I am hopeful of improving my verbal score considerably this time. I was quite happy going through the sites of illinois and TAMU. I do plan to apply in october/november. I will also apply to safer schools as you suggested. If i am able to get a 710/720 in my next attempt, what are my chances of admission to the middle tier universities considering my profile which is not very extra ordinary? I had a bitter experience with Rice last time when I was dinged after the interview even though my Gmat was within their average.!!

You need to be applying to schools where the average GMAT is very much lower than your GMAT. Most schools could fill themselves over three times with Indian engineers and IT professionals. Unless there's something which makes you seem different from them (volunteering, international experience, real innovation, something which demonstrated great verbal acuity) then you need your GMAT to be a positive strong point. That's why I am recommending to you schools where the average GMAT is perhaps 50 points lower than yours, like MSU Broad, UT Knowxville or UMass Amhurst.

With a higher score, then Maryland. PSU Smeal, Iowa Tippie, Arkansas and CUNY Baruch would come into play as safe schools when they are now slight stretches.

I think you have to take it as a massive compliment that Rice interviewed you. There must be something very promising in your application packet for them to interview an Indian IT guy with a GMAT under 700. They reject two out of every three applicants, but it's a good sign that they interviewed you -- and unsurprising that they rejected someone with your profile since there are so many similar to you.

Hi Duncan, I understand what you have explained. I want to do MBA because I strongly feel that it can change my career to a different path; a path totally different from the one I am currently involved in. I also want to research on b-schools which are affordable and less expensive. Can you suggest to me a few good b-schools of this category? The heresay that jobs are not very easy in US makes it very difficult for me to rely so much on loans of any kind, I rather prefer to finance myself with my earnings.I find myself stuck with these 2 important aspects.If I send my detailed resume to you, will you help in evaluating it so that I will get a more clear idea about myself.

A few good schools? I have mentioned almost 20 ;-)

There are some schools with average GMATs between 630 and 670 and with out-of-state fees under $29K pa:

Brigham Young University (Marriott) (UT)
University of Massachusetts--Amherst (Isenberg) (MA)
University of Connecticut (CT)
University of Missouri (Trulaske) (MO)
Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University (Pamplin)
University of Florida (Hough) (FL)
Auburn University (AL)
University of Alabama (Manderson) (AL)
CUNY Bernard M. Baruch College (Zicklin) (NY)
University of Oregon (Lundquist) (OR)