Hi Guys,

I'd be grateful if someone can kindly evaluate my profile. I just gave my GMAT today and scored an average 660(disappointing considering I scored higher in GMAT Prep tests). Anyways, I am not too keen on giving it a second attempt.

My profile is as follows:
Std 10: 90.67%
Std 12: 86.33% [PCM: 96.33%]
Graduation: BE in Computer Engineering with Distinction
2+ years of work experience in one of India's leading IT firms.

Considering my low GMAT score, I have virtually eliminated applying in any of the tier 1 Universities such as Duke[Fuqua School of Business], Johnson Cornell University, etc.

I intend to apply to the following Universities:
May's Business School
Ernest Scheller College of Business [Georgia Tech]
Pennsylvania state university(Smeal)
W.P. Carey school of business(Arizona)

Is that a good decision? Also let me know if I should also look out for any other universities apart from the ones given above. My GMAT score threw me out of gear, so I really need all the help that I can get.

Thanks in advance!

With your low work experience and low GMAT, and the wide supply of similar applicants to yourself, I think you need to take one of those as a stretch school (not Mays, that's too competitive) and then focus on schools where you would be likely to get an offer like these, which have average GMATs lower than yours, and students with similar work experience.

Iowa State University (IA)
University of Utah (Eccles) (UT)
Bentley University (McCallum) (MA)
University of Oklahoma (Price) (OK)
University at Buffalo--SUNY (NY)
Louisiana State University--Baton Rouge (Ourso) (LA)
Kent State University (OH)
Creighton University (NE)
University of Vermont (VT)
California State University--Fresno (Craig) (CA)

If you scored higher in your practice tests, what's the harm in giving it another shot? With a solid bump in your score you'd be competitive at a few much stronger schools.

With your low work experience and low GMAT, and the wide supply of similar applicants to yourself, I think you need to take one of those as a stretch school (not Mays, that's too competitive) and then focus on schools where you would be likely to get an offer like these, which have average GMATs lower than yours, and students with similar work experience.

Read my post on GMAT tiers, linked from my profile page.

With your low work experience and low GMAT, and the wide supply of similar applicants to yourself, I think you need to take one of those as a stretch school (not Mays, that's too competitive) and then focus on schools where you would be likely to get an offer like these, which have average GMATs lower than yours, and students with similar work experience.

This is an old thread... but I had some similar questions and I am curious if your advice would be the same or different. I have a 660 GMAT score but with a little more work experience, 3 years. I am also focused on US schools, I'm American, and I did have May's on my list. Would appreciate your thoughts on my chances or other good schools I can apply to. Thank you.

I have residency in Illinois. Fees are not an issue.

Mays is not necessarily out of the question. If you apply for 2020 you'd have, what, over 4 years of work experience? As long as it demonstrates strong career growth and development, a 660 GMAT is not a dealbreaker. It will also depend on the other parts of your application - your undergraduate performance, your application essays, letters of recommendations, etc.

If you underperform on any of those factors, you'll probably want a stronger GMAT score.

That's great thank you for the advice. I'm aiming for 2020 as it is. I have also decided to try another shot at the GMAT. I think I could do better.

That's great thank you for the advice. I'm aiming for 2020 as it is. I have also decided to try another shot at the GMAT. I think I could do better.

I'm interested in going into technology (Amazon, Google...) I am aware of UIUC, but I'm really interested in an FT-ranked school.

I'm interested in going into technology (Amazon, Google...) I am aware of UIUC, but I'm really interested in an FT-ranked school.

Good advice from Ayon. Amazon and Google are now definitely recruiting MBAs from most of the top schools, with perhaps a particular emphasis on the 'tech' oriented schools like Georgia Tech, MIT, Ross... But also at those with less of a tech culture (Haas...)

For the 12-15 hour days, working weekends, holidays etc. It's not that much different from working in McKinsey...

Got it, thanks. Long hours and holidays don't bother me.