Profile evaluation - Harvard / Wharton / Columbia

[quenyan]

Hi,

Would be really grateful for any thoughts on my profile. Appeared for my GMAT recently (first attempt) and got a decent(ish) score:

Total: 750 (98th percentile)
Quantitative: 49 (81st percentile)
Verbal: 42 (96th percentile)
AWA: 6/6
IR: 5/8

I am a 26 year old Indian male based in London (for close to 4 years now). I work in a top-tier international law firm and specialize in the corporate / energy sector.

I passed out of one of the top law-schools in India and started work in London directly after. I have also worked in the Middle East for about six months on a secondment.

I have decently strong extra-curriculars (sports; languages; literary / debating; law review editorship; social causes).

As a lawyer, I currently advise / act opposite some of the biggest energy companies in the world. My primary intention behind doing an MBA would be to gain an additional dimension to my existing skill-sets - I really enjoy working in the energy sector and would look to stay in it post-MBA (e.g. at a commercial position at an energy company / role at an energy consultancy firm / any other interesting opportunity).

Just wanted to gauge your thoughts on the relative strengths / weaknesses of my profile. I am looking to apply to Harvard / Wharton / Columbia in Round 2.

I know my IR score is on the lower side - how much of a difference do you think that would make.

Any thoughts / suggestions / pointers would be very gratefully received

Thanks a ton.

[mbamissionjenK]

Hi there,

Thanks for your post, and congrats on the (way more than decent!) GMAT score!! You have a strong profile with a lot of different aspects you can touch on-- vast international experience; legal and energy sector work, extra-curriculars, etc. I would think you'd have a shot at the top programs you mentioned, IF you can nail those essays and really show what you'll bring to the program as well as what you'll do with the degree.

It will be important to emphasize that you do have a clear plan in mind and know you need the MBA, since you have a lot of qualifications and experience already, so just keep that in mind.

And then of course remember that those top ranked programs get a LOT of high qualified applicants, so there's never a sure-shot, and you have to stand out and be remembered and have very strong essays (and eventually interviews).

I wouldn't worry about the IR, it's acceptable and schools are still working on how they'll further incorporate it into the decision process.

Good luck to you! Keep us posted.

[quenyan]

Thanks Jen - extremely helpful.

I will keep you posted :)

[mbamissionjenK]

You're welcome, good luck!