Profile Evaluation request

[01dynamic]

Male / 29

620 GMAT Q48 V28

Applying to Chicago, Kelloggs - Part-time/Weekend

Undergrad: B.S. Mechanical Engineering, India GPA - 71/100 (1st in class of 60)
Grad: M.S. Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Tier 1 US school. GPA - 3.6 Deans Scholarship

4 years Entrepreneurship - Turned around and sold businesses.
Incorporated and sold Engineering Consulting company.
plus
1 year with automotive supplier as an Engineer
2 years with one of the Big 3 Automotive manufacturer as an engineer.

Presently working for one of the Big 3 as Lean Consultant / Project Manager.

[mbamission]

Hi 01dynamic,

Thanks for writing in. It sounds like you have some interesting experience to write about with your company, and strong academics as well , but your GMAT does strike me as a weakness for those schools -- even for the non-traditional schedule programs.

Besides the overall score the Quant/Verbal breakdown is likely to catch the schools' attention, as your score is very heavily weighted toward Quant. If you think you can raise your Verbal -- and thus overall -- score through additional practice you may want to consider that. Otherwise I would heavily stress your work experience in your essays, write a short optional essay explaining why your GMAT Verbal is not indicative of your true Verbal ability, and make sure your "Why MBA" story is air-tight.

Good luck!
Daniel Richards
http://www.mbamission.com

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[01dynamic]

Daniel,

Thanks for the reply,

I think i have pretty strong "WHY MBA" story. I have attended classes at both the schools (Chicago and Kelloggs) and talked with the students about my experience and reasons for MBA. They were pretty impressed and did recommended me to apply even if i got low GMAT. My recommendations should be very strong - one from Sr. Management of Big 3 and other from President of one of the Business I worked with during my entrepreneurship experience. Even though I have strong essays and recommendations, do you still suggest the optional essay about my Verbal score? What are the valid reasons to write for low verbal. I don't want the optional essay to sound like whining to the admission committee.

Please advice.

[mbamission]

Hi again,

I do think the optional essay would be a good idea despite your strong recommenders, unless you instruct them the writers to specifically address your verbal skills.

You're not looking for valid reasons for a low Verbal as an excuse, but rather strengths you can point to that show you have strong Verbal skills in spite of your GMAT. Well-written essays will speak on their own, and if you took the TOEFL and scored well you can point to that as well. You may also want to point to how you communicate effectively in your job, presentations you've given, examples of persuasion in your job/community service.

Hope this is helpful and good luck!