Request for brief evaluation

[john.doe.hello.world]

I would like to get some idea about how much (if at all) my GMAT score might help me get into one of the top 10 schools. Please note that I haven't given my GMAT yet. As of now, I feel I'll land up around 700-720.

My profile:
1. Undergraduate in Computer Engineering from India - GPA: 3.8
2. Masters in Computer Science from University of Southern California - GPA: 3.5
3. 2.5 years of work experience working as a software engineer at Apple. No team leading experience. As a side note, its almost impossible to get to lead a team in R&D at Apple in such a short period of time but I can get some good recommendations.

Other:
1. Have completed many leadership/management/communication related classes for prospective leaders at Apple.
2. Have overseen business and operations related activities including creating business plans for a small non profit organization (based in Belgium but operates also here in the US) working directly alongside the founder.
3. I don't know if this counts but although I don't exactly have a management/leadership profile at work, I was a lead for a project (a team of 4) and it turned out to be very successful. My manager can give me some good recommendation based on my work.

Question: Can a GMAT score of 730-750, help me compensate for my weak profile in order to get into one of the top 10 schools. Do I stand a realistic chance at all of getting into such a school? I wanted to have a very general idea about where I stand with my current profile.

Also, there are many volunteering opportunities (mostly community service related activities) at Apple. I haven't participated in any yet, but would it make sense to participate in one after my GMAT, close to the application time frame? Did read somewhere that desperately trying to do some volunteering work before applying raises a red flag. Is that true?

Also, I would be taking help from one of the consultancy companies to prepare my application so I could have an otherwise strongly prepared application.

I guess my question is, would any of the above count?

[mbamission]

Hi john.doe,

Thanks for writing in. Let me answer your questions head-on:

1) Anytime a candidate gets a GMAT above 730 the school is likely to take notice, but they will immediately look for the substance behind it to back up that score. Is there good work experience, does he/she have a compelling reason to attend this school. And perhaps most important -- what differentiates this candidate from others with the same GMAT score.

2) I would need to know a lot more about you to take an informed stance on your chances at a top-10. From what you share, I would be concerned about your lack of leadership roles and extracurriculars, but you may be able to make that up with a compelling "why MBA" story.

3) Schools can usually see through a candidate who shows no history of community service and then all of the sudden becomes very active in the months leading up to his/her application. But if there are valid opportunities at work, or through other means, I suggest still pursuing them for some experience. You just don't want to over-emphasize their importance in your life in your essays, as the schools will probably take notice.

Hope this is helpful!

Best,

Daniel Richards
www.mbamission.com
daniel@mbamission.com

[john.doe.hello.world]

Thank you very much for taking the time out. Greatly appreciate it. I will definitely get back to you after I get my actual score.

If my GMAT score turns out to be good enough, I'll be contacting MBA Mission immediately thereafter to begin the application process. On that note, I was wondering if May 7th (my test date) is ok as far as application time frames go?

[mbamission]

Hi again,

If you're talking about applying for Class of 2014, a May GMAT date gives you all summer to work on your applications (the schools don't usually release the essays until summer anyway). Even if you're not happy with your GMAT score and want to take it again, I suggest beginning to parallel path your essays too so that they're not rushed.

When you're ready, you can take advantage of mbaMission's free 30-minute consultation to get a fuller assessment and learn more about the service, Just request one at mbamission.com.

Good luck!
Daniel Richards
daniel@mbamission.com

[john.doe.hello.world]

Thanks a lot for the information! This really did help.