Indians with an educational or professional background in Information Technology (IT) generally have a tough time in gaining admission to top MBA programs in the United States mainly because of the huge number of applicants from this sector.
However, there is no cause for despair. Admission experts will provide you with some tips and tricks to overcome such hurdles as being part of a large applicants’ pool.
The first thing you have to do is aim for really high GMAT scores. Keep in mind that GMAT average scores have gone up by about 20 points at top schools. Thus, if five years ago, 700 was the threshold score, it is around 720 for everyone now.
good GMAT scores are only part of the process. Just because you have high scores would not ensure you a seat. The schools take into consideration several other factors including educational and industry background.
You may also need to adjust your score based on demographic factors, that is, the large applicants’ pool combined with uniformity having Engineering as professional background. Experts suggest adjusting your score down by about 20 points. Thus, for applying to a school with a 690 average, you will need to score 710 to get a good chance at acceptance.
According to a GMAT Club report, for every 20 points that you can get above 700 will double your chances. Those scoring from 700 to 720 will get a boost from 2% to 5% and another 20 points more will raise the chances to 11%.
However, good GMAT scores are only part of the process. Just because you have high scores would not ensure you a seat. The schools take into consideration several other factors including educational and industry background.
Thus even with a GMAT score of 770, if you lack work experience with a reputed company or graduated from a relatively unknown university, you may not make it. On the other hand, work experience in a well-known Consulting or bank and an IIT degree or equivalent, schools may offer you a place, even if you have somewhat lower scores. Along with Consulting, Healthcare or Pharma may also be your ticket to a seat.
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But how would you, with an IT background, the same work achievements and profile as thousands of other applicants, make the grade? You should be able to stand out in some way through some sort of innovative voluntary work or interests. Here the trick is to adjust your expectations according to your background and apply to more B-Schools with a broader range of selectivity.
In work experience, you should be aware that the three years’ work experience is the bare minimum as also the age of the student. GMAT Club report says that among Indian applicants, those in the age range of 28-30 have the highest acceptance rate of 7%. It implies that those with 6-8 years of work experience are preferred by the schools.
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Admissions committees prefer those with additional years of experience as it is easier to assess their track record. Older applicants tend to have more leadership and experience.
Industry background allows for some leeway in the number of years at work. Some sectors like investment banking and MBB consulting allows for the minimum experience. Such applicants already have a strong profile and several of them would have their MBA sponsored in the normal course of their career.
The others may have to wait for a longer period but not to such an extent as in the case of Indians who apply to full-time MBA programs at 33 plus. They may have little chance of admission even in the top 20 schools. Their age group have other options including one-year programs, EMBA, European and Asian MBAs, part-time or weekend programs.(Image Source: Pxhere.com)
