Indian IT Male 2 Yr Exp/600 GMAT - Chances (TAMU, NUS, Terry, UT Dallas)

I am a Computer Science Engineering graduate from Bangalore. I have been working in TCS from the past 2 yrs as a Programmer Analyst. I recently took the GMAT without any coaching and scored 600 (Q 47, V26). I used to score in 650s in my GMATprep mocks. My aggregate score in the 4 yrs of engg is 68%. The University topper would have an aggregate of 75-80%. I am a people's person and find it exciting to meet new people. I easily share a rapport with them. A voracious reader from a young age, I have diverse interests and have been doing extracurricular activities ranging from Writing, Pencil sketching, learning new Indian languages, playing Indian Classical music on the guitar. I have been actively involved in Charity. I have been volunteering to teach English to underprivileged kids in GOVT run schools. I have helped start a Library in one such school. I really adore my Alma Mater VVSSPHS to whose Library I make frequent contributions of good books that I think would shape the minds of young people. I am planning to do my MBA in Marketing in the US. I am looking at a school with affordable fees, so I chose TAMU - college station, Georgia Terry, UT Dallas, and NUS Singapore. These schools have a mean GMAT requirement ranging from 610-650.

Now that you know my profile, I request you to answer a question – What are my chance in these schools, if I were to apply using 600 GMAT score. I would need every scholarship, RA/TA and funding I can hope to get. Would you please advise me if I should retake the test or apply immediately with this score?

GyanOne: We strongly recommend that you retake the GMAT and try to get a score of at least 650 to give you better chance at these schools. At the moment, with just two years of work experience and a GMAT score of 600, your chances of admission are low. Some of the programs you have selected require GMAT scores and professional experience well in excess of what you currently have. For instance, a competitive international applicant at Mays needs a score of 680+, and the case with NUS is about the same. Even at Terry and UT Dallas, your chances of acceptance with a 600 GMAT are not too high. Your chances of a scholarship, on which you seem to depend a lot, are therefore low too.

It is important to understand the basis on which scholarships are awarded and how this process is different from the admissions process itself. Financial aid in the form of scholarship is generally awarded on two criteria – merit and need. On the merit plank, you need to demonstrate strong achievement in at least one area of your application to be able to rightfully ask for it. On the need plank, you are required to establish why your need for scholarship is high, why you are meritorious enough for the school to help you with a scholarship, and how you plan to use the money. If you are right at the cusp of being rejected/accepted, there is little reason for the school to spend funds to make sure you attend that school.

To increase your chances of admission and of scholarship, retake the GMAT and aim for a 650+ score. Finally, do not be held back by the fact that you are from the Indian IT Male category. This year, among our many successful Indian IT Male success stories, there was one of a professional from TCS who applied in a late round to mid-ranked U.S. schools with a GMAT score of 650 and four years experience. Not only was he accepted, but he received a good scholarship as well.

The Indian IT Male applicant category has become more of a categorization. We feel that candidates with this background need not fear the MBA admissions process. With proper planning and hard work, Indian IT applicants can attain great success at MBA admissions to top B-schools. For further perspectives on MBA applications for the Indian IT Male, please visit our blog on Indian IT Male.

About the Author

GyanOne is an educational services firm focused on premium GMAT coaching, application advisory (with a focus on ISB applications), and interview preparation for B-school admissions. GyanOne operates in the New Delhi region of India and has top global B-school alumni with a minimum score of 770 on the GMAT, as instructors. All GyanOne counsellors are professionally trained top B-school alumni with an experience of 100+ MBA applications behind them.