Nonetheless, the lack of work experience is not just a major but a HUGE hurdle. It would have helped to know the name of your college to get a sense of pedigree.

Though not explicitly mentioned, I am assuming you are yet to complete your undergrad. It was a hurried attempt (Had deadlines) and I plan to retake the test, for, I'd like to apply to top B. I gave the GMAT recently, and scored a 710 (Q49/V39). I'm a non-engineer final-year female from BITS Pilani. But can you please evaluate my profile based on the info^ ? I know, the lack of work ex would be a major downer. Perhaps a 'safe' school in Round 1? Would targeting Ivy League schools like Harvard, Wharton and Kellogg be too optimistic? I am not ready for a Round-1 application because I have my hands full, and I'd like to prepare before I attempt the GMAT again. I'd like to know how realistic it would be to apply to top, say, 10 B-schools. I'm pretty sure I want to work in my own organisation or gain work-ex post-MBA to later work in my own start-up. The MBA would get me ready for the management aspects, I guess. I'm currently pursuing a thesis(with fieldwork) in one of the best colleges in India for social work, on a topic which incorporates aspects of my stream (Pharma) into social work.(Luckily, my work with NGOs paid off, for it is in a pretty similar setting.) It's more like an excuse to gauge the situation, and familiarize myself with the technical know-hows, for I plan to start-up on those lines by the end of my project. Been involved with local and national NGOs since I was 14 (Both my parents were heavily involved in social work.) Co-founded the first ever business negotiation competition for under-grads in India. Also involved in the Academic Counseling Cell. Hostel Representative, Sports Sec, Secretary (Department Association) to name a few. Held various administrative (Not related to college fests) PORs in college. Here's the rest of my profile, to give you a better idea: It was a hurried attempt (Had deadlines) and I plan to retake the test, for, I'd like to apply to top B-Schools and I have heard horror stories of Indians with 710s getting dinged by adcoms.

Business Doctors by Sameer Kamat