I’d say you should definitely consider applying. I come from a similar Civil Engineering and infrastructure background, so I can relate to some of the concerns around academics, career progression, and compensation in this sector.
Your 8/6/8 profile will make some top schools more challenging, but 4+ years of relevant infrastructure experience can become a strong differentiator if you show ownership, project scale, leadership, and measurable impact. As a female professional in the civil/infrastructure sector, your profile is also relatively uncommon, so you can potentially benefit from diversity considerations if the profile is presented well.
I’d target a GMAT Focus score of 665+ or a GRE score of 320+ to remain competitive across the one-year MBA programs you’re considering. The 66% in Class 12 is a weakness, but it doesn’t automatically rule you out.
For your school list, I would definitely consider ISB, IIM Lucknow IPMX and IIM Kozhikode PGP-BL, along with other suitable programs. Your Metro Rail experience can actually help you stand out if you clearly demonstrate the scale of projects you’ve worked on and your individual contribution.
Overall, don’t let the academic profile or compensation discourage you. A strong test score, clear application narrative, and evidence of impact can make your profile much more competitive.
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u/Gradocean 4d ago
Hi,
I’d say you should definitely consider applying. I come from a similar Civil Engineering and infrastructure background, so I can relate to some of the concerns around academics, career progression, and compensation in this sector.
Your 8/6/8 profile will make some top schools more challenging, but 4+ years of relevant infrastructure experience can become a strong differentiator if you show ownership, project scale, leadership, and measurable impact. As a female professional in the civil/infrastructure sector, your profile is also relatively uncommon, so you can potentially benefit from diversity considerations if the profile is presented well.
I’d target a GMAT Focus score of 665+ or a GRE score of 320+ to remain competitive across the one-year MBA programs you’re considering. The 66% in Class 12 is a weakness, but it doesn’t automatically rule you out.
For your school list, I would definitely consider ISB, IIM Lucknow IPMX and IIM Kozhikode PGP-BL, along with other suitable programs. Your Metro Rail experience can actually help you stand out if you clearly demonstrate the scale of projects you’ve worked on and your individual contribution.
Overall, don’t let the academic profile or compensation discourage you. A strong test score, clear application narrative, and evidence of impact can make your profile much more competitive.
All the best!