Chances at Elite and UltraElite Schools?
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14 Nov 2006, 09:30
Hello,
I am about to begin the process application process for a handful of schools having recently completed the GMAT. Any thoughts on my outlook would be greatly appreciated.
Schools (a rather aggressive mix):
>Kellogg, Northwestern, Duke, Michigan
>Still deciding on a fifth: MIT or Stanford
Profile:
Age: 27
Ethnicity: Caucasian (US Citizen)
GPA: 3.9 from a strong regional, US school; Int.Business major with MIS and Spanish minors
GMAT: 690 (Q44, V40)--taken twice; Unfortunately, I am a historically slow test taker who takes awhile to settle into tests, which has been my undoing in the quantitative part. I am even considering spelling this out in the apps.
Work Experience:
>Over 4 years working as a healthcare IT consultant with the last 2-years working exclusively out of the States on several 6-month projects in different countries within Europe. During these projects, I have had an opportunity to lead the solution deliveries for both extremely large projects in established markets and smaller, key projects for our first clients of a given country. This has included opportunities to develop/manage my own teams (5 persons) along with owning key leadership roles on a solution/project level.
Goals:
Longer-term, I am looking to pursue either strategic/management consulting or general management within the IT arena, which I consider to be a slight change of course from my present path rather than a complete change. An MBA would be greatly beneficial from a technical level where I could ‘round myself out’ in areas where I have limited exposure to-date and a personal level to develop my leadership abilities. Additionally, the opportunity to interact on an interpersonal level with the caliber of students/faculty of these schools is a big part of the equation for me.
Others:
After undergraduate school, I put together my own volunteering experience in Costa Rica and Panama that was a life-changing experience. There are also several examples of collegiate roles demonstrating leadership.
Outlook:
I am hoping that I have a relatively unique niche, which could compliment a decent GPA/GMAT mix, as an American with significant international experience for work and pleasure with a rather unique experience being the volunteering trip I put together.
Again, any thoughts are appreciated.