Hi, everyone!
Kindly ask someone to evaluate my application profile, though it may seem a bit controversial.
I am 31 years old male from Russia, married and have little daughter. I graduated from the most respected Russian university where I majored in chemistry. My GPA is not great at all (I tried to convert to US scale and ended with something around 3.0). I have had a combination of part-time job and kind of health problem at the beginning of my education (at second year I even had to get academic vacation because of this) that prevent me to achieve higher grades. After graduation there were barely any job for me in Russia for my specialization, so I switched to IT and finally landed at one of the biggest multinational investment company in Russia. For 5 years of work there I was nominated one year as Best Employee and received proposal to head my team. Last two year I was Head of IT in a new financial structure established by the former top-manager of my previous company and had 2-3 really interesting projects done during that time. Last several months I am unemployed: I forced my MBA preparation, also my close relative needed my help and support because of severe illness.
Some additional information:
1. GMAT1 - 600, GMAT2 - 690 (Q49, V35, AWA4, IR5). Sadly, there is no time left to retake before second deadline, though last two mocks before exam yield 750 and 770.
2. I did not have TOEFL score yet, but I expect to reach 100 points threshold.
3. My dream is to combine my previous experience in chemistry and current experience in information technologies, and to get into some greentech/biotech/health company. Eventually I want to establish my own company with concentration in recycle and/or renewable energy technologies. I should agree that I better fit for research or analytic work, but MBA allows to see further and broader, and to get right direction from right people.
4. My schools are Haas, Columbia, Duke, Mays and Ross, all Round 2. Application for INSEAD two-year program in R3 is also considered. I am thinking about Marriott as well primarily because of affordable tuition but this school is a bit confusing for its Ecclesiastical Endorsement
5. My wife is the same age as I am and also want to get an MBA with me, but she stuck with GMAT right now. Expect to get 630+.
6. EAA: educational program for foster children (participating), "mafia" club for my colleagues (leading and developing). As you can see, this part is a kind of blemish here.
So, my questions to you are:
1. What are my chances to get into the mentioned schools? Is my list of schools coherent with my goals from your point of view? Actually, this list is based on a limited research so I could miss something.
2. What are the chances to get MBA together with my spouse? Or we have better chances to apply separately?
3. Should I consider to retake GMAT and apply in R3?
4. Will age affect our chances to get admitted?
5. Should I mention my academic vacation (I'm not sure if in US term "academic vacation" is used and understood in a right manner)? AFAIK, adcomms dislike vacation to prepare for admission, so should I emphasize reasons in any additional letter?
6. How to tackle EAA section?
Thank you!
P.S. I posted this request in several AC subtopics. Hope this is not an issue.