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PhDChemist shot at a Top5 MBA - reallistic or illusionistic?

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ThomasD
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PhDChemist shot at a Top5 MBA - reallistic or illusionistic? [#permalink] New post   Updated on: 04 Feb 2010, 15:47
edited. sry

Originally posted by ThomasD on 19 Dec 2009, 06:44.
Last edited by ThomasD on 04 Feb 2010, 15:47, edited 1 time in total.
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ThomasD
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Re: PhDChemist shot at a Top5 MBA - reallistic or illusionistic? [#permalink] New post   28 Dec 2009, 05:57
Hi Linda&Paul,

if you have a minute or two, I would greatly appreciate a profile evaluation.

Thanks so much!

Thomas D
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Re: PhDChemist shot at a Top5 MBA - reallistic or illusionistic? [#permalink] New post   01 Jan 2010, 12:51
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Thomas,

First let me apologize for this tardy reply. I simply missed your posts.

A few thoughts:
  • I think you should aim for a higher GMAT score-- 700+ ideally. At least 80% or more on the quant with a little lower on the verbal would be competitive for the best business schools. 680 is a little low for these programs and you have the time and ability to aim for higher.
  • I think you are correct that you lack of formal full-time work experience could be a weakness. However if you portray your dissertation as a time when you developed your skills "in coordinating and managing an 'event' - be that organizing the progress on a research project, day to day research operations, or communicating findings across multidisciplinary audiences." and can show concrete examples of those skills, you will mitigate that weakness enormously.
  • If you also succeed in showing your research as multi-disciplinary and requiring organizational and management skills, you will also effectively combat any stereo-types about the solitary nature of bench/laboratory reserach.
  • Your goal is very solid given your background.
  • Your European background is also a plus.

In a nutshell, yes I believe you are being realistic and not delusional at all. You are starting early and taking the right steps -- assessment to begin with.

You may also be interested in:

In addition to the top 5 in general mangement at whatever ranking you are looking at, I suggest you consider Cornell's Accelerated MBA program.

Best,
Linda
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Re: PhDChemist shot at a Top5 MBA - reallistic or illusionistic? [#permalink] New post   02 Jan 2010, 08:30
Thanks for your encouragement Linda!
I am certainly aiming for a 700+ GMAT and from where I am with my studying and from a past experience with the GRE, I know 680 should be the minimum I can do with very good potential for 700+. I am aiming to take the test mid February to allow some room for retaking it if necessary and give me a little break before essay topics are released.
As for the 'lack' of a classical leadership/work profile, I agree with you, I will need to convey the multi-disciplanary nature of my research and need to emphasize that over these 5 years I have indeed developed more than just scientific knowledge, in particular some managerial qualities.
Again, thank you so much, the positive reinforcement makes me feel like I am indeed on the right track!
I glad I really started the application process early to think things through very carefully.

Happy New Year
Thomas
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Re: PhDChemist shot at a Top5 MBA - reallistic or illusionistic? [#permalink] New post   04 Jan 2010, 17:58
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ThomasD wrote:
Thanks for your encouragement Linda!
I am certainly aiming for a 700+ GMAT and from where I am with my studying and from a past experience with the GRE, I know 680 should be the minimum I can do with very good potential for 700+. I am aiming to take the test mid February to allow some room for retaking it if necessary and give me a little break before essay topics are released.
As for the 'lack' of a classical leadership/work profile, I agree with you, I will need to convey the multi-disciplanary nature of my research and need to emphasize that over these 5 years I have indeed developed more than just scientific knowledge, in particular some managerial qualities.
Again, thank you so much, the positive reinforcement makes me feel like I am indeed on the right track!
I glad I really started the application process early to think things through very carefully.

Happy New Year
Thomas


Thomas,

You're most welcome.

I think you ARE on the right track. Please let me know if Accepted can help you when it comes times to apply.

Happy New Year!

Linda
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Re: PhDChemist shot at a Top5 MBA - reallistic or illusionistic? [#permalink]
04 Jan 2010, 17:58

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