gigi_mba wrote:
Hello,
I'd really appreciate if you can evaluate my profile and give me feedback on my chance of successfully geting into top 10 as well as the direction I should focus on during my application.
I come from the unfortunate stereotype "IT (software engineer)" pool and currently aim for full-time fall 2007 admisisons in the following universities in order of choice:
1. MIT
2. Haas
3. Kellog? / Chicago?
4. Anderson UCLA (close to my family)
5. ? (Feel I should pick up another one, any susgestion?)
Or maybe I'd be better off to apply for Part-time/Evening program? Personally, prefer full-time program if no financial issue. The targeted focus is Technology Management / Product Management (Compared with consulting, the other focus I am interested, I think I have advantage in Tech/Product Management)
Here is my background:
1. Chinese Male, 33 (will be 34 in 2007)
2. Decent academic background:
M.E. Computer Engineer from Chinese prestigious university, GPA: 87/100
M.S. Computer Science from Purdue University, GPA: 3.8
GMAT: Will take in November, confident > 700
Work experience:
1. Key role in help commercialize research product (interact with investment partener, coordinate manufacturer and field support for prototype demo) for the professor during my graduate study back in China.
2. 4+ years of experience working for Qualcomm Inc. Starting as software engineer, promoted once (currently Sr. Engr) and expect to be promoted next year. 4 times "Hall of Fame" individual rewareds. Currently as tech-lead, lead a small team (half team in India) of software developer. Main responsibility is lead product development, help customer commercialize handset (field "fire fighter"), also do sub-project (product feature) management.
3. Training:
Course from UC Project Management Certificate training.
Company provided leadership training
Currently enrolled in Stanford Certified Project Manager Training program, expected to get SCPM middle next year.
Other experience:
1. Active members of "Volunteers San Diego", participate in various projects to help improve local community and low income family.
1. Voluteering for "Habitat for Humanity"
2. Committee member of company Badminton club, organize annual tournament.
3. Photograph club member
Goals:
Short term goal is to fully switch to Product/Program Management. Long term is to do strategy planning => Start my own business
Why an MBA and why now?
I have always loved to do problem solving, which gives me self satisfaction. Analytic skills and planning/execution is my strength. I'm coming from a family full of entrepreneurship spirit (My brother, sister both have their own business). I have been dreaming to have my own business in hi-tech since college age. With that in mind, I have always been prepareing myself. Now with my graduate study in both hardware/software fields, plus 4+ years of working experience, I feel the necessary of adding more business skills and the urge to learn it. I'm a very quick learner and have done excellently in technology, but to excell and achieve my life goal, I need the MBA experience.
How to distinguish from others:
1. Although I am "older", my career actually just started and it advances smoothly so far. And the reason for that is because I get the academic training in two top universities and in two different disciplines.
2. Most of the ITers specialized in software engineer. I came with both hardware/software background.
3. Have a consistent career plan since college. MBA is inline with my goal, although I may consider to switch to business/finance totally as well.
4. Family's entreprenurship tradition.
Questions:
1. Are the schools I chose proper for me? How much chance I will have for those top 10? Any better recommendation? How about part-time/evening program?
2. What area I should focus on during application to further distinguish from others? Do I need to enhance community volunteering experience?
Thanks a lot
- GiGi_MBA
GiGi,
Sorry for the delayed reply. Even with a 700 GMAT I think the full-time programs of the 5 schools you named will be longshots for you because of your career progression relative to your age, insufficiently strong managerial profile, and non-unusual extracurriculars. It's quite possible, even likely, that you're stronger than you appear in the profile you gave me, but that's what I have to work with. The main problem is not major red flags but a lack of break-out factors to compensate for your age, etc. I therefore recommend that you consider full-time schools further down the list, such as USC, Indiana, Texas, CMU, UNC, Babson, perhaps Michigan. You could also apply to some of the schools you mentioned as long shots, of course. You would definitely have a better shot at the part-time programs of the schools you mentioned.
Good luck,