dghazer wrote:
Demographics:
27, American white male
Education:
BS in Economics from Central Michigan University
GPA: 3.00
I transferred between two schools, but finished my last four semester with a gpa in the ballpark of 3.5.
Experience
My experience is quite different than many mba applicants. I began working for a quick service restaurant franchise immediately out of college with the intention of learning if I truly liked the concept. I worked my way to district manager and then left the organization to become a franchisee myself less than 2 years later. I took over a failing franchise and have a decent turn-around story to tell. The business is now quite profitable and nearly self-sustaining.
I do not have any great extracurricular experience to speak of.
GMAT:
700 48q 38v 6 awa
Target Schools:
Cornell, Michigan, and Virginia have caught my attention but I am still researching schools.
Goals:
I have an interest in Healthcare administration, but it has been a while since I have sat down to evaluate my career. I am not sure that I would like to step into the traditional career ladder-climbing business world. This will obviously be my final step to deciding on whether to pursue an mba.
I have just begun to consider an MBA as an option. I am still contemplating whether it will make sense for me. Much of my interest in an MBA comes from simply looking to enhance my abilities and knowledge. The other interest would be to open doors into new possibilities in areas of business that I do not currently have access.
I am more curious as to whether you think that my ‘untraditional’ background would be more of an asset or hindrance
dghazer,
Since your non-trad career track shows leadership it won't be a hindrance, but it will put a huge burden on you to explain what the connection is between the restaurant business and healthcare administration (bad diet? Joke). If there is nothing in your background to make the HA goal credible than your background is a hindrance. Since HA has a 'social impact-y' aspect, your lack of extracurriculars/community will also damage the credibility of your goals. If you do have a good Why Health Care story then you should aim for the schools with strengths in that area. Given the question marks in your profile, Cornell, Michigan, and Virginia may be long shots for you, but Vanderbilt, Boston U., George Washington, Arizona State, and Rochester Simon all have health care strengths and should all be doable for you. Just be able to anticipate their questions.
Good luck,