VishGo wrote:
Hello
Admissionado,
First of all thank you so very much for replying to all these posts. I went through quite a few and learned a lot. Great going.
I would appreciate if you may help with my profile evaluation and choosing between PT and FT programs.
Profile:
Work Ex: 6 yrs. professional including internships
1. Worked as a Process engineer with two of the biggest companies in the world in dairy cooperative sector working in their very niche manufacturing sector.
- Managed and delivered successfully on several challenging projects (about $1.5 million investment in total)
- Projects led to savings worth in excess of $1 mn
- Though I do not have any direct reports, my job requires to work with company internal people and outside contractors to get work done in budget, on time and on target
- There are many details worth mentioning but I will keep it short here.
- Most likely able to get 2 strong recommendations from the people I worked with
2. Worked as an intern in 2 different manufacturing companies while working on my masters in the USA
- Great experience
- Was able to get significant savings for both the companies
- Most likely able to get 1 strong recommendation from here
3. Taught the Freshman engineering students at Texas A&M for 3 semesters. This experience is not included in the 6 yrs. mentioned above.
Based on my performance I was assigned to teach the honors class.
This also helped me fund most of my graduate studies.
Education:
- M. Engg. - Texas A&M College Station - GPA 3.55/4, received scholarship for admission
- B. Tech - Indraprastha University (ranked very highly in India for its biotechnology school) - Scored ~70% as per the University grading system but Texas A&M converted this %age to 3.93/4 per their standards (Should I report the score as a %age or as a GPA as per Texas A&M).
- Rank holder in middle school for several years and received scholarships (not sure if this is really relevant to the application)
- I was never good at complex calculus (though can handle the basic level easily) which is reflected in my undergraduate and graduate level maths scores which were primarily calculus
GMAT - A goof up in time management
- 630 (Percentile in 60s for quant and verbal), 6.0 in essay writing
- I think I can increase the score to ~700 with some better time management but note sure if I should really retake the exam
Extracurriculars:
1. Served as a marketing representative for the Texas A&M chapter of CRY (Child Rights & You) for about an year
2. Coordinated the fine arts events for two years for my undergraduate university in India. About 200+ participants, managed 5 subgroups of 5-6 people each.
3. Treasurer and library manager for my undergraduate University Hostel in India
I may find some smaller ones.
Post MBA: I like being in the manufacturing sector though I have always wondered what it would be like to work in the finance sector. I am an easy going person who likes to maintain a work life balance so do not really want to get into really high paying jobs with really high work stress.
I would like to be in a position where I can combine operations and finance such as a plant manager to start with and progress to VP operations or something similar.
Other details:
- Currently based in upstate NY making a decent salary with decent opportunities for promotion in engineering
- do not like the cold weather here and would prefer to move down south or towards west coast
- like the prospects of a PT as I can keep my job and keep adding experience while learning but have heard that it gets very difficult juggling between job, studies and family for 2-3 years
- I would like to move back to India in a few years.
- my company offers education support but I do not know the extent of support at this point.
- In my current company, I report directly to the plant manager and director of engineering
Questions:
1. Do I need to retake the GMAT?
2. How does a part time compare with a full time MBA in my case? I have seen colleges like Texas A&M and UTD have 16 months FT programs.
3. Which schools should I apply to?
4. Do good regional schools have good recognition across the world, say when I move back to India?
5. Does my lack of expertise in calculus prevents me from a career in operations + finance? I do not see my plant manager or VP operations using any calculus, in fact I am not sure if they can.
6. Any idea on how the international students fare as far as placements are concerned since they require some kind of visa sponsorship to work which will also be true in my case?
I think I have asked you a lot of questions to start with. I would highly appreciate a thorough feedback.
Thank you very much.
Regards,
VishGo
Hey Vishgo,
Wellt he first thing that popped out for me was when you wrote: " I am an easy going person who likes to maintain a work life balance so do not really want to get into really high paying jobs with really high work stress." well then, maybe finance is not really the path you want to take then.
Anyhow, you can see that later, once you get in to Bschool, but for the moment, for your goals, I'd definitely suggest that you stick to your current industry of manufacturing. It'll make things sound a LOT more believable.
1. Do I need to retake the GMAT?
I'm guessing you already know the answer to this one, but you asked anyways in the hopes that I would say No. But yes. You absolutely must retake the GMAT. Especially if you believe you can get a 700. Even if it takes you another year. Apply ONLY with your best score.
2. How does a part time compare with a full time MBA in my case? I have seen colleges like Texas A&M and UTD have 16 months FT programs.
Well, for the most part, part time makes sense when you want/have to work simultaneously. Otherwise, I'd suggest a FT program.
3. Which schools should I apply to?
Let's chat about this again, once you get your new amazing, much higher GMAT score, yeah?
4. Do good regional schools have good recognition across the world, say when I move back to India?
Not really. And therein lies the problem. Although maybe by then, if you have a great job in the middle, it won't matter so much. But you are still better off going to the best school you can.
5. Does my lack of expertise in calculus prevents me from a career in operations + finance? I do not see my plant manager or VP operations using any calculus, in fact I am not sure if they can.
Not really.
6. Any idea on how the international students fare as far as placements are concerned since they require some kind of visa sponsorship to work which will also be true in my case?
You will need a Visa sponsorship. Which in order to get, you need to get a good job, which in order to get, it's better if you go to a better school. aha!
So those are my honest answers. Like I wrote: first things first: your GMAT!!!! Go kill it!
And then we can figure out all the rest together,
Best of luck,
JF