Hello,

I am 26 years old-Canadian who is looking to apply MBA for Fall 2013.

My target schools are Columbia, Fuqua , Johnson, Anderson, Rotman and I plan to work in a corporate strategy job at a large hotel chain. Here is my brief profile:

GPA: 3.3 (Bachelor of Commerce, major Hotel Administration, University of Guelph, Ontario), expected April 2013
GMAT: 670 (taking another one at the end of Dec to aim 700)
Experience: 5 years with global luxury hotel chain.
- 2 years in front-line positions at hotels
- 3 years in management (Vancouver, Abu Dhabi in operations management and Toronto where I am current working at corporate office in a strategy analysis role for the last 6 months).
Refereces: 1. my direct boss, Executive Director in Strategy and another Direcotr (Wharton MBA) that I helped to put together company's operating & strategic plans.
Extracurricular activities: not much except for some committee work (social, recognition) at my company for a few years.
Essays: I think I can clearly explain my unique situations and goals. But I would assume it would be an average.

As noted above with my education my case is a bit unique. I went to 2-year community college for a diploma, worked for 4 years full-time and transferred to university to finish 4-year degree. For personal reasons in the middle of 4th year, I had to go back to work full time but I had only a few courses left so I am completting them on a part-time basis and expected to finish in April.

I've contacted school admissions for top US 15 schools and they all said I can apply now with degree finishing in April and if accepted, I would get a conditional offer with sending them transcript at the end of April with completed degree.

Also, looking at the time line, I think I will be applying for 3rd rounds (except for Johnson and Rotman 2nd), which I assume more competitive.

I think I have the some advantages (2 years working in the Middle East, unique industry background) but also disavantages (my eudcation situation, GPA). I am contemplating if I should just try applying or aim for 2014, which then I might have better GMAT (something like 720 by taking a course), completed degree, more stable experience. Any advice would be much appreciated. Thank you.

Jason

Hi Jason,

It is great that you have a strong industry focus, and your post MBA career goal seems realistic.

Since your current role is directly related to your future career goal, if you think you can still learn a lot and take on more responsibility with your current job for another year, I would say just wait to apply next year. Focus on getting good grades on the rest of your courses, retaking the GMAT, and taking on leadership roles at work, then you will be in a really strong position to apply next year. It would also help you get to a more senior corporate strategy role post MBA.

Happy to discuss further if you have any other questions. http://marveladmissions.com/contact-us/

Thanks.

Christine Lin
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Christine Lin | Marvel Admissions
http://marveladmissions.com/ | Marvel Admissions Blog

I read your background and found it interesting. I think that a lot of top programs would find your background interesting but it has to be properly presented. I think the strongest aspect of your background is coming from a non-traditional industry and working internationally. Schools appreciate candidates who have different experiences and have actually experienced the world past vacations or study abroad programs. Next, you can actually play your education to your advantage. There are a few schools I would advise you against applying to having attended a community college, but there are others that would see your education as a unique achievement and path. As for which schools I would apply to, I recommend that you look at Yale, Cornell, NYU, Michigan, UCLA, Duke and USC. If you want to apply to one of the most competitive programs, I would recommend Wharton or Booth.
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