Hi,

Thanks for the good work you are doing over here. I have read your book "The MBA Game Plan" in 2009 and found it an excellent resource.

Request you to kindly analyze my profile

 GMAT score : 700 ( Q=48; V=38) , Nov-2009 (had given it 2 times previously - 630 and 650)
 Analytical Writing : 5.0
 Citizenship: Indian
 Currently working and residing in : Singapore (past 3.5 yrs)
 Age: 30
 Degree: B.E (Computer Engg.)
 Year of graduation: 2003
 Years of experience: 8.5 years
 Current Employment Oracle Financial Services Software - Since Feb-2005. Mumbai and SG.
 Current Designation : Software development Manager
 Experience: Banking Domain - Origination, Interfaces, Payments. Working on various technologies in used in Flexcube-Retail. Now working on Next generation product. All new domain , new tech.
 Extra Curricular activities:
• Participated various events at school and college level,
• Was the member of Organizing Committee for cultural activities for my company in Singapore and organized many events like bowling day, family day.

I had taken up a leadership role since a very young age and have been managing a big team and a module within a huge project for last 3.5 yrs. I have been managing a big team, from a remote location (in comparison to the project "nerve-centre") , have led team members from 6 different nationalities. My designation has changed since 2009 then and am now considered a Manager rather than a team-member.

But I feel the urge to know more, learn the business side : marketing, finance, strategy , business management.
for example
1) how do businesses work
2) how to setup your own company
3) how do you sell an IT product.

I keep thinking about these questions and I am sure might get some guidance from books but somewhere I feel MBA is necessary.

My ultimate goal is to move up gradually through the management path, and the MBA will help prepare me for future opportunities as they come along.
If I had it in my hand, I really would want to be open about it and allow the MBA experience to open new doors to me.
But yes, I have no problems in mentioning or planning from now, that I would like to remain in the Technology Industry preferably in the consulting for the banking domain.

Can I do this right now by just switching jobs? Probably not.

I am a re-applicant.

Schools I had thought were a good fit for me 3 years back when I applied in 2009 but ended up applying to only 2.

Long shot : 1) Cornell 2) Emory 3) CMU Tepper 4) UNC Kenan-Flagler
Good Chance 1) Kelley 2) Austin
Safe Bets : 1) NUS - applied and dinged 2) HKUST 3) Broad - MSU 4) NTU - applied and dinged

As you can see, my safe bets rejected me. But I think my profile has changed a lot since then and I am ripe now to do an MBA.

What do you think of my choice of schools above in 2009. Are they still good suitable for my profile?
I have following specific questions. Request you to go through these and give me a few pointers on
1) Choice of schools for Fall 2013
a) Have I outgrown 2 yr MBA? Should I look for 1-1.5 yr programs (Cornell, Emory,Columbia in US and Oxford,Insead,Judge)
b) Should I look at other programs and not necessarily top 20. Outside US? Europe/Asia?
2) What can I do now to improve my profile?
3) Should I not show a tendency towards changing job function and say just wanna move up the ladder and do program management/project management?

I am sorry this is a long query. Let me know your analysis and guidance for Aug 2013.
_________________

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Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows. It's a very mean and nasty place and I don't care how tough you are it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain't about how hard ya hit. It's about how hard you can get it and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done! Now if you know what you're worth then go out and get what you're worth. But ya gotta be willing to take the hits, and not pointing fingers saying you ain't where you wanna be because of him, or her, or anybody! Cowards do that and that ain't you! You're better than that!