Hi,
I am in a very very confused state and I need help with school selection.
My profile:
Work experience: 2 years in engineering and project management @ F500. Laid off. Graduated in June 2009.
Current work: Doing a strategy internship at a startup.
Post MBA goal: Ideally investment banking. I would take consulting if I get an office in my country.
GMAT: 710
GPA: 2.6 in Electrical Engineering (Number 1 school in my country). Upward trending GPA with 2.9 last year. Btw my school releases rankings every semester.
My best ranking is top 15% for one semester(I worked really hard that semester. Then I slacked off for other semesters).
Essays: My story is all sorted out. And I believe I can churn out excellent essays (have always been more of a writer than an engineer. Have As in writing classes in undergrad. But only Bs and Cs in core engineering classes. Hence the low GPA).
Here's why I am confused: The top ranked school in my country places only like 15 people in ibanking. The school has a stellar reputation in finance. Problem is not with the school, but with the market. There are only for about 15-20 full time post-MBA associate positions so landing a banking job is extremely competitive. MBB hired 36 students from Duke, while they hired only like 5 in total from TOP schools in my country. Given my GMAT I can't help but think that I should apply for schools in US with decent banking/consulting placements. That would allow me to make a move into US where the market is way bigger.
My list so far: Booth, Stern, Duke. Any more suggestions? I also looked at Tuck and Kellogg and their essays seem right up my alley. But I am not sure whether I should apply there.
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