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westwhiskey1234
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[Profile Review] 27M In Aerospace 05 Feb 2018, 17:04
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Work experience:

Current Position: Aerospace company (Fortune 500)

Spent 1 year as Sr. Financial Analyst then moved to Program Management. Currently a Program Manager III and have been working this position for ~2 years. Lead PM on high visibility program worth >$200m, oversight from all aspects of program (hardware, software, content, customer relations, financial etc..). Received two promotions over 24 months (PM I > PM II > PM III) and in line for possible third before matriculation. Current salary is $115K + 15% yearly bonus.

Prior position: 2 years at aerospace company working in Finance - one promotion from Analyst to Sr. Financial Analyst.

Extra curriculars:

Admittedly not many. Currently working ~60 hour weeks so no real time for outside events. Participation in company charity/fundraising events about every other month. Adult soccer league, ski-club.

Undergrad school/major:

Pretty well regarded state school in California, respectable on west-coast.

Other education/coursework: PMP Certified, part of a few business clubs/intramural sports in undergrad.

Demographic: White/Native American male.

Stats

GMAT Score: Currently testing at ~ 720. Very high quant, verbal is about average.

Undergrad GPA: 2.7 (:(). No real excuse here just wasn't as concerned with my academics as I was going to parties and chasing tail. Hoping strong career performance and good recommendations can help overcome this anchor. Trying to get my GMAT to around 740-750 to help offset. Still figuring out how I will address it in my essay.

MBA Info

Goal of MBA: Very happy in my current company as I am well respected and rising quickly. Really main reason I have for pursuing MBA is most upper execs have it and if I wish to transition into higher level positions (ie. Director of Program Mgmt, etc) going forward I need a graduate degree.

As I don't want to leave my job I am currently exploring part-time/online MBA programs in the Southern California area. My low GPA/lack of extracurricular probably knocks me out of contention for Anderson but still going to give it a shot.

Target schools: Marshall, Merage (UCI), Foster Online (Preferred, explained below).

Reach: Anderson

Follow on question: What is the general consensus around here in regards to doing online MBA? Would I be able to present this the same as a full/part-time MBA. I am very interested in the UW Foster's Hybrid program which is 95% online because they have a good focus on tech and I love Seattle also travel to Boeing quite frequently for business. Assuming I can't get into UCLA part-time program this would probably be my top choice but not sure on the prestige that is 'lost' by taking MBA online.

I am not as concerned with losing the networking portion as I am fairly well connected within my current industry and I intend on staying in it.
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mbaMissionNishaT
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[Profile Review] 27M In Aerospace 06 Feb 2018, 12:12
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Hi, and thanks for writing! You have some progressive work experience and, as part Native American, some diversity on your side as well. While your GPA is on the lower end, a GMAT in your 740-750 target range can certainly help offset it. I don't think your GPA necessarily takes you out of the running for UCLA Anderson's part-time MBA, especially if you can secure excellent references, highlight your impact on your resume, and do well on the GMAT.

Regarding the value of an online MBA - it's a relatively new space, so not a ton of info regarding how companies perceive it. That said, even if you're not overly concerned about the networking opportunities, that there are certain hands-on learning aspects of an MBA that you may not necessarily get in an online program. Since you're pretty set on staying at your current company, I would ask them directly how they would perceive an online MBA.

Hope that helps a bit! Do feel free to reach out with any other questions :)


westwhiskey1234
Work experience:

Current Position: Aerospace company (Fortune 500)

Spent 1 year as Sr. Financial Analyst then moved to Program Management. Currently a Program Manager III and have been working this position for ~2 years. Lead PM on high visibility program worth >$200m, oversight from all aspects of program (hardware, software, content, customer relations, financial etc..). Received two promotions over 24 months (PM I > PM II > PM III) and in line for possible third before matriculation. Current salary is $115K + 15% yearly bonus.

Prior position: 2 years at aerospace company working in Finance - one promotion from Analyst to Sr. Financial Analyst.

Extra curriculars:

Admittedly not many. Currently working ~60 hour weeks so no real time for outside events. Participation in company charity/fundraising events about every other month. Adult soccer league, ski-club.

Undergrad school/major:

Pretty well regarded state school in California, respectable on west-coast.

Other education/coursework: PMP Certified, part of a few business clubs/intramural sports in undergrad.

Demographic: White/Native American male.

Stats

GMAT Score: Currently testing at ~ 720. Very high quant, verbal is about average.

Undergrad GPA: 2.7 (:(). No real excuse here just wasn't as concerned with my academics as I was going to parties and chasing tail. Hoping strong career performance and good recommendations can help overcome this anchor. Trying to get my GMAT to around 740-750 to help offset. Still figuring out how I will address it in my essay.

MBA Info

Goal of MBA: Very happy in my current company as I am well respected and rising quickly. Really main reason I have for pursuing MBA is most upper execs have it and if I wish to transition into higher level positions (ie. Director of Program Mgmt, etc) going forward I need a graduate degree.

As I don't want to leave my job I am currently exploring part-time/online MBA programs in the Southern California area. My low GPA/lack of extracurricular probably knocks me out of contention for Anderson but still going to give it a shot.

Target schools: Marshall, Merage (UCI), Foster Online (Preferred, explained below).

Reach: Anderson

Follow on question: What is the general consensus around here in regards to doing online MBA? Would I be able to present this the same as a full/part-time MBA. I am very interested in the UW Foster's Hybrid program which is 95% online because they have a good focus on tech and I love Seattle also travel to Boeing quite frequently for business. Assuming I can't get into UCLA part-time program this would probably be my top choice but not sure on the prestige that is 'lost' by taking MBA online.

I am not as concerned with losing the networking portion as I am fairly well connected within my current industry and I intend on staying in it.
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