zambrotta wrote:
Hi,
I would appreciate it if you could provide some feedback regarding my choice of schools. Specifically (1) My chances at them and (2) whether these schools are what you would advise someone with my profile and interests to apply to. Areas of interest include strategic technology consulting and product/brand management. Tks a mill.
A little personal background:
GMAT - 680 (Q-46, V-38, AW-5.0, Percentile - 89%)
MS in Computer Science from USC, GPA - 3.96
BS in Computing from Coventry University, UK, GPA - 3.8 (1st Class Hnr)
Work Experience - 5 Years - HP and Microsoft
Current Job Role - Mix of strategic planning and project management. I evaluate the features offered by other Internet content publishing systems, propose and design features that would offer greater customer value-add and differentiate my team's product from others in the market. I don't simply propose "lofty" ideas but technically feasible ones that have product differentiating value. I also do the ground work of managing project schedules and technical/marketing teams that are both local and out-sourced
Why do an MBA - Much that I have learned today about product management and approving features based on their strategic worth has been on the job. An MBA offers me an opportunity to develop a more formal skillset to do the same thing with greater emphasis on the business as a whole rather than just at the product level.
School Selection
Safety but good alumni employers
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USC
Within Reach, Mid-Risk,
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Cornell
UCLA
Within Reach but a Stretch
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MIT
Kellogg
Shot-in-the-dark
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Harvard
Zambrotta,
You did a nice job of handicapping your chances at these schools. I wouldn't change it much, but one important factor, especially at schools like Kellogg and HBS, will be your community profile. If it's nonexistent so too will be your chances at these two schools in all probability. They want well-rounded types who lead in multiple venues.
You might also look at Darden, Duke, Yale, and perhaps Haas. The first three would fall within your Within Reach, Mid-Risk category (or better); the last would fall in the Within Reach / Stretch category.
Good luck,